1. Pet Rocks
Remember when the height of low-maintenance pet ownership was a rock? These little stones came in boxes with breathing holes, straw beds, and even a “care” manual. All it took was a bit of googly eyes, some paint, and voilà—you had yourself a pet that would never need feeding or walking. Surprisingly, it became one of the most popular gifts of the decade.
2. Mood Rings
The ‘70s were all about tuning in to your emotions, and nothing made that easier than a ring that (supposedly) told you how you were feeling. These mood rings, with their color-changing stones, claimed to detect shifts in body temperature that corresponded to emotions. People loved them, but they probably didn’t work quite as well as promised.
3. Pet Rocks’ Shaggy Cousin: Chia Pets
If you thought the pet rock was low maintenance, Chia Pets were only a small step up. All you had to do was water these ceramic figures, and they would “grow” sprouts that looked like fur or hair. From the classic sheep shape to more obscure options, everyone seemed to be nurturing their Chia Pet gardens.
4. Lava Lamps
You couldn’t step into a teenager’s room in the ‘70s without seeing the soft glow and mesmerizing blobs of a lava lamp. They weren’t just lamps—they were pieces of art that embodied the groovy, free-spirited vibe of the decade. The hypnotic effect was part of their charm, and somehow they just never went out of style.
5. Wacky Packages Stickers
These were basically Mad Magazine in sticker form, satirizing big-name brands with parodies like “Jolly Mean Giant” or “Band-Ache” strips. Kids collected them, traded them, and plastered them all over notebooks and lockers. These irreverent stickers were as collectible as baseball cards, but with a bit more bite.
6. CB Radios
Sure, they were mostly for truckers, but in the ‘70s, CB radios went mainstream. People of all ages picked up handles, learned CB lingo, and hit the airwaves to chat, especially after the movie Smokey and the Bandit glamorized CB culture. Having a CB was like having an early social network, just with more static.
7. Bean Bag Chairs
They weren’t exactly “collected” like stamps, but it seemed like every home had at least one in a loud pattern or psychedelic color. Bean bag chairs offered a laid-back, ‘70s vibe that fit right in with the era’s love of comfort and casual style. They were also probably the one piece of furniture you could toss around without fear.
8. Bicentennial Memorabilia
The U.S. celebrated its 200th birthday in 1976, and the whole country got caught up in Bicentennial fever. From flags and hats to commemorative coins and plates, people hoarded patriotic memorabilia to mark the occasion. Red, white, and blue was everywhere, even on lunchboxes and clothes.
9. Smiley Face Merchandise
If you walked around in the ‘70s, you were sure to spot that bright yellow smiley face on pins, patches, T-shirts, and just about everything else. It was simple, cheerful, and encapsulated the positivity of the era. The smiley even came with its own slogan: “Have a Nice Day!” And who didn’t want to spread that feel-good vibe?
10. Sea Monkeys
A staple of comic book ads, Sea Monkeys were marketed as magical underwater pets you could bring to life from tiny dust-like specks. Really, they were just brine shrimp, but kids everywhere were enchanted by the idea of growing their own tiny society, complete with “families” and “castles”—at least until reality set in.
11. Bell-Bottom Jeans (With Embellishments)
Clothing may not seem like a collectible, but the way people customized their bell-bottom jeans turned them into personal art projects. People sewed on patches, painted designs, or embroidered their flared jeans to show off personality and style. Collect enough pairs, and you’d have a closet that could double as a gallery of 1970s self-expression.
12. Novelty Phones
The ‘70s saw a burst of creativity in home decor, and phones were no exception. Rotary dials got replaced with phones shaped like lips, hamburgers, and even cartoon characters. People collected novelty phones as conversation pieces, and they became a quirky status symbol—definitely not your average black rotary.
