1960's Holiday Wish List
On sister Sally’s wish list is this pint-sized kitchen appliance, perfect for whipping up tiny brownies and cakes.
What is an Easy-Bake Oven?
First introduced in 1963, the Easy-Bake Oven remains popular today and has even had spin-off products like the Easy-Bake Popcorn Maker
Elvis stars in the 1960 film GI Blues, perhaps drawing inspiration from his time serving in this military branch.
What is the army?
He served on active duty for two years, including an overseas tour in Germany.
In February 1972, Richard Nixon made history as the first U.S. president to visit this nation
What is China?
Called the “week that changed the world,” the much-televised visit included tours of cultural sites like the Great Wall as well as diplomatic meetings.
Peter Billingsley stars in A Christmas Story as this little boy
Who is Ralphie?
According to Billingsley, most studios were not initially interested in the film, which became a surprise hit.
According to Motor Trend, one factor in the rise of hot rods during the 1960s was the appeal of this auto-racing company known by a six-letter acronym.
What is NASCAR?
NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The focus on speedy muscle cars appealed to the younger generation, and Motor Trend calls this era a golden time for car enthusiasts.
Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard star in this 1961 romantic comedy: ___________ at Tiffany’s.
What is Breakfast?
Although Holly Golightly has become one of Hepburn’s iconic roles, author Truman Capote reportedly pictured Marilyn Monroe in the part.
Founded in 1960, the Sealed Air Corporation made holidays a little bit easier by inventing this protective giftwrapping stuff
What is bubble wrap?
Originally invented as textured wallpaper, bubble wrap quickly became a favorite for wrapping fragile items.
This 1964 Elvis tune shares its name with a film starring Elvis in two roles, playing a pair of look-alike cousins.
What is “Kissin’ Cousins”?
The single “Kissin’ Cousins” was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1992, having sold over 500,000 copies.
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman prime minister of this country
What is the United Kingdom?
She became known as the “Iron Lady” and was elected to serve three terms, resigning her post in November 1989.
This is the gift Ralphie asks for, although he is warned many times he will “shoot his eye out.”
What is a Red Ryder BB gun?
Six prop guns were used for the film.
Introduced in the 1960s, this Ford muscle car is named after a kind of wild horse.
What is the Mustang?
Ford debuted this car at the 1964 World’s Fair and it has been going strong ever since, with variations like the Fastback and convertible
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John steal audiences’ hearts as Sandy and Danny in this 1978 flick.
What is Grease?
After kindling an on-screen romance in the film, Newton-John and Travolta remained close friends throughout the years.
On the wish lists of photography enthusiasts was this instant camera brand; the user would shake its pictures, and they would develop within just a minute.
What is Polaroid?
Polaroid cameras gained popularity with the introduction of peelapart color prints in 1963.
She met Elvis in Germany in 1959. The pair later married on May 1, 1967.
Who is Priscilla (Beaulieu)?
Elvis, Priscilla, and friends flew a private jet to Las Vegas for their uncharacteristically small and understated wedding ceremony.
This body of water was the landing place for the Apollo 13 spacecraft on April 17, 1970.
What is the South Pacific Ocean?
The lunar landing mission was cut short when an oxygen tank exploded.
This movie bully and tormenter of Ralphie is named after the wolf character from Peter and the Wolf.
Who is (Scut) Farkus?
Farkus is derived from the Hungarian word for “wolf”; you can even hear a snippet of Peter and the Wolf the first time the character appears on screen.
With models like the Chevelle and Corvette that boasted high speeds and top performance, this manufacturer dominated the 1970s hot rod scene.
What is Chevrolet?
The company also began producing energy-conscious cars during this decade, like the Monza.
She is Tony’s love interest in the 1961 film West Side Story
Who is Maria?
The romance, and the rift between rival gangs the Sharks and the Jets, is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in New York City
Art lovers wished for this pen-style permanent marker brand invented in 1964.
What is Sharpie?
The permanent marker was endorsed by Johnny Carson and Jack Parr and would later be introduced in a variety of colors.
Elvis lived in this Memphis mansion throughout the 1960s and ’70s, staying there between his many tours and concerts
What is Graceland?
Fans can still tour the home and grounds where he lived, viewing awards, instruments, and even cars that belonged to the star
This Canadian city played host to the 1976 Summer Olympics.
What is Montreal?
The Montreal Olympics saw Nadia Comaneci (NAH-dee-uh kahmah-NEE-chee) earn the first perfect 10 in gymnastics.
The father, Mr. Parker, claims the long-legged lamp is this.
What is a major award?
He wins it by entering a newspaper trivia contest.
The Grand National from this five-letter “B” car brand has been a favorite muscle car since the 1980s.
What is Buick?
A 1987 Grand National is featured in the 2009 movie Fast & Furious, sparking a resurgence in its popularity.
Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah star in this 1983 romantic comedy about a young man and a mermaid.
What is Splash?
Interestingly, this film is credited with popularizing the name Madison (the name of Hannah’s character).
This “groovy” lamp was on the holiday wish list of many ’60s teens.
What is a lava lamp?
Invented by a British accountant in 1963, lava lamps have remained a popular and mesmerizing décor item ever since.
This daughter of Elvis was born on February 1, 1968, just under a year after his wedding.
Who is Lisa Marie Presley?
She has a musical career of her own and released her first album in 2003.
This is the place where Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer played what some consider the most famous chess match of all time in 1972.
What is Reykjavík (RAY-kyuh-vik), Iceland?
Fischer defeated Spassky to become the World Chess Champion.
The movie is based on Jean Shepherd’s novel, titled In God We _____; All Others Pay Cash.
What is Trust?
Shepherd’s novel includes many anecdotes that made their way into the film, such as getting one’s tongue stuck to a flagpole and eating Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant
In 1964’s Goldfinger, superspy James Bond drives a car by this British manufacturer.
What is Aston Martin?
The car has become a hallmark of the Bond films, having been driven on screen by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig across seven Bond films.
This iconic ’80s film stars Patrick Swayze as the heartthrob dance instructor Johnny Castle
What is Dirty Dancing?
We can credit this film for giving us the iconic line “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” though it has been rumored that Swayze himself disliked the line.
Brother Billy wants these Mattel toy cars, with models like the Mustang and Camaro
What are Hot Wheels?
Introduced in the late 1960s, Hot Wheels were designed to appeal to boys by looking like realistic, authentic sports cars. They remain popular with many children today.
It was in this year that Elvis appeared on his NBC “Comeback Special” called Singer Presents… Elvis.
What is 1968?
Elvis used this opportunity to get back to his rock-and-roll roots and performed many of his classic songs like “All Shook Up,” reigniting his popularity once again.
An explosion at this nuclear power plant in 1986 prompted the evacuation of 135,000 people from nearby towns.
What is Chernobyl?
A 2019 miniseries retells the story of the accident in modern-day Ukraine.
Although the film is about Christmas, it was released in theaters just before this fall holiday
What is Thanksgiving?
Expecting the movie to flop, most theaters pulled it before Christmas even rolled around but had to bring it back due to popular demand.
Popular throughout the ’60s and ’70s, this hot rod manufacturer shares its name with a kind of big cat.
What is Jaguar?
Enzo Ferrari once called the Jaguar 1961 E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made.”
An unlikely on-screen romance blossoms between Henry Higgins and this character in 1964’s My Fair Lady
Who is Eliza Doolittle?
The play and movie My Fair Lady are both based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.