Join us as we travel back in time to the holiday seasons of yesteryear. We’ll explore what holiday-themed items were the most popular of each decade.

1950s

Fun fact: Aluminum Christmas trees made their debut in 1955.

Songs

• “Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys

• “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt

• “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

Toys

• Barbie dolls

• Mr. Potato Head

• LEGOs

Movies/TV specials

• “A Christmas Carol”

• “White Christmas”

1960s

Fun fact: Animated Christmas movies started with “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” airing on December 18, 1962.

Songs

• “Do you hear what I hear?” by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne

• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love

• “A Charlie Brown Christmas” album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

Toys

• G.I. Joe

• Etch A Sketch

• Easy-Bake Oven

Movies/TV specials

• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

1970s 

Fun fact: Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments sprang on the holiday scene in 1973. 

Songs 

• “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano 

• “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 

• “Step into Christmas” by Elton John 

Toys 

• Weebles 

• Stretch Armstrong 

• Speak & Spell 

Movies/TV specials 

• Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” 

• “The Year Without a Santa Claus” 

1980s 

Fun fact: While ugly Christmas sweaters weren’t new, they became mainstream in the 1980s due to the character of Clark Griswold. 

Songs 

• “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid 

• “Last Christmas” by Wham! 

• “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. 

Toys 

• Cabbage Patch Kids 

• Rubik’s Cube 

• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) 

Movies/TV specials 

• “A Christmas Story” 

• “Scrooged” 

• “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” 

1990s 

Fun fact: The 24-hour “A Christmas Story” marathon started on Christmas Eve 1997 on TNT. 

Songs 

• “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey 

• “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra 

Toys 

• Tamagotchi 

• Tickle Me Elmo 

• Beanie Babies 

Movies/TV specials 

• “Home Alone” 

• “The Muppet Christmas Carol” 

• “The Santa Clause” 

2000s 

Fun fact: The Elf on the Shelf began reporting children’s behavior to Santa in 2005. 

Songs 

• “Where are you Christmas?” by Faith Hill 

• “Believe” by Josh Groban 

Toys 

• Bratz Dolls 

• Nintendo Wii 

• Webkinz 

Movies/TV specials 

• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 

• “Elf” 

• “The Polar Express” 

2010s 

Fun fact: The residents of Bogotá, Colombia, set a record in 2014 by building the largest number of snowmen ever constructed in one place. With the absence of snow, over 11,000 snowmen were made from Styrofoam. 

Songs 

• “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber 

• “That’s Christmas To Me” by Pentatonix 

Toys 

• Hatchimals 

• Paw Patrol 

• L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls 

Movies/TV specials 

• “Arthur Christmas” 

• “The Christmas Chronicles” 

2020s 

Fun fact: Primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families started celebrating Christmas virtually, including family members from all over the globe in one “virtual” place. 

Songs 

• “Merry Christmas” by Ed Sheeran and Elton John 

Toys 

• Baby Yoda 

• LEGO Super Mario Adventures 

• Barbie Color Reveal 

Movies/TV specials 

• “Holidate” 

• “A Christmas Story Christmas”