While the ‘90s were only a few decades ago, the way we celebrate Christmas has changed quite a bit. Back then, holiday cheer was measured by circling toys in catalogs, picking up holiday movies from Blockbuster, and finding a Game Boy under the tree. Not to mention the joy of hearing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for the first time and hurriedly going to the mall to see it all lit up and decked out for the occasion.
Does that sound familiar? If so, this list might just be for you. We at Bored Panda have collected some of the most nostalgia-inducing memorabilia that made Christmas in the ‘90s. To keep the holiday spirit going, let’s all scroll through the pictures that perfectly capture what festivities were like just over three decades ago.
#1 These Christmas LifeSavers "Books" Were Guaranteed To Be In My Stocking Every Year
#2 Feeling Captivated By The Computer Animation In The Coca-Cola Polar Bears Commercials
Image credits: edimas1000
#3 Still The Best Christmas Movie
Image credits: TheMuppets
For those who weren't born in this decade, the ‘90s was a time when our obsession with Kevin McCallister started and kids were fighting over what to watch on TV—Muppet Christmas Carol or Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.
Many iconic films came from this decade that we still tune into today. Some of them include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jingle All the Way, and Jack Frost.
#4 1993 Campbell's Soup "Melting Snowman" TV Commercial
Image credits: ewjxn
#5 Every Parents' Regrettable Christmas Present: A Loud Aiwa Multi-CD Player Shelf System
Image credits: skullmyers
#6 I Officially Own All My Grandparents' Ceramic Christmas Trees
Image credits: King_Baboon
Interestingly, despite the cheerful associations with Christmas movies from this time, in retrospect, they aren’t that really joyful.
In the 1990s and 1994 in particular, holiday movies were quite dark. For example, a story like The Santa Claus was defined by divorce; Miracle on 34th Street was about a court procedure; and in the famous Home Alone, a boy was abandoned by his family and attacked by robbers.
#7 These Satin Thread Christmas Ball Ornaments
Image credits: Sno0pyBo0
#8 The M&M Commercial That's Been Playing Every Christmas For As Long As I Can Remember
Image credits: noconnostalgia
#9 Those Big Cans Of Flavored Popcorn That Always Showed Up Around Christmas Time
Image credits: theheatherchronicles.wordpress.com
However, these films aimed to show people that holidays can’t fix a broken marriage or that some adults tend to disappoint their kids. And that makes sense for the era, as the mid-'90s saw the rise of grunge, with people resisting the status quo and fighting for cultural changes.
#10 It Was Christmas Morning December 25, 1998. My Brothers And I Had Just Ripped Open Our Presents, And Low And Behold A Brand New N64 And The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time
Image credits: ArtOk6196
#11 The Muppet Christmas Carol - Still Genuinely Holds Up As One Of The Best Christmas Movies Of All Time
Image credits: Two-HeadedAndroid
#12 Christmas Morning, 1992
Image credits: daniellrob
Back then, upcoming holiday films were published in TV magazines like Radio Times, which included the best recommendations for everything shown over the festive period. People would flick through the magazine, pick, and circle the best movies that were a must-watch. It might seem weird to us that people would organize what to watch weeks in advance, but that’s how it was done without the magic of rewinding.
#13 A Home Alone Christmas
This film makes me nostalgic for a warm '90s Christmas: a large decorated cozy house, lots of family, a crackling fireplace, and the most delicious pizza ever captured on film!
Image credits: GumboCrab
#14 Looking Forward To The Toys "R" Us Holiday Catalog
Image credits: The Nostalgia Mall
#15 Wanting Rubber Stamps So That You Could Decorate Your "Christmas Cards" With Them
Image credits: etsy.com
Over the years, different trends, films, and television have influenced the must-have Christmas toys of the year. In the '90s, many kids circled them (a lot of circling was done) while flicking through the Toys R Us or Argos catalog to add to their wish list for Santa. Now, we couldn’t imagine children playing with them or parents queueing up at 6 a.m. to get their hands on them. The latter most likely looked like something from the movie Jingle All the Way.
#16 The 1993 JCPenney Christmas Catalog Gaming Section
Image credits: Slovejoy
#17 I Can Taste This Picture
Image credits: RetroNewsNow
#18 1993: I Put My Talkboy Out Every Year For Christmas And It Still Has Original Content That I Made
Today was the first time I’ve listened to it since 1993. My Beavis and Butthead impressions could use some work. I also hated my sister back then.
Image credits: I_play_high420
This decade saw the arrival of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Game Boy, and, of course, Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear. You may also have found Power Rangers, a Furby, a Tamagotchi, and Tickle Me Elmo hiding under the tree. The older ones might even have gotten their first home computer, which now, in comparison, seems like something from ancient times. Board games such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? were very popular as well.
#19 Bottom Of My Feet Hurts Just By Looking At These
Image credits: venezueladeayer
#20 My Christmas List, 1999
Image credits: TuesdayTwo
#21 Breaking Multiple Light Bulbs Every Time You Assisted In Putting Up The Outdoor Christmas Lights
Image credits: etsy.com
The Talkboy came into existence after it was used by Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2. Before the film, the toy actually never existed. While writing a sequel, the creator, John Hughes, knew that in certain situations (like while booking a suite at the Plaza Hotel) Kevin would need to pass as an adult.
So he included a futuristic recording device in his script that would allow the boy to change his voice. Together with toy companies, they came up with a silver device that featured a microphone and a cassette tape for recording sound and conversations.
The demand for the toy was so high that it was almost impossible for them to keep up. It continued to be popular beyond the 1993 holiday season, and in 1995, they introduced Talkgirl, a purple and pink version of the original.
#22 My Husband Still Has His Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Christmas Decorations From 1990, Complete With A Box
Image credits: MrsFeatures
#23 Sipping Hot Cocoa From Mugs With Festive Country Christmas Geese
Image credits: etsy.com
#24 Teaching My Sister To Play Mario Bros. Christmas Of '92
Image credits: malinarttt
The ‘90s also gifted us many jingle hits that withstood the test of time, just like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.” Her 1994 hit is considered a holiday classic, with Billboard ranking it number one on its list of the Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs.
The tune was written very early in the singer’s career on her little Casio keyboard. It was the first Christmas song she ever wrote, and she definitely didn’t expect it to become an icon of the '90s, let alone of all time.
#25 I Found "I Spy Christmas" At The Doctor's Office Today
Image credits: sparrows_silence
#26 Your Grandmother Decorating Her Home For The Holidays Using Christmas Scene Plates From Either Thomas Kinkade Or Franklin Mint
Image credits: etsy.com
#27 These Christmas Candles
Image credits: beardynolando
Taking this nostalgic journey through the festivities of this decade, it's clear that the holiday season back then was a combination of iconic movies, toys, and memorable music. The Game Boy or Tickle Me Elmo might not have withstood the test of time, but the popular Christmas films and jingles have sneakily entered the 21st century and don’t seem to be leaving any time soon. And we’re totally fine with that!
For more of that magical charm of the '90s, make sure to check out our earlier publication on the most popular gifts from that era.
#28 Rescuers Down Under Christmas Tree Ornaments From McDonald's (1990). Who Else Had Bernard & Miss Bianca On Their 90's Christmas Trees?
Image credits: acousticwonder
#29 Dining With Placemats That Had Drawings Of Poinsettias And Always Sticking To The Classic Colors Of Red, White, And Green
Image credits: etsy.com
#30 I Still Have My Christmas "Puffalump Mouse"
Image credits: YouAndYourPPareGross
#31 Who Remembers Crayola Collectible Tins?
This was found at a second-hand store unopened! I had this exact one when I was a kid. Bought it so I can give it to my kids this Christmas. Can't wait!
Image credits: HeartFullOfHappy
#32 This Mighty Ducks Wrapping Paper From 1993 I Found In A Hand-Me-Down Box Of Christmas Stuff
Image credits: kingevanxii
#33 Found My Ribbon Shredder From The 90s
Image credits: Shangrilaista
#34 LEGO Christmas Catalogue From 1993
This is LEGO’s golden age of catalog design. I found it in the garage and uploaded it for anyone wanting a hit of nostalgia. Unfortunately, there are a few 2-5 years stuff and one Technic page missing.
Image credits: TurbulentLifeguard11
#35 Anticipating A Good Christmas Gift As Your Parents Brought Out The Camcorder On Christmas Morning
Image credits: etsy.com
#36 Christmas Day, 1997
Image credits: HeelTurn
#37 Furby Became The Best Selling Toy In The US For Christmas 1998
Image credits: -DNV-
#38 Kemps Christmas Ice Cream Treats
#39 90s Toys "R" Us Holiday Commercial
Image credits: iBleeedorange
#40 Feeling Like The Red And Green Christmas M&M's Tasted The Best
Image credits: Betamax King
#41 My Gram Always Had Fruit Delights During Christmas Time In The 90s. They Are The First Thing I Look For When The Christmas Stuff Starts Coming Out
Image credits: cantthinkofthismovie
#42 LifeSavers "Book"
Image credits: Jaimass
#43 Christmas 1999 With My N64
Image credits: -alysonalykat-
#44 Star Trek And Star Wars Christmas Ornaments From The 90s. It Cost Less Than 8 Dollars
Image credits: Leahtyer
#45 Throwback Christmas Circa, 1990
Image credits: nadeauem
#46 Best Christmas Ever - Circa 1993
Image credits: IskateAlmost2
#47 SNES Christmas Ad
Image credits: fourloonies
#48 Christmas '98
Image credits: _strongest_avenger_
#49 This Box Has Not Been Opened Since 1995, It Smells Like The 90's
I remember seeing boxes like this on top of the shelves at "Hooked on Toys" and "Walmart", I always fantasized about what it was like to open all the boxes.
Image credits: Dnunn88
#50 I See Your Argos Catalog And Raise You This Filthy Coop 1992 Christmas Toys And Games Booklet I Found
Image credits: Vhsrex
