A recent YouGov survey found that 43% of Americans participate in holiday or cultural traditions they don’t even enjoy. Why? Simply because, well, “it’s just what we do.”
Sociologist Dr. Linda Harper points out, “Traditions often persist not because they make sense, but because they offer a sense of belonging and continuity.” But as times change, do some of these quirky customs still hold up? Or are we stuck in an endless loop of pointlessly baking Jell-O salads and flipping our clocks twice a year?
Here’s a list of 14 American traditions that might be, well, past their expiration date.
Daylight Saving Time
Twice a year, Americans dutifully adjust their clocks. “Spring forward” in March, “fall back” in November, and somewhere in between, we all collectively grumble about losing or gaining an hour of sleep.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) was introduced during World War I to conserve energy… and multiple studies now show it barely saves any energy at all. On top of doing more harm than good, DST has been linked to increased risks of heart attacks, car crashes, and depression.
Not to mention a 5.7% spike in workplace injuries on the Monday after the March time change. Yet here we are, stumbling into March’s groggy mornings year after year.
Changing Last Names in Marriage
Despite progress toward gender equality, the expectation remains strong. Recent data indicate a steady decline in the percentage of women adopting their spouse’s last name: from 90% in 2010 to 65% in 2025.
Meanwhile, the proportion of women keeping their maiden name has risen from 10% to 25% over the same period. The practice of couples blending or hyphenating surnames, on the other hand, has grown from nearly zero to about 10%.
The overwhelming expectation for brides to adopt their spouse’s surname remains strong in many circles, often due to social norms and lingering traditions. Is this love… or just leftover patriarchy?
Black Friday Shopping Frenzy
Shoppers trampling over strangers to grab a discounted flat-screen TV? We’ve all seen it. However, over half of U.S. shoppers expected to skip Black Friday in 2023, opting for safer online deals and extended sales. Maybe the only lines we should wait in are for coffee?
Retailers push the hustle-and-bustle appeal, but even they are shifting focus to online sales and “Cyber Monday.” Additionally, Black Friday has been criticized for promoting excessive consumerism, encouraging people to buy items they may not need simply because of deeply discounted prices.
Columbus Day Celebrations
Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1937, honoring the Italian explorer for “discovering” America. However, scrutiny around this holiday has grown in recent decades as we reckon with the colonization, displacement, and harm inflicted on Indigenous peoples.
By 2024, at least 29 states and Washington, D.C., did not officially celebrate Columbus Day, and over 200 cities had renamed or replaced the holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Some states and cities, like South Dakota (which renamed it Native Americans’ Day in 1990) and Berkeley, California (which made the switch in 1992), have led the way.
Groundhog Day
Each February 2nd, Americans turn to an adorable groundhog to predict the weather. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, winter sticks around for six more weeks. If not, spring comes early.
Punxsutawney Phil has no meteorological skills, and his predictions are only 36–40% accurate, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Might as well flip a coin.
Gender Reveal Parties
What started as a simple cake-cutting ceremony has escalated into wildfires, explosions, and cringeworthy viral videos. Plus, they reinforce outdated ideas about gender identity.
In September 2020, the El Dorado Fire in California was ignited by a smoke bomb set off at a gender reveal party in El Dorado Ranch Park.
The blaze burned 22,000 acres, destroying homes, and unfortunately, firefighter Charles Morton lost his life.
Nostalgia for simpler times might keep this tradition alive, but many are opting for more meaningful ways to celebrate.
Over-the-Top Proms
The price tag for prom has exploded, averaging over $1,000 per attendee. Glitzy dresses, party buses, professional photography… all for a four-hour dance? No wonder some teens are ditching it for casual celebrations instead.
65% of students report feeling pressured to spend beyond their means, while 30% skip prom altogether due to cost concerns.
The tradition remains a rite of passage for many, but isn’t there a more affordable way to celebrate?
The Pledge of Allegiance in Schools
Every morning, millions of kids stand, place their right hand over their hearts, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. While this may sound harmless, it has been at the center of debates over inclusivity and free speech.
The phrase “under God” (added in 1954) alienates students from non-Christian or secular families. Unfortunately, the social pressure to conform remains a concern.
Christmas as a Religious Obligation
The Pew Research Center reports that only 58% of American adults view Christmas as a religious holiday (down from 67% in 2019). This growing trend aligns with broader declines in religiosity nationwide.
Nearly all Christians (95%) celebrate Christmas, and a significant majority of non-Christians (78%) also participate in the festivities. For many, it’s no longer a holy day but a time for gifts, family gatherings, and Mariah Carey on repeat.
Extravagant Weddings
Weddings these days are practically mini-movies, complete with drone footage and champagne fountains. The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. reached record highs in recent years, with The Knot’s 2023 survey reporting a national average of over $35,000, and much higher in major cities.
Millennials and Gen Z couples increasingly prefer small, intimate gatherings, nixing the fuss. According to a 2024 Brides survey, 62% of couples under 35 say they want a wedding that reflects their personal values rather than societal expectations.
And you don’t have to invite your mom’s coworker’s cat-sitter.
Family Dinner Night
Parents everywhere dream of a regular family dinner, but only 30% of families actually pull it off, according to family therapist Anne Fishel. Busy schedules, TikTok distractions, and the convenience of food delivery have chipped away at what was once a cherished nightly tradition.
“Family dinners are one of the most reliable predictors of children’s well-being, but today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world makes it harder to keep this tradition alive,” notes Anne Fishel, Family Therapist.
Many families making an effort to revive family dinner nights say it’s worth the effort, but it persists more as an ideal than a daily practice.
Sunday Drives
Gone are the days of carefree Sunday drives. Why? The combination of environmental concerns, rising gas prices, and digital entertainment has parked this once-beloved tradition.
That said, some people are keeping this tradition alive through road trips, car meet-ups, and outdoor adventures.
Handwritten Letters
When was the last time you wrote someone a letter? Handwritten notes have given way to emails, texts, and DMs. They are absolutely onvenient, no doubt. But they’ve lost the special charm and personal touch of snail mail.
Some argue for keeping handwritten notes alive for special occasions or heartfelt moments, but they’re no longer part of everyday life.
Bobbing for Apples
It’s the game where you dunk your face into a communal tub of water to grab an apple with your teeth. The game, which dates back to ancient Roman and Celtic harvest festivals and became a staple of American Halloween parties, is now rarely seen.
Hygiene concerns and allergies have stopped this tradition almost entirely. Apples may carry bacteria, and the communal water can become contaminated with pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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Normally, I’d question the secret fees that are hidden in my bank’s international money transfer services. While banks sometimes advertise low transfer fees, they usually do not mention the substantial exchange rate margins that quietly siphon money out of your funds. It shouldn’t be expensive to send money overseas.
I’ve discovered seven practical strategies anyone can use to save on international money transfers. Whether you’re sending a hundred dollars to a family member or paying for a service in a foreign country, these tactics will help you hold onto more of your hard-earned cash.
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Sometimes preparing meals and just dealing with food can feel like a bore and a chore – or just plain frustrating! We’ve got the best food hacks to pass down to you to get you in and out of the kitchen fast. Not more drudgery, and dare we say it, some of these hacks are kind of fun. Save money, too. Win-win!
Do you have a kitchen hack we should know about?
