16 Things Families Always Did Before Dinner in the 1970s

Before dinner in the 1970s, families went through a series of simple and significant routines that brought life and family together. They cleaned up, set the table, finished homework, and contributed their part in preparing the meal. Children played outside until the call to come in. They went through a series of routines inside the house, such as changing clothes, cleaning their room, and gathering their belongings. They took care of their pets, opened the windows and let in some fresh air, and waited until everyone was ready before eating. They expressed their gratitude, tried their best to avoid distractions such as television, and made sure that everyone’s dishes were placed in the middle of the table.

1. Washing Up at the Kitchen Sink

In the 1970s, before the dinner hour, the family would gather at the small, crowded kitchen sink to wash up before the evening meal. It was not just a quick splash and rinse before heading off to the dinner table. Parents encouraged the kids to wash up thoroughly, especially if they had just finished hours of outdoor play. Most homes had only one sink to wash up at, and everyone took their turn at the faucet. The pungent smell of bar soap, Ivory or Dial, lingered in the air as the towels hung on the hooks near the sink remained perpetually damp from the constant washing. It was just one of the simple but meaningful events that quietly transitioned the family from the outdoors to the indoors and from playtime to togetherness.

2. Setting the Dinner Table Together

Families in the 1970s made their kids help set the table for dinner, and it was not optional. It was a daily task. The dishes, silverware, and glasses were arranged in their proper places. Even if the family used plain dishes, it was still an important step in getting ready for the evening meal. Some families used placemats or a tablecloth, especially on weekends. Parents helped young children, guiding them on what to do and how to put things in the right places. It made the children feel like they were contributing to the family in getting ready for the evening meal. It was also a way for families to work together. One child put the forks and spoons in their proper places, another folded the napkins, and another filled the water glasses.

3. Listening to the Evening News on Television or Radio

For many families, the pre-dinner hours were when the evening news quietly played in the background. The TV was on with Walter Cronkite at the helm, or the radio was quietly humming in the background somewhere in the house. The news was quietly integrated into the kitchen as the dinner preparations were underway, quietly becoming an important part of the day’s events. Mom and Dad were well aware of the national and world events, with the kids quietly paying attention, even if they did not completely understand what was going on. This was an important way of feeling connected to what was going on outside the home, even if they did not completely understand what was happening, as the dinner hour got underway.

4. Finishing Homework at the Kitchen Table

Before the evening meal, many children in the 1970s completed their homework at the kitchen table. The table was a place for meals and homework, a shared space where meals and work were nearby. Parents were aware of everything that was going on from the stove or the sink, rattling pots and pans within easy reach as the worksheets were open on the table. There were no screens, only notebooks, pencils, and open books in a quiet, purposeful disorder. The pages were turned with a soft whoosh, bells ringing from the kitchen noises, all blending into a background hum of concentration. It was a pattern that pushed responsibility along.

5. Playing Outside Until Called In

Children in the 1970s lingered outside until dinnertime, allowing the streets, yards, and lots to serve as playgrounds for games like tag, hopscotch, and stickball. There were no distractions from screens competing with the children’s attention. They played until the call of the parent from the porch or the bell rang out, the clean and sharp signal that playtime was over and dinner was near. The transition from the adventures of the outdoors to the routine of the indoors was swift; they would tumble in from the outdoors, still breathless from the quick run out the door. They would remove their shoes near the door, wash their hands quickly, and the evening would begin with the feeling of routine and cadence.

6. Helping Prepare Simple Parts of the Meal

Before the meal, everyone contributed, even in small ways. Kids helped with small tasks such as peeling potatoes, washing vegetables, and putting ingredients on the counter. These were not exactly impressive, but significant. Mom and Dad took this opportunity to teach children basic cooking skills. Children felt important and part of the meal-making process. They were not idle. This created a shared space in the kitchen, not just a working area. These activities sometimes became opportunities for children to learn. Recipes were explained, and traditions were shared. Talk ensued as everyone’s hands were busy. In this way, children learned patience and responsibility.

7. Changing Out of School or Play Clothes

Before having dinner, families in the 1970s had a small tradition that children would change out of their outdoor clothes as soon as they came inside. In families that were very particular about keeping their furniture and dining area spotless, children were instructed to change into their “house clothes,” which were comfortable and less likely to get dirty. This usually occurred as soon as they took off their shoes by the doorway after a session of outdoor play. The children changing out of their clothes also had a purpose in calming their restless energy. The running shoes were changed to slippers, and dirty shirts were changed to clean ones.

8. Feeding Pets Before Sitting Down

In the 1970s, the pets would be fed first, before the family would eat dinner. Dogs would hang around the kitchen, keeping watch, with the expectation that they would be fed. Cats would pace around in circles, thinking that the food would be coming shortly. Sometimes, the kids would be in charge of feeding the pets as part of their chores, pouring the food into the pets’ bowls or opening the cans, an easy task but with much meaning. It would teach the kids the importance of constant care and dependability in caring for the pets. By feeding the pets first, the family would maintain peace in the house, as the pets would be calm, no pet would beg at the table, and the family would be able to eat without interruptions.

9. Tidying Up Living Spaces

Before the dinner hour, families would take the time to clean up the public spaces. Toys would be picked up from the floors, books would be arranged in stacks, and cushions would be returned to their proper positions. It was not a heavy clean but more of a quick clean to make the evening just a little more comfortable. It was also a way to teach the kids to take ownership of the things they used. It was a quick and easy clean, but one that made a significant impact on the day. It was also a way to reduce the level of distractions at the dinner table. The kids started to see cleaning up as part of the daily routine and not just something done over the weekends.

10. Waiting for Everyone to Arrive Home

Prior to having their dinner in the 1970s, families used to hold back and wait until all members were home before proceeding with their meal. It was not an individual event. It was something that had to be shared. The timing of their supper was based on work, and the kids adjusted their plans after school accordingly. The waiting period added an element of anticipation. The moment you heard someone drive into the driveway or someone walk up the hallway, you knew that dinner was getting closer. It was a way of emphasizing that family time was important. Even if their meal was cooked and ready, it remained on the stove until all were home. The kids were learning patience and how important it was for all to be together.

11. Saying a Short Prayer or Moment of Thanks

In the 1970s, many families would take a moment of prayer or thanks before dinner. The actual words used varied across cultures and religions, but the intent remained the same. It was a pause to bring everyone together before the meal. Hands were folded, heads were bowed slightly, and voices were soft. Even the act of giving thanks had importance. It wasn’t about an elaborate ritual, but about the meal and the people surrounding the table. This small ritual encouraged respect and contemplation, as well as teaching children to give thanks through repetition. It was a moment of calm before a busy day. The pause before eating was a time to bring everyone into the moment.

12. Adjusting the Television Volume or Turning It Off

Before their meals, many families would adjust their TV sets, turning down the volume or turning it off completely, so they could enjoy their meals. The TV programs shown during the late afternoon were sometimes stretched, but not all dinners were accompanied by TV. Many parents advocated for less distraction during meals, opting for silence instead of noise from their TV sets. This silence was a turning point for families, indicating that their meals were for interaction and bonding. Without the TV’s noise, families were more focused on each other. Direct conversation and listening were essential. Children were more inclined to open up and talk about their day, and parents used this time to bond and share their own experiences.

13. Opening Windows to Let in Fresh Air

Before the family sat down for dinner, the windows were opened to let in a breeze. This was a common practice in the 1970s, especially since air conditioning was not yet commonly used in homes. This was especially important since the kitchen was warm due to cooking. This is why windows were opened, and curtains swayed gently in the breeze. The smell of the evening meal wafted outside, and the air inside was cooler as people prepared for their evening meal. This was a way for people to connect the inside of their homes with the outside world, especially since the sounds of children playing and people talking filled the evening air.

14. Calling Family Members to the Table

In the 1970s, the act of gathering at the table was the norm. Parents did not rely on technology or notifications to call the family to the table. Instead, they used their voices to call the family to the table. It was possible to call the family from the kitchen, and the sound could travel throughout the house and possibly even outside. As soon as the kids heard the call from the kitchen, they knew the importance of the call. It was not just the call to remind them to eat; it was the call to remind them that the dinner was ready and that waiting was no longer necessary. The call also created a rhythm and expectation from the kids.

15. Placing Serving Dishes at the Center of the Table

Before having their dinner, families would put their serving dishes directly in the center of the table. The meals were served in this manner so that all members could partake by dipping into their respective bowls, plates, etc. There would be bowls with veggies, plates with meat, bread baskets, etc., all within reach. It was a way to ensure that all members participated in the meal by dipping into their respective bowls, plates, etc. The children would learn patience and etiquette by waiting for their turn, while the parents would ensure that all members behaved correctly by passing the food to one another in a smooth, steady manner. The passing of food by members around the table would ensure that conversations were also smooth.

16. Taking a Moment to Sit and Settle Before Eating

Prior to the first forkful, families in the 1970s took a moment to get settled before the meal. Chairs moved closer to the table, and the family sat up straight with full attention on the table ahead. It was a brief transition from action to stillness; even amid a busy family, this pause created a sense of readiness. All the family members felt that the time to eat was about to commence. It was not a long break, but it was significant. It was the official start of the dinner meal. By taking this moment, the family was able to draw a line between the busy day and the family time at the table.

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