Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-18
WILL BE a QUIET DAY
Christmas Plans Of the President and Mrs
Mckinley.
No Small Children to Add to the
Pleasure Of the oceasion-In
Years cone BY.

iHere HAS peen nothing ike set ceie-
bration of Christmas at the White House
! since the advent Of President and Mrs. Nc
kinley, and no one can say accurately what
will be done this Christmas. The proba-
bility is that the day will be an exceedingly
quiet one. Mrs. McKinley's health is not
OF the best and she has not felt like PLAN
ming ahead, as SO many women in perfect
physical health are enabled to do and find
pleasure in doing.
The jollity which characterizes the pres
ence OF many young children has never
been manifest during the Christmas holt
days since Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley came
to Washington. No near relative has lit
tie children who would enjoy Christ
mas tree or a romp with Santa Claus
through any of the big rooms of the Execu-
tive Mansion, as was the case in the Har-
risOn and Hayes administrations. Santa
Claus rides swiftly past the White House
on Christmas eve night, as he knows that
there are no stockings waiting for him to
fill.
The Christmas of 1897 was soon after the
death of the Presidents mother, and there
was no lively celebration Of the day. Some
OF the n.eces of the President and his wife
were present. They went visiting in the
city and in turn received a few visitors.
Presents were exchanged. the President
and Mrs. Mckinley remembering each other
and close friends and relatives that way.
That Christmas, in point of weather, vas
much like this promises to be. The day
was warm and the season had been what
is called an open one. The grass is now
green in the White House grounds, and TN
less the weather becomes colder Christmas
will not resemble what the children III
northern New York expect about that time.
In fact, there will probably be violets AND
other flowers in the grounds of the Execu-
tive Mansion, and all except the trees Will
be green and pretty.
One Year Ago
Christmas Of 1898 saw several nephews
and nieces of the White House family at
the mansion. They remained there some
time after the holidays, and In quiet way
found much enjoyment. All Of them re-
ceived presents. Mrs. Mckinley went to
New York some time before Christmas
and while there bought a beautiful gold
watch charm for the President, who, like
wise, gave his wife a beautiful present.
The majority of Mrs. McKinley's presents
are of exquisite hand work of her own.
The many hours which she spends in her
room are devoted largely to handwork with
the needle Mrs. Mckinley Is most expert
and artistic in this line. Slippers and all
kinds of things are made and at the holiday
season are appropriate and choice presents.
Mrs. Mckinley carefully makes these ar
ucles from original designs, which attract
attention anywhere they are seen.
For the two Christmases before the one
now coming the President has ordered
presents distributed to every attache of the
White House. Every married person in the
building has been presented with a big fat
turkey, while the single men and the women
have been given jewelry and suitable pres
ents. White House attaches remember the
Christmas days when Presidents Harrison
and Hayes were in the Executive Mansion
Then Christmas trees were had on Christ
mas day. Not only did the attaches receive
turkeys and other such articles the day
before Christmas, but en- Christmas day
they were invited to be present and each
~ cd a mr. ant frny fI,faf Nnn
Children in the White House.
In the last Cleveland administration the
children were large enough to look for
ward with great eagerness to the coming
of mysterious Santa Claus. and they hung
up stockings and anything else convenient.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland watched the happy
faces of the little ones until bed time, just
like other parents. and then conferred with
Santa Claus, the result being that the old
man from the north stopped with heavily
loaded teams and took so much down the
White House chimneys to give the children
that he almost stopped the chimneys. At
one time he became fastened in big Chin
ney, and Jerry Smith, the ancient colored
servant, had to assist in getting him out
50 that he could continue his rounds to
other Washington children.
No specia: bill of fare for the Christmas
dinner is prepared for President Mckinley
and his guests who are, as stated, relatives
Mckinley are nearly always present on
Christmas day. The President does not
have to bother about fine. fat turkey for
the chief dish. That bird is always sent to
him from Rhode Island, and the steward
has nothing to do but prepare 1t for the oc-
casion There are plenty of cakes fruits
and other good things. Boxes and baskets
of fruit begin to arrive from all parts of
the country days before Christmas. The
President does not these things but the
steward handles them. AS many as a
.
times received, together with every other
Imaginable fruit. Kind-hearted and thought
full people everywhere think of the chief
magistI ate, and wish to divide with him
whatever is good to eat. Preserves, cakes
and such article. are among the things re-
celved through the express companies dur