https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/20/tiktok-90s-christmas-trend-tinsel-home-alone
I think most people would reminisce about their childhood Christmas experiences regardless of age or era. Decorations from their parent’s or grandparents homes are usually treasured memories, and many people may want to recreate that nostalgia. This is a personal thing, I know that I do, I loved my paternal grandmother’s Christmas decorations and the 1950’s and 60’s fairy lights that came in all sorts of different colours styles and each bulb was different. There was always the testing of the fairy lights every year too, and without fail one or two would have burned out.
Then it was a rush to the shops to get replacements. Just one light bulb not working would cause the set of lights not to light up. There were Santa faces, churches, reindeers, bud shaped bulbs of various colours, swirl styles and much more. I loved these bulbs as they were so colourful and varied in style. The lit up the lounge room window which looked great from the street at nighttime.
The wall decorations are not so good nowadays as the quality has diminished as well as the length of the decorations. Original store bought decorations were a colourful tissue paper type in a honeycomb design, that stretched across the room. They lasted much longer than the foil decorations. The individual paper ones such as bells , Santa, snowmen or stars were two or three times the size of that is in the shops today. Unless you were a child prior to 1980, you may not have seen these particular types. You can of course see them in vintage style magazines and antique magazines that show old photos of the old days.
When I was getting married I came across some glass ornaments similar to some of my grandmother’s and just had to buy them. That was back in 1988, lol, back in the day when we actually had quality products, and I still have them to this day too. I also have a few from my parents and my husband’s parents.
I must admit that I love the old Home Alone 1 and 2 movies and watch them every Christmas. Not to forget the Muppets Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. I even have DVD’s of the original Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and old Christmas cartoons from the 1930’s. I still listen to the original Christmas music by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra etc. These were a staple of my childhood Christmas memories and I introduced them to my children. I loved the old style fairy light bulbs and the smell of cigars at Christmas too, especially in Scottish winters as the air was cold and the aroma hung in the air.
There is a special warmth from old memories, which are important in human memory and a foundation of our collective belonging and feelings as we grow up. Then we have our own children to share our experiences with as part of their family heritage. I don’t think the times are actually the reason for this resurgence, it’s cyclical and nostalgia. Without any experience from the past we have nothing to form a future no matter what the situation is. Humanity needs a history or past to make a future.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp398e49egpo
If you feel happy with what you do to celebrate Christmas then go with it, this is yours to enjoy and not to follow what is trendy. It’s not for others to tell you what to do.
