10 Beloved Family Traditions From the ’70s That Are Long Gone
The ’70s gave us shag carpet, bell-bottoms, and some seriously iconic music. But beyond the fashion and fads, it was also a decade of strong traditions — rituals that brought families together in ways that feel almost quaint by today’s standards. This was a time when dinner was eaten at the table (not in the car), photos were printed (and carefully placed in albums), and the entire household gathered around a single TV screen to catch a holiday special.
Here are some of the 1970s family traditions we miss the most.
1. Having Sunday Dinner at Grandma’s House
Sundays were for our entire extended families sitting down at Grandma’s dinner for a delicious, homemade meal. Grandma zipped around the kitchen making sure everyone had what they needed before sitting down to join the rest of the family, and no one left sad or hungry. It was the best way to prepare for the beginning of the week ahead.
2. Gathering Around the TV for a Special Program
Every show and movie is on demand these days, but back in the ’70s, we’d plan our whole schedule around a special show. We’d all be in front of the TV in time to catch the program, because pausing and rewinding was most certainly not a thing.
3. Breaking Out the Fine China for Holiday Dinners
Back in the ’70s, holiday family dinners were next-level. They included special centerpieces or candlesticks at the dinner table, heirloom fine china, and the “fancy” silverware.
4. Handwritten Letters and Holiday Cards
Kids these days just toss their birthday cards aside as they rip through their presents, and handwritten letters have long since been replaced by quick text messages. But in the 1970s, this was the way to say “Hello” or “Happy Birthday.” Some folks even had drawers dedicated to cards of all occasions in their house, because sending them out was that commonplace.
5. Photo Albums With Printed Pictures
Flipping through the pages of a photo album was so much better than scrolling through iPhone libraries, and nothing will ever convince us otherwise.
6. Family Game Night With Board Games
Before all the technological distractions, sitting down for family game night was at least a once-a-week occurrence, whether it was with Life, Monopoly, or Chutes and Ladders.
7. Making Jell-O Molds and Casseroles for Potlucks
Church basement potlucks and block parties weren’t complete without at least one neon Jell-O mold or cheesy casserole. Some combos were odd (looking at you, shredded carrots in lime Jell-O), but they were a stalwart nevertheless.
8. Having Fondue Parties
If you had a fondue set in the ’70s, you were basically a gourmet host. Dipping bread into hot cheese or strawberries into chocolate felt fancy and fun, so it was the perfect party fixture.
9. Having a ‘Kids Table’ at Holiday Dinners
The kids table was a rite of passage — plastic cups, giggles, and freedom from grown-up conversation. It was where cousins bonded over rolls and cranberry sauce until they were “old enough” to join the adults.
10. Summer Road Trips in the Station Wagon
With no GPS, no tablets, and no air conditioning, summer road trips were a sweaty, memorable adventure. You fought over who got the “way back” in the family station wagon, played endless rounds of I Spy, and stopped at roadside diners or ate PB&J sandwiches packed by Mom.
Looking for some more 1970s nostalgia?
Don’t miss 10 Photos That Capture the American Workplace in the 1970s and 10 Photos Inside a Typical Friday Night Out in the 1970s. You should also check out 11 Popular Products From the 1970s and 15 Retro Treasures From the 1970s That Are Now Worth Thousands.