Vintage Delights: 30+ Common Items In Every Grandparent’s Household

What is it about our grandparents that made them so great? Is it how they would spoil you when you were under their care and buy you whatever you wanted? Of course, there are many answers to this question, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. The fact is we all love them. If you grew up around them, maybe there were a few things you’ve noticed that, for the longest time, you thought made them unique. Perhaps they had a love for the whimsical and tacky decorations. Maybe they loved hard candy or kept every appliance they ever had. The truth is they weren’t so unique after all. Apparently, every grandparent is the same, and we have proof of that! If your grandma or grandpa is still alive, you’ll probably want to call them after this. From cookie tins that contained sewing supplies to bulky TVs encased in wood, here are the things every grandparent owned.

Fridge magnets

When you think about your grandma’s kitchen, you probably remember watching her cook the most amazing treats you have ever tasted, right? If you think hard enough, you can almost smell it as well! Believe it or not, that was not the only memorable thing.

We are, of course, talking about the magnets on their fridge. Those vibrant items were shaped like fruits and vegetables and could be considered miniature masterpieces. They were so realistic; you’d be a liar if you said you had never wanted to eat them.

Old candy dish

If you think about it, there were many unique smells inside your grandparents’ house – The smell of freshly baked cookies made by your grandma, the wood and leather smell from your grandpa’s old tools, and the dusty smell from the empty room full of memories.

We are sure one particular smell attracted your young brain the most, though – The smell of the candy dish in the living room. It was a fruity and acidic paradise, but unfortunately, they had been sitting there for ages and were impossible to eat. What a bummer!

Stationary bike

Many things don’t make sense in this world, especially regarding our grandparents. For example, what was up with that stationary bike every grandparents’ house seems to have had at one point or another? No one exercised on that thing; it was more of an ornament.

Maybe our grandparents weren’t so different from us after all. Maybe they also had fitness aspirations that went nowhere. With time, that poor stationary bike became nothing but a coatrack with delusions of grandeur, silently mocking us and our lack of determination.

Rotatory phone

It’s hard to imagine our life without the touchscreen technology we have nowadays, especially if you didn’t have contact with other, older technology while growing up. If your grandparents’ house feels more like a museum, you probably know what a rotatory phone is!

You’d have to forget to be impatient if you want to use it. Dialing a number was a full workout in precision and patience, and misdials were common. We don’t know about you, but we have never learned how to use a rotatory phone properly. Thank God for new technology. We don’t have to suffer through it.

Decorative towels

For some reason, grandmas love cluttering their homes with things you’re not really supposed to touch, let alone use. Take those decorative towels in the bathroom, for example. They’re right there; why can’t we use them to dry our hands?

Because your grandma said you can’t, that’s why! As with many other things used for decoration around the house, the towels are there to impress the guests, not to dry people’s hands. In a way, it’s like going to a museum – You can’t really touch the art, can you?

Revere Ware cookware

When it comes to useful family heirlooms, nothing is more valuable than your grandma’s most prized possession – her Revere Ware cookware set! These amazing pots, pans, skillets, and kettles were mostly made of stainless steel with copper bottoms and were popular for decades.

The reason was the quality of the cooking wares. Compared to most sold today, their material was thicker, their handles were safer, and the overall quality of the pieces was much higher. If you’ve inherited a pot or pan from this brand, hold on to them tightly.

Grandma’s bedspread

If you go into any room, anywhere in the world, and find a bedspread like the one below, you’d probably be immediately transported back to your childhood, visiting your grandparents’ house. Apparently, when you become a grandparent, you are awarded a bedspread just like that.

Of course, we’re only joking, but it makes one wonder how and why these bedspreads became so popular with the older generations. They are comfortable and look harmless enough, so maybe that’s that. But why do they always smell of mothballs? Maybe that’s their charm.

Casserole dish

When we think about old kitchen dishes, we usually don’t picture glass, plastic, or stainless steel – We think about good, old ceramic. They may not be as popular today, but they sure were in their heyday back in your grandma’s day.

Take, for example, this casserole dish. Nothing is simpler and tastier than a good casserole, but it wouldn’t be as delicious without its ceramic housing during cooking. If you ever inherit your grandma’s ceramic dishes, treasure them!

Old Pyrex bowl

There is a reason why so many tools and utensils nowadays are called by their brand names instead of their actual ones – Back when those companies were first established; they produced the best of the best in whatever it was they were doing.

The same can be said about Pyrex. There may be more competition today, but the company produced the best kitchenware in our grandma’s day. No wonder she still has many old Pyrex dishes and bowls stored somewhere.

Ceramic Christmas tree

When it comes to the holiday seasons, nothing screams “Christmas” louder than those old ceramic trees your grandma used to have. They were super popular back then, and every house had one or two around. Unfortunately, they’re not as common anymore.

In fact, a truly vintage ceramic tree like the one above can be sold for a pretty penny, depending on its condition and where you live. Who would have thought that your grandma’s kind of tacky decoration would be so desired?

Plastic cups

Ah, to be a kid again, playing in your grandparents’ backyard during the summer. Back then, the kids wouldn’t be allowed to drink from glass cups, so every grandparent’s house would have at least a set of plastic ones. Nobody’s heart would break if you threw a tantrum and broke them.

The plastic was thick, they were super colorful, and, if we’re being honest, they would also leave a little bit of taste in our water. As kids, though, we wouldn’t care about that. All we cared about was staying hydrated and playing outside all day long.

Old microwave

Now, here’s a rarity we don’t see every day – a microwave straight from the seventies that still works just as well as it did back then! If you remember seeing one of these at your grandma’s house, you’re probably bald now and maybe a grandparent yourself.

This thing could probably dim the lights of the whole neighborhood when in use; that’s how old and powerful it is. Some of them did leak some radiation, but they could heat anything in less than a minute, so who cares?

Vintage TV

If you are a young adult today, TVs aren’t really something new in your life. In fact, they can even be considered a little bit outdated if we think about it. Not everyone shares this experience, though. Take your grandparents, for example.

If you are a “not-so-young” adult, chances are that your grandparents were around when TVs were brand-new marvels of technology. That’s probably why they’ve kept that bulky item, part wood, part atomic bomb, in their living room for so long.

Glass cabinet

The human experience is as diverse and complex as we ourselves can be. As such, it’s easy to forget how much in common we all have with each other. Take our grandparent’s house, for example. We bet there was a glass cabinet there you weren’t allowed to touch.

No, we’re not magicians or mind readers. That’s just one of the many experiences we all share, no matter who we are and where we come from. Now that we’re older, we understand our grandparents. Those were the good glasses, after all.

Plastic-covered furniture

Times were hard when our grandparents were young. If you were paying attention while growing up, you probably have noticed that most of their little quirks come from a place of need and, sometimes, survival. Like covering their furniture in plastic, for example.

The furniture was well-made back then and, as such, was really expensive. People who had money could spend it to keep their chairs, tables, and couches in shape. However, most didn’t have any to spare for furniture upkeep. Hence, the plastic!

Knitted blanket

When you think about your grandma’s house, you probably imagine a very cozy and comfortable place full of tasty snacks, cool games, and loving people ready to cater to your every need. One of the things that made their house so cozy was their blankets.

If your grandma could knit or had a fondness for knitted goods, her house was probably full of blankets, just like the one above. There was no escape from their comfort from the bedrooms to the living room – not that anyone would want to.

Old alarm clock

Some folks don’t mind modernizing their homes, bringing brand-new technology into their lives. Others prefer to keep their houses almost as museums of a time long gone. If your grandparents also have trouble throwing old things away, welcome aboard. We can assure you that you’re not alone.

Take those old, bulky alarm clocks, for example. If you have a cell phone, you don’t need them anymore, but for some reason, they’re still around at your grandparents’ house, with its neon numbers keeping you awake at night and its beeps as subtle as a marching band.

Carpet protectors

Oh god, remember those thick carpet protectors that apparently every single grandma out there had on their floors at one point or another? Our poor little toes and feet sure remember! Why even have carpet if you will smother it in plastic anyway? What’s the rationale?

Of course, now that we’re older, we know exactly why the protectors were there – kids are clumsy, spill-prone goblins, and carpet cleaning services are expensive. Still, stumbling on them and accidentally stepping on the spikes below were as painful as stepping on LEGO bricks.

Super dated living room

No matter how old or modern, the living room is the crown jewel of any house. That’s why it’s hard to wrap our heads around the fact that your grandparents’ living room looked like a madhouse of patterns and textures. Tell us you disagree, and we’ll show you enough proof to change your mind.

We understand that tastes change, but who thought crazy wallpapers would go well with extremely patterned couches and shag carpets? That’s a crime against everybody’s eyeballs, regardless of age or gender. This whole décor looked dated the moment they left the store.

Grandma’s old blender

Where would you go if you could time travel to any place in the universe at any time you choose? The options are infinite, but no matter your answer, you’d probably find your grandma’s old blender there. They were ubiquitous back then.

That bulky relic from the 50s, 60s, or 70s somehow still works today. Does it sound like the house is about to crumble down when you turn it on? Sure, but it also makes the best smoothies in the world, so, you know, win-win!

Wooden salad bowl

Many families carry traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation for ages. For example, if you enjoy cooking today, it probably concerns your mother or even your grandmother’s love for cooking because some things are shared and handed down.

If that’s the case, then you’re probably familiar with the wooden bowl above. Every grandma out there seems to have had one of these lying around at one point or another. They were mostly used for salads, but some grandmas would use them for anything and everything.

Cloth calendars

Nothing screams more “I’m a relic from a bygone era” than cloth calendars. Not only because they’re literally embroidered with dates from thirty to fifty years ago, but because nowadays no one buys calendars anymore – we have our cell phones for that.

These relics are so outdated; we bet the only time you ever heard of one or even seen one was at your grandma’s house! Maybe she even embroidered one herself. Back then, people had time for this sort of thing, which unfortunately isn’t the case anymore. We barely have time to rest nowadays.

Fake grapes decoration

We don’t think anyone will disagree with us when we say there’s no place more whimsical than your grandma’s house. From the crazy wallpaper patterns to the shag carpet, there’s just too much going on to focus on anything in particular.

Yet, we can think of a particular decoration that brings laughter and frustration whenever they’re mentioned – those darn fake grapes! Every child out there has probably bitten into one, only to discover they’re not real. Oh, the loss of innocence!

Amber-colored glasses

Of all the things considered “vintage” and really sought after today, one that hasn’t come back is amber-colored glasses. It was easy to find whole sets in your grandparents’ glass cupboards, but they’re not as popular today. We wonder where they all went. Were they thrown into landfills?

The reason for that is because they’re more expensive to manufacture. Because of their UV filtering properties, they’re mostly used for medicine and essential oils, while everything else is clear glass. But back in your grandma’s time, they were literally everywhere that they hurt your eyes.

Bowl of nuts

As the holidays approach, it’s normal to become nostalgic about what you’ve experienced as a kid, especially if you’d spend Christmas at your grandparents’ house, like the smell of your grandma’s special candles or that bowl of nuts in the living room.

Oh, to sit by the fireplace with your family and spend a few hours cracking nuts together. Some of them went to your grandma’s mouth-watering recipes, while others just sat there in the bowl for anyone to grab a handful and eat away. Good times!

Bird clock

When was the last time you thought about your childhood? We bet it’s been a while. As we grow old, the memories from the good old days become few and far between. However, there are times when some things find ways to stay with us.

Take that old clock from your grandparents’ house, for example. If you are an avid bird watcher today, chances are you took up the hobby by accident while watching the time fly by those clocks. Who wouldn’t be fascinated by those wonderful birds?

Strawberry candy

If you used to visit your grandma a lot, you’re probably aware of how much they love hard candy. It’s always the same candy too, no matter who you are or where you live – strawberry-flavored, wrapped in red and green plastic.

Some grandmas carry handfuls in their purses, while others have a jar filled to the brim with them at home. Whenever mom and dad aren’t looking, there is grandma with a sweet treat ready for you. Oh, the memories! Sometimes, we want to be a kid again.

Plastic-covered couches

Now, don’t get us wrong, we all love and cherish the memory of our grandparents, but absolutely no one could stand those couches covered in plastic. We understand where Grandma was coming from, but they were hot, crinkly, and plain uncomfortable to sit on.

As we have said, we understand where they were coming from – once upon a time, couches cost an arm and a leg. Covering them in plastic was a much cheaper solution than maintaining them over the years. That didn’t make them any more comfortable, though!

Plastic bags’ cupboard

No matter how old you get or how many people you met throughout life, the most resourceful person you’d probably ever known has to be your grandma. Don’t believe us? How many cupboards full of plastic bags does she have? A bunch, right? See, resourceful!

She’s not keeping those bags around because she’s a hoarder or anything like that; she’s actually helping protect the environment while saving some money. Need to take the trash out? There’s a bag for that; Need to carry stuff home? There’s also a bag for that! Super useful!

Wood paneling

Not every grandparent’s house is built the same, but at one point or another, they all had something in common – that old wood paneling that seemed to be everywhere from the 50’s all the way to the 80’s. What was that all about?

We know tastes change over time, but we’re pretty sure they still looked terrible even when those were brand-new! Nowadays, this sort of aesthetic choice would be called “vintage” and sold for double the price, but here we call it what it is – plain ugly!

Pin cushions

There is nothing more stereotypical about grandmas than grandmas who can sew. Not every one of them can do so, of course, but there is a reason why this trope became so common. One of the things that you probably remember the most is your grandma’s pin cushions.

For some reason, people didn’t mind when you played with them! Nowadays, people would freak out about those things, but not back then. That’s why you probably remember them so vividly. How many of those pins got stuck in your fingers by accident?

Iconic end table

End tables are still used today pretty much everywhere in the world. No matter how much designs change and tastes evolve, no end table will ever be as iconic as the one below. Every single grandma’s house out there had one of those.

If you close your eyes, you can probably still picture it very clearly in your mind – the dusty doily, the family pictures, the half-empty candy dish, and the abandoned coaster or two. It’s like you have never left, and things have never changed. How crazy is that?

Vintage Stylaire chair

Being a small kid at your grandma’s house has its ups and downs. For example, you will get plenty of treats, but if you need to sit at the table to eat with the adults, you’ll not reach it if you use a normal chair.

That’s why the Stylaire chairs with built-in stepping stools were so popular back then. Not only did they allow kids to eat at the table comfortably, but the stepping stools they came with allowed the adults to reach higher shelves and cupboards around the house. Genius!

The sturdiest car ever

If you have a passion for road trips, you probably inherited it from your parents, who, in turn, inherited it from their parents. Looking back at old family photos and revisiting some memories from the days you’ve spent with your grandparents, it’s easy to understand why.

It’s all about the car they used to have. It was big, noisy, and stuffy, but it would take you anywhere you wanted in a heartbeat. Don’t get us started on how well-constructed it was, as well. The door above was probably heavier than your entire car today.

Wicker plate holder

If you have ever gone to a cookout with your family hosted by your grandparents, you’re probably familiar with the wicker plate holders below. They were used for reinforcing your paper plates and always did an amazing job.

Some people think they were made to be put under hot pots and plates not to damage the dining table, but they were simply for holding paper plates. Still, if you paid for them, you can use them however you want.

Lawn chairs

We don’t know about you, but when we were younger, the beginning of summer not only marked the weather becoming warmer but also our yearly trip to our grandparents’ place. A lush green lawn, a hose, a couple of toys, and we would forget about anything else.

A big staple of these trips was the lawn chairs our grandparents would keep out all summer long. It didn’t matter if it was sunny or rainy; they would always stay put. Maybe that’s why they always creaked and groaned when we sat on them.

Vintage coaster set

Everyone who truly cares about keeping their furniture in tip-top shape has at least a set of coasters around. In fact, coasters have never been as colorful and creatively designed as they are today. Unfortunately, they’re also not very sturdy.

The same can’t be said about your grandma’s old coaster set. They were usually made out of wood and had a cork bottom to keep your glasses from slipping. They were not colorful, but they were super sturdy. In the end, isn’t that all that matters?

Pogs everywhere

Not everyone’s grandma is the stereotypical old lady who lives in a house resembling a museum from the 60s and bakes cookies all day. In fact, most people twenty or under have cool grandmas who were full-blown adults during the eighties or seventies.

That’s why we’re not surprised to learn of someone finding a treasure trove of Pogs from the early 90’s in their grandparents’ house. Sure, they didn’t belong to their grandma, but they did belong to one of their parents when they were just kids. How cool is that?

Grandma’s breath mints

Everybody talks a lot about the hard candies our grandmas used to have at home. Everyone is super nostalgic about them, but not enough credit is given to the breath mints they would keep in their purses. We’re here to rectify that.

Whenever she would open her purse to fish a couple of quarters for you so you could go to the arcade with your friends, you’d get hit with the smell of her breath mints. Even today, you’re reminded of your grandma whenever you catch a whiff of mint.

Cookie tins

Everybody loves cookies, right? They can be buttery, sugary, chocolatey. There’s a cookie flavor for everyone out there. You know what people don’t like, though? Deception! Unfortunately, that’s all you’d ever find when it comes to those cookie tins at your grandparents’ house.

For some reason, and apparently, that’s a universal experience, those beautifully decorated tins were never full of deliciously buttery or sugary cookies but were used as storage for sewing supplies instead. We can’t eat needles, grandma. Oh, the disappointment!