Old habits die hard, and nostalgia sometimes wins over the latest and greatest trends and technology. These 18 things may be considered relics for the younger generations, but boomers still find them worth having.
Landline Telephones
While most of us have moved on to smartphones, many boomers still cling to their trusty landlines. The Washington Post reports that about a quarter of U.S. adults still have landlines as of March 2024, and the majority of those people are over the age of 65. There’s something comforting about the reliability of a landline, especially during power outages. Plus, who can resist the nostalgia of a good old-fashioned rotary dial?
Print Newspapers
News is just a click away on the trusty internet, but boomers still enjoy the tactile experience of reading a print newspaper. The rustle of the pages, the ink-stained fingers, and the joy of completing the crossword puzzle by hand are irreplaceable. Plus, someone has to keep the paperboy employed.
DVDs and Blu-rays
Streaming services might be the norm now, but boomers often prefer the physical media collections that they spent decades collecting. There’s a certain satisfaction in owning a tangible copy of their favorite movies and TV shows, complete with special features and the director’s commentary.
Greeting Cards
For boomers, a happy birthday text just doesn’t cut it. They appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten greeting card. Whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays, sending and receiving cards is a cherished tradition.
Cable TV Subscriptions
“While around half of millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers still use traditional TV subscriptions, only one in four Gen Z respondents use the services,” writes All About Cookies. While younger generations are cutting the cord, boomers remain loyal to their cable TV packages. The convenience of flipping through channels and the reliability of cable service keep them hooked, despite the higher costs compared to streaming services.
Checkbooks
“You need to pay via check” will send Gen X and millennials into a panic about where they put their checkbook or when they’ll have time to physically go to the bank to get one printed. Gen Z will just stare blankly, unsure of what a check even is; their “paycheck” has always been direct deposit. But you can count on the boomer to whip out the checkbook like it’s still the norm.
Bookshelves Full of Hardcovers
If you envy the libraries in movies and have always dreamed of being Belle in the Beast’s library, you may want to follow the boomer lead on this one. Bookstores have been closing their doors as people lean into e-books and audiobooks, but there is something special about the feel of a book in hand for boomers and true book enthusiasts.
Photo Albums
Digital photo frames and cloud storage are great, but nothing beats flipping through a physical photo album. Boomers enjoy the process of organizing and preserving their memories in albums that can be passed down through generations without a password.
Analog Watches
Smartwatches may offer a plethora of features, but boomers often prefer the simplicity and elegance of an analog watch. Artjem Weissbeck told Fast Company why even millennials are turning back to analog. “The core of the answer has to do with their psychology. Many of us are feeling that we’re not consuming technology anymore: technology is consuming us.” A quality watch is a timeless accessory that never goes out of style and doesn’t need daily charging.
Vinyl Records
The rich, warm sound of a vinyl record and the ritual of placing the needle in the groove are experiences that digital music just can’t replicate. Vinyl has made a comeback, but for boomers, it never went away.
Manual Coffee Makers
While single-serve coffee machines are all the rage, many boomers stick to their percolators and French presses. The process of brewing coffee manually is a morning ritual that they find both soothing and rewarding. Plus, they may be helping save the planet from all our plastic K-cups hitting landfills.
Typewriters
Yes, some boomers still use typewriters. There’s a certain charm in the clackety-clack of the keys and the ding of the carriage return. It’s a slower, more deliberate way of writing that many find therapeutic. And if you’re an author, no one can hack your typewriter to get a glimpse of your manuscript.
Film Cameras
Despite the convenience of digital photography, some boomers still prefer film cameras. The anticipation of waiting for film to develop and the unique quality of film photos are experiences that digital cameras can’t quite match. Imagine not analyzing every photo on the spot and having 50 retakes until everyone is happy with their face—the good old days.
Stationery
Writing letters by hand on beautiful paper with a fountain pen is a lost art that they continue to cherish. Emails and texts may have their convenience, but they lack the beauty, time, and thought poured into a letter written by hand.
Home Encyclopedias
Google might have all the answers, but boomers often turn to their trusty home encyclopedias. There’s something satisfying about flipping through the pages and finding information the old-fashioned way. And I’m sure they miss telling their kids to “check the encyclopedia” instead of having to make up answers to our hard questions.
Board Games
Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue bring back fond memories and offer a chance for face-to-face interaction that video games just can’t supply. Family game nights forced everyone to look at each other and at least pretend to enjoy each other’s company.
Recipe Books
Online recipes are plentiful, but boomers often turn to their trusted recipe books and get to skip the long blogs before every recipe about why they chose cheddar instead of American cheese for this one. The stained pages and handwritten notes in the margins tell a story of culinary adventures and family traditions.
Cash
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency make even pulling out a card feel old-fashioned. For boomers, cold, hard cash is a tangible way to manage their spending and a habit that’s hard to break, especially when it comes to tipping and small purchases.