The 2016 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of Herbert Hoover, the twenty-sixth President of the United States. Hoover took office on March 4, 1929, and former president William H. Taft administered the Oath of office.

On December 24, 1929 at 8:09 P.M. a fire broke out in the White House Executive Office. 130 firefighters from 19 engine companies and 4 truck companies responded to the four alarm fire that destroyed the West Wing. No one was injured in the blaze and the following Christmas, White House staff and their children gathered again to celebrate the holidays and the Hoovers presented the children with toy fire trucks as gifts.