Ah, Christmas 1975! A magical year when the world was experiencing a clash of styles, from the nostalgia of the 1950s to the funky vibes of the disco era. Rotary phones were the norm, bell-bottoms were in vogue, and console tv’s filled American homes. Let’s jingle our way back and explore the spirit of Christmas in 1975!
Fifty years ago, homes sparkled with colorful string lights, and handmade decorations. Families trimmed live and aluminum trees with tinsel (made of lead at the time), popcorn garland, and paper chains. Felt stockings hung by the chimney, and families gathered around to watch classics like, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and John Denver’s Holiday Special. Christmas parades, caroling, and evening drives to admire neighborhood lights were also holiday favorites.
While commercialism was growing, the season felt shorter back then. Decorations often went up much closer to Christmas Day than they do today, and “Black Friday” wasn’t yet a thing. Who can forget the arrival of the Sears catalog? Kids spent hours circling their dream toys long before online wish lists existed.
Gifts in 1975, mixed classics and rising pop culture favorites like: Matchbox cars, Barbies, Pet Rocks, and the latest action figurines, and Star Wars collectibles. Other favorites included the Easy-Bake Oven, and classic board games like Monopoly and Operation. The video game era was just taking off, and the home ‘Pong’ console became the season’s top hit. Families also exchanged handmade treats and crafts.
So, what was cookin’ and groovin’ in 1975? Holiday tables typically featured roasted turkey or ham, Jell-O salads, mashed potatoes, fruitcake, pumpkin pie, wassail, eggnog, and the diet soda icon – Tab.
The air was filled with the sounds of the season, from classic holiday tunes like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, to new hits like “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano, and The Carpenters “Merry Christmas, Darling”. Families had dance parties around tree to “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.
As we think back 50 years, let us raise a toast, to the sights, sounds, tastes, and traditions that made Christmas in 1975 not just a holiday but a cherished memory for those lucky enough to have experienced it. Cheers to the memories!