Since next Wednesday is the Big Day, this week's column is my last chance to shower you with Christmasy Gen-X goodness. We'll be back in the new year with some special treats in the works for our resident "latchkey kids," so be sure to check back here for the latest on that!
In the meantime, we are down to the wire when it comes to Christmas shopping, so I thought I'd throw out some ideas for the Gen X person in your life. That record player, to quote my Gen Z teenage daughter, is "fire."
- 1980s-themed socks — Those tube socks are pure nostalgia.
- Portable record player — Vinyl will always be cool, and this funky record player design makes it super portable.
- Retro handheld football game — I would steal my brother's every chance I could. State-of-the-art stuff right there. Speaking of retro games, did anyone else have Merlin?
- Concert tickets — Too many to list, but some top prospects for 2025 include Oasis, Metallica, and Weird Al Yankovic. And then there's this:
We’re excited to be on tour in the US this summer with Toto and Men at Work. Pre-sale starts tomorrow and regular sale is this Friday. Pre-sale code: SUMMERTIME25 @toto99com @MenAtWorkBand @ColinHay pic.twitter.com/BzlBXaYeaz
— Christopher Cross (@itsMrCross) December 10, 2024
And this is kind of random, but it's Christmas-themed, and I KNOW you all remember and loved it, too, so here you go. The Folger's Coffee Christmas commercial featuring Peter and his younger sister.
Gen-X Files: The Top Five Must-See Christmas Shows of Days Gone By
And, whilst browsing YouTube, I came across a treasure trove of full-length Christmas specials from our favorite TV sitcoms of yore. Most of us didn't catch the Brady Bunch one when it first aired, but we all saw it on reruns. Here are six-plus episodes I think you'll enjoy.
The Brady Bunch — "The Voice of Christmas" (1969)
Carol has laryngitis and will not be able to sing at church on Christmas Day, but a department store Santa Claus promises Cindy that she will get her voice back in time.
Happy Days — "Guess Who's Coming to Christmas" (1974)
The Cunningham family Christmas is all set but Richie finds out Fonzie (despite being popular) is alone this holiday. So, Richie decides to ask his folks to let him join them ...but will his folks or Fonzie accept?
The Jeffersons — "All I Want for Christmas" (1980)
While playing Santa Claus at the Help Center, George promises to get ten-year-old orphan Billy his desired Christmas present: a pair of parents.
WKRP in Cincinnati — "Bah Humbug" (1980)
Mr Carlson eats one of Johnny's special brownies and falls asleep at the station. He has a Christmas Carol dream about being a Scrooge for not giving the radio staff a Christmas bonus.
Family Ties — "A Keaton Christmas Carol" (1983)
Christmas is just around the corner, but Alex lacks holiday spirit as the rest of his family prepares to celebrate. On Christmas Eve he is visited in a dream by ghostly messengers who give him a view of his past and future Christmases, along with a different perception of the holiday.
The Facts of Life — The Christmas Show (1983, 1984, 1985)
This YouTuber went all out and combined three different "Facts of Life" Christmas specials into one video. Respect.
Season 5, Episode 12 'The Christmas Show' - The girls prepare to go their separate ways for Christmas vacation.
Season 6, Episode 13 'Christmas in the Big House' - Blair plans a charity event at what she believes is an orphanage but is really a prison.
Season 7, Episode 13 'Christmas Baby' - Blair's mother goes into labor on Christmas Eve.
Gen-X Reads
- 12 Common Gen X Childhood Experiences That Parents Today Don’t Think Are Normal At All
- Reality Bites: Gen X Executives Seek Career Pivots as Industry Layoffs Hit Hard
- More than half of Gen X parents worry about financially supporting their kids into adulthood, survey shows
- Leaded Fuel May Have Triggered a Mental Health Crisis Among Generation X
- The Case of Justine Bateman—And Why Gen X Broke for Trump
Meme of the Week
Take off, eh? (I'm pretty sure I had the Bob & Doug McKenzie album.)
Since Canada is so much in the news right now, here's my Gen X meme of the week. pic.twitter.com/R8cCt2vDBD
— Teri (@TeriChristoph) December 18, 2024
Thanks for reading, my fellow slackers. I hope each and every one of you has a blessed Christmas. As always, hit me up in the comments with your favorite Gen-X Christmas memories!
