12 Gift Ideas From the Sears Catalog That Aged Poorly
These old Sears catalog gifts once felt like must-haves but now feel completely out of place.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
The Sears catalog was once the go-to place for gift shopping. It had everything people wanted at the time, but some of those gifts now seem odd or outdated. Trends change fast, and these items are proof. Here are 12 gifts that have not aged well.
1. The Cordless Phone With a Pull-Out Antenna
Madimadmad22 on Wikimedia Commons
Once seen as sleek and futuristic, this bulky cordless phone came with a long antenna you had to extend for better reception. It looked cool sitting on the counter but barely worked if you walked too far. Today, it screams more “dad’s garage” than tech innovation.
2. Inflatable Furniture Sets
Karen Apricot on Wikimedia Commons
These colorful blow-up chairs looked fun in the catalog and were marketed as trendy space-savers for teens. In reality, they deflated often and made loud squeaky sounds when you sat down. Not exactly the cozy statement piece Sears promised.
3. The VHS Rewinder in the Shape of a Sports Car
Rjluna2 on Wikimedia Commons
A separate machine just to rewind tapes faster, this one was shaped like a Corvette to make the chore more fun. It felt high-tech at the time, but now, it seems like a solution to a problem that barely existed. Still, some collectors hunt them down just for the retro flair.
4. Personalized Monogrammed Towel Sets
CBStationWiki on Wikimedia Commons
These matching his-and-hers towel sets were a catalog staple and a go-to wedding gift. However, most people ended up storing them for years, afraid to actually use them and ruin the embroidery. They looked classy in theory but felt a little too formal for real life.
5. Electric Foot Warmers That Looked Like Slippers
Mr.ちゅらさん / MASA on Wikimedia Commons
They promised instant comfort for cold toes, but they looked more like small heating pads stuffed inside ugly house shoes. Overheating was always a risk, and the cord often got in the way. Not exactly the cozy dream Sears advertised.
6. Giant Remote Controls You Could Not Lose
Mister rf on Wikimedia Commons
The oversized remote was supposed to end the search under the couch. Instead, it just took up half the coffee table and confused everyone who tried to use it. The buttons were huge but still somehow hard to press.
7. Decorative Phone Shaped Like a Lipstick or Hamburger
Marus on Wikimedia Commons
Sears loved novelty phones, and so did teenagers back then. These shaped phones looked fun in catalogs but rarely worked well and usually broke quickly. Plus, nothing screamed “dated” like a hot pink lips-shaped phone on your nightstand.
8. Faux Gold Plated Jewelry Sets
Daderot on Wikimedia Commons
These flashy jewelry bundles promised luxury on a budget, but they tarnished quickly and sometimes even left green marks behind. Catalog pictures made them sparkle like real gold, but they never lived up to the hype. They ended up in junk drawers more often than around anyone’s neck.
9. Plug-In Water Fountains for Your Desk
Nenad Stojkovic on Pexels
These desktop fountains were supposed to create a calming atmosphere while you worked. However, most people just found them noisy, messy, and hard to clean. The soothing trickle usually turned into a splashing headache.
10. Rotating Tie Racks for Closet Organization
Toxophilus on Wikimedia Commons
These motorized tie racks spun your collection at the push of a button. They looked slick until they jammed or spun too fast and flung ties across the closet. Most users ditched them for hangers after one too many wardrobe battles.
11. Talking Alarm Clocks That Yelled at You
Flominator (talk) on Wikimedia Commons
These clocks shouted things like “Wake up, sleepyhead!” in robotic voices. It was funny the first few mornings, then it quickly turned annoying. Many people went back to classic beeping alarms just to get some peace.
12. Pedal-Powered Exercise Machines That Looked Like Office Chairs
Tdorante10 on Wikimedia Commons
These hybrid machines tried to combine fitness and function, letting you pedal while sitting at a desk. However, they were uncomfortable, bulky, and barely gave a workout. Most became makeshift coat racks by the end of the year.