Ah, the nostalgia of holidays gone by! Remember when you were a carefree kid in the ’70s, running wild and free, living life without a care? Sure, your mom may not have hovered over you like a helicopter—after all, that term wasn’t even a thing back then—but those holidays were supposedly filled with joy and laughter, right?
You probably didn’t think twice about gratitude trees or community service projects back then. Instead, you were busy relishing family time, roasting chestnuts, whipping up gingerbread cookies (which was simply known as “baking” back then), and singing carols with your favorite tipsy uncle. It sounds magical, doesn’t it?
Or maybe not. I loved my childhood and the holiday season, but the push to revive the ’70s needs to stop. I don’t want to relive a 1970s Christmas, thanks! While I cherish memories of cookies and oversized gifts under the tree captured by dad’s blinding flash, I truly believe we’ve made some remarkable strides since then. Let’s take a look at some of those not-so-glamorous holiday memories from the ’70s:
Painful Pink Curlers
Every Christmas Eve, my mom would wash my straight hair and then spend what felt like an eternity rolling it into those infamous pink foam curlers. Yes, those! They pulled my hair so tight that I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning all night. But hey, you can still grab those “magic” foam curlers on eBay for a mere $1.84. For less than a cup of coffee, you can have your beauty sleep interrupted too.
Matching Holiday Sweaters – No Irony Here
Remember those festive sweaters we wore? There’s a reason they make it onto Saturday Night Live every year. We donned matching sweaters (some more colorful than others) and lined up for our holiday photo ops. You might recognize this as the “1977” filter on Instagram. Oh, the joys of vintage fashion!
Scratchy Wool Plaid
Not just any plaid, mind you. The plaid of the ’70s was a heavy, itchy wool that felt like a sweaty hug. Thank goodness for today’s comfortable clothing options!
Missed TV Specials
In the ’70s, there were no DVRs, VCRs, or streaming services. If you wanted to catch Rudolph or Frosty, you had to check the newspaper for air times and be glued to the TV. No bathroom breaks, no rewinds—just pure FOMO if you missed it!
Mystery Veggies in Cream Sauce
Remember those holiday meals? Before the likes of the Barefoot Contessa and Pinterest, all it took to qualify as a “green” vegetable was throwing mixed frozen veggies into cream sauce. I don’t miss that mush, thank you very much! Give me roasted veggies any day.
Cigarette Smoke and Pumpkin Pie
Ah, the days when lighting up a cigarette around kids was normal. I wasn’t raised in a smoking household, but family gatherings were often clouded with smoke. Seriously, how did my sister, who had asthma, survive those holiday get-togethers? Friends don’t let friends smoke near pie, am I right?
The Fruitcake Era
Need I say more about that ‘delicacy’?
I treasure my holiday memories—like Grandpa belting out Frank Sinatra while I tried to hide from the spotlight, or my dad’s endless storytelling. I love flipping through old photos of my siblings and me in our pajamas, foam curlers in, nestled by the fireplace with personalized stockings. But I also cherish the present. I adore smoke-free holidays with pumpkin cheesecake, roasting marshmallows, and listening to my husband strum Christmas songs on his guitar. The spirit of the season is timeless, regardless of the decade.
So sure, hold on to your memories and share them with your kids, but don’t forget to soak in the present. You might be right in the middle of creating your children’s favorite holiday memories!
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Summary:
This article reflects on the misleading nostalgia of the 1970s holiday season, contrasting cherished memories with the less glamorous realities of that decade. The author expresses a desire to celebrate the present over the past, emphasizing the importance of creating new traditions while honoring memories.