Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas 80's Style

"Beautiful Holiday Ideas"
(published in 1980 and the source of these incredible - but not in a good way, images)
is currently winging its way to someone special for Christmas, but before I let it out of my clutches and braved the queue at Australia Post, I had to scan a few pics to share with you.

The 80's was all about BIG. Big hair, big shoulder pads in even bigger jackets, big earrings, big tops etc. Christmas, it seems, was no exception.

p.s. I'll leave it to you to supply your own descriptions as time is my enemy at the moment. 


although, I must remember to buy Anth a pair of Hush Puppies...and I can't resist adding "Cheers, Big Ears!"


One or two things you'll notice in these pics - the kids are all scarily animated,



and creepy looking dolls or "very special friends" under the tree are de rigueur.


Look it's Mary, (the good sister from) Little House on the Prairie!


If Anthony was this excited about trimming the tree
ours might actually be up!



Creepy doll, creepier Santa, (I prefer Father Christmas but "Beautiful Holiday Ideas" is an American publication) there's nothing creepy about that "big soft sculpture banner" though. Just ditch the holly and it's a winner. I love it. How cool would this look in a 70's split level (or 1920's shop/house)?!

There are many more "beautiful ideas" in the book, but maybe its new owner can show you some of those next year...

Here's her card

it's another stunner, painted with the mouth, by Irene Schricker.


x

34 comments:

  1. I have to comment! See the image of the yellow turtle-necked bloke ... yeah, he's gorgeous, but the bottom right hand ornament. I had one! Smelly ornament from Avon! Why am I suddenly loving the 80s?!

    I was ropable the other night watching Jamie Olive make his version of a prawn cocktail which he said was so 'retro' coming from the 80s ... someone correct me but was were swinging hipsters in the 70s scoffing down prawn cocktails?! I need to hug a rag doll with a crescent moon smile.

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    1. My friend's husband tried to do one of Jamie's 15 minute meals for her last week. It took him two hours to shop, then she made a snack instead. Next night they got take away, the following night he made it in 45 minutes. All up three days and three nights. A biblical fifteen minutes.

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  2. PS Check out the jigsaw puzzle under the tree in picture 2.

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  3. Cripes. So much to comment on. The pic of the animated girl surrounded by patchwork/quilted fancies big time. The other animated girl in the big dress with the bow wall hanging. Trimming the tree? Seriously? Pourquoi? Fascinating stuff. xx

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  4. Seeing so much tiny print patchwork almost makes me want to vom. I am reminded by the "jumpsuit" era. Colour, colour and more block colour and adorned by a plastic brooch in a contrasting block colour.

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  5. I want an early 80's Christmas! It's the best. I am in awe of the wrapping paper on the second picture - I want it.

    I used to look at such pictures and think "why can't I be so happy at Christmas?".

    How much sewing can one busy mum do though? I'd rather be guzzling wine in a cave with Mr Cardigan.
    And Mr Yellow Turtle-Neck checking his baubles? Don't fancy yours much, Kylie!

    Merry Christmas

    Lucy x

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  6. Well the tree trimming guy is obviously so enthusiastic because his bauble matches the stripes on his sleeve. Maybe all Anth needs is a new jumper that matches the decos. Listen to me prattling on like I know Anth.
    PS I received the most divine tt in the mail this week. I love it thank you. Whenever I look at it I will be reminded of you and your funny blog. Funny in a good way. leax

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  7. The threads on the man so enthusiastically trimming his tree - hilarious. His top matches the balls. I do love a yellow turtle neck and tan slacks. Great book. Another lovely painting/card. Only 4 more days till the big day then it's all over for another year! x

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  8. Those were the days! Everything looks so incredibly fussy and creepily crafty now! Thanks for the Christmas wishes earlier - I have been very good & have managed to resist temptation (with difficulty). Your present is waiting very invitingly under the tree! I hope my funny little parcel to you arrives and that you have a very merry time of it too!! xx

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  9. That big giant bow wall hanging is just gross! This book is fabulous. Actually can see some good ideas behind all the in your faceness!! xx

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  10. Hehee, why is that lady wearing an embroidery hoop as well as sewing on one? Brilliant pictures, although I have to say I don't remember a trend for mini quilted items on Christmas trees!
    xx

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  11. I'm with MMMC on the puzzle in picture two. Mary looks a bit Poppins to me and I do believe she had sewn herself to the seat. Why are all these vibrant children all so immaculate when they are, as you say, over animated? Where are they now? Reliving the photo shoot of youth or in a minimalist zen Christmas. Irene still wins the card stakes in my book !
    Thank you for your loverly tea towel gift.

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  12. Those dolls certainly are creepy! I think I'm going to have nightmares tonight. hehe. Merry Christmas!!

    PS: I'm hosting my last giveaway for the year! It's an ecostore store gift pack valued at $100, hope you enter here: http://www.underlockandkeyblog.com/2012/12/ecostore-giveaway.html

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  13. love it! I am sooo behind with my post! But hey, it will be something to look forward to in the New Year right!? Have a wonderful Christmas!!

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  14. In the first photo is their house a cave ???

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  15. I don't remember the 80s being like that. Groovy.

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    Replies
    1. Tracy, I agree with you. The 80s for me was all 'neon' (I can't spell fluroescent), Duran Duran and rats' tail haircuts.

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  16. i like a lot about pic 2....switch out the bows for fairy lights...those wooden deccys are great....so is the puzzle! and the wrapping paper! on second thoughts!....the stylist made a woopsie in the third pic...that little girls hair is crying out for a bow!! and no wonder mr biege pants is playing with those balls....he lost his the minute he put on that jumper!!
    Allison x

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  17. The little girl in picture #3 is reanimated. I am almost sure. Speaking of the Walking Dead (were we?), it is 12/21/2012 in your neighborhood ... Are y'all still there? Hello? Anyone?

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  18. Isn't it funny how the whole craft thing goes in cycles, clearly big in the 80s and now hot again. Please god save us from appliqué however, particularly in clothing.

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  19. Oh I remember every Christmas in the 1980s and none, NO NOT ONE, was like that at my home! Where was I??

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  20. Sometimes I can't believe we actually dressed the way we did in the 80s. It had to be, hands down, the worst decade in fashion. I had also forgotten how ginghamy and country our decor was back then!

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  21. hehe..I like your captions. I don't remember the 80's being so daggy! While shopping the other day, India saw Santa. I asked if she wanted a photo, which she replied, "its not the real Santa, its just a creepy old man"..haha

    If I don't catch up before Christmas, have a lovely day and I hope Santa brings you lots of goodies, Tam x

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  22. Quite like that wrapping paper in image 2! Not so taken with the patchwork overload in image 4 though!
    Merry Xmas, Kylie!
    xClaire

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  23. Fascinating pictures. If I had had to guess I would have said 70s all the way for these pics. Strange, but that's not how I remember the 80s. Wouldn't it be great to be able to travel back in time and see what it was really like? I remember welcoming 1980 in, it felt like a big deal, all exciting. x

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  24. Ha! I have a Canadian/American version of this book (Better Homes and Gardents Treasury of Christmas Crafts and Foods) and have had since I was a teen. It was published in 1980 which is why it doesn't seem too 80s. It is firmly rooted in the 70s. My version is slightly different (the guy with the yellow turtleneck isn't in it - perhaps because they've been outlawed in Canada since 1953...) nor is the creepy Santa. I have pored over the almost 400 pages of this book many times over the years and have made several lists, but I've never made one thing! Despite the pictures, there are quite a few lovely ideas that require actual skill in embroidery or woodworking or etc. Thanks for the flashback. (I actually ran to the craft room to get mine when I saw that first picture!)

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  25. All I can say is where is the Cabbage Patch Doll? It weren't an 80's Xmas without one....ohhh Racquel Carmen where have you gone?

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  26. agreed on the soft type banner...
    it might even be fun to make it?
    n♥

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