The holidays bring back warm memories of festive lights, family gatherings, and those unforgettable holiday commercials that played on repeat every December. But looking back, some of those retro ads might leave modern audiences scratching their heads or raising an eyebrow. Whether it’s outdated humor, questionable stereotypes, or just plain risky ideas, these specific ads remind us how much times—and sensibilities—have changed. Here are 12 holiday commercials that were iconic back in the day but would never air today.
1. Lucky Strike’s “Gift Carton for the Holidays”
Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a carton of cigarettes! Lucky Strike advertised their products in festive green and red cartons, suggesting they were the perfect gift for friends and family. A particularly shocking ad even had Santa with a cigarette in hand, promoting a “healthy” puff. Today, anti-smoking laws and public health awareness make this kind of ad unthinkable.
2. Coca-Cola’s Santa and the Soda Indulgence
Coca-Cola has long been associated with the holidays thanks to its iconic Santa ads. But one vintage spot took it too far, showing Santa taking a long swig of soda in front of some curious kids. The style made the ad look like a moving painting and encouraged young viewers to indulge in all the soda they wanted. In an age of concerns about childhood obesity and sugar intake, this ad would spark outrage.
3. Kenner’s Easy-Bake Oven with Real Light Bulbs
This beloved toy ad showed kids gleefully cooking brownies with an oven powered by an actual incandescent light bulb. While it seemed harmless back then, many kids burned themselves on the hot metal parts, leading to recalls. Modern safety regulations for toys mean this design—and the commercial hyping it—would never pass today.
4. McDonald’s “Skating with Ronald”
In this heartwarming ad, kids skating along with Ronald McDonald, who joins them in typical winter festivities out on the ice and in the snow. Sweet, right? Well, in today’s world, fast food aimed directly at kids has become a huge no-no, especially with rising concerns over marketing unhealthy food to children.
5. Hamm’s Beer Holiday Bear
Back when cartoon mascots could sell anything, Hamm’s Beer used a cheerful bear to promote their product during the holidays. The animated bear ice-skated and decorated a tree with a six-pack in hand. These days, using cartoon characters to advertise alcohol is seen as crossing a serious ethical line.
6. Mattel’s Barbie Dreamhouse: “Every Girl’s Holiday Wish”
Barbie commercials in the 80s emphasized gender roles in ways that feel outdated today. One particular holiday ad showed girls dreaming about cooking and cleaning in their Dreamhouse while dressed as miniature housewives. Modern parents would find these ads cringeworthy and out of sync with the push for empowering toys for all kids.
7. Chevrolet Bringing Families Back Together
This ad featured a family driving home from a holiday party. The atmosphere is cheery and wholesome, but criticism against consumerism today would make the message in this ad fall flat.
8. Campbell’s “Snowman Soup” Commercial
Campbell’s beloved ad of a melting snowman turning into a child enjoying warm soup remains nostalgic for many. But it’s also an ad that feels overly simplistic for today’s sophisticated kid-focused marketing standards. Kids today demand high-tech animation or quirky humor, not melting snowmen.
9. York Peppermint Pattie’s “Tingly Holiday Feeling”
This over-the-top commercial showed people having borderline euphoric reactions to biting into a Peppermint Pattie. One holiday version had someone fainting in a snowdrift with pure joy. Today’s ads have toned down dramatics to avoid misleading claims or becoming meme fodder for how ridiculous they seem.
10. Duraflame Logs: “Real Flames, Real Danger”
An old Duraflame holiday ad promoted burning synthetic logs into their fireplaces, which could give kids the wrong idea. No disclaimers, no warnings about proper ventilation. Considering modern fire safety campaigns, this carefree portrayal of open flames would be a liability nightmare today.
11. Sears’ Gendered Ads
In the 60s and 70s, department stores like Sears ran ads featuring couples focusing on very specific household items, as if that only depended on their gender. Nowadays, both partners can dabble on cooking, household repairs, and work in and out of the house, making ads like this obsolete.
12. Tab Cola’s “Stay Skinny for the Holidays”
Tab Cola targeted women with an ad urging them to drink diet soda during the holidays to maintain their “figure” while still enjoying holiday treats. The tagline: “Have a Tab and look fabulous!” With today’s body positivity movement and backlash against diet culture, this messaging would crash and burn in a modern ad campaign.
Looking back, these commercials remind us of a different era when marketing felt freer—sometimes to a fault. They transport us to a time of simpler holiday joys but also highlight just how much our society has evolved in terms of safety, health, and inclusivity. Which of these do you remember seeing back in the day?
