Ah, the nostalgia of holidays gone by. Remember when you were a carefree kid in the ’70s, running wild without a care in the world? Your mom was probably not hovering over you (that term hadn’t even been invented yet), and your Christmases were filled with joy and laughter. You didn’t have to fret about gratitude trees or community service; you were simply immersed in family fun—roasting chestnuts, baking gingerbread cookies (which was just called “baking” back then), and belting out Christmas carols with your tipsy uncle.
Sounds magical, right?
Well, not quite. I loved my childhood, and yes, the holiday season had its charm, but the push to resurrect a ’70s Christmas needs to stop. I have fond memories of unwrapping gifts and my dad’s flash photography, but I believe we’ve made some real advancements over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the not-so-glamorous aspects of those ’70s holidays:
Painful Pink Curlers
Every Christmas Eve, my mom would wash my straight hair and then spend what felt like an eternity rolling it into pink foam curlers. The tightness made me cranky for the rest of the night as I struggled to find a comfortable position to sleep. If you’re nostalgic for those “magic foam curlers,” you can grab a set on eBay for just $1.84—less than a cup of coffee!
The Not-So-Ironic Matching Sweaters
There’s a reason Saturday Night Live has its yearly skits about holiday sweaters; it’s not because we miss wearing those gaudy reindeer and Christmas trees. We lined up in our matching sweaters for family photos, which today look like they belong under the “1977” filter on Instagram.
Unbearable Plaid
The plaid worn in the ’70s was usually made of scratchy wool—heavy and sticky with no comfort whatsoever. Fast forward to today where clothing is far more comfortable and stylish.
Missed Holiday Specials
DVR? VCR? You didn’t have any of that in the ’70s. You had to consult the newspaper to find out when Rudolph or Frosty would air and then sit through it without any pauses. Good luck if you needed a bathroom break!
Overcooked Mystery Veggies
Before the days of the Barefoot Contessa and Pinterest, holiday meals often consisted of a mix of frozen vegetables drowned in thick cream sauce. Today, we can enjoy roasted root veggies drizzled with olive oil—and feel good afterward!
Cigarettes and Dessert
Remember when lighting a cigarette around kids was considered normal? Thankfully, we’ve evolved past that. As someone who spent holidays with chain-smoking relatives, the smell of smoke permeated everything, leaving us feeling stale.
Fruitcake
Let’s not even go there.
I cherish my holiday memories, like listening to my grandpa croon Frank Sinatra while I tried to hide from the spotlight. I love sifting through old photos of me and my siblings, clad in pajamas and those infamous foam curlers. Yet, I also cherish the present. I adore smoke-free holidays filled with pumpkin cheesecake and evenings spent toasting marshmallows while my husband strums Christmas tunes on his guitar.
So, hold onto those precious memories and share them with your kids, but don’t forget to enjoy the present. You might just be in the midst of your children’s favorite holiday decade! For more insights on family and parenting, check out our other blog posts at this link. And if you’re considering home insemination, a great resource is this site, which offers a wealth of information on pregnancy. You can also find quality insemination kits at Cryobaby.
Summary
The longing for a ’70s Christmas may be fueled by nostalgia, but there are countless advancements in holiday celebrations today. Embracing the present while cherishing the past creates a richer experience for families.
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