Pop-Tarts had been around in the US since the 1960s but were finally introduced to the UK, with great fanfare, in the 90s. The frosted pastries with chocolate and strawberry flavoured fillings proved popular. But no one seemed to realise that when you popped them in the toaster the centres became hotter than the sun. If you survived the Pop-Tarts craze unscathed, perhaps you were one of those who managed to give themselves a dayglo suntan from the inside out by overdosing on Sunny Delight.placeholder image
Pop-Tarts had been around in the US since the 1960s but were finally introduced to the UK, with great fanfare, in the 90s. The frosted pastries with chocolate and strawberry flavoured fillings proved popular. But no one seemed to realise that when you popped them in the toaster the centres became hotter than the sun. If you survived the Pop-Tarts craze unscathed, perhaps you were one of those who managed to give themselves a dayglo suntan from the inside out by overdosing on Sunny Delight. | Getty Images

9 mistakes you probably made if you lived through the 90s, from dance craze to breakfast hazard

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 20th Jul 2025, 07:00 BST

From the giddy highs of Britpop to a grieving nation mourning the loss of its People’s Princess, the 90s were a time of extreme emotions.

As a wave of 90s nostalgia sweeps the UK, many of us are only realising now just how good we had it a quarter of a century ago - yes, that’s right, it really was that long.

But if you remember the 90s, there are probably a few mistakes you made back then which you’d rather forget about.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There were some mistakes we almost all made at the time, from TV-inspired fashion faux pas to technological errors.

Do any of these bring back memories for you, and what is your biggest regret from the 90s? Let us know in the comments section.

Changing Rooms was home improvement on steroids, and the nation was hooked from the moment it first hit our screens in 1996. While some of the makeovers were truly impressive, it was the prospect of the beneficiaries having to hide their distaste, or in cases failing to hide it, that kept many of us watching. The contrast between Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's flamboyance and 'Handy' Andy Kane's down-to-earth practicality was part of the appeal, but not everyone shared Llewelyn-Bowen's inimitable sense of style. Still, by showing us what could be achieved in just 48 hours, with only £500, it did inspire many of us to try our hand at DIY, with mixed results.

5. Tried a Changing Rooms-style makeover

Changing Rooms was home improvement on steroids, and the nation was hooked from the moment it first hit our screens in 1996. While some of the makeovers were truly impressive, it was the prospect of the beneficiaries having to hide their distaste, or in cases failing to hide it, that kept many of us watching. The contrast between Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's flamboyance and 'Handy' Andy Kane's down-to-earth practicality was part of the appeal, but not everyone shared Llewelyn-Bowen's inimitable sense of style. Still, by showing us what could be achieved in just 48 hours, with only £500, it did inspire many of us to try our hand at DIY, with mixed results. | Getty Images Photo: Chris Jackson

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Before the days of Netflix and other streaming giants, if you wanted to watch the latest big movie at home that usually meant a trip to a Blockbuster Video store. But if you got there too late on a Friday night, you often find they were out of the film you wanted. Or even worse, you might get your VHS video home only to find that the person who had it before had forgotten to rewind it to the beginning.

6. Missing out on the hottest video

Before the days of Netflix and other streaming giants, if you wanted to watch the latest big movie at home that usually meant a trip to a Blockbuster Video store. But if you got there too late on a Friday night, you often find they were out of the film you wanted. Or even worse, you might get your VHS video home only to find that the person who had it before had forgotten to rewind it to the beginning. | National World Photo: Michelle Adamson

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The tiny virtual pets in their egg-shaped cases were huge during the 90s. But they turned out to be even needier, and much less cute, than the real thing. Most children were obsessed with feeding, cleaning up after and playing with their pet Tamagotchi for a few weeks before the appeal wore off. After that, they often forgot to feed the poor pets, who ended up famished and knee-deep in their own mess.

7. Starving your Tamagotchi

The tiny virtual pets in their egg-shaped cases were huge during the 90s. But they turned out to be even needier, and much less cute, than the real thing. Most children were obsessed with feeding, cleaning up after and playing with their pet Tamagotchi for a few weeks before the appeal wore off. After that, they often forgot to feed the poor pets, who ended up famished and knee-deep in their own mess. | Adobe Stock Photo: Ana Belen Garcia

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Recording a mixtape for a friend or lover was the ultimate declaration of commitment back in the 90s, given the time and effort that involved in the era of cassettes. Whether you were recording from one tape to another or recording off the radio, you had to have your finger hovering over the controls to make sure you started and finished the recording spot on. Mess up and you had to start all over again.

8. Messing up your mixtape

Recording a mixtape for a friend or lover was the ultimate declaration of commitment back in the 90s, given the time and effort that involved in the era of cassettes. Whether you were recording from one tape to another or recording off the radio, you had to have your finger hovering over the controls to make sure you started and finished the recording spot on. Mess up and you had to start all over again. | Oksana Churakova - stock.adobe Photo: Oksana Churakova - stock.adobe

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