16 Family Traditions from the ’80s That Feel Strange Today
These 16 common family traditions from the 1980s now feel outdated or unusual in today’s world.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
The 1980s were a time of strong routines and family customs, many shaped by the technology and culture of the time. Families gathered in specific ways, watched shows together, or celebrated events very differently than we do now. Many of these traditions have faded due to changes in lifestyle, tech, and social norms.
1. Recording TV Shows on VHS
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Families would tape their favorite shows or movies onto blank VHS tapes. It required manually setting the timer on a VCR, which wasn’t always reliable. Entire shelves were often filled with labeled tapes. Today, streaming and cloud storage have made this tradition obsolete.
2. Watching TV Together at a Set Time
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Before streaming, families had to gather at a specific hour to catch a show live. Missing the broadcast meant waiting weeks for a rerun. Prime-time TV was a shared daily event in many homes. Now, most people watch shows on their own schedules.
3. Weekly Family Photo Slideshows
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Parents often projected 35mm slides onto a wall or screen to show recent vacation photos. Everyone sat in the living room while one person clicked through images. It was slow, quiet, and sometimes boring for kids. Digital albums have replaced the entire process.
4. Long Sunday Phone Calls to Relatives
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Families often used Sundays to call grandparents, aunts, or cousins — usually on a landline. These calls were planned to avoid high weekday rates. Sometimes, one phone had to be passed around the house. Texts and video calls have now taken their place.
5. Sitting for Formal Family Portraits at the Mall
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Getting dressed up and going to a portrait studio was a yearly tradition. Everyone wore matching outfits or coordinated colors. The photos were printed and framed or sent as holiday cards. Casual selfies and phone snapshots have made this feel overly staged today.
6. Birthday Parties at Fast-Food Chains
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McDonald’s and similar restaurants often hosted full birthday parties with cake, paper crowns, and play areas. A staff member sometimes led games or brought out the mascot. It was considered fun and affordable. Today, many parents choose home-based or themed party venues instead.
7. Listening to the Radio Together for a Countdown Show
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Families gathered around the radio on weekends to hear music countdowns like “America’s Top 40.” Taping favorite songs required perfect timing. It was a shared way to enjoy new music. Streaming and playlists have completely changed how we find and listen to songs.
8. Annual School Supply Shopping as an Event
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Every year, parents took kids to department stores with printed supply lists. Choosing binders, lunchboxes, and pencils felt exciting. It was also a way to mark the end of summer. Online orders have replaced much of the in-store experience.
9. Saturday Morning Cartoons as a Ritual
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Kids woke up early on weekends to watch cartoons from 6 a.m. to noon. Parents let them eat breakfast in front of the TV. It was one of the only times to see animated shows. With on-demand viewing, the tradition has disappeared.
10. Family Game Nights with Board Games Only
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Families set aside one night a week to play board games like Monopoly or Clue. No phones or screens were involved, and games could last for hours. It was a regular bonding activity. While game nights still exist, they now include video games or apps.
11. Decorating With Seasonal Window Clings and Stickers
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For holidays, many families stuck themed decals on windows and mirrors. They came in reusable plastic sheets and were easy for kids to apply. Over time, they left residue and looked messy. Today, seasonal décor is more subtle and less hands-on.
12. Sending Holiday Letters With Family Updates
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Typed or handwritten family newsletters were mailed out with holiday cards. They included updates on each child, pets, and trips taken that year. These were sometimes overly detailed or formal. Social media has made real-time updates more common.
13. Giving Personalized Mix Tapes as Gifts
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Creating a mix tape meant carefully recording songs from the radio or other tapes. People gave them to friends and family with handwritten playlists. The process took hours but felt personal. Now, digital playlists can be shared instantly.
14. Visiting Relatives Without Calling First
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Dropping by a friend’s or family member’s house unannounced was normal in many neighborhoods. People were expected to be home and available. Guests were usually offered coffee or snacks. Today, unplanned visits are often seen as intrusive.
15. Eating TV Dinners Together on Trays
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Some families had a weekly routine of eating frozen meals on metal trays while watching a show. It felt like a treat for kids and easy for parents. Meals were served on TV trays in front of the screen. Health trends and fresh food habits have made this rare.
16. Collecting and Organizing Photo Albums by Hand
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Every roll of film had to be developed, printed, and placed in photo albums. Parents often wrote captions and arranged photos by year. Flipping through these albums was a common family activity. Now, most photos live on phones or cloud services.