Check out this fascinating collection of 1970s Christmas photos and magazine clips, showcasing the unique holiday spirit and trends of the era.
1974
Back in the late sixties, a small company started selling these vintage Make-A-Plate kits, which were a huge hit with kids, parents and teachers. What better gift for mom or grandma than a one-of-a-kind melamine plate featuring a child’s artwork?
Although the popularity of the fondue recipe has waxed and waned over the years, it is still — and likely forever will be — enjoyed as a delicious communal meal that brings people together.
A plate of Christmas goodies just would not be complete without them: those delicious classic peanut butter blossoms cookies, featuring a big chocolate kiss right on top.
Get seven sassy snack mix how-tos from yesteryear, including the granddaddy of them all: the original Chex mix recipe!
These rich and tender cherry thumbprint Christmas cookies have bright and colorful button centers, made by placing pretty halved red or green candied cherries into the middle of each one.
In the 1974 Rankin-Bass holiday spectacle, The Year Without a Santa Claus, the unforgettable Heat Miser and Snow Miser captured imaginations with their signature musical showdown. See it here!
Having a retro party for the holidays? Here are lots of crazy kitschy vintage Christmas appetizers you may want to serve… at your own risk.
Take a look back at the evolution of Thanksgiving traditions — and holiday meals — from the 1940s through the 1990s, plus see how the best parts of the past have influenced our modern-day celebrations!
Who would’ve thought humble roots, herbs, and bark could spin such an effervescent tale? The history of root beer is both intriguing and surprising – take a look!
Though many have tried, no cook has ever been able to improve upon the taste of traditional pumpkin pie. Carnation’s famous pumpkin pie recipe is a Thanksgiving classic – and we have the ’50s recipe right here.
Occasionally, top TV show theme songs aren’t just popular – they join the soundtrack of a generation. These 16 hits won acclaim for being more than being the tune played over opening credits. Have a listen!
Old toys collectively reflect the fun & creativity that drove playtime way back when, and we have collected dozens of photo examples for your nostalgic enjoyment!
Starting when vintage portable radios were finally small enough to be carried in the 1950s, through when they got almost too big to carry in the ’80s, here’s a little sound history of AM & FM radios from the days of transistors onward.
See 40 vintage breakfast nooks that brought warmth to kitchen corners, through photos and illustrations from the 20th century – showcasing a blend of nostalgic charm and practical design.
Indulge in a nostalgic journey with Figurines diet bars, the crispy, low-calorie delight from the 70s and 80s that were discontinued in the 90s, leaving dieters frustrated forevermore.
Before individual stickers-by-the-yard became popular, sets like these Halloween stickers were the big thing with kids in the 70s and 80s! Take a look back!
Hop in the time machine for a whirlwind tour of 20th-century hotel rooms that are like stepping into a living history book!
The melted plastic Halloween decorations popular in the ’70s were ‘delightfully different’ and ‘captured the happy Halloween spirit.’
Try not to be too creeped out by this collection of vintage Halloween party ideas spanning over a century!
These cheap vintage Halloween masks & costumes proved that when you spent a couple bucks to get ready for trick-or-treating, you got what you paid for. But the kids? They loved it.
They weren’t all that safe (most proved to fail crash tests), but these retro baby car seats from the 1960s, 70s and 80s were among the first on the market with child passenger safety in mind.
3D covers with lenticular printing made these vintage Puppet Storybooks from the 60s & 70s super fun
With 3D lenticular printing on the covers and full-color stop-motion animation-like illustrations, these vintage Puppet Storybooks were irresistible to kids!
Sometimes the basics are all one needs for memorable adventures. Take a look at some vintage tents that were available in the last century!
Love’s Baby Soft hit the market in the mid-’70s with a creepy ad campaign with lines like ‘that irresistible, clean-baby smell, grown-up enough to be sexy’ and ‘innocence is sexier than you think.’ So how did America respond?
Young Ron Howard, the red-haired moppet of “The Andy Griffith Show,” is that rare child actor without guile and a Hollywood head.
These old mail-order record clubs offered super-cheap music to the masses – on vinyl, l8-track tapes, cassettes, and, finally, CDs. But there was a catch.
Vintage accordion doors like these were popular – and affordable – home improvements that almost anyone could install. Take a look back at some old-fashioned folding door styles!
Mood rings were incredibly popular pieces of jewelry in the mid-1970s – a colorful fad. So did the rings actually work? What do the mood ring colors mean? Find out here!
Look back at these 70s outfits for girls and relive the polyester & bell bottoms, plaids & dots, florals & stripes, denim & corduroy, gingham & seersucker and much more.
Backyard decks have become a staple of American architecture for relaxation and socializing. See dozens of different deck designs from the second half of the 20th century here.
Peanut butter cookies are an American treat that have been a favorite for generations. Check out our huge collection of this classic recipe and its variations!
Dairy Queen history involves decades of transformation, innovations, and, of course, a few yummy vintage menu items that make folks nostalgic.
These gorgeous vintage in-ground swimming pools go beyond the basic – with unusual shapes, specialty finishes, and other refreshingly retro ideas.
Buckle up and have a scroll back to an era when driving with car bench seats was as cozy as a night in front of the TV.
Cowboy boots are more than just footwear; they symbolize tradition, individuality, and the spirit of adventure. Have a look back at how the styles have evolved.
The Streets of San Francisco blended detective work with character-driven storytelling & used the city’s landmarks as a backdrop for crime-solving narratives.
1970s house plans weren’t just a collection of designs. They reflected a decade of radical change & innovation. Let’s take a look at these fascinating floor plans!
The distinctive style of 70s prom dresses marked a move from the structured elegance of the 1960s to a more relaxed, romantic aesthetic. Take a look!
A no-bake cherry cheesecake is a dessert that knows how to steal the spotlight at any gathering! We’ve re-created this vintage recipe step-by-step, with photos!
American band The Lovin’ Spoonful – fronted by singer John Sebastian – scored four hit singles, starting with the upbeat and catchy ‘Do You Believe in Magic.’ Find out more about this group of talented musicians here!
See some old-school Jacuzzis, hot tubs and spas, including the super-trendy retro backyard whirlpool baths that ushered in a whole new way to entertain friends.
‘The Price is Right’ television game show host Bob Barker reckons he’s interviewed 50,000 persons on the air, and concludes very few Americans are smart alecks.
The invention of the Ferris Wheel was a jaw-dropping innovation of its time! Find out the history of the Ferris Wheel ride we now know so well, plus see pictures of the HUGE first one.
Take a look back at the history of Knott’s Berry Farm – the fun California amusement park known as a Disneyland alternative, but one that boasted its very themes and even a ghost town.
When teddy bears hit the market, the craze for these soft, comforting companions was instant and universal. Here’s a look back at the remarkable history of the teddy bear, and see lots of adorable versions through the years.
Land of the Lost was a gateway into a world filled with wonder, excitement & mystery. Let’s rewind & reminisce.
Check out these groovy vintage 70s couches – curved models, sectionals, modular couches and a whole lot more that just screams retro.
Wendy’s has been a top player on the American fast food scene since not long after their first restaurant opened back in 1969. Established in
Flash back a few decades to see the Kodak Instamatic camera – which defined amateur photography for a generation & inspired the digital photography of another!
Take a tour through our vast collection of vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses, and see how this brand has been shading our eyes with style for nearly a century.
Sambo’s Restaurants were popular in the ’60s and ’70s. But as much as people loved the diners, the company name was always a problem. Here’s why.
There were only 17 episodes made of H. R. Pufnstuf, but the kitschy kiddie TV show earned its cult status through reruns that aired through the ’70s and into the ’80s. Here’s a look back!
Good Times wasn’t just about humor; it tackled pressing social issues of its time — including unemployment, racism, and poverty.
Buckle up and adjust the rearview mirror — it’s time to take a ride back to the 1960s where the film American Graffiti waits for you at the starting line!
Do you recall playing with vintage clicker and Clacker toys trend of the early 60s and 70s. Inexpensive and fun hard plastic balls on strings, their popularity spread like wildfire over the course of just a few years.
Take a look back at Frank Sinatra’s legendary career through this collection of vintage photos, videos, and profiles from his heyday.
Before the Police Story TV show burst onto the scene, television was filled with crime dramas that lacked the realism which became a hallmark of the genre.
First appearing on TV in 1975, Welcome Back Kotter would go on to become one of America’s best-loved sitcoms. Most notably, it starred a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino.
See some long-forgotten photos of today’s celebrities before they were famous – young stars who paid the bills with modeling gigs until they hit the bigtime.
The Raggedy Ann doll, in her humble glory, has stood the test of time. Let’s take a look back at her history!
If you need a book, you used to need to look for the most important item in the library — the vintage card catalog.
Light up your memory with some some great old home décor – more than 200 antique and vintage table lamps from the beginning of the twentieth century to its end!
The Bob Newhart Show turned the world of comedy upside down with its straight-faced humor and wry wit – let’s take a look back!
For decades, Cracker Jack has been more than a just a popcorn and peanut snack. Thanks to the famed Cracker Jack prizes, it’s also a treasure hunt in a box! Find out more about this peak Americana treat.
With their fun retro flavors – like pink lemonade and orange, toffee and macaroon, peanut butter and black walnut – check out these discontinued cake mixes that you just don’t see in stores anymore!
Making a splash in 1970, Avon Small World dolls weren’t your ordinary collectibles. See what made them so extra special!
Check out this extensive interview with a young Dolly Parton (only 24 years old!) that was published back in 1970.
These vintage truck campers were all people needed back in the 1960s, 70s & 80s to get away from it all for a few days.
Hang Ten clothing made a splash in the 1960s, 1970s and 80s, serving up a healthy dose of California beach culture to a country —
Barbie wasn’t just a doll – she had an empire! Look back at vintage Barbie play sets, complete with friends and family, fabulous dollhouses, pools, pets… and lots and lots of fashionable vintage Barbie clothes.
Take a look back at “The Odd Couple” — a classic comedy about friendship, divorce & making the most out of life’s second chances.
Millions know ‘Say, Say, Oh Playmate’ – also known as ‘Playmate’ – but few today know much about the rhyming song & hand clapping game. Find out more here!
This adorable pineapple upside-down cupcake recipe is a mini classic! They’re probably easier than you think to make, too.
From 1966 to 1973, televisions worldwide were tuned to the thrilling exploits of the Impossible Missions Force in the groundbreaking Mission Impossible TV show.
Guys were kicking it at the office and at the disco in 70s men’s shoes
We found some great vintage graham cracker pie crust recipes, and ways to make other delicious crumb crusts. Get the basic how-to, and try some of these creative and classic combinations!
In 1976, Marriott’s Great America theme parks were born from a simple yet ambitious idea: give families an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience. Here, see the parks in California & Illinois in the 70s & 80s!
See how “Chico and the Man” made an early and enduring impression in the world of 70s sitcoms!
It’s been a remarkable journey from that first Bob’s Big Boy hamburger stand to the national restaurant franchise it still is today. Here’s a look at the restaurant chain over the years!
Take a peek at how 70s teenage fashion helped shape styles as we know them today!
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father was a TV sitcom about a widower and his son, Eddie that debuted in 1969. The memorable theme song was by Harry Nilsson.
When it comes to the fascinating saga of American fast food, the tale of Roy Rogers Restaurant chain is a true standout. Check out these old photos from decades past.
Reel-to-reel tape recorders hit the commercial market in the 1940s — and their evolution was boosted by the financial support of none other than Bing Crosby, who saw great potential in the technology.
Ali MacGraw was unmistakably a star at the age of 33, following the success of her first movie, Goodbye Columbus, and the overwhelming popularity of her second, Love Story.
In the 60s & 70s, boho living rooms evolved to become significant expressions of personal identity, embodying a spirit of freedom and uniqueness. Take a look back at some of this beautiful retro home decor!
Sesame Street started in 1969 as a daily TV show for preschoolers, featuring a street filled with puppets and humans who told stories, sang and danced. But it became so much more than just a television program!
From awful double entendres to horrible diseases to the just plain bizarre, here are some vintage bad product names that used to appear on grocery store shelves.
Let’s reminisce for a minute about Hawaiian Punch, the iconic red beverage that has a history as rich as its flavor. The original product first
This collection of advertisements captures the evolution of vintage press-on nails from their inception to the end of the 20th century.
Throughout the 20th century, the nursing profession and vintage nursing uniforms evolved in step with society.
Let’s consider for a moment the soap on a rope phenomenon — a peculiar fusion of the useful and the whimsical that once occupied a
The vintage ambulance has a history rooted in far simpler designs than we know today. Here’s a look back at how they’ve changed over time!
This curated collection of vintage photographs invites you to explore the classic charm of screened-in porches, patios, lanais, and pool enclosures from bygone decades.
These cute and child-friendly vintage Father’s Day cards show the sweet sentiments that kids expressed for dad (and grandpa) in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
In the 70s, vintage ConTact paper and decorative shelf liner patterns like these were used to transform old furniture, decorate everything from walls to window shades, and more.
If you were a kid during the 70s & 80s, be prepared for a wave of nostalgia from this collection of vintage Mattel toys for little kids, including See n Say & those little yellow shopping carts!
Before it was just Max, it was HBO Max — before that it was just plain old HBO. And it was a huge deal.
