1. Mood Rings
In the ’70s, mood rings were the kind of holiday gift that made you gasp with excitement when you first opened the box. The shimmering stone shifted colors on your finger, supposedly reflecting whether you were calm, stressed, or even secretly in love. Kids would parade around the living room, holding out their hands like they were revealing some cosmic truth. Parents nodded along and acted like it was amazing technology, even though they probably knew it was just a heat-sensitive gimmick.
The truth was that mood rings didn’t really reveal emotions at all, they simply reacted to body temperature. Still, they gave kids a sense of mystery and fun, which was enough to keep the fad alive for a while. Many of them ended up scratched, broken, or tossed in drawers by the new year. Yet for one brief, shiny moment, everyone pretended these little trinkets really could read their souls.
2. Pet Rocks
The Pet Rock craze of 1975 was one of the strangest gift trends the holidays ever saw. Wrapped up in festive paper, kids would tear open the box to discover…a rock. It came complete with breathing holes and even a manual, as if this lump of stone needed training. At first, it got a lot of laughs, and kids dutifully lined them up on dressers or carried them in their pockets like they were alive.
After the humor wore off, though, you were still left with a plain rock that didn’t do much of anything. Parents smiled and said how clever it was, but many were secretly wondering why anyone would pay money for something you could pick up outside. The whole thing was more about the joke than the toy. Even so, it became a ’70s legend, and everyone pretended it was cooler than it actually was.
3. Sea Monkeys
Sea Monkeys promised to be the perfect pet for kids who couldn’t handle the responsibility of a dog or cat. The commercials made them look like little cartoon characters living happy lives in tiny aquariums. Under the tree, the small packet of “instant pets” felt like a gateway to a magical underwater kingdom. Parents happily watched their kids rush to the kitchen to add water and wait for the fun to begin.
In reality, Sea Monkeys were just brine shrimp that floated aimlessly around in a cloudy tank. They didn’t wave at you or build families like the ads claimed, and they usually didn’t live very long. Still, for a short time, kids pretended to love them and proudly showed their friends the wriggling creatures. It was all about imagination, even if the reality was more than a little disappointing.
4. Lava Lamps
Nothing said ’70s quite like a lava lamp, which made its way under many Christmas trees. When you unwrapped one, you were instantly mesmerized by the colorful blobs slowly floating and morphing inside the glass. It was billed as both a decoration and an experience, giving any room a “cool” factor. Parents acted impressed, though they often wondered how safe it was to keep a heated lamp bubbling away on a kid’s nightstand.
The truth is, lava lamps didn’t do much except provide something hypnotic to stare at when you were bored. They took a long time to heat up, and sometimes the blobs just sat there stubbornly. Still, everyone pretended to be fascinated, claiming it was the height of style. Even today, lava lamps have a nostalgic pull, reminding us of a time when people really did act thrilled to get one as a holiday gift.
5. Chia Pets
Unwrapping a Chia Pet felt exciting for a moment, especially when the commercials promised a sprouting little friend that would come to life. The kitschy terracotta figures came in all sorts of shapes, from animals to busts of famous people. Parents thought it was a harmless and creative gift that encouraged kids to grow something. With a little water and some patience, the seeds did sprout into green fuzz that covered the figure.
But after the novelty wore off, the Chia Pet often ended up looking scraggly and uneven. The plants grew too fast, too thin, or just didn’t look anything like the lush green coat on TV. Kids acted proud of their little “pet,” but most were unimpressed when it started to smell or wilt. Still, people smiled politely and pretended it was charming, making it one of the strangest holiday staples of the decade.
6. Clackers
Clackers, those colorful acrylic balls attached to a string, were the “it” toy for a holiday season or two. They looked cool under the Christmas tree, and everyone was eager to show off how fast they could make the balls knock together. The loud clacking sound filled living rooms across the country, to the delight of kids and the irritation of adults. Parents clapped politely while secretly plotting how to make them disappear.
The problem was, clackers weren’t just noisy, they were dangerous. The balls could shatter into sharp pieces if they hit too hard, which happened more often than anyone admitted. Yet kids still played with them nonstop, pretending they were the coolest thing around. They were eventually pulled from shelves, but not before countless families endured a very loud holiday season.
7. Inflatable Furniture
For teens and preteens in the ’70s, inflatable chairs or couches were a trendy gift. They looked so modern in the ads, promising a groovy and colorful addition to bedrooms. Parents thought it was a fun, inexpensive way to make kids feel “cool.” Opening the box brought squeals of excitement and a mad dash to inflate the chair and plop down.
Reality struck pretty quickly, though. The chairs were uncomfortable, squeaky, and popped far too easily. They also deflated slowly over time, leaving kids sinking into sad, floppy plastic. But nobody wanted to admit their cool new furniture wasn’t all that great, so everyone pretended it was comfortable and stylish.
8. Novelty Slippers
Whether they were shaped like giant animals, cartoon characters, or fuzzy monsters, novelty slippers were everywhere in the ’70s. They were fun to unwrap and instantly brought a laugh or two around the tree. Parents thought they were a practical gift disguised as something silly. Kids put them on right away and paraded around, pretending to love them.
The problem was that they weren’t very practical at all. They were bulky, awkward, and often way too hot to actually wear for long. By January, most ended up shoved in closets, never to be seen again until a spring cleaning. But for that one magical Christmas morning, they were treated like the best gift ever.
9. Soap on a Rope
Soap on a rope was marketed as a clever way to keep soap from slipping in the shower. Gift sets often included it, tucked alongside colognes or bubble baths. It seemed thoughtful enough, and parents unwrapped them with forced enthusiasm. They were the kind of present you gave when you didn’t know what else to buy.
The truth is, very few people actually enjoyed using soap on a rope. It was awkward to handle, and the rope got soggy and gross after a while. Still, everyone would smile and say thank you, pretending it was a useful gift. More often than not, it just sat unused in the bathroom until it hardened like a rock.
10. Novelty Belt Buckles
The ’70s were full of oversized belt buckles, and many found their way under Christmas trees. They came in every theme imaginable, from disco designs to goofy slogans. Teens would open them and laugh, acting like it was the perfect accessory. Parents thought they were stylish gifts that helped kids fit into the trends.
But the truth was, most of those buckles were too big, too heavy, or just plain uncomfortable. They dug into your stomach when you sat down, and they didn’t match with much outside of polyester pants. Still, everyone wore them proudly for a few days, pretending to love the look. Then they quietly went back to regular belts when no one was watching.
11. Digital Calculators
In the ’70s, digital calculators were a hot new gadget that seemed futuristic. Opening one on Christmas morning made you feel like you’d just gotten a piece of space technology. Parents thought they were practical, encouraging kids to get ahead in math. Kids would grin and act excited, even though they really wanted a toy instead.
The calculators themselves weren’t exactly thrilling once the novelty wore off. Sure, you could add and subtract, but it wasn’t as fun as the toy commercials you saw on TV. They were also bulky and ate through batteries quickly. Still, everyone acted impressed, pretending it was a thoughtful and high-tech gift.
12. Ceramic Figurines
Every family had at least one relative who thought ceramic figurines were the perfect holiday gift. They came in boxes filled with tissue paper, carefully unwrapped to reveal little angels, animals, or seasonal characters. Parents would smile and line them up on shelves, insisting they looked adorable. Kids usually pretended to like them, even though they wanted something they could actually play with.
In truth, these figurines were dust collectors more than anything else. They chipped easily and didn’t serve any real purpose. Still, nobody wanted to hurt Grandma’s feelings, so they sat proudly on display. Decades later, many of those figurines ended up at garage sales, but in the moment, they were treated like treasures.
13. Scented Candles
Scented candles became a staple gift in the ’70s, often wrapped in shiny paper with a bow. They seemed fancy, especially when they came in decorative jars. Parents would open them, inhale deeply, and announce how lovely they smelled. It was the kind of gift you gave when you wanted to play it safe.
The problem was, not all the scents were actually enjoyable. Some were too strong, too sweet, or just plain odd, like pine mixed with cinnamon. People politely lit them once or twice, then tucked them away in a cupboard. Still, everyone smiled at the time, pretending it was the perfect cozy holiday present.
14. DIY Craft Kits
From macramé plant hangers to candle-making sets, DIY craft kits were everywhere in the ’70s. They promised hours of fun and creativity, and kids acted thrilled when they found one under the tree. Parents loved them too, thinking they encouraged imagination and hands-on skills. The packaging always made the finished product look magazine-worthy.
But the truth was, most of the projects didn’t turn out like the pictures. The yarn knotted up, the candles dripped unevenly, and the end results looked more like accidents than art. Still, kids smiled proudly and parents praised their efforts, even if the craft never saw the light of day again. Everyone pretended it was a success, because that was just part of the holiday spirit.
