You know you're over 70 if you still have these 8 things in your kitchen

Kitchens tell stories.

From the gadgets on the counter to the dishes tucked away in cupboards, every item holds memories of meals cooked, families raised, and decades of life lived.

And while trends come and go, some kitchen staples never seem to leave—especially if you’re part of the over-70 crowd.

These aren’t just tools or décor pieces; they’re time capsules.

If you spot these eight things in someone’s kitchen, chances are they’ve celebrated more than a few milestone birthdays.

1. A well-worn percolator

Before sleek Keurigs and fancy espresso machines, there was the percolator.

That bubbling, gurgling sound was the soundtrack to countless mornings.

For decades, it was the only way many households brewed coffee.

If you still have one sitting on your counter—or tucked away in a cabinet—you’ve been making coffee the classic way.

You probably even know how to judge the strength of the brew by sound alone.

Today’s single-serve pods might be convenient, but they don’t come with the same nostalgia.

A percolator isn’t just an appliance—it’s a family heirloom in disguise.

And you know you’re over 70 if you can’t imagine tossing it out.

2. Mismatched Tupperware with missing lids

Every kitchen has storage containers, but older kitchens? They have the Tupperware drawer.

You know the one: lids that don’t fit anything, containers stained from decades of spaghetti sauce, and pieces passed down from when Tupperware parties were the social event of the season.

Back in the day, Tupperware wasn’t just practical—it was a status symbol.

People actually dressed up to sell and buy it in living rooms.

Over time, the sets got mixed, matched, and lost.

Now, finding a lid that fits feels like winning the lottery.

Gen Z may have their trendy glass storage, but nothing says “over 70” like that chaotic, beloved drawer.

3. A ceramic cookie jar shaped like an animal

These days, cookies come in resealable bags.

But in kitchens of a certain era, cookies had their own home—usually in the form of a ceramic jar shaped like a bear, pig, or even a clown (slightly creepy, always iconic).

For kids, that jar was pure magic.

You’d tiptoe into the kitchen, carefully lifting the lid to avoid the telltale “clink.”

For adults, it was a staple piece of countertop décor.

If you’ve still got one proudly displayed, it’s a sure sign you’ve been around long enough to remember when cookies weren’t just snacks—they were an event.

And yes, it probably still holds a few stale Oreos or homemade treats “for the grandkids.”

4. A rotary or wall-mounted landline phone

Sure, everyone has cell phones now—but if there’s a phone permanently mounted to the kitchen wall, you’re probably over 70.

Bonus points if it still has a long, curly cord that tangles no matter what you do.

Back in the day, the kitchen phone was the hub of the household.

It’s where you took calls from friends, family, and the occasional telemarketer.

Teens spent hours gossiping there, twirling the cord while pacing in circles.

Now, it mostly serves as a relic—still functional, but rarely used.

For many boomers, though, it’s staying put.

Because nothing says “home” like that familiar ring echoing through the house.

5. A hand-cranked can opener

Electric can openers are everywhere now, but plenty of over-70 kitchens still rely on the trusty manual version.

The kind that takes some elbow grease and a steady hand to work properly.

These openers have survived decades of soups, canned veggies, and tuna lunches.

They’re simple, sturdy, and basically indestructible.

You don’t replace them—you just keep using them forever.

Younger generations might wonder why you haven’t “upgraded.”

But to you, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?

That hand-cranked opener has earned its permanent spot in the silverware drawer.

6. A full set of decorative holiday dish towels

For people over 70, dish towels aren’t just practical—they’re seasonal décor.

There’s a set for Christmas, another for Easter, maybe even one for St. Patrick’s Day.

They might be slightly faded, but they still come out like clockwork every year.

Some were gifts, others bought decades ago, and a few have probably never actually dried a single dish.

For younger folks, this might seem like overkill.

But for boomers, it’s tradition.

The holiday dish towels are as much a part of the season as the food itself.

And no holiday meal feels complete without them hanging proudly on the oven handle.

7. A drawer full of takeout menus and coupons

Food delivery apps have replaced takeout menus for younger generations.

But if you’re over 70, you probably still have a drawer stuffed full of paper menus and coupons clipped from the Sunday paper.

It’s the original DoorDash—just without the phone notifications.

Every local pizza place, Chinese restaurant, and sandwich shop has a place in that drawer.

Even if half the menus are outdated, you can’t bring yourself to throw them away.

It’s a ritual: pick a menu, place a call, and hand over exact change when the food arrives.

No apps, no swiping—just old-school takeout magic.

8. A box of recipe cards written by hand

Today’s home cooks Google recipes or save them on Pinterest.

But if you’re over 70, you probably have a well-loved box of handwritten recipe cards.

Each one tells a story—family favorites, neighborly hand-me-downs, recipes clipped from magazines and carefully copied by hand.

The cards are smudged with butter stains and little notes in the margins like “use less salt” or “Grandma’s favorite.”

They’ve survived decades of family dinners and holiday feasts.

To younger people, they might seem outdated.

But to you, they’re priceless heirlooms.

Because those recipes aren’t just instructions—they’re memories in ink and flour.

Closing reflection: a kitchen full of stories

A kitchen is more than a place to cook—it’s a museum of everyday life.

For those over 70, these items aren’t just old—they’re sentimental.

They represent decades of traditions, habits, and love served up one meal at a time.

Gen Z may never understand why you still keep that old percolator or those faded holiday towels.

But you do.

And in the end, those little relics make a kitchen feel like home.