12 Holiday Trends That Look Strange Today
Some once-popular holiday traditions now seem unusual when viewed today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Holiday celebrations have changed over time, leaving behind customs that can feel strange in the modern world. These trends were once embraced but are now remembered as curious or outdated. This list explores 12 holiday trends that look odd to us today.
1. Victorian Christmas Cards
Nova Scotia Archives on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1800s, Christmas cards often featured dark or unsettling images, such as animals attacking people. These designs were meant as humor at the time. Today, they seem eerie compared to cheerful cards. The change reflects a shift toward warmer holiday themes.
2. Tinsel Made of Lead
Jennifer C. on Wikimedia Commons
For decades, holiday trees were decorated with tinsel made of lead. It gave a shiny look but was later found to be toxic. Families used it widely until it was banned in the late 20th century. Now, it is remembered as a dangerous holiday practice.
3. Live Animal Displays
TWAM - Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on Wikimedia Commons
Some towns once used live animals, such as reindeer or donkeys, in holiday parades and displays. While considered festive, it often stressed the animals. Many communities have since ended the practice. Today, it is seen as outdated and inhumane.
4. Aluminum Christmas Trees
Theresa Thompson on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1950s and 1960s, metallic aluminum trees became popular. They were shiny and futuristic at the time. People decorated them with color wheels instead of lights. Today, they look artificial compared to traditional green trees.
5. Yule Log TV Broadcasts
Yura Forrat on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1960s, some television stations aired hours of a burning fireplace called the Yule Log. Families tuned in as if it were a real fire. It was comforting then but unusual by today’s streaming standards. The tradition continues in a smaller, nostalgic way.
6. Fruitcake Exchanges
Mathew Thomas on Wikimedia Commons
For many years, gifting fruitcakes was a holiday tradition. The dense cakes were passed from one household to another. Few people actually ate them, and they often became running jokes. The custom has mostly faded, leaving fruitcake as a symbol of outdated holiday food.
7. Victorian Party Games
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Victorians celebrated Christmas with games like “snapdragon,” where raisins were plucked from flaming brandy. The fire-filled game was a common party activity. At the time, it was thrilling entertainment. Today, it would be considered unsafe.
8. Plastic Outdoor Figures
ArchaiOptix on Wikimedia Commons
Large plastic Santa Claus and snowman decorations became widespread in the mid-20th century. Many yards displayed them with bright lights. While nostalgic, they now appear bulky and outdated compared to modern decorations. Their style reflects an earlier era of holiday displays.
9. Candle-Lit Christmas Trees
epSos.de on Wikimedia Commons
Before electric lights, families placed real candles on Christmas trees. The practice created a warm glow but was extremely dangerous. Many fires were linked to this tradition. It was replaced once electric string lights became widely available.
10. Holiday Postcards with Odd Themes
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
Early holiday postcards often mixed unusual imagery, such as frogs or clowns, with Christmas greetings. These designs seemed cheerful at the time. Modern audiences find them confusing or unsettling. The imagery shows how holiday art has evolved.
11. Department Store Windows with Live Models
Petar Milošević on Wikimedia Commons
In the early 20th century, some department stores used live people in their holiday window displays. They posed as mannequins among decorations. While a novelty back then, it seems unusual today. The practice was eventually replaced with mechanical displays.
12. Holiday Car Raffle Prizes
Haydn Smith on Wikimedia Commons
Some towns once raffled off large items like cars during holiday celebrations. It was a way to draw crowds and create excitement. These events made holidays feel tied to consumer rewards. Today, the idea feels commercial rather than festive.