15 Nice Things Neighbors Used to Do in the ’70s That You Won’t See Anywhere Today
The ’70s were a time of bell-bottoms, funky music, and a sense of community that feels almost foreign today. While technology and modern life have reshaped how we interact, many things about neighborhood life have shifted from warm and friendly to distant and impersonal. Here are 15 nice things neighbors used to do in the ’70s that are rare to see today.
Hosting Progressive Dinner Parties
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The progressive dinner party was a staple. Neighbors would gather at one home for appetizers, then move to another for the main course, and finish at yet another for dessert. The night was filled with laughter, conversation, and a lot of walking.
Lending a Hand with Yard Work
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Neighbors often pitched in to help with each other’s yard work. If one house had a fence that needed mending or a lawn that needed mowing, it wasn’t unusual for a neighbor to lend a hand without asking. People shared tools, offered assistance, and didn’t hesitate to step in when someone needed help.
Spontaneous Dinner Invitations
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It was common for neighbors to invite each other over for dinner, often with little notice. No one needed a formal invitation, and last-minute get-togethers were the norm. Today, with busy schedules and digital distractions, such spontaneous meals are rare, and we often find ourselves planning weeks in advance.
Hosting Backyard Campouts
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Backyard camping was a hit. Families pitched tents in their backyards and invited neighbors for a night of storytelling and stargazing. These simple campouts created memorable bonding moments.
Sharing Family Recipes
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Most of us rely on online recipes and food blogs these days, and the personal touch of a handwritten recipe card is becoming a rarity. But decades ago, families would often swap recipes with neighbors while exchanging culinary secrets passed down from generation to generation.
Helping with Holiday Decorations
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Decorating for holidays was a group effort. Neighbors would often come together to help decorate each other’s homes or even the whole block. The spirit of collective effort made each neighborhood event feel more festive.
Babysitting Each Other’s Kids
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efore the days of pricey babysitters and childcare apps, neighbors would take turns looking after each other’s children. Need a quick errand run? A neighbor would gladly step in. This sense of community support made raising kids feel less like a solo journey.
Creating Neighborhood Block Parties
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Block parties were a regular event in the ’70s, often planned around a holiday or a warm weekend. Everyone would bring a dish to share, and the entire street would come together for games, food, and music. Kids played in the streets, and adults chatted over cold drinks.
Sharing Freshly Picked Garden Goods
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If a neighbor had a bountiful garden, it wasn’t unusual for them to share the fruits of their labor. They often exchanged homegrown food as a gesture of goodwill. It was a simple, thoughtful way to show care and appreciation.
Offering a Cup of Sugar
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These days, many people would rather order a delivery or buy in bulk, thus making the old-fashioned “cup of sugar” request seem outdated. But that’s not how it worked back in the day. If you ran out of a key ingredient for a recipe, you didn’t panic or head straight to the store. You just asked your neighbor for what you needed.
Watching Over Each Other’s Homes
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With today’s technology and security systems, we rely less on community vigilance, and it’s harder to find someone who’ll do this for free. In the ’70s, neighbors kept an eye on each other’s houses, especially when someone went on vacation. You could rely on a neighbor to water your plants, pick up your mail, or just make sure everything was in order while you were away.
Lending Lawn Equipment
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Sharing tools and lawn equipment was just part of the neighborhood routine. If someone needed a lawnmower, hedge trimmer, or even a rake, it wasn’t hard to borrow from a neighbor. There was no need to buy expensive equipment that you only used once in a while.
Planning Spontaneous Ice Cream Socials
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Ice cream socials were a neighborhood event. Neighbors would gather on a warm evening to enjoy ice cream, chat, and enjoy each other’s company. These informal events were a chance to unwind without much planning.
Checking In on the Elderly
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Modern life has–sadly–made this practice less frequent, with many people now relying on caregivers or assisted living for support. But before that, it was common for neighbors to check in on elderly residents, especially those living alone. Simple acts like shoveling snow from their driveway or bringing over a home-cooked meal were a way to make sure they were okay.
Offering Rides for Errands
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Today, public transportation or rideshare apps have made it less likely that people will ask for simple rides, even though they were once common. Neighbors would often lend a hand by offering rides for errands. If someone didn’t have a car or was unable to drive, they could count on a neighbor for a lift to the grocery store or the doctor’s office.