Once common Item or Activity, Now Unusual, A-Z

[Kaila]

I loved that old stationery, too,
and a box of it, the specific design selected for a particular person, made a wonderful gift, many years ago.

 

[JustBonee]

Ice Cream Parlor

 

[Sunny]

And in the Ice Cream Parlor, getting a delicious Ice Cream Soda for 25 cents.

 

[Kaila]

And sitting up on one of those tall stools, and spinning it in a circle a few times...

 

[Citygirl]

I can remember my Mom using "Pant Stretchers"

 

[Kaila]

Was that for preventing the excessive wrinkles in the fabric
while it was drying, do you think, @Citygirl ?

 

[Sunny]

Or maybe for preventing shrinking?

Remember giving kids "birthday whacks," one for every year of their age? I hope that one is gone!

 

[chic]

My dad had a pair of these.

 

[Kaila]

Jigsaw Puzzles were once so very popular, and enjoyed by many people of all ages.

It was a fun group activity, for an indoor day.
Most households had some, and they were often given as gifts, that were always welcomed too.

 

[applecruncher]

Sachets to use in lingerie drawer.

Plastic rain scarves to protect the hairdo that folded into a tiny case.

 

[Sunny]

Kaila, jigsaw puzzles are still very popular. I have a whole stack of them and frequently do them. My daughters and I exchange them.

Fountain pens

 

[Kaila]

Do people play checkers, or Backgammon, anymore?

I am glad to hear that people still enjoy jigsaw puzzles.
One of the many nice things about them, is that they can be done by 1 person, or any number of people.

 

[peramangkelder]

Remember the original metal Meccano Sets?

 

[Kaila]

the original metal Meccano Sets?

Do you mean the very old Erector sets?

Or are you thinking of ones that are made into cars/planes/etc?

I do remember enjoying ones that were built into basic shapes, and had small metal screws, and a pulley, and it did come with a small mysterious seeming motor.

They make them out of other materials now, instead of metal?

 

[Kaila]

Wow, thanks for that picture, @peramangkelder

That is quite different from the ones I remember, from the 1950's.

Though there are some definite similarities, as well. The compartments in the box, and some of those shapes.
Though as I stare at that, I begin to remember and recognize more of it. Yes, it did have painted colors on a few of the metal pieces, though mostly had worn dull, by the time I myself played with it.
It was a long-lasting indestructible toy that lasted for numerous children!


And yes, I remember those "cables" ...string, with the small hook.
Though I do not remember the larger circular pieces shown there.
OH, those are wheels! Yes, metal wheels, and different sizes.

It's funny how it is coming back to my memory, in small pieces and memory spurts.

Thanks for sharing about that!

The sets also might have differed on different continents.

 

[Kaila]

Now I am having the vague memory that the "box" was perhaps metal, too.
Of the well-used set, I had the pleasure to receive.

 

[peramangkelder]

Yes @Kaila you're right I remember the boxes were metal too....memories

 

[Kaila]

Thank you for that message, @peramangkelder

Yes, it's nice to manage to slowly remember something, when it comes back to me, in little pieces....
like this has. With your help!

I think it was a red metal type of case, that opened and closed (of course,)
but it fascinated me as a child , since I hadn't seen any like it, and with a handle too.

It's nice to remember a time when such small things brought simple pleasure and interest.

 

[peramangkelder]

When I was a child we would go to the local supermarket and Mum would choose what we needed
Later that day the owner would deliver our groceries in cardboard boxes
That all stopped when most people bought their own cars and could get to the supermarkets
Once again home deliveries are available

 

[peramangkelder]

Update on our local Supermarket/s
We line up in what looks like a maze similar to what is used in lab experiments
Except now we are the 'White Mice'
Fortunately Seniors have 7am - 8am set aside for them
At least half the Seniors could do with a few basic manners

 

[Aunt Marg]

Remember cloth Diapers? and had to use safety pins?

Remember? I grew up changing baby siblings cloth diapers with safety pins, then moved on to babysit for neighbours and other family, and cloth diapers with safety pins were used in those homes as well, and as a mom I raised my kids in cloth diapers with safety pins and rubber pants.

 

[Aunt Marg]

Yes tinytn what about babies sweaty plastic pilchers

They were known as "rubber pants" in our house!

 

[Kaila]

I also remember sterilizing everything the babies would touch or hold, or put their mouths on.
That routine became very slack for a few decades, but might make a come-back, now.

Thanks for reviving this thread topic, which I had forgotten about, but has many very interesting memories on all of the pages of it.

 

[Aunt Marg]

I also remember sterilizing everything the babies would touch or hold, or put their mouths on.
That routine became very slack for a few decades, but might make a come-back, now.

Thanks for reviving this thread topic, which I had forgotten about, but has many very interesting memories on all of the pages of it.

Yes! Me, too!

Did you use cloth diapers and rubber pants, too, Kaila?

 

[Kaila]

For myself, do you mean, Aunt Marg?
If so, that is rather embarrassing but yes, definitely.

Or for my little ones? Oh yes.... and the soaking, and then, the double and triple laundering....of the contents of the infamous "diaper pail"

And I knew how to fold them, and to put my own finger behind the pin....ouch! I remember it well.