Amazing Things From The 80s Our Kids Are Missing Out On
1. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
Made By: Creative Teaching Press, Hallmark
Avg. Cost: $0.99*
Est. Value Today: $0.99*
The stationary industry has long had an obsession with making supplies smell like something other than what they are. Smelly markers might have been a big hit in the 90s, but scented stationary originated a decade earlier with scratch-and-sniff stickers.
Scratching a sticker of an orange would release a scent reminiscent of the fruit itself. However, the challenge lay in the fact that these aromas were often subtle, making it difficult for most people to discern the flavors of the stickers. Nonetheless, certain stickers managed to emit more accurate scents than others. For example, cola stickers truly exuded the aroma of Coca-Cola, while chocolate ones tended to be more bitter than sweet.
2. Disney Channel Magazine
Made By: Disney
Avg. Cost: $1.99*
Est. Value Today: $5-$100*
Those who grew up in the ‘80s remember what it was like before the internet became a thing. There weren’t websites to search if you wanted to know all the latest Hollywood gossip and the secrets behind your favorite film scenes. But there was reading material like Disney Channel Magazine.
Disney Channel Magazine provided readers with an exclusive peek behind the scenes of upcoming Disney films, offering insights into the movie-making magic. Yet, perhaps the most anticipated section of each issue was the weekly interviews featuring screen legends such as Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews, among others.
3. Floral Crock Pots
Made By: Unknown
Avg. Cost: $5-$10*
Est. Value Today: $37.95*
You couldn’t open kitchen cupboards in the ‘80s without coming across at least one floral crock pot. These pots were used to make everything from the Hungarian goulash recipe mum found in the Betty Crocker cookbook to the pulled pork recipe Graham from down the road was talking about at last weekend’s barbecue. And lots of it.
The image of a floral crockpot sitting on the counter still haunts ‘80s kids. It was really just another way of letting the family know leftovers would be on the menu until further notice.
4. Garbage Pail Kids
Made By: Topps
Avg. Cost: $1-$3*
Est. Value Today: $5-$4,250*
The popular trading card company Topps originally designed Garbage Pail Kid sticker cards to poke fun at the Cabbage Patch Kids craze. Before they knew what had happened, their parody had created a fad larger than anyone could have imagined.
The final set of stickers was issued in December 1988, marking the end of an era for Garbage Pail Kids. However, the fascination with these iconic characters has endured. Collectors avidly seek high-quality editions featuring everyone from 'Adam Bomb' to 'Nerdy Nerd'. Even common cards in relatively good condition command a few bucks at card shows and online auctions in today's market.
5. After School Specials
Made By: ABC
Avg. Cost: Unknown
Est. Value Today: N/A
From short films that taught children how to recognize dangerous situations to educational programming designed to ease adolescent confusion while explaining life’s ins and outs, the 80s had after-school specials for everything. Leading the way with educational life lessons was ABC.
The ABC After School Special, a series of 60-minute films aired from 1972 to 1997, truly thrived during the 80s. It served as a platform for launching the careers of stars like Michelle Pfeiffer, Ben Affleck, and Meg Ryan. Although not widely recognized at the time, they all had roles in ABC's After School Special during their formative years.
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