POP CULTURE: Entertaining

After dinner, guests might enjoy a cigarette with coffee or while visiting on the porch. The hazards of smoking were not yet well known and both Eisenhowers smoked as did many Americans. Eisenhower smoked four packs of Camels a day throughout World War II but in 1948 he quit smoking “cold turkey.” Mamie smoked Phillip Morris cigarettes. As good hosts they had smoking accessories around the house for their guests to use. 

The Eisenhowers traditionally celebrated the holidays with friends and family. They often spent New Year’s Eve on the porch watching Guy Lombardo and The Royal Canadians on television live from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.