Boomers can’t get enough of dragging millennials for “killing” everything—chain restaurants, cable TV, fabric softeners. But what do you know? Millennials are actually reviving some of the very same habits boomers thought were dead and gone.
From cash stuffing to home cooking, these retro trends are creeping back into daily life, proving that maybe not everything was better in the internet era. So here are 17 boomer habits millennials are totally stealing… but making their own.
Clipping Coupons (but Like, Digitally Chic)
You thought millennials blew all their cash on Spotify Premium and oat milk? Think again. Coupon culture is BACK, and this time it’s digital, stealthy, and weirdly rewarding. We’ve swapped the scissors for browser extensions Rakuten and Honey, but the energy? Same. Millennials are saving 72p on organic quinoa like it’s a job.
Hosting Dinner Parties Instead of Going Out
Forget overpriced cocktails and 2-hour Uber wait times. Millennials are bringing back dinner parties at home — complete with theme playlists, thrifted glassware, and questionable charcuterie boards. It’s giving boomer “potluck” vibes with a sprinkle of Pinterest-core. And let’s be real. Nothing hits harder than staying in and spilling tea over wine you didn’t spend £14 on.
Paying with Cash Like It’s 1985
Swiping a card is simple… too simple. That’s why millennials are moving toward cash stuffing, envelope budgeting, and carrying actual money. It’s harder to overspend, it turns out when you physically hand over those crisp bills instead of absent-mindedly tapping Apple Pay.
Thrifting Instead of Buying Fast Fashion
Baby boomers called it second-hand shopping. Millennials call it vintage. Whether it’s Goodwill, flea markets, or Depop, millennials are reviving thrift culture—not just for the deals, but for the vibe. Fast fashion is out. Grandma’s closet is in.
Growing Their Own Veg (Even in Small Flats)
Boomers had gardens. Millennials have window sills. But the feeling’s the same: home-grown herbs, tomatoes in buckets, and proudly saying “That basil’s from my own plant.” It’s wholesome, humble, and one bad frost away from a total breakdown. Still, the flex of being able to use your own coriander in a curry? Elite.
Reading Actual Physical Books
Boomers didn’t have Kindles, they had creased paperbacks and the smell of ink. And today? Millennials are rediscovering the serotonin boost of turning real pages. BookTok may’ve had something to do with it, but there’s something tactile and romantic about opening up a thick novel and flexing it on your bookshelf like a personality trait.
Buying in Bulk Like It’s the Apocalypse
Costco-core exists. Millennials are hoarding loo rolls, pasta, and oat milk like they’re expecting the apocalypse — which, to be fair, seems quite sensible at the moment. Boomers showed millennials how to hoard and millennials turned it into an anxiety-driven sport. There’s no feeling quite like buying a 96-pack of dishwasher tablets and knowing you’re secure.
Wearing Actual Watches Instead of Checking Their Phones
Smartwatches are cool and everything, but they can’t top a classic wristwatch. Millennials are ditching constant notifications and bringing back the old habit of telling time.
Writing Thank You Notes (and Actually Mailing Them)
A “thx” text simply doesn’t have the same impact. Millennials are picking up the drama of handwritten letters — complete with stationery, stamps, and the occasional calligraphy. It’s giving Jane Austen meets boomer etiquette. Is it performative? Maybe. But it’s cute. And it definitely makes grandma cry in the best way possible.
Buying Appliances That Actually Last
Gone is the fast fashion and disposable technology. Millennials are done with cheap toasters that only last a year. They are spending money now on appliances that look like they were made in the Cold War era — and still function. Cast iron pans, blenders from the 90s, and grandma’s sewing machine? Millennials want things that last.
Joining Clubs and Hobby Groups IRL
Bowling nights? Knitting circles? Chess meetups? You bet. Millennials are adopting cringe-free, low-stakes hobby clubs for kicks. There’s something delightfully boomer about showing up every week to talk books or bake bread. It’s socialising without the stress. No swiping, no ghosting — just vibes and biscuits.
Cooking at Home Like It’s a 1950s Dinner Party
Millennials are so over with priced takeout and sad desk lunches. Instead, they’re channeling their inner Julia Child and cooking up homemade pasta, sourdough, and gourmet meals. As it happens, cooking isn’t just cheaper—it’s a flex. When did making your own butter get cool again?
Wearing Sensible Shoes — On Purpose
We made fun of boomer “dad shoes” for years, and look who’s wearing New Balances and orthopedic sandals proudly now. Comfort > clout. Millennials realized blisters are a scam and arch support is sexy. Now we’re all walking like we’ve got a pension and no regrets.
Hanging Clothes to Dry Like It’s the 1960s
Dryers? A waste. Air drying? Aesthetically pleasing. Millennials love a low-energy, eco-friendly moment, and drying racks are now a staple in small apartments everywhere. And it gets your clothes to last longer—boomers have been saying that forever.
Sewing, Mending, and Do-It-Yourself Repairing
Boomers did not dispose of a shirt if it happened to have a tiny hole in it. Millennials, tired of spending an arm and a leg on new garments, are resurrecting the art of sewing. Patching jeans, hemming skirts, and sewing buttons on? Satisfying.
Unplugging from Tech Like It’s 1975
After years of online fatigue, millennials are re-discovering the luxury of turning off notifications, reading paper books, and actually being present. Boomers didn’t have an option. Millennials are making it a lifestyle.
Choosing Quality Over Trendy and Cheap
Boomers bought stuff to last. Millennials are now ditching fast furniture, fast design, and disposable everything for quality. Spending money on quality items instead of junk? That’s a boomer behavior millennials can definitely get behind.
Things Boomers Did in the ’80s That Seem Ridiculous Today
While nostalgia makes everything seem charming in hindsight, some of the things Boomers did in the ’80s would raise more than a few eyebrows today. Here are some of the most head-scratching habits and trends that now seem downright ridiculous.
Things Boomers Did in the ’80s That Seem Ridiculous Today
Annoying Words That Are Overused by Gen Z
While some of these phrases may be fun and playful, others can be seen as repetitive or straight cringeworthy. In this age of social media and digital communication, these overused words and phrases can spread quickly and become ubiquitous, making it annoying to Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
Annoying Words That Are Overused by Gen Z