Journey through Christmases Past - Christmas 1982

 

Welcome to our newest feature, Journey through Christmases Past. This series is a nostalgic celebration of the holidays we all remember...

• The décor that filled our homes.
• The toys that defined each decade.
• The television and movie shows that brightened the season.
• The outfits we adored (and the ones we definitely didn’t).

Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in a few of my own Christmas memories. So settle in with a cup of your favorite hot beverage and journey with me through Christmases past.

1982

Welcome to Christmas 1982. This had been a year of significance locally, nationally, and across the world. The Space Shuttle Columbia, which had been introduced in 1981, completed three missions in 1982. The Falklands War broke out between Argentina and the United Kingdom. A late storm in April blanketed the Northeast with record snowfall, causing traffic accidents, travel disruptions, and power outages. A tampering with Tylenol in Chicago led to seven deaths, a large-scale recall, and the FDA requirement of tamper-resistant packaging for most over-the-counter products. In June, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial befriended a young boy after he had been left behind by his species. The first CD player was released in Japan by Sony. And at the end of November, Michael Jackson released his Thriller album, which made him a global superstar. 

For Christmas that year, I found a hair dryer under the tree, the last gift my mother made sure my father bought for me before she passed away. What were some of the other popular gift items that year?

• Cabbage Patch Kids (I still have mine)
• The Atari 2600 and 5200 (this one debuted in late 1982)
• Care Bears and My Little Pony
• He-Man and The Masters of the Universe figures (my son loved these toys in the late 80s)
• Sony Walkman and boomboxes
• Jordache and Gloria Vanderbilt designer jeans 
• The homemaker might have asked for CorningWare in the Cornflower Blue pattern (my mom had those)
• If you enjoyed movies or wanted to record off television, you might have had one of those 30-pound JVC or RCA video recorders/players. 

Here are two Christmas shows you might have seen that debuted in 1982.

 

The Smurfs' Christmas 

  

 The Snowman

What memories can you share from 1982?