20 Things Grandparents Did That We’ve Completely Forgotten About
Many of the routines, habits, and daily activities that once defined our grandparents' lives have quietly faded from memory. As technology evolves and lifestyles shift, these practices have been replaced with modern alternatives or simply abandoned. However, remembering them helps us understand a more self-sufficient and community-driven era.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
Long before convenience became king, older generations practiced traditions rooted in necessity, resourcefulness, and community. From sewing their own clothes to handwritten letters, their way of life was deliberate and hands-on. These habits not only reveal how different things were but also highlight values like patience, thrift, and resilience. Rediscovering these customs can be both nostalgic and enlightening for the modern world.
1. Writing Letters by Hand
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Before smartphones and emails, handwritten letters were the heart of long-distance communication. Grandparents took time to craft thoughtful messages, often with personal flourishes like pressed flowers or perfume. It was a form of connection that carried emotion and meaning in every word. Today, that intimacy is largely lost to quick texts and digital messaging.
2. Hanging Laundry Outside
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Using a clothesline instead of a dryer was both practical and cost-effective. Grandparents believed in the fresh scent and natural bleaching effect of sunlight. You’d often see rows of fluttering garments stretched across backyards. Now, laundry is done behind closed doors, missing that sun-kissed freshness.
3. Saving Bacon Grease
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Rather than tossing it out, bacon grease was carefully saved in jars and reused for cooking. It added rich flavor to vegetables, cornbread, and other dishes. This frugal habit stemmed from a time when nothing went to waste. Today, most people overlook it as an outdated or unhealthy practice.
4. Sewing and Mending Clothes
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When clothes were ripped, they fixed them instead of replacing them. Many grandparents could sew, patch, or even knit entire garments by hand. It was both a necessity and a skill passed down through generations. Now, fast fashion has replaced the needle and thread for most households.
5. Growing Their Own Food
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Backyard gardens provided fresh vegetables, herbs, and sometimes fruits all season. It wasn’t just a hobby but a way to ensure healthy, affordable food. Grandparents knew the value of working the soil and harvesting their food. Today, gardening is more recreational than essential for most families.
6. Using Lard for Cooking
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Long before vegetable oils and butter alternatives took over, lard was a kitchen staple. It was used in pie crusts, frying, and even biscuits for its unmatched texture and taste. Though once demonized for health reasons, it’s now making a culinary comeback in some circles. Grandparents embraced it without the modern food anxieties.
7. Listening to the Radio as a Family
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Evenings were often spent gathered around a single radio, listening to news, music, or serialized dramas. It was an important bonding time and a primary source of entertainment. Unlike today’s endless streaming choices, they shared communal moments around limited programming. That ritual of shared attention is nearly extinct.
8. Canning and Preserving Food
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Grandparents often spent the end of summer preserving fruits, vegetables, and jams. Mason jars lined pantry shelves, filled with goods that lasted through winter. It was a way to stretch the harvest and ensure nothing was wasted. These methods have largely disappeared with year-round grocery availability.
9. Being Resourceful
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Instead of replacing items, they repaired, reused, or repurposed them. Shoes were resoled, jars became storage, and worn-out linens turned into cleaning rags. This resourcefulness was part of everyday life, driven by necessity. Today’s throwaway culture contrasts sharply with that mindset.
10. Sending Holiday Cards Early
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Grandparents would write and send thoughtful holiday cards weeks in advance. These cards often included handwritten updates, family photos, or personalized notes. It was a cherished tradition that showed care and effort. Now, digital greetings or social media posts have taken its place.
11. Ironing Everything
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From handkerchiefs to bedsheets, ironing was a routine part of housekeeping. It was about cleanliness, neatness, and presenting oneself well. Grandparents took pride in well-pressed clothes, even for casual occasions. Today, wrinkle-free fabrics and casual styles have rendered the iron nearly obsolete.
12. Hosting Sunday Dinners
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Every Sunday, families would gather around the table for a big homemade meal. It was a weekly tradition to catch up, share stories, and bond. Grandparents often prepared these feasts from scratch, regardless of how busy they were. In modern times, such rituals have become rare.
13. Using Cash for Everything
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Credit cards were rare, and budgeting was done with physical money in envelopes. Grandparents knew exactly where every dollar went. It was a tangible, disciplined way to manage finances. Today, digital banking and credit blur spending habits for many.
14. Making Homemade Remedies
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Whether it was honey for coughs or vinegar for cleaning, grandparents trusted simple home solutions. They passed these remedies down through generations with great confidence. Many avoided store-bought medicine unless absolutely necessary. Now, such wisdom is often replaced by pharmaceuticals and commercial products.
15. Keeping a Daily Journal
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Journaling wasn’t just emotional — it was also practical for recording events, expenses, weather, and milestones. Many grandparents wrote every night as a habit of reflection and record-keeping. These journals became family treasures over time. Today, that kind of personal documentation is mostly digital or forgotten.
16. Taking the Bus or Walking Everywhere
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Without easy access to personal cars, walking or public transit was common. Grandparents knew their neighborhoods well because they experienced them firsthand. It also contributed to healthier, more active lifestyles. Now, convenience often outweighs the physical and social benefits of foot travel.
17. Hanging Photographs on the Wall
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Physical photo prints filled walls, mantels, and albums. They were a visible part of everyday life, not tucked away in cloud storage. Grandparents displayed these images proudly, often updating them with major life events. Today’s photos are mostly stored, not shown.
18. Using a Clothes Brush or Shoe Polish
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Garments and shoes were maintained with regular brushing, polishing, and care. It was common to extend the life of quality items instead of frequently replacing them. Grandparents treated their wardrobe as an investment. That kind of maintenance is rare in today’s fast fashion world.
19. Having a “Best Set” of Dishes
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Special plates and silverware were reserved for holidays and guests. These items were treasured, often passed down through generations. Grandparents viewed hospitality as an event worth preparing for. Disposable cutlery has since replaced much of that tradition.
20. Calling Instead of Texting
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When grandparents wanted to connect, they picked up the phone for a real conversation. It meant hearing voices, exchanging stories, and taking time to listen. Even short chats carried emotional weight and presence. Now, texting has taken over, often losing the depth of interaction.