15 Things That Make You A Boomer If You Had Them Growing Up

If you grew up with any of the following relics, congratulations! You might just be a certified Boomer—or at least have enough experience to explain why hitting a TV on the side sometimes fixed the picture.

This list is a delightful ride down memory lane, packed with gadgets, trends, and experiences that shaped an entire generation. Remember the patience-testing task of dialing a rotary phone, only to start over if you messed up? Or the thrill of flipping through a Sears catalog, circling your dream Christmas gifts? How about rewinding VHS tapes like it was a part-time job?

These weren’t just minor inconveniences; they were rites of passage! So, grab your reading glasses (and maybe a cup of instant coffee), because this trip through fifteen iconic Boomer hallmarks is guaranteed to bring back memories, a few chuckles, and maybe even a realization that, yes, you do still say “back in my day.”

1. A Rotary Phone

Dialing a rotary phone was like performing a small workout for your fingers.

If the number had zeros or nines, you considered a carrier pigeon. Each call began with anticipation—will they answer, or will your finger get a cramp first? The phone’s satisfying click-click sound was music to your ears. It taught patience, as waiting was part of the experience.

You had to be committed to making a call, especially when you were in a hurry. No texting, just good old-fashioned conversation.

2. A Console TV That Was Also a Piece of Furniture

Console TVs were the ultimate multi-taskers. Part TV, part furniture, and occasionally a plant stand! These colossal pieces were practically immovable.

If it stopped working, you simply placed a smaller TV on top. The screen might have been tiny, but the cabinet was grand.

Family gatherings revolved around it, and it defined the living room decor. The console TV was a testament to the era when bigger was better and furniture was built to last. Who needed a remote when you had a cabinet door to close?

3. Encyclopedias Instead of Google

Before Google, encyclopedias were the go-to source for all known knowledge. These hefty books were a staple in every Boomer household.

Each volume had a distinct library smell that was oddly comforting. Researching meant flipping through pages and hoping the information wasn’t outdated. If you wanted to know about dinosaurs or the capital of Portugal, you had to do some serious arm lifting.

Encyclopedias taught us the joy of discovery, one page at a time. Today’s kids just say, “Hey Siri,” and poof—information appears!

4. A Station Wagon with a Backward-Facing Seat

Ah, the station wagon—a mobile family room with a backward-facing seat. Road trips meant playing I-spy with the cars behind you.

Forget carsick – you were a backseat navigator. Making silly faces at other drivers was a family sport, and if you didn’t get a wave back, did you even road trip? The seat came with an adventure guarantee but offered zero legroom.

Buckle up? Who needed seatbelts when you had sibling seat fights? The station wagon was the original SUV, making memories one road trip at a time.

5. Metal Lunch Boxes with Cartoon Characters

Carrying a metal lunch box to school was a badge of honor. If yours featured Scooby-Doo or Star Wars, you were the envy of the cafeteria.

These boxes were indestructible but left your sandwich with an acquired metallic taste. The matching thermos promised lukewarm milk—yum! Trading snacks was a social affair, and the lunch box was your canvas.

It was more than just a meal holder – it was a status symbol. Today’s kids have apps for lunch orders, but Boomers had lunch boxes with character—literally!

6. The “TV Sign-Off” at Midnight

Remember when TV wasn’t a 24/7 affair? At midnight, the national anthem would serenade you to bed before the screen turned to static.

Colorful bars announced the end of broadcast day, a cue that it was time to call it a night. The TV sign-off was a ritual, a gentle nudge to rest. In today’s world of endless streaming, this concept is as foreign as a UFO.

Boomers knew the importance of bedtime, even if it was dictated by the TV schedule. Sleep tight and dream of technicolor snow.

7. The Sears or JCPenney Catalog

Before online shopping, there was the Sears or JCPenney catalog—a tome of dreams.

This hefty book was your go-to for gifts, clothes, and decor. Circling your favorite items was a family event, and using it as a booster seat was a bonus. It was the original wish list, complete with handwritten notes. Page flipping was a workout, but the excitement was worth every papercut.

Today’s digital catalogs lack the tactile thrill of a real page turning. The catalog was a glimpse into the world of retail therapy.

8. A TV With a Knob Instead of a Remote

Remember the days when changing the channel meant a mini workout? TVs with knobs required you to actually get up!

If your TV had rabbit ears wrapped in aluminum foil, you knew you were on the cutting edge of ‘70s technology. But hey, at least you didn’t have to worry about losing the remote. Kids today will never know the struggle of trying to fine-tune reception while holding an awkward yoga pose.

Bonus points if your TV doubled as a piece of furniture, complete with a doily on top.

9. Cars With No Seatbelts (or at Best, Lap Belts)

Safety standards? Back then, cars were a free-for-all. Seatbelts were optional, and lap belts were a luxury.

Shotgun rides meant no restraints—just pure thrill. Backseats turned into bouncing castles on wheels, where you navigated every bend with a sibling skirmish. The lack of seatbelts added an element of danger that today’s safety-conscious parents would shudder at.

Road trips were adventures, with no ‘click-it or ticket’ signs in sight. It was a different time, one where freedom meant feeling the breeze without a crossing strap.

10. Penny Candy That Actually Cost a Penny

Penny candy was the sweet deal of the century. For just a few cents, you could fill a bag with sugary treasures.

These candies were the currency of childhood, exchanged for friendship and fun. The thrill of choosing each piece was unmatched, as was the sugar rush that followed. Kids today face inflation, but Boomers remember when a shiny penny was the key to happiness.

Candy stores were magical places, where the biggest challenge was deciding between a jawbreaker or a licorice whip. Sweet memories were made one penny at a time.

11. Having to “Wait” for Photos to Develop

In the era before selfies and instant uploads, patience was a virtue. You captured moments on film and waited days for development.

Each envelope held a surprise—blurry, or perfectly imperfect photos. Anticipation turned mundane moments into treasures. The photo lab was a place of mystery and hope, where you often discovered a thumb or two in the shot.

Today’s instant gratification was yesterday’s waiting game, but the joy of reliving those moments made it all worthwhile. Boomers learned that good things come to those who wait.

12. Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On

Before screens took over, the world was a playground. Kids played outside until streetlights signaled the end of the day.

Freedom meant exploring, inventing games, and drinking from the garden hose. Parents didn’t need GPS to track you; your adventures were your own. Imagination was the best toy, with bike races and tree climbing as the day’s agenda.

The streetlight’s glow was the universal curfew, a gentle reminder to return home. Today’s kids have phones, but Boomers had memories of endless summer days spent outdoors.

13. A Record Player That Played 45s

Music had soul when it spun on a record player. Playing 45s was an art, requiring careful handling and the infamous plastic adapter.

Each track played with a comforting crackle, and album covers were as prized as the music itself. Losing the adapter was a minor tragedy, but finding it was a sweet victory. Vinyl was the medium, and flipping records was a ritual.

Boomers had playlists, but they came with sleeves and liner notes. Today’s digital tunes lack the hands-on experience and serendipity of a record player.

14. The Library Card Catalog System (Dewey Decimal, Baby!)

Finding a book required detective skills and the Dewey Decimal System.

You navigated endless drawers of index cards, hoping to uncover literary treasure. Each card led to an adventure among the shelves. The card catalog was the original search engine, driven by curiosity rather than algorithms.

There was a thrill in the hunt, a joy in discovery, and a satisfaction in holding a book you found. Today’s digital databases lack the tactile joy of flipping through cards. Boomers grew up in a world where libraries were magical realms of knowledge.

15. MTV Actually Playing Music Videos

MTV was once the soundtrack to life, playing music videos around the clock. If you caught the premiere of “Thriller,” you were part of history.

Back then, MTV was a musical universe where videos told stories and stars were born. It was the social media of its time, minus the likes and comments.

Watching MTV was an event, and music was more than just sound—it was a visual feast. Boomers grew up in a world where turning on the TV meant a front-row seat to the music revolution.