HOLIDAYS NOSTALGIA
THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF
CADILLAC NEWS -- DECEMBER 13, 2025
The holiday season is a perfect time to wax nostalgic. Swapping memories with family and friends is an opportunity to reach beyond age barriers. Surprisingly, many things bridge the generations.
A prime example is Christmas music. It's all around us and each state has a favorite song. “Since its release in 1994, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' has quickly become a modern classic and holiday staple. It isn't surprising to see it take the top spot in nine different states. Two different Christmas songs were most popular in seven different states. 'Santa Baby' and 'Jingle Bells' have been popular for decades.” Michigan is among the states opting for Carey's tune. See the complete list at: https://financebuzz.com/popular-christmas-songs-each-state.
In a bit of irony, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” also takes the top spot in the list of most annoying Christmas songs. “All some people want for Christmas is never to hear that song again, giving it the top spot for the most annoying Christmas song.” Second on the list is “The Chipmunk Song” by Alvin and the Chipmunks. For the top ten annoyances, go to: https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/christmas/americas-most-annoying-christmas-songs.
Yet another Christmas songs list deals with your pets. “If you’ve ever watched your dog tip-toe out of the room the second your holiday playlist starts blasting, it’s no coincidence: To them, the songs might actually sound more like nails on a chalkboard.” The most stressful song is “Last Christmas” (by Wham). To see eleven more peeves for your pets, go to: https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/christmas/classic-christmas-songs-cause-pets-stress?.
If the snow we've gotten lately makes you want to hit the ski slopes, it's important to dress the part. An article that may be of interest states: “From Wool to Onesies: How the Coolest Styles in Skiwear Have Evolved Over the Decades.”
The article looks at styles for over one hundred years and proves that sometimes “old” is somehow “new” on today's slopes. “Modern ski style is a bit of a hodgepodge from the past. While formfitting, colorful hues are often the norm, a good chunk of shoppers are turning to prior decades for their inspiration. Retro suits are making a comeback.” To see skiwear from bygone days up to the present go to: https://nicenews.com/culture/how-ski-fashion-evolved/.
With the kidlings home on Christmas break, snacks are important. Everyone might be interested in the snacks boomers remember. “Parents might unwind with a glass of wine at the end of a long day, but for kids, it's all about the snacks. Kids today might reach for a bag of potato chips, cheese sticks, cereal, or yogurt, but what about the kids of the past?”
Some of the old snacks are pretty mundane, like graham crackers or cinnamon toast. Others are surprising. How about a mayonnaise sandwich? “It might sound like quite a dull snack, but many boomers looked forward to their daily mayonnaise sandwich. Some would throw in some ketchup, if they were feeling really adventurous, or perhaps add some lettuce or tomatoes for texture.” More goodies at: https://www.tastingtable.com/2039902/snacks-boomers-remember-eating-after-school/.
Snacks for adults might be accompanied by a frosty brew. However, some of the favorites from the past no longer exist. “If you're intrigued by what beers everyone was drinking in the 1970s, or you were there at the time and just want a trip down memory lane, find out more about some of the biggest beers of the era.” To read about “Billy Beer” and others, go to: https://www.tastingtable.com/2039988/beers-everyone-drank-in-the-70s/.
If you are interested in feeling older than you want to admit, sometimes a fact can accomplish the task. Have you ever used carry-on luggage? “One small step for man took place before astronauts could even roll their suitcases across the spaceport. The first wheeled suitcase was invented in 1970, a year after the moon landing.”
The invention would become pretty successful. “The Luggage That Glides, as Macy’s marketed the product, rolled on its side and was pulled with a strap attached to the top. It nonetheless improved ease and convenience by adding wheels to something that could certainly use them.” (https://interestingfacts.com/fact/moon-landing-happened-before-wheeled-suitcases/)
If the kidlings are underfoot, sending them on a quest for something old may prove to be a financial bonanza. “- A 1939 copy of Superman No. 1 has become the world's most expensive comic book after being auctioned for a super-heroic $9.12 million. The comic book was found by a Northern California family while they were cleaning out the attic of their mother's home. The comic book was in a cardboard box with some old newspapers.” (https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/11/21/Heritage-Auctions-Superman-Number-1-new-record-sale/8191763746493/)
Finally, a nostalgic activity for the entire family is watching some of the traditional holiday television shows. One of these is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” that was first aired in 1965.
The challenge here is to find out how much you know about this animated classic. Go to the Neff Zone Holidays page at: https://www.neffzone.com/holidays/. From there, click on the “Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz” at: https://www.factmonster.com/take-quiz/cbrown1. You can take a ten question test to show off your “Peanuts” acumen.
Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.
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