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Original poster

What was a HUGE deal in your house growing up that is normal for you now?

464 replies

Bakingmamma · 26/02/2023 14:38

Various things in my house.

A big one was baking. Although we
usually had the things in the house, wanting to bake was such a big deal and we could only do it on special occasions. Possibly did it once or twice a year.

I’m not talking about big extravagant bakes either! I’m talking about 12 bog standard cupcakes with some basic icing on!

It was only when I reached adulthood that I realized I could cook some basic cupcakes in 20 minutes and it wasn’t a big deal at all.

It takes longer to do a load of washing!

What was a huge deal in your house that you’ve now normalized for your own children? I can’t be the only one 🙈

OP posts:
Ireallydohope · 26/02/2023 15:41

I can't remember anything being a big deal

I didn't ask for much or expect much but remember being happy and content to come and go as I pleased with all the neighbourhood kids from age 3/4 onwards

My DM was probably quite pleased I was so easy and not under her feet much in the London suburbs.

It was a basic childhood, no expectations and you just hung out with whomever was allowed out no matter what size their house etc no one cared lads about all that stuff.

HamBone · 26/02/2023 15:42

Eating out
Putting on the central heating
Clothes shopping -v. rare
The idea of having a dishwasher ( never had one, whereas I have one now)

itsacarveup · 26/02/2023 15:42

If visitors were coming round it was all "ooh get out the nice plates and the jar of Nescafe"

And yes, the phone calls only after 6 pm.

Going out for a pizza - usually Pizzaland or Pizza Hut - was planned and saved for usually months in advance.

Nellieinthebarn · 26/02/2023 15:43

Fish. We never had it at home, apart from once in a blue moon fish and chips. Tbf we lived in a tiny village, the nearest chip shop was over 10 miles away, and we were not well off. The first time I ate fish that wasnt deep fried was a boil in the bag cod in parsley sauce after I had left home. We eat fish at least twice a week now.

BrilliantUsername · 26/02/2023 15:44

Sweets and chocolate, this terrible poison was reserved for Christmas stockings and Easter only and was never found on the weekly grocery list.

Baystard · 26/02/2023 15:45

@Amdone123 I really like the idea of making the christmas tree a whole-family-cleaning day actually, mainly to stop it being solely mum-work that otherwise lands on me to do along with all the other Christmas prep.

Amdone123 · 26/02/2023 15:49

@Baystard , that's true. My dm was very forward thinking !
And ironically , I'd give my left arm for a day like that now !

Name999999 · 26/02/2023 15:51

Play dates / having friends round. We were allowed to visit family etc but I never had a play date or had friends to our house.

ImissLemmings · 26/02/2023 15:52

Buying meat, because of the cost.

PuttingDownRoots · 26/02/2023 15:52

The mere concept of any form of "loungewear" or lie ins. My mother is deeply shocked that DDs sometimes stay in bed until 10am or later.

She can't cope with the idea that sometimes we only have two meals at weekends... brunch and dinner. Breakfast should be eaten by 9am latest consisting of cereal, toast and fruit.

cheatingcrackers · 26/02/2023 15:52

Watching a film (or TV really). That was a HUGE treat for us. I always find it boggling that my kids will argue over which film to watch because DBro and I were so utterly delighted when allowed to watch anything at all.

Pemba · 26/02/2023 15:55

A fridge, I remember when my parents first got one I was about seven, and it was a massive deal, I remember going out for a picnic to celebrate! This would have been around 1970/71.

Previous to that I remember visiting grandparents most weekends and when asked what I wanted to drink I would say 'cold milk out of the fridge please', it was such a treat to me.

Seems incredible now, milk was delivered every day though, in hot weather my mother would place bottles of milk, and butter on a plate floating in a bowl of cold water in the cupboard I think, and I suppose she just managed. Like in the olden days.

They always had a TV (black and white) though. I remember going to visit relatives who we didn't see often, mum told me they had colour TV. I was so excited!

Minieggbrownies · 26/02/2023 15:55

Amdone123 · 26/02/2023 15:34

@bonzaitree , ' the cold egg of shame' made me 😂.

Mine was putting up the Christmas tree / decorations. My dm allocated a full day and the 4 of us had to clean the house from top to bottom. We usually listened to carols or Bing Crosby and ate mince pies, so it wasn't completely awful. Just a huge song n dance. I clean the living room before putting the tree up, but I'm more likely to clean the house after Christmas.

And foreign holidays. Booked at least 12 months before. So exciting as we pored over the travel brochures, but I prefer my method of booking on a Saturday, then flying a few days later !

Haha, I allocated a day to put the tree up. I don't clean the whole house for it, but I do book a day in. Usually the first Saturday in December, we put Christmas music on and usually have a special tea.

We have two trees plus outside lights etc so it takes a while.

tobee · 26/02/2023 15:56

Pyjamas on all day. Had to get dressed unless ill, and then you should be in bed.

Fizzy drinks. Bottles of coke and lemonade only bought if families friends over for the day, and then you could have any leftovers even if flat.

Make your own dinner, mum pretty much always did this - even managing to leave meals for dad and us when she was away for work.

Name999999 · 26/02/2023 15:56

Forgot about the calls after 6pm!
also we never went on holiday (only to visit grandparents in summer hols - inner city area)
never ate out (did anyone?)
only had family for birthday parties which was always at home with nice food no party games (never with school friends)
no co-curricular/sports activities outside of school

bruffin · 26/02/2023 15:56

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 26/02/2023 15:02

Olive oil when it was needed for a recipe (very rare). Had to be bought in Boots in a teensy tiny bottle.

Eating out
Heated bedrooms

I was born the 60s. My DF was Cypriot and we always had large cans of Olive Oil.
We never had Salmon as it was £1 a pound, now we regularly have salmon for dinner

FallonofDynasty · 26/02/2023 15:57

Eating out, takeaways, going out for a coffee / tea out. Going to the cinema would be an annual event if you were lucky . I once missed the annual cinema trip due to being on a brownie camp, was gutted and v annoyed to hear my sibling had seen a film without me!

Shopping for clothes also. Pleased to read i wasn't the only one.
We weren't hard up BTW, this was just the way it was.

Irecan · 26/02/2023 15:58

so many….
berries
avocado, actually most fruits
fresh food as opposed to packaged food
having people over dinner
cheese that’s not cheddar
baths
going on holiday

Irecan · 26/02/2023 15:58

Oh and and eating out anywhere that’s not a pub

Irecan · 26/02/2023 15:59

I must add, I was born in late 80s if that gives perspective

ColdHandsHotHead · 26/02/2023 15:59

being warm enough
lemonade
alcohol
colour telly

flutterbyebaby · 26/02/2023 16:00

Going out for the day usually consisted of sitting in a pub garden with a bag of crisps and a bottle of pop, or if there was no garden sitting in the car whilst the grown ups got drunk in the pub

Move22 · 26/02/2023 16:01

HAVING to have dessert after every. Single. Meal.

eg apple crumble with custard. Was not allowed to refuse it. Had many an argument as a teen trying to watch my weight.

nowadays rarely have pudding, just as a special treat 😂

FrenchandSaunders · 26/02/2023 16:02

Robinson’s barley water … we weren’t allowed it.

flutterbyebaby · 26/02/2023 16:03

Having a TV, the amount if times radio rentals took it back was unbelievable, until my step dad robbed the shop, and then we all at to do a runner to his country.