Was Christmas in the 1970s miles better than it is now?

Question

I think so.

Not so many presents - but ones we actually wanted and played with for years afterwards.

Much better TV - Morcombe & Wise, Muppet Christmas Special and big movies we probably hadn't seen before (how many times have we all seen Monsters Inc and Harry Potter).

And at least one white Christmas (that I can recall).

Yes, Sasha - I'm not really surprised. The 70s were a time when we were all taught about sentence construction - I figured you missed all that. I love that you're following me around, how tragic and empty your life must be. Hope things improve soon x

Answer 1

Sasha seems an uneducated aggressive stalker. very similar to old Bummerboy ... you don't think they could be the same person do you? I mean I am sure he doesn't have any real friends.
Could be his more aggressive, more manly inbred sister maybe, who knows.
Well yes Donna Christmas was much more exciting way back when. I used to hang my football sock up, and I was full of bloody satsumas the next morning, but I actually thought it was great!
Morecombe and Wise Christmas special was always a treat.
Christmas felt special because it was different to other times of the year.
Now everyday is Christmas for people.
Who saves up to buy anything now? Who waits to get something for Christmas, its all now now now.

Answer 2

Yes Christmas in the 1970's was absolutely miles better, no one had their decorations up from November, the shops didn't start selling Christmas stuff until the beginning of December, you got what your parents could afford to without going into debt, no sulking because you hadn't been bought the latest £500 gadget, families sat down to Christmas dinner sober and left the table a bit merry but full, there were no repeats on the telly and always something great to watch, you got to stay up that bit longer too, none of the commercialisation like there is today, Christmas meant something in those days and people actually smiled too.

Answer 3

Come on...it's only adults who can say things not unlike this. Can remember the strikes of mineworkers in the early seventies, with the 3 day week carry on at the rear-end of Christmas 1973 when I was 16. Can also remember our oldies in the seventies tell us the Yuletide periods throughout the fifties was far better then, say, 1975. Perhaps we'll get this thirty years from now - hairy reared men in their mid forties saying it was 'heaven' in 2006! Everything is better if you're 16 or under (no matter what decade youre in) - the basic reason being that you don't have to worry about commuting, saving and all the other 'adult' ills.

Answer 4

Definitely!

Our family lives weren't consumed with work, stress and money. I remember a day spent with all the family, 'special christmas clothes', playing games, watching the TV specials (which were special!), lots of laughter and enjoying the gifts that we received. Not an electronic game, walkman or iPod in sight!

Maybe it was because I was younger, but my memories of those christmases are much happier.

Christmas started in December - not August! and the focus was on a family day.

Oh the good old days! All I can think is "roll on this time next week - it will all be over!".

Happy Christmas (1970's style!)

Answer 5

I don't know about Moorcombe and Wise but I think christmas was better in the 70's perhaps because I was a child and the magic still existed back then. Also I don't remember there being so much hype and the build up starting in August.

I remember hanging the stocking on the door handle and trying to stay awake. My granny always bought me a doll. I found them recently when I cleared her house :-)
thanks for the trip down memory lane good question

Answer 6

My kids grew up in the 70's, so yes, Christmas was good then.

I grew up in the 50's. There were fewer presents, but always at least one that truly excited me. There was always a turkey dinner, with family home for the holiday. I have happy memories of the late 40's and the 50's.

Answer 7

yes in the 70,s everyone was so grateful for the presents they got even if it was small and inexpensive,now people expect so much more, and if you can't afford the expensive stuff, they are not very happy, i blame this on the commercial profits to be made out of christmas, an inexpensive christmas present is given with the same meaning has a expensive one , it must be hard for parents now of children wanting the expensive commercialized products advertised, everything was so simple in the 70s.

Answer 8

I think presents were a combination of both ethics and toy selection back then. Certain toys were REALLY special to us when we wanted them, and they were not just handed to us.There were only a few ways to get those really special things you wanted ( at least in my family) - save up your allowance ( or work a job) to get the money to buy it yourself, or ask for it for your birthday or Christmas. Once you got the item, you cherished it for years afterwards. My $1 weekly allowance could go toward candy ( thus instant gratification), or toward a 6 month wait toward a Baby Alive. Nowadays, 7 year old kids are getting $20 a week allowances.

Answer 9

Absolutely. Christmas was much better in the 60's and 70's. Probably even better before that. Electronic gadgets, Black Fridays, political correctness and commercialism have almost entirely ruined Christmas.

Answer 10

Yes by all means it was much better. There was snow and well growing up my parent did not have much but they always made Christmas the best. Christmas has become to commercial now and a lot of that spirit has been lost.