Ah, the '80s Christmases! Those were the days for elder Millennials and young Gen X'ers. Remember the annual struggle with Christmas lights and the frenzy for Cabbage Patch Kids? Tinsel-covered trees and thread balls adorned homes, while Nintendo fever took over later in the decade. Christmas meant every cartoon had a special episode, adding a sprinkle of magic to simpler times.
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Being excited the Saturday before Christmas because you knew all your favorite Saturday morning cartoons would be airing their Christmas episodes:
Hanna-barbera / ©Hanna-Barbera/Courtesy Everett Collection
Watching random Christmas made-for-TV specials that felt like fever dreams:
Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Everett Col, Ruby-spears Productions / ©Ruby-Spears Productions/Courtesy Everett Collection
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And of course, watching lots of random Hanna-Barbera Christmas specials:
Hanna-barbera / ©Hanna-Barbera/Courtesy Everett Collection
Mom or aunt in those sequined, shoulder-padded Christmas sweaters—a holiday tradition!
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Having one of those stuffed animal Santa's whose face you couldn't see as a decoration:
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And making your parents take you to McDonald's so that you could get the holiday edition Muppet Babies stuffed animals:
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The neighbor who always brightened the street with a light-up Nativity scene among their outdoor decorations:
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That neighbor who went all out and adorned their yard with every single molded plastic Christmas light decoration they could find:
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Adorning your Christmas tree with vibrant string lights featuring reflectors on each bulb for that extra dazzling glow:
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Decking out your tree with an abundance of flashy tinsel and garland for that extra festive sparkle:
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Adding a touch of sophistication to your tree with pearl garlands for that extra dash of elegance:
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Indulging in holiday chocolate candy—M&M's painted red and green, shaped as trees and bells for that festive touch:
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Displaying those acrylic Christmas stockings on the mantle—they felt flimsy and likely doubled as massive fire hazards:
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Adorning with plastic holly wreaths—pretty, but a little sharp and not so friendly to the touch:
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Spotting your family's kitchen adorned with Christmas country geese towels, pot holders, and accessories—a festive and charming touch:
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Including solely red candles in your house's festive decorations—a classic and vibrant addition to the holiday ambiance:
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Being forbidden to ring the delicate ceramic bell decoration—it served no real purpose and was just too fragile to touch
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Feeling a bit apprehensive while watching "Mickey's Christmas Carol"—it turned out a tad darker than anticipated, didn't it?
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Receiving Christmas stickers as a treat for tagging along with your parents to Hallmark—a small but delightful gesture:
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Receiving Christmas-themed Scratch 'n Sniff stickers at school—often just smelling like pine or peppermint, but still a fun little treat:
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Family elders often reminded us to cherish gifts, citing in the USSR there were no gifts or Christmas celebrations.
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Outdoor lights? Touch those while on, risk scorched hands! That heat was no joke!
Parents, spending a week on Christmas cards, meticulously checking names off their list. Dedication at its finest!
Parents panicking over unexpected cards, cue the frenzy to reciprocate. The added name? Instant card-writing chaos!
Listening to Time Life's Jingle Bell Rock album over and over:
Those Macy's Parade cartoons? Creepy vibes back then! Thankfully, they've come a long way since those unsettling characters!
Circling all the toys you wanted from the Sears Wish Book...
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The Toys "R" Us Christmas Dream Book: your wishlist sneakily left for parents to spot and magically fulfill on Christmas morning!
Going over to your grandma's house and seeing her decorate with Christmas-themed tin ashtrays (if she smoked)...
That bowl of ribbon candy? Dusty relic from '71. You're pretty sure it's been around longer than anyone can remember!
Ah, that ceramic light-up tree! A festive touch, but don't touch it - it bites! Burn hazard galore!
Shiny, gaudy wrapping paper adorned all the presents under the tree. Strictly wrapped boxes ruled; gift bags weren't really a thing back then!
Crossing your fingers that your parents would get you a Nintendo:
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And lastly, receiving a Cabbage Patch doll even if you didn't ask for one 'cause it was THE GIFT to give:
