9 Strict Rules and Traditions the First Family Is Supposed to Follow
Believe it or not, there are a handful of rules that the President and his family must follow during the time they call the White House their home.
Some of these are surprisingly strict rules for the first family.
Read on to find out the surprising rules and traditions the First Family is expected to observe during their time in the White House:
1. The president must plan their funeral
Not long after moving into the White House, it is the President’s responsibility to design his funeral. During this process, the President can choose if they want to have a simple funeral or if they want all the fanfare with the guns, flags, drummers, and everything else.
commons WikimediaA total of eight US presidents have died while in office. Four of them were assassinated. Being the leader of the free world is no easy task and makes you a target for many.
For security reasons, windows of the White House have to remain closed so no unauthorized people can make their way inside. They can’t open any windows also in the car. When speaking to Oprah Winfrey at the United State of Women Summit in 2016, Michelle Obama revealed how an open window caused a problem: “Sasha opened her window once – there were calls, It never opened again.”
ShutterstockAnd just before leaving the White House, Michelle told Stephen Colbert that the thing she is most looking forward to shopping at Target, driving herself around and opening a window – without first having to seek permission from the secret service
3. The Immediate Family Is Expected To Move In
For the most part, the President’s immediate family is expected to move into the White House as well. It’s rare if a family member doesn’t move in unless it’s a child away at boarding school or for some understandable reason. The Trump Administration broke this tradition as Melania, and her son Barron continued to live in their Fifth Avenue penthouse in New York City while Barron finished his schooling.
ShutterstockThe first family supposed to bring all of their belongings to the White House themselves and cover transportation costs. They move in with a moving company of their choice, but the movers are not allowed into the White House itself. They move in with a moving company of their choice, but the movers are not recognized into the White House itself.
4. The First Lady Chooses an Interior Designer
The White House doesn’t have an interior designer on its staff, so it becomes the first lady’s job to hire the interior designer that the first family wants. The hiring occurs fairly quickly after the family moves into the White House. The designer is responsible for redesigning and organizing the White House, apart from the historic rooms that aren’t to be touched.
ShutterstockMelania Trump didn’t move into the White House until June 2017. Melania tapped Tham Kannalikham to redecorate the White House private quarters. Kannalikham: “honored by the opportunity to be working with the First Lady to make the White House feel like home.” Former first lady Michelle Obama went with Los Angeles-based interior designer Michael Smith to decorate the rooms.
5. The Christmas Tree Must Have A Theme
Celebrating Christmas in the White House has been a tradition since 1800. President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams were the first to throw a Christmas party in the president’s official residence. The tradition of a White House Christmas tree started with President Benjamin Harris in 1889.
Jackie Kennedy is the first lady who ushered in the Christmas tree theme, according to the White House Historical Association. She decorated a tree in the oval Blue Room after Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet.
InstagramIn 2018, White House Christmas decor took on a red theme as Melania Trump chose to feature a series of crimson trees. While some criticized the color theme. This year, a line of fiery red cone trees in the East Colonnade evoked reminders of costumes in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” according to critics on Twitter.
6. Meals At The White House Aren’t Free
The First Family may not have to pay rent or utilities; they do have to pay for their own food. While living in the White House, they have to pay for every meal that they eat.
ShutterstockThe Presidential Room is covered, but other than that, they have to pay for their meals as well as any personal items
7. They can’t drive a car on a public road
As President of the United States, you give up your privilege to be able to drive, even your own vehicle. You will never see a president driving on a public highway, ever. This is mostly for safety reasons because why put the president in any more danger than necessary.
Lyndon B. Johnson was the last president to ever drive on a taxpayer-funded highway. George W. Bush drove a pickup truck on his private ranch on his Crawford, Texas property. Ronald Reagan would also drive Jeeps on his property in Santa Barabara.
8. They Must Host The Annual Easter Egg Roll
Every year, the president’s spouse is tasked with planning the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. It all started in 1878, when a group of children walked up to the White House on Easter, hoping to play an egg-rolling game on the lawn. President Hayes decided to let them on the premises, and the tradition caught on.
ShutterstockThe tradition took a few years off during wartime and construction on the premises, but it resumed in 1953 and has been a first family tradition ever since.
9. The President Has To Ride In “The Beast”
The President and his family also get a new car after they are required to ride in. Nicknamed “The Beast,” “Cadillac One,” and “First Car,” it is a Cadillac that is built to the Secret Services standards for safety.
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