The 1980s were full of nostalgic, heartfelt, and sometimes delightfully kitschy Christmas traditions. Here are 21 Christmas traditions popular during the 1980s that many people fondly remember:
- Watching A Christmas Story – Airing every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on cable, families gathered to watch Ralphie’s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun.
- Decorating with aluminum or tinsel Christmas trees – Silver or gold aluminum trees, often lit by a rotating color wheel projector, were still in some homes.
- Using bubble Christmas lights – These colorful, liquid-filled bubbling lights added charm (and warmth) to Christmas trees.
- Handwritten letters to Santa – Kids mailed letters to the North Pole, often with school or church-sponsored programs.
- Waiting for the Sears Wish Book – The annual holiday catalog was eagerly awaited, and families pored over pages dreaming of gifts.
- Recording Christmas music on cassette tapes – Tape players blasted holiday songs from Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Madonna and U2 that we recorded from the radio.
- Making paper snowflakes – A classic craft activity during school holiday parties or cozy afternoons at home.
- Baking Christmas cookies with family – Spritz, sugar cookies, and peanut butter blossoms were holiday staples.
- Attending live nativity scenes or church pageants – Many children performed in Christmas plays at school or church.
- Watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rankin/Bass) – The 1964 stop-motion classic remained a 1980s holiday staple on TV.
- Listening to John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together – A beloved holiday recording from 1979 that stayed popular through the 80s.
- Putting out milk and cookies for Santa – Often accompanied by carrots for the reindeer.
- Hanging up stockings by the fireplace – Usually personalized and stuffed with small gifts, candy canes, and and fresh fruit.
- Assembling toys late at night – Parents often stayed up after kids went to bed to put together big presents like bicycles and put batteries in boom boxes, Lite Brites and Teddy Ruxpins.
- Watching holiday specials on VHS – Families rewound and recorded specials like Frosty the Snowman or Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.
- Driving around to see Christmas light displays – Many neighborhoods competed for the most dazzling decorations.
- Making handmade ornaments – Salt dough ornaments, popsicle stick stars, and glued macaroni designs were common.
- Sending Christmas cards with family photos – Often featuring matching sweaters or festive poses.
- Singing carols at school or around the piano – Group singing of classics like "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night."
- Hanging candy canes on the tree – As both decoration and edible treat.
- Waiting for Santa's arrival via NORAD's Santa Tracker – The tradition of tracking Santa’s flight on radar began earlier but was widely promoted through the 80s.
These traditions reflect a time before digital streaming, smartphones, and social media—when celebrating Christmas was all about family gatherings, physical media, and simpler joys. Many still live on today in updated forms, keeping the 80s spirit alive
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