18 Retro Holiday Traditions from the ’80s That Faded
Many holiday traditions from the 1980s once defined the season, but most have gradually disappeared from modern life.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
The 1980s were filled with meaningful holiday customs that brought families and communities together. These traditions included physical mail, television events, in-person shopping, and hands-on decorating. As technology and lifestyles changed, many of these activities were left behind or replaced by newer, more convenient habits.
1. Making Popcorn Garlands
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Families often threaded popcorn using needles and string to make tree garlands. This was done at home as a shared activity, usually with children helping. It created a natural and homemade look on Christmas trees. Today, this practice has faded as store-bought decorations have become more common.
2. Watching TV Specials Live
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Holiday programs like Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas aired once each year on television. Families needed to plan ahead to watch them at the scheduled time. There were no streaming platforms or on-demand options to replay them later. This created a one-time viewing experience that was part of the season’s excitement.
3. Visiting the Mall Santa
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Going to the mall to meet Santa Claus was a popular family tradition in the 1980s. Children waited in line to tell Santa what they wanted and pose for a photograph. Malls were decorated heavily for the season to make the visit more festive. In recent years, online Santa experiences and fewer malls have changed how families participate in this tradition.
4. Circling Toys in Catalogs
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Retailers like Sears, JCPenney, and Toys “R” Us mailed printed holiday catalogs to households. Children flipped through the pages and circled the items they hoped to receive. These catalogs were shared and discussed with family members. Today, most holiday shopping happens online, and printed catalogs are rarely used.
5. Christmas Pageants at School
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Elementary schools organized holiday performances with songs and short plays. Students rehearsed for weeks, and parents were invited to attend and record the event. The shows often featured traditional carols and costumes. Over time, many schools reduced or discontinued these pageants due to budget limits or efforts to make activities more inclusive.
6. Mix Tapes for the Holidays
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Creating a mix tape meant recording favorite holiday songs onto a cassette. This was done using the radio or another tape deck, often taking hours to complete. These tapes were played at home or shared as gifts. Digital playlists have made the process faster but removed the physical effort involved.
7. Decorating with Colored Lights Only
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Multicolored incandescent string lights were widely used to decorate homes and trees. There was less focus on matching styles or having themed displays. The goal was to make everything bright and colorful. Today, many people use white LED lights or pre-planned color schemes.
8. Sending Physical Holiday Cards
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People mailed paper holiday cards with handwritten messages to friends and relatives. Some families included printed photos or typed newsletters with updates about the past year. It was normal to send and receive dozens of cards each December. The practice has decreased due to digital communication and rising postage costs.
9. Tinsel Overload on the Tree
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Long strands of silver tinsel were used heavily to decorate Christmas trees. Children often placed it randomly in large amounts to make the tree shimmer. Although it was difficult to clean up, many families enjoyed the effect. Tinsel is now used less often due to cleanup concerns and fire safety issues.
10. Holiday-Themed Commercials
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Major companies aired seasonal advertisements made specifically for the holidays. These commercials often featured jingles, snowy scenes, and gift-giving. They became part of the holiday experience for viewers. With the rise of streaming and ad skipping, fewer people watch these ads today.
11. Christmas Carolers at the Door
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Groups of singers went door to door performing traditional holiday songs. Neighbors listened, offered refreshments, or joined in singing. It was a way to build a sense of connection during the season. This tradition has mostly ended in residential areas and is now limited to organized events.
12. Holiday-Themed McDonald’s Collectibles
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McDonald’s and similar chains released holiday-themed items like glasses, toys, or decorations. These items were given away with meals or sold at low prices. They were part of larger advertising campaigns tied to the holidays. Today, promotional items are less focused on specific seasons and often digital or app-based.
13. Home Videos on Camcorders
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Families used large video cameras to record holiday moments such as gift opening or meals. Tapes were kept as personal archives and watched for years afterward. These recordings captured sound and motion, unlike photo albums. Most modern recordings are now short clips taken on smartphones.
14. Shopping in Crowded Toy Stores
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Parents visited brick-and-mortar stores like KB Toys and Toys “R” Us to shop for gifts. They sometimes stood in long lines or searched through limited stock. Children often walked the aisles, making wish lists in person. Online retail has largely replaced this experience.
15. Homemade Ornaments
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Children created ornaments at school or home using materials like felt, glue, and macaroni. These items were placed on the family tree each year, regardless of appearance. They often held sentimental value and were stored with care. Store-bought ornaments have now become more common in most households.
16. Advent Calendars with Candy
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Advent calendars contained 24 small doors, each hiding a piece of chocolate or a toy. Children opened one door per day during December as a countdown to Christmas. These calendars were sold at grocery stores and often featured cartoon characters or winter scenes. Modern versions now include makeup, toys, and other luxury items, or appear in digital form.
17. TV Holiday Marathons
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Television networks scheduled all-day lineups of holiday movies and shows. Families often kept the TV on in the background while preparing meals or wrapping gifts. This helped create a steady, familiar holiday atmosphere. Streaming services now allow people to select individual programs instead of watching a curated marathon.
18. Holiday Parades on TV
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Broadcasts of parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade were widely viewed in homes. Families gathered to watch floats, marching bands, and balloons on national television. These events were considered the unofficial start of the holiday season. Although still broadcast, live viewing numbers have declined due to changes in media habits.