From the Archives: Christmas Memories from the 80s Part I

We're going back 20 years to see if the Holiday season has really changed all that much.

In general, we do the same things.

It's just that the toys, the stores, and the hair that change.

So let's do the holidays, 80s Style:

 

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1983: Christmas Layoffs

This won't be the first year that a lot of parents are facing the holidays with no jobs.  Back in 1983, we were just coming out of a recession. 

 

In this story, reporter Gene Pinder talks to people who were out of work last Christmas, but have now found work.  Their message is to keep plugging.

 

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1987: House of 10,000 Lights

On a brighter note, let's visit the House of Ten Thousand Lights.

Twenty years ago, you didn't have all those outdoor specialty, LED lights.  No inflatables from the Home Depot & Lowes.  Just old fashioned, screw in lightbulbs & plastic figures.

But as reporter Mike Andrews found, this house was a labor of love.

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1987: Lighting the Walnut Street Bridge

In 2008, the Walnut Street Bridge is the centerpiece of Holiday lights along the river.  But 21 years ago, that wasn't the case. 

In 1987, the bridge was a dark, looming hulk over the river.  It was shutdown during the 80s because it wasn't safe for traffic anymore.  But by '87, a citizens group was trying to convince the community to save the historic structure.  They figured the best way to get everyone's attention was to put up Christmas lights.

Reporter James Reese has this slice of Chattanooga history.

 

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1987: Hot Toys

 

We can't do a Christmas Memories post without comparing the Hot Toys of years past.

This year, it's all about the Barbies and G. I. Joe.

Reporter Sarah Harlow gets to play with the toys.

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1989 Christmas Wrapping

So we've got the presents, how about wrapping them.

In 1989, we sent Photographer & Feature Reporter Craig Ehm out to do a story on gift wrapping.

But he must have been confused.

Craig came back with a different kind of Holiday Rapping.

 

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1988: Happy Christmas from Lite Mix 105

 

And finally, we leave you with a Christmas Carol from 1988.

The guys at Lite Mix (Bill Burcket & Parker Smith) introduce some Holiday Cheer from John Lennon.

And you can see the real vinyl, too!

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We'll have more Christmas Memories for you next week.