15 Things Boomers Still Buy That Younger Generations Won’t Touch

There Are Certain Things Boomers Still Buy That Younger Generations Won’t Touch

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There’s a strange moment in adulthood when you suddenly realize your parents’ shopping habits feel like relics from another universe. You walk into their house, see an object you assumed went extinct in the early 2000s, and they greet you with, “What? This is perfectly good!” Meanwhile, you’re standing there wondering how humans ever lived like this.

The generational divide isn’t just cultural—it’s clutter-deep, product-specific, and often unintentionally hilarious. So let’s dive into the fascinating world of boomer purchases that younger generations avoid like expired milk.

1. Landline Telephones

Boomers love the reliability, the weight, and the satisfying feeling of slamming the receiver down after a heated conversation. Younger people, on the other hand, see landlines as mysterious artifacts that belong in museums next to dinosaur bones. The idea of being tethered to one spot to make a call feels archaic to them. They’d rather text from a rooftop than stand in the kitchen whisper-yelling into a curly cord. Still, boomers remain loyal to their home phones as if they’re guarding the last line of defense against chaos.

2. Print TV Guides

For younger generations, “What’s on right now?” is answered by scrolling, swiping, or asking a smart speaker. Boomers, however, still enjoy flipping through physical TV guides with the same reverence millennials reserve for vinyl records. There’s something ritualistic about circling favorite shows in ink and planning their week like a tactical operation. Younger people can’t imagine committing to a show that airs only once in real time. Boomers embrace the schedule; younger generations embrace the freedom.

3. Coupon Clipping Books

Boomers find joy in physically cutting coupons, organizing them in envelopes, and pulling them out at checkout like they’re casting spells. Younger shoppers lean on apps that automatically apply discounts without wielding scissors or paper cuts. To boomers, the time spent clipping is part of the savings experience. To younger adults, it’s a chore from a past life they have no interest in revisiting. The two groups view the same discount, but the path to get there couldn’t be more different.

4. Checkbooks

Boomers still believe in writing checks as proof of responsibility, stability, and meticulous bookkeeping. Younger generations look at checkbooks like cryptic financial scrolls from ancient civilizations. The idea of mailing a payment feels baffling when bills can be paid instantly from a phone. Yet boomers continue the tradition, handwriting payments with calm precision. The younger folks? They just hope they never have to locate a pen.

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5. Cable TV Bundles

Boomers love their channel packages and will defend their 700-channel lineup with surprising passion. Younger generations prefer streaming, where they curate their entertainment buffet with surgical precision. Cable feels expensive, clunky, and unnecessary to them. But boomers stick to their routines—HGTV on in the background and a remote with forty buttons. Meanwhile, younger adults navigate streaming menus like digital ninjas.

6. Paper Maps

There’s a special boomer pride in unfolding a map the size of a dining table and navigating with nothing but intuition and passenger-seat arguments. Younger generations see paper maps as novelty items, like props for outdoor-themed restaurants. GPS, real-time updates, and voice navigation make paper maps feel impractical. Boomers, though, claim maps build character and spatial awareness. Younger folks prefer not crashing.

7. Fine China Dinner Sets

Boomers keep china sets displayed like sacred relics waiting for an imaginary queen’s visit. Younger generations prefer practical, dishwasher-safe plates from big-box stores. The fear of chipping a $50 saucer doesn’t appeal to people who eat dinner while streaming something on a couch. But boomers love the history and elegance of fine china collections. It’s a generational love letter to tradition that younger households simply don’t write anymore.

8. Alarm Clocks

Boomers trust the steady glow of a plug-in alarm clock and insist it’s more reliable than a phone. Younger adults wake up to playlists, smart speakers, or five consecutive snoozed alarms. Dedicated alarm clocks seem redundant when everything is built into their pocket computers. Boomers don’t understand the need for multiple alarms or custom ringtones. Younger people don’t understand why a separate clock still exists.

9. Physical Address Books

Boomers meticulously update their address books in pen, crossing out old numbers and adding new ones like curators of their own personal museum. Younger generations store every contact digitally and let their phones do the organizing. Flipping through an address book feels unnecessarily manual to them. To boomers, it feels safe and tangible. To younger adults, it feels like an escape room puzzle.

10. Encyclopedias

Boomers grew up believing encyclopedias were the ultimate authority—a universe of knowledge you kept on a shelf. Younger generations see them as charming but obsolete, replaced by internet databases and instant searches. Lugging a heavy book off a shelf for an answer feels inefficient. Boomers delight in the physical hunt for information. Younger people delight in asking their phone in half a second.

11. Fabric Softener Sheets

Boomers adore them for the smell, the softness, and the sensory nostalgia. Younger generations increasingly avoid them over environmental concerns or simply because they prefer minimalist laundry routines. Boomers, however, stockpile boxes like essentials for a cozy household. Younger adults gravitate toward detergents that promise convenience and fewer chemicals. The laundry aisle reveals a generational divide more dramatic than expected.

12. Holiday Catalogs

Boomers still flip through gift catalogs like they’re portals to seasonal magic. Younger generations shop online and curate wish lists with a click. For boomers, catalogs spark inspiration and nostalgia. For younger people, they spark clutter anxiety. But every year, boomers happily sort through glossy pages while placing sticky notes on their favorites.

13. Fax Machines

Some boomers cling to fax machines as the ultimate form of secure communication. Younger people are horrified by the idea of printing, scanning, feeding paper through a squealing machine, and hoping it doesn’t jam. Digital signatures feel faster, safer, and saner. Boomers trust the tactile nature of faxing, feeling reassured by that iconic noise. Younger adults trust anything but that noise.

14. Scented Drawer Liners

Boomers love opening a drawer that smells like lavender, roses, or something vaguely floral from 1978. Younger generations don’t see the point of perfuming a drawer no one else will smell. Drawer liners feel oddly fancy and unnecessary to them. Boomers see them as a mark of tidiness and home pride. Younger adults just wash their clothes and call it a day.

15. Greeting Cards For Every Occasion

Boomers still mail physical cards for holidays, birthdays, and even minor life events. Younger generations default to quick texts, memes, or digital messages. Boomers believe cards are heartfelt and meaningful. Younger adults see them as sweet but somewhat outdated. Still, nothing warms a boomer’s heart like the rustle of a card envelope.

A Fun Look At A Generational Shopping Divide

Boomers buy many things that younger generations simply don’t understand, but that’s part of what makes generational differences entertaining. These habits tell stories about how people grew up, what they value, and how technology reshaped everyday life. Whether charming, outdated, or surprisingly practical, these boomer purchases reveal the quirks that define an entire generation.

Now it’s your turn—what items do you see boomers still buying that make you laugh, smile, or scratch your head? Share your thoughts, stories, and hilarious discoveries in the comments below.