Scroll To See More Images
Forever our first family. The Obama Christmas cards through the years will go down in White House history.
Though they no longer live on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Obamas—Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha—will forever remain in our hearts as one of the best first families to stay in the White House. Barack Obama, a former Illinois senator, was elected as the 44th President of the United States in 2008 after he beat Republican candidate John McCain. Barack started his term in 2009 and thus started the Obamas first time in White House. Barack was re-elected as POTUS in 2012 after he defeated Republican candidate Mitt Romney. After eight glorious years, the Obamas moved out of the White House in January 2016 after Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States.
In their eight years in the White House, the Obamas have shared tons of memorial photos with the American public. Among them were their annual Christmas cards. From sweet family photos to pictures of their family dog, Bo, the Obamas sure know how to make their holiday cards look festive. The Obama family’s time in the White House may be long gone, but we can still remember a time when they were our first family. See the Obama Christmas cards over the years ahead.
2009
Image: Courtesy of White House.
Image: Courtesy of White House.
For their first year in the White House, the Obamas shared a simple gold and white Christmas card with the United States eagle surrounded by a wreath. Inside, Barack and Obama wished the nation a happy holiday. “May your family have a joyous holiday seaosn and a new year blessed with hope and happiness,” they wrote.
2010
Image: Courtesy of White House.
Image: Courtesy of White House.
The 2010 Obama Christmas card saw a photo of the White House on a snowy day, as the lawn, bushes and trees were decorated in powdery white snowflakes. “May your holiday be filled with the simple gifts of the season and may your new year be blessed with health and happiness,” the Obamas signed.
2011
Image: Courtesy of Larassa Kabel/White House.
Image: Courtesy of White House.
For 2013, the Obamas used a photo of a room in the White House bathed in Christmas decorations and the warmth of a fireplace. “From our family to yours, may your holidays shine with the light of the season,” they signed.
2012
Image: Courtesy of Mark Matuszak/White House.
The 2012 Christmas card saw the Obama family dog, Bo, take center stage in a gray scarf. The card saw Bo walk across the White House lawn on a snowy day.
2013
Image: Courtesy of White House.
The 2013 Christmas card included a popup of the White House, with the Obama family’s two black dogs, Bo and Sunny, walking on the law. “As we gather around this season, may the warmth and joy of the holidays fill your home,” the family signed.
2014
Image: Courtesy of Emily Buchanan/White House.
In 2014, the Obamas used an illustrated Christmas card with drawings of their dogs, Bo and Sunny, in the White House. “In this wondrous season, may the spirit of the holidays bring you strength and happiness,” the family signed.
2015
Image: Courtesy of White House.
For 2015, the Obamas shared a Christmas card that paid tribute to the Washington Monument and the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials. “With gratitude and cheer, we send our warmest wishes for health and happiness this holiday season,” they signed the card.
2016
Image: Courtesy of White House.
Their last year in the White House, the Obamas used a photo taken by White House photographer Pete Souza from a formal State Dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In an Instagram post at the time, Souza explained that the picture was a last-minute shot that Trudeau asked for of just the Obama family. Then, he said I should do a photo of just the Obama’s. I could have said, ‘sir we already did one before you arrived.’ But instead, I clicked off a few quick frames. And lo and behold, it was this picture that Justin Trudeau asked me to take which everyone loved as the choice for the 2016 White House holiday card,” he wrote.
2017
The first year out of the White House, the Obamas didn’t share one of their traditional Christmas cards. Instead, Barack tweeted a photo of him and his family with some kids dressed as elves. “On behalf of the Obama family, Merry Christmas! We wish you joy and peace this holiday season,” he wrote.
2018
The Obama family didn’t post a formal Christmas card for 2018, but Barack did share a sweet photo of him kissing Michelle on the cheek with some holly above them. “Enjoy the holiday season with the ones you love. Michelle and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!” he captioned the picture.
2019
For 2019, Michelle shared a photo of the Obama family Christmas card signed by the four Obama family members and their two dogs, Bo and Sunny. “We wish you a holiday season that sparkles with magic and wonder and a new year that’s filled with peace and hope,” the card read, along with a red flower and a sketch of the tree. The Obamas signed the card with “All our best.”
2020
For 2020, Barack tweeted about how “different” Christmas would be that year with many families celebrating virtually instead of in person. “This Christmas looks different for all of us. As we spend time with those we love—in person or virtually—let us celebrate the blessings we cherish, embrace the spirit of giving, and look out for one another. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!” he tweeted, along with a photo of the Obama family’s 2020 Christmas card, which read: “Wishing you and yours a joyous and peaceful holiday season.” The card was signed by Barack, Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo and Sunny.
2021
Instead of a 2021 Christmas card, Barack shared a photo of the Obama family dog, Sunny. “Verified Merry Christmas, everybody! This year, I got a little help spreading holiday cheer from Sunny. Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful holiday season with the ones you love,” he captioned an Instagram photo of Sunny in a Santa hat in front of a Christmas tree. The post came seven months after the Obama’s other family dog, Bo, died on May 8, 2021, from cancer at the age of 12. “Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion,” Barack tweeted at the time. “For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives — happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and every day in between.”
2022
The Obama family also forewent a Christmas card in 2022 and shared family photos on their Instagram accounts instead. Barack shared an Instagram photo of him, Michelle, Malia and Sasha at a White House event. “Merry Christmas, everybody! One of the best parts of the holiday season is getting to spend time with the special people in our lives. I hope you all have a wonderful and joyful Christmas,” he captioned the post. Michelle, for her part, shared an Instagram photo of Barack kissing her cheek under a mistletoe in the White House. “Verified From our family to yours, wishing you all a wonderful Christmas filled with happiness, light, and joy! 🎄 As we get ready to wrap up this year and look to the next, let’s remember to reflect on our blessings and channel them into giving back and being kind to those around us,” she wrote in the caption.
Image: Courtesy of Crown.
For more about the Obamas, read Barack Obama’s 2020 memoir, A Promised Land. The New York Times bestseller takes readers through Barack’s life and career, from. his earliest political aspirations to his pivotal Iowa caucus victory to when he made history as the first Black president of the United States on November 4, 2008. The autobiography—which was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post and The New York Times book review—also brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House situation for crucial times throughout Obama’s career, from his clashes with generals over U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to the death of Osama bin Laden. “Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage,” the publisher’s description reads.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
