A recent survey has revealed that four in 10 of those aged 35 and above believe the 80s were the golden age of festive indulgence.
They claim music, films and gifts were all better during the decade and long to bring those childhood experiences back.
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Parents who experienced their own Christmases in the 80s are particularly nostalgic, with a quarter expressing a desire for their children to experience the holiday as they did in their youth.
Accoridng to the survey 44% feel ‘Christmas isn’t what it used to be’. Now 32% wish to revive the ‘magic’ of the holiday season as nearly half of the respondents who believe it’s crucial to pass on their own childhood traditions to their families.
Classic Christmas hits like Last Christmas by Wham! and Fairytale of New York by the Pogues are missed by two thirds of those surveyed, while four in ten long for the days when the entire family would gather around a single television set for entertainment.
In an attempt to cater to this surge in nostalgia, Booking.com is set to recreate the charm of an 80s Christmas with the launch of the exclusive ‘Home of Christmas Past’, a one-time 1980s-themed homestay in London.
Available for rent via the Booking.com app or website from Tuesday 10 December, this unique London property promises a trip down memory lane. The accommodation is adorned with tinsel, vintage baubles, and iconic 80s toys scattered under the tree.
Guests can indulge in classic 80s films on VHS, listen to festive tunes on a Walkman, and feast on a buffet filled with nostalgic treats like Viennetta and vol-au-vents.
Home of Christmas Past (Image: PinPep)
Indulge in 1980s nostalgia (Image: PinPep)
Ryan Pearson, representing the online travel agency, stated: “Nostalgia is a big trend, not only in entertainment, fashion and home decor, but also travel.
“We see people booking trips to places they loved when they were younger, both at Christmas and during warmer months. For many of the people we polled, memories of a simpler time is what’s driving a lot of this sentiment.”
The study revealed that nearly half of respondents feel nostalgic about festive traditions from their childhood. Participants fondly recall eating trifle (33%), a Viennetta (27%) and cocktail sausages on sticks (25%).
When it comes to festive TV specials, 43% chose Only Fools and Horses as their favourites, with 35% opting for Morecambe & Wise and 32% Top of the Pops. Meanwhile, 21% say recent TV hit Rivals has reignited their love for all things 1980s.
The Home of Christmas Past will be available to book on a first come first serve basis for up to four guests checking-in for two nights on December 13 at a cost of just £19.80.