Lisa O
As tech and life keep moving faster than ever, some of the good old traditions have slipped through the cracks. A lot of these customs passed down from Boomers to Millennials used to be a huge part of everyday life but are now seen as old-school or just forgotten. So here are 15 traditions Boomers passed down to Millennials that have faded away.
Sending Handwritten Letters
Writing letters used to be the only way to communicate, whether it was a birthday card or just a quick note to check-in. Boomers would take the time to grab a pen, pour out their thoughts, and pop it in the mail. For Millennials, getting a letter felt way more personal than a text. But now? Emails, texts, and DMs have pretty much killed the excitement of ripping open an envelope.
Family Dinner Time
Picture this: your whole family sitting at the table, no phones allowed, just chatting about the day. Boomers loved turning dinner into a mini family meeting. It was all about bonding over mashed potatoes and swapping stories. Millennials kept it going for a while, but with work, school, and endless activities, dinner turned into a quick snack in front of Netflix or even something eaten on the go.
Calling Instead of Texting
For Boomers, nothing topped the thrill of getting a call from a friend or family member. No emojis, no shortcuts—just straight-up words. Millennials did the same, though they probably used landlines for those long chats. But fast forward to now, and calling feels like a whole ordeal. It’s way easier to shoot off a text or slide into a group chat.
Polite Thank-You Notes
It was pretty common to write a thank-you note after getting a gift—whether it was from a birthday or the holidays. It was a nice way to show you appreciated it. Boomers didn’t just say “thanks.” They wrote it down and sometimes even added a sweet message to make the person feel extra special. Nowadays, though, a quick “thanks!” on social media or a text feels like the easy way out.
Making Mixed Tapes
Want to make someone’s day? You’d make them a mixtape, picking out songs that meant something or set the mood. Boomers made these for their loved ones, and Millennials took it up a notch with CDs. But now? Playlists on Spotify or YouTube are the new “mixtapes.” Yes, it’s quicker, but it’s missing that personal touch of a mixtape that took hours to put together.
Taking Polaroids
The instant joy of Polaroids was a big deal for capturing memories back in the day. You’d snap a pic, shake it (hoping it’d develop faster), and watch the magic happen right before you. That moment of waiting was everything. Millennials had their fun with Polaroids, too, but now, everyone’s just snapping pics on their phones. Instant cameras are now more of a cool vintage thing, but they’re no longer part of daily life.
Sunday Family Drives
Before GPS, families would hop in the car and drive—no set destination—just exploring. Boomers loved the spontaneity of those Sunday drives, and even Millennials kept it alive for a while. But now? It feels like nobody’s got the time (or patience) for aimless driving. Maybe it’s because of GPS or how crazy busy everyone is these days, but that simple joy of getting lost on the road has faded away.
Board Game Nights
Board games used to be a big deal for family bonding. Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue—these weren’t just games, they were events. No phones to distract you, so families actually hung out and had fun together, getting competitive in the best way. But now? Board games mostly collect dust in closets, which are swapped out for screen time, whether TV, video games, or everyone doing their own thing.
The “One Hour of TV” Rule
Parents used to limit kids to just one hour of TV a day. It was a rule to get you outside and moving. For Boomers, TV was a treat. Millennials got in on it, too—especially with those Saturday morning cartoons! But now, with streaming services, we can binge-watch for hours, and the whole idea of limiting TV time feels old-fashioned. Still, there’s something special about the TV being a “once-in-a-while” thing.
Neighborhood Play
When they were kids, Boomers would bolt outside the second the bell rang, running into the neighborhood to play games like tag, hide and seek, or hang out. Millennials did the same, often losing track of time until the streetlights came on. But now? Kids don’t roam the neighborhood as much. With screens in hand and tons of virtual games to play, the way they connect is totally different these days.
Writing in Diaries
Diaries were everything—a secret spot to vent, jot down what happened during the day, or even write about your crush. For Boomers, journaling was a way to work through their thoughts. Millennials kept it going for a while, but with social media blowing up, personal thoughts started getting shared online instead of staying private. It’s wild how platforms like Instagram and Twitter have taken over the whole “writing in a diary” thing.
The Art of Conversation
Boomers were pros at face-to-face conversations. Whether talking at the dinner table, going for a long walk, or even just chatting on the phone, they made time to connect. Millennials gave it a shot, too, but these days, it feels like the art of a good conversation is getting replaced by quick texts, emojis, and hashtags. Sure, texts are fast, but they can’t beat a long, uninterrupted chat with someone.
Holiday Cards
Sending out Christmas cards with your family photo used to be a holiday tradition everyone got in on. It was a fun way to spread some cheer and show off a snapshot of the year. For Millennials, it was a chance to show off the latest family pic or baby photos. But now? Digital greetings are quicker and way less of a hassle. The old-school physical card with your family’s smiling faces feels like a thing of the past.
Respecting Elders by Standing
Standing up when an elder entered the room was a sign of respect, an unspoken rule in many Boomer households. It wasn’t just about being polite—it was about recognizing the people around you. These days, though, this tradition isn’t as common since society’s loosened up a lot of those formalities. Still, there’s something about standing up for someone that feels like a lost tradition we might want to bring back.
The Annual Family Vacation
Families used to save up for that big annual vacation, going to the same place year after year. It was all about the journey, the bonding, and making memories. Millennials loved this tradition too, but these days, with everyone so busy and budgets tighter, a lot of families have cut back on those trips. Now, weekend getaways are more common, or sometimes, people skip the vacation altogether.