The holiday season is a time of nostalgia, especially for Baby Boomers who grew up during a unique era of American history.
As we approach the festive season, let’s stroll down memory lane and revisit some cherished traditions that were once commonplace but may seem quaint or unfamiliar to younger generations.
Here are the 17 holiday traditions that only Baby Boomers will remember fondly.
1. Aluminum Christmas Trees
The space age brought a futuristic twist on the traditional Christmas tree. Shiny, metallic, and often adorned with a color wheel, aluminum Christmas trees were all the rage in the 1960s.
These silver spectacles reflected the era’s fascination with modernism and technology.
While they may seem kitschy now, seeing an aluminum tree spinning slowly under a multicolored light for many Boomers brings back memories of wide-eyed wonder and the excitement of Christmas morning.
2. Christmas Catalogs as Wish Lists
Long before online shopping, the arrival of thick holiday catalogs from Sears, JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward marked the unofficial start of the Christmas season. Children would spend hours poring over these “wish books,” circling desired toys and dog-earing pages.
For Boomers, these catalogs were more than just shopping guides; they were portals to a world of possibility.
The anticipation of flipping through glossy pages, imagining the joy each item could bring, was a cherished part of the holiday build-up.
3. Tinsel-Covered Trees
Before pre-lit trees and coordinated ornament sets became the norm, Christmas trees were often adorned with generous tinsel. This shimmering, stringy decoration was painstakingly applied strand by strand to create a dazzling, icicle-like effect.
Boomers might recall the family debates over tinsel application techniques or the yearly post-Christmas cleanup, where stray strands were found well into the new year.
While messy and time-consuming, the result was a tree that truly sparkled and shone.
4. Christmas Eve Variety Shows
Gathering around the television on Christmas Eve to watch holiday variety shows was a beloved tradition for many Boomer families. Stars like Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como hosted festive extravaganzas featuring music, comedy, and special guests.
These shows brought a touch of Hollywood glamour into homes across America, creating shared cultural moments that are fondly remembered.
For many, it wasn’t truly Christmas until they’d watched their favorite stars perform classic carols and holiday skits.
5. Handmade Ornaments & Decorations
In an era before mass-produced decorations dominated, many families created Christmas ornaments and decorations. These crafts were often a family affair, from popcorn garlands to paper chains.
Boomers might remember spending evenings around the kitchen table, carefully stringing cranberries or fashioning ornaments from pine cones.
While perhaps not as polished as store-bought, these handmade decorations held sentimental value and added a personal touch to holiday decor.
6. Christmas Caroling in the Neighborhood
Before personal electronics and social media kept people indoors, groups of carolers roaming the neighborhood were a common sight during the holiday season. Bundled up against the cold, these merry bands would go door to door, spreading cheer through song.
For many Boomers, the memory of joining a caroling group or opening the door to find smiling faces singing “Silent Night” evokes the community spirit of Christmases past.
This tradition fostered a sense of connection among neighbors that many now miss.
7. Leaving Out Meatballs for Santa
While leaving cookies and milk for Santa is common, some Boomer families had more unique offerings. In certain households, particularly those with Italian-American roots, meatballs and a glass of wine were left out for Old St. Nick.
This charming tradition added a cultural twist to the standard Santa snack.
For Boomers who grew up with this custom, the idea of Santa enjoying a hearty Italian meal before continuing his journey is a warm holiday memory.
8. The Christmas Moose
In some families, Santa had an unusual helper: the Christmas Moose. This whimsical tradition involved a mythical moose who would deliver gifts that Santa “forgot” on New Year’s Day.
For Boomers who grew up with this tradition, the Christmas Moose added an extra layer of magic to the holiday season.
It extended the gift-giving excitement beyond Christmas Day and provided a fun way for parents to surprise their children with additional presents.
9. Pop-Tarts in Christmas Stockings
While many associate Christmas morning with elaborate breakfasts, some Boomer families had a simpler tradition: Pop-Tarts in Christmas stockings.
This practical approach to Christmas morning sustenance allowed more time to open gifts and enjoy family time.
For those who grew up with this custom, seeing their favorite Pop-Tart flavor peeking out of a stocking brings back memories of Christmas morning excitement and the simple pleasures of childhood.
10. Green Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Holiday food traditions can vary widely between families, and one peculiar custom some Boomers might remember is green chicken salad sandwiches on Christmas Eve. The unique color came from pickling juice, making these sandwiches a special once-a-year treat.
While not a widespread tradition, for those families who practiced it, these distinctive sandwiches were as much a part of Christmas as decorated trees and wrapped presents.
It’s a reminder of how specific and cherished family food traditions can become.
11. Didel, Idel, Idel for Hanukkah
Not all Boomer holiday traditions centered around Christmas. In some Jewish families, lighting the Hanukkah candles was followed by a playful chant of “Didel, idel, idel” before opening gifts.
This tradition, carried on even as children grew into adulthood, added a touch of whimsy to the Festival of Lights.
For Boomers who grew up with this custom, the familiar chant likely brings back warm memories of family Hanukkah celebrations.
12. Celebrity Gift Givers
As Boomer children outgrew belief in Santa, some families got creative with gift-giving. Instead of presents from Santa, gifts would be labeled as coming from celebrities, creating a fun guessing game.
This imaginative approach to gift-giving kept the magic of Christmas alive in a new way.
Boomers might fondly recall the excitement of receiving a “gift” from their favorite movie star or musician, adding an element of fantasy to the holiday.
13. Gradual Gift Appearance
In some Boomer households, the appearance of Christmas gifts was a gradual process. Instead of all presents appearing on Christmas morning, gifts would appear under the tree throughout December, building anticipation.
This approach to gift-giving created a month-long celebration of sorts.
For Boomers who experienced this tradition, the daily excitement of checking under the tree for new additions is likely a cherished holiday memory.
14. Chinese Food on Thanksgiving Eve
While not strictly a Christmas tradition, this Thanksgiving-adjacent custom is worth mentioning. Some Boomer families made it a habit to have Chinese food for dinner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
This tradition provided a break from traditional holiday fare and made the night before Thanksgiving special in its own right.
For Boomers who grew up with this custom, the aroma of Chinese takeout likely evokes memories of holiday anticipation.
15. The Orange & Toothpick Tradition
In a charming example of how holiday traditions can span generations, some Boomer children were tasked with poking toothpicks into oranges while holiday meals were being prepared.
This activity was passed down from great-grandparents as a distraction for eager children and a practical snack solution.
For Boomers who participated in this tradition, piercing an orange with toothpicks likely brings back memories of bustling kitchens and the anticipation of holiday feasts.
16. Homemade Family Cookbooks
As Boomers grew older and started their families, preserving family traditions became important. One way this manifested was by creating family cookbooks and compiling favorite recipes from older relatives.
These homemade cookbooks became treasured possessions, allowing Boomers to recreate the tastes of their childhood holidays and pass these flavors on to the next generation.
They serve as delicious time capsules of family history.
17. Family History Calendars
Another way Boomers have kept family traditions alive is by creating family calendars. These often feature a mix of current and historical family photos, creating a unique blend of past and present.
These calendars serve as both practical planners and nostalgic keepsakes.
For many Boomers, they’re a way to honor family history while creating new memories, bridging the gap between cherished holiday traditions of the past and today’s celebrations.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.