1. Hosting Fondue Parties
Back in the day, nothing screamed “sophisticated gathering” quite like a fondue pot bubbling away in the center of the table. Guests would hover around, skewers in hand, dipping bread cubes, vegetables, or even meat into molten cheese or hot oil. It was messy, communal, and a little risky—one wrong move, and you’d be fishing a lost piece of bread out of the pot like a deep-sea diver. But for Boomers, it was the epitome of chic. Fondue sets were a staple wedding gift, and people took their dipping technique seriously. There were even rules, like if you dropped your food, you had to kiss the person next to you. The whole setup required constant attention, from keeping the cheese at the right consistency to making sure no one set themselves on fire says Eater.
As time went on, fondue started to feel more like a hassle than a highlight. The cleanup alone—scraping hardened cheese from every crevice—was enough to make people rethink the whole concept. Plus, hovering around a single pot of shared food doesn’t exactly scream “sanitary” in a post-pandemic world. These days, most people prefer charcuterie boards, which offer the same social snacking vibe without the danger of third-degree burns. Sure, fondue still has its niche, but it’s mostly reserved for nostalgic dinner parties or ski lodges. The sheer effort involved in preparing multiple dipping sauces and ensuring everything stays warm just isn’t practical anymore. And let’s be honest—who really wants to dip raw meat into boiling oil at a house party? It’s no wonder this tradition melted away.
2. Playing Charades for Hours
Once upon a time, no party was complete without a painfully long game of charades. Boomers would split into teams, furiously acting out movies, books, and phrases while their friends yelled increasingly ridiculous guesses. The excitement was real, but so was the exhaustion—after the tenth round, everyone was either way too competitive or barely paying attention. This game thrived in an era before smartphones, when people actually enjoyed standing up in front of a crowd and flailing around like a mime in distress. Some took it seriously, planning out elaborate gestures, while others just panicked and started pointing at random objects.
Today, charades feels like an ancient relic compared to modern party games. Most people would rather scroll through their phones than play an endless guessing game based on body language alone. Plus, there are now so many interactive board games and digital trivia options that don’t require people to embarrass themselves in front of their friends. Even those who do enjoy charades tend to prefer quicker, app-assisted versions rather than the drawn-out, never-ending rounds Boomers used to endure. It’s not that people don’t like party games anymore—it’s just that we have better options. And let’s be real: no one wants to be forced into performing “Gone with the Wind” in front of a room full of tipsy acquaintances explains Good Housekeeping.
3. Serving Ambrosia Salad
For some reason, Boomers believed that mixing canned fruit, mini marshmallows, Cool Whip, and coconut resulted in a classy party dish. Ambrosia salad was a staple at gatherings, usually served in a massive glass bowl that looked way too fancy for what was essentially a sugar bomb. The combination of textures was… interesting, to say the least. It was somehow both creamy and chewy, with an occasional crunch from a rogue pecan. The dish had a weirdly mystical appeal, like something you’d find in an old church cookbook passed down for generations. If you questioned it, you’d get a speech about how it was a “Southern delicacy” or “your grandmother’s favorite” explains Southern Living.
But at some point, people realized that Ambrosia salad is actually kind of gross. The artificial sweetness, combined with the unsettling mushiness, made it less of a treat and more of a challenge to eat. These days, party desserts lean toward more sophisticated options, like homemade brownies or fruit tarts. Even Jell-O salads—another weirdly beloved Boomer dish—have mostly disappeared. People still appreciate nostalgia, but only when it actually tastes good. And let’s be honest, if you showed up to a party today with a bowl of Cool Whip-covered fruit, people would probably assume you lost a bet.
4. Wearing Paper Party Hats
Boomers loved a good paper party hat, especially those tiny, cone-shaped ones with an elastic string that dug into your chin. No one ever actually looked good in them, but for some reason, they were mandatory at birthday parties, New Year’s Eve, and any gathering that involved a cake. The hats would get handed out like some kind of official party uniform, and you were expected to wear one, even if it left a red mark on your face. They weren’t comfortable, they weren’t stylish, and by the end of the night, half of them would be crumpled on the floor.
Nowadays, people have realized that paper hats are more annoying than festive. Adults don’t want to mess up their hair, and kids are more interested in themed party accessories that don’t involve scratchy elastic. Plus, there’s an environmental factor—why waste money on flimsy, disposable hats that get tossed after a few hours? If people want to dress up, they go for something reusable, like fun headbands or custom party crowns. The era of mandatory paper headwear is over, and no one is shedding a tear over it.
5. Drinking Out of a Punch Bowl
The punch bowl was once the centerpiece of every good Boomer party. It was an unspoken rule that someone would whip up a mysterious mix of fruit juices, soda, and whatever alcohol was available, then toss in a floating ring of fruit slices for a “gourmet” touch. Everyone would ladle themselves a cup, sometimes spiking it further when no one was looking. The drink was always overly sweet, questionably strong, and prone to contamination from floating ice cubes that had been touched by multiple hands.
These days, communal drinks feel like a health hazard more than a party staple. People are much more conscious of hygiene, and the idea of multiple guests dipping into the same open container is enough to make most cringe. Instead, individual cocktails, canned drinks, and self-serve bars have taken over. It’s easier, cleaner, and way less likely to result in someone accidentally drinking a mystery concoction they regret. While nostalgic partygoers might still pull out a punch bowl for old time’s sake, most are happy to leave this sticky tradition in the past.
6. Playing the Limbo
The limbo was once a guaranteed party hit, no matter the occasion. Someone would grab a broomstick, a few guests would hold it up, and one by one, people would lean back and attempt to shimmy underneath without falling. It started off fun, but by the third round, it became a contest of flexibility and sheer determination. Inevitably, someone would misjudge their balance, wipe out completely, and take down half the room with them. If you weren’t great at it, you had to endure the humiliation of an entire crowd watching you fail in slow motion.
At some point, people just collectively decided they were done bending over backward—literally. The limbo now feels more like an outdated cruise ship activity than a party essential. Plus, as guests get older, no one wants to risk pulling a muscle or toppling over in front of their friends. It’s been replaced with dance-offs, karaoke, or simply letting people enjoy the music without forcing them to perform acrobatics. Sure, it still makes an appearance at kids’ parties, but for adults, the era of competitive backbending is over. And honestly, everyone’s spines are grateful.
7. Decorating With Tacky Balloon Arches
Boomers loved a good balloon arch, no matter the occasion. Whether it was a birthday, anniversary, or retirement party, you could count on a giant, clunky display of multicolored balloons dominating the room. These decorations were often homemade, requiring hours of inflating, tying, and arranging, only for half the balloons to deflate before the night was over. If someone went all out, they might even throw in some metallic streamers or those weird, oversized number balloons that always seemed to tilt at an awkward angle. The end result was less “elegant party atmosphere” and more “middle school dance.”
These days, people have moved on to classier, more sustainable décor. Minimalist setups with fairy lights, fresh flowers, or themed decorations are much more common. Plus, with growing awareness of how terrible balloons are for the environment, many hosts have ditched them altogether. No one wants to deal with a bunch of sad, half-deflated balloons littering the floor the next morning. While balloon arches still pop up occasionally, they’re mostly reserved for kids’ birthdays or over-the-top influencer parties. For most adults, the era of aggressively ballooned celebrations has deflated for good.
8. Handing Out Party Favors to Adults
Back in the day, Boomers loved to send guests home with little party favors, even at gatherings where it didn’t make much sense. Tiny bags of Jordan almonds, personalized matchbooks, or cheap trinkets were considered a thoughtful touch. Some parties even had full-on souvenir stations with miniature bottles of booze, engraved keychains, or commemorative napkins. It was like every event had to have a parting gift, no matter how unnecessary or impractical. You’d go to a friend’s birthday party and somehow leave with a bag of pastel mints you never asked for.
Nowadays, most people see party favors as a waste of time and money. Adults don’t need a tiny bag of candy or a fridge magnet to remember a party—they have social media for that. If anything, hosts are more likely to offer something practical, like leftover food or a bottle of wine that didn’t get opened. Weddings and baby showers still have small take-home gifts, but regular house parties? Not so much. The modern approach is simple: throw a great party, and let the fun be the favor.
9. Passing Around a Disposable Camera
Before smartphones, every party had at least one disposable camera making the rounds. Guests would grab it, snap a few blurry, flash-heavy shots, and then pass it on. Half the pictures would turn out completely useless—either someone’s thumb was in the way, or the lighting made everyone look like ghosts. But that was part of the fun. You wouldn’t see the results until weeks later when someone finally got the film developed, and by then, the party was a distant memory. The surprise factor made it exciting, even if most of the pictures were terrible.
Today, disposable cameras have been replaced by instant, high-quality photos from everyone’s phone. There’s no need to wait for prints or risk wasting film on a shot that might not even turn out. Plus, with social media and cloud storage, people can instantly share and relive the night without digging through a stack of glossy 4×6 prints. Some still appreciate the vintage aesthetic of film, but for most partygoers, the convenience of digital photography wins every time. The days of winding a tiny plastic wheel to take a picture are officially over.
10. Playing Background Muzak Instead of Real Music
Boomer parties often featured a strange choice of background music: instrumental muzak. Instead of playing actual hit songs, some hosts would opt for generic lounge music, smooth jazz, or those soft, wordless covers of pop hits. It was the kind of soundtrack you’d expect in an elevator or a waiting room, but for some reason, it was considered the perfect party ambiance. Guests would chat over the gentle hum of saxophones, occasionally recognizing a tune but never getting too excited about it. It was “safe” music—nothing too loud, nothing too controversial, just background noise.
These days, no one wants to party to elevator music. Streaming services make it easier than ever to curate actual playlists with real songs that people enjoy. Whether it’s a carefully crafted mix or a DJ taking requests, modern parties prioritize music that sets the vibe. Even older generations have moved on, swapping out muzak for their favorite classics or nostalgic playlists. While soft jazz still has its place at fancy dinner parties, the era of lifeless instrumental covers dominating the speaker system is long gone. And honestly, thank goodness for that.