Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
TO HAVE
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS
Mr.. and Mrs: Hoover to Miss
Older Son, Who Must Stay
in California.

President and Mrs. Hoover's first
Christmas in the White House will be
a quiet, simple affair, typical of the
observance in many thousands of
Anne rican homes.
Throughout their married life, espe-
cially when their boys were young
sterS, Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover have al
ways made much over Christmas, and
there is every reason to feel that they
are not going to change their ways just
because the former is now President
and they happen to be living in the
Executive Mansion.
This famous old mansion, which has
been the scene of Christmas celebra-
than century, again will witness an
observance which. while dignifisd and
plain, will be a really merry one.
Nevertheless the happiness of Mr..
and Mrs Hoover, as in many other
homes where absent ones will rob the
day Of some of its joyousness, is going
to be tinged with disappointment.
Herbert Hoover, jr., the older of the
two Hoover boys, and Peggy, his young
Sd. aged 4, and Peggy. aged 3. will be
spending Christmas at their home
Thousands CT miles away in Pasadena,
Calf.
Despite this keen disappointment
over the absence of thir son Herbert
and his family, the presence Of Allan,
the younger of the two boys. will dispel
the gloom on Christmas day. Allan,
who is studying business administra-
ton at Harvard. will be with his
parents during the holiday period.
Send Presents to Coast.
Although Mr. and Mrs Hoover are
not going to enjoy the sound of pat
tering grandchildren's feet up and
down the corridors Of the White House,
they have had the fun of packing
presents and toys to send of to Her
bsrt's family. A great share of this
fun has been Mrs. Hoover'S.
The Christmas season has found the
President unusually busy and he has
been remaining at his desk until we'll
after dark each afternoon. Mrs. Hoover
has bought all sorts of dolls and other
playthings for the two grandchildren,
and when the big box from the White
House arrives at Herbert's little home
in far-oq Pasadena there will be much
excitement
The Hoovers will have plenty of
company during the holiday season.
Among these will be the old friends
who used to frequent the Hoover home
on street and who drop in uncere-
moniously at the White House. They
will be anything but lonely.
Mrs. Jeanne Large of Monterey,
Calf, Mrs. Hoover's sister, and her two
children, Janet, aged Is, and Delano,
aged IA, who have been frequent Wis
itors at the White House since last
March, will be house guests over Christ
mas. 1t is expected that two or three
other intimate friends may also be
house guests on this occasion.
Christmas dinner, for a small circle
of the Presidents friends. will be an
elaborate, though informal one. Nor
ere the young people going to be for
gotten. To compensate somewhat for
the absence of their own grandchildren,
the President and Mrs. Hoover will
have the children of some of their
friends visit them Christmas afternoon.
Among these will be the families of
Secretary of Labor Davis and George
Akerson and Walter Newton, of the
President secretariat. Then. of course
a young folks party will follow.
It has not been decided yet whether
or not there will be a carol festival be-
meath the front portico Of the White
House on Christmas eve. This custom
was adopted by the Coolidges several
years ago, and drew many hundreds of
persons to the White House grounds to
JUN III Tie SulBIIlS.
Trees to Be Trimmed.
Mrs. Hoover will personally superin-
tend the task of placing the green's and
other decorations suggestive of the holi-
day, and will help trim the several trees
that will be erected in the house.
The principal tree will be placed al
the south end of the east room. At its
base will be figures and objects depict
ing the scene at the birth of the Christ
child. There VIII be another tree in the
room on the second floor used as liv-
ing room, and also a small, trimmed
tree In each bedroom and another on
the front portico, making Is in all.
The President and his wife will send
no gifts except to members Of their
family and very intimate friends, Mr..
Hoover has so few hobbies, and because
of this and his aversion for jewelry, 1t
is always a difficult matter for Mrs.
Hoover to select a Christmas gift for
him. AS usual, therefore, she will make
books serve as the principal part of her
gifts to her husband. Among these arc
some new travel and mystery stories
She knows the Presidents liking for
such reading.
The President and Mrs. Hoover will
not inspect their Christmas packages
until after breakfast, and will attend
religious services later in the morning
In the meantime, poStmen and mes
senger boys are making frequent trips
to the White House, conveying gifts
and greeting cards sent by friends and
admirers all over the country.