Alexandra Kulick
  • About Alex
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
  • Contact

A Roosevelt Christmas: 5 Fun Holiday Traditions

12/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? The history lover in me relishes the opportunity to look back through the decades at special Christmas traditions. In writing A Roosevelt Smile, I divulged in reading memoirs and hearing about what made the holidays magical in the Roosevelt household, and I wanted to share five of my favorites with you!
 
Picture

1. Beautiful Gifts for All

Picture
As the matriarch of Springwood, Sara Delano Roosevelt relished in running the estate as her husband did, even if it had become financially unprofitable through the decades. Each Christmas, she prepared gifts for "her people," a term she endearingly referred to the estate workers by. She'd personally prepare their gifts, wrapping them in striped paper and adorning small candies to the top. In A Roosevelt Smile, you'll get to see my great-grandmother Frances receive one of these heartfelt packages!


2. The finest sliced Turkey

​While Franklin studied at Groton, he learned the fine art of turkey carving. The goal was to slice turkey so thinly that opaque light could be seen through each piece.  When his oldest son learned the same technique at Groton, carving the turkeys became a competition, though both contestants lamented requests for seconds before firsts were served.

3. Gift Closets Galore

​Eleanor Roosevelt had a present room on the third floor of the White House, a windowless space with lots of shelves and a table for wrapping. She shopped for gifts from her large family year round, popping into stores after appointments to look for the perfect present. 

4. Overfilled Stockings

​Christmas in The White House was exceptionally exciting for the Roosevelt grandchildren. In 1936, Curtis shared the content of his Christmas stocking, from Santa, of course! The stockings were so stuffed they couldn't hang from the mantel, and the children had to wait for everyone to be present to dive in! Curtis's stocking included mittens, socks, handkerchiefs, and a toothbrush, along with 3-4 English-made lead soldiers. At the bottom of the stocking were an exotic orange and a $5 bill- a small fortune to stuff a piggy bank with!

5. A Christmas Carol

Christmas Eve wouldn't be complete without FRD's fireside rendition of A Christmas Carol. According to his children, he'd ham up the character's voices, even removing a faux front tooth to gain a bit of a whistle in Tiny Tim's voice!
Picture
And, for a quick bonus:
The Springwood and White House Christmas trees were lit with beautiful candles throughout the pine branches. After being rendered paralyzed, this triggered one of FDR's deepest fears- being stranded in a burning building so ample buckets of water and sand were present, and the candles were extinguished quickly!
​

Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday!

P.S.- I can't wait to share A Roosevelt Smile with you in the coming New Year! Subscribers will get access to ARC copies and the best deal around. Make sure you're on that list!
Subscribe to Newsletter
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    top homeschool blogs
    Alexandra Kulick
    Follow @alexnkulick

    Alexandra

    is a writer & tired homeschooling mom of five.

      Stay in Touch!

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Categories

    All
    Devotional
    DIY
    Faith
    Family
    Health
    Homeschool
    Nursing
    Pregnancy
    Publishing
    Recipe
    Review
    Supernatural Childbirth Testimonies

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    December 2016

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About Alex
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
  • Contact