McDonald’s is a global brand known for its iconic fast food, but it has also built a unique and sometimes quirky collection of merchandise over the years. From limited-edition toys to unexpected collaborations, McDonald’s has ventured into the world of merchandise in a way that surprises and delights fans worldwide. While the brand’s merchandise may typically evoke images of plush toys and branded apparel, some of its products stand out for their unusual, bizarre, and even jaw-dropping creativity. Here are some of the most unusual McDonald’s-themed merchandise ever created.
1. McDonald’s-Themed Clothing Line
McDonald’s has partnered with several fashion brands over the years to create exclusive clothing lines. Some of the pieces from these collaborations have been downright unusual, including a collection by streetwear brand Kith. The 2019 Kith x McDonald’s collection featured hoodies, t-shirts, and jackets adorned with the restaurant’s iconic Golden Arches logo, but it didn’t stop there. One of the more bizarre items was the “Big Mac” slippers, designed to look like the sandwich itself. These fuzzy slippers, shaped like McDonald’s signature burger, turned heads when they were released. They weren’t just quirky, they were an entire fashion statement, blending comfort and fast food in a way no one had ever seen before.
2. McDonald’s Fryer and Cooking Kit
In 2012, McDonald’s launched a product that allowed people to bring the fast-food experience into their own homes. The McDonald’s Fryer and Cooking Kit was a limited-edition set that included everything you needed to cook up McDonald’s-style fries in your own kitchen. The kit included an industrial-style fryer, along with the exact oil that McDonald’s uses in their restaurants. While the idea of recreating the fast-food experience at home wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary, the fact that McDonald’s made their restaurant-grade equipment available to the public was unusual. The kit quickly sold out, making it one of the most unusual items McDonald’s has ever produced.
3. McDonald’s Happy Meal Box Purse
One of the most unusual examples of McDonald’s-themed merchandise was the creation of the Happy Meal Box purse. In 2021, McDonald’s partnered with Moschino, a luxury Italian fashion house, to release a high-end collection of McDonald’s-themed items. One of the standout pieces from this collection was the Happy Meal Box purse. The designer handbag was crafted to look like a miniature version of a McDonald’s Happy Meal box, complete with the iconic branding and bright red and yellow color scheme. While the idea of a high-fashion purse shaped like a fast-food container might seem outlandish, it quickly became a collector’s item and symbol of the unlikely intersection between luxury fashion and fast food.
4. McDonald’s Big Mac Flavored Lip Balm
In 2018, McDonald’s unveiled a limited-edition Big Mac-flavored lip balm. This product was the epitome of unusual and unexpected. While the idea of a flavored lip balm isn’t strange in itself, the fact that McDonald’s chose to release a lip balm that tasted like their famous Big Mac sandwich was a head-scratcher. The product, packaged in a small, Big Mac-themed container, came with the tagline “The taste of Big Mac, anywhere.” It was an unusual step for McDonald’s to dip into the world of beauty products, but the lip balm sold out quickly, leaving many to wonder if this was a one-off novelty or the beginning of a strange new product line.
5. McDonald’s Cereal (McFlurry Cereal)
In 2021, McDonald’s released an unlikely product that had fans scratching their heads: McFlurry cereal. Inspired by the popular McFlurry dessert, the cereal was designed to mimic the flavors and textures of the McFlurry in crunchy, breakfast form. The cereal was made with crunchy clusters and pieces meant to resemble McFlurry ingredients, such as chocolate or candy, that would typically be mixed into the ice cream treat. This unusual product was created as a limited-time partnership with the cereal brand Post Consumer Brands, and although it wasn’t exactly groundbreaking, the idea of turning McFlurry flavors into a cereal was certainly an unexpected twist on a fast food favorite.
6. McDonald’s “Reindeer” Plush Toys
Every year, McDonald’s introduces special edition Happy Meal toys to celebrate various holidays, but in 2017, they took things to another level with the introduction of Reindeer McFlurry plush toys. These stuffed animals were part of a McFlurry-themed collection that was only available in select locations during the holiday season. The odd part? These plush toys weren’t just regular reindeer – they had a McFlurry twist. The reindeer wore McDonald’s uniform, and their bodies were designed to look like different McFlurry flavors. The collectible was both bizarre and charming, making it one of McDonald’s most unusual toys.
7. McDonald’s “Shamrock Shake” Lip Gloss
Around St. Patrick’s Day, McDonald’s celebrates the return of its famous Shamrock Shake, a minty dessert loved by many. In 2015, McDonald’s went even further with the release of a Shamrock Shake lip gloss. The lip gloss was mint-flavored and came in a small tube designed to look like a miniature Shamrock Shake cup. This unusual product was part of McDonald’s limited-edition St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and proved that the brand wasn’t afraid to branch out into unexpected product lines, including beauty and personal care.
8. McDonald’s Ice Cream Cone Shoes
In 2018, McDonald’s took the idea of food-inspired footwear to the extreme with the release of McDonald’s Ice Cream Cone Shoes. These shoes were designed to look like the iconic McDonald’s ice cream cone, with a soft-serve swirl on top. The shoes were created as part of a collaboration with the fashion brand Adidas, and they quickly gained attention for their outlandish and playful design. Although they weren’t widely available, the shoes became a sought-after collector’s item, and people marveled at the creativity and boldness behind turning a simple fast-food dessert into a statement piece of fashion.
9. McDonald’s Fries Scented Candle
McDonald’s has a reputation for having some of the best fries in the world, so it’s no surprise they created a fries-scented candle in 2020. The candle was designed to capture the iconic smell of McDonald’s fresh, crispy fries and fill your home with that unmistakable aroma. The unusual part wasn’t just the novelty of having the smell of fast food wafting through your living room, but the fact that McDonald’s was able to recreate that specific scent so perfectly. It wasn’t just about selling a product – it was about selling an experience. The fries-scented candle was sold through a limited-time promotion and quickly became a collector’s item for fans of the brand.
10. McDonald’s “McGold Card”
The McGold Card is an item that stands out in the realm of McDonald’s merchandise for its exclusivity. This card, often rumored to be a golden ticket to free food for life, is given to a select few who have strong ties with the brand, such as celebrities or high-profile figures. While it’s not available for purchase, its mere existence as a legendary, ultra-rare item makes it one of the most unusual and sought-after pieces of McDonald’s memorabilia. Over the years, some individuals have received their McGold Cards as part of special promotions or collaborations, adding to the mystique and intrigue of this rare McDonald’s item.
Conclusion
McDonald’s merchandise has certainly evolved over the years, moving from basic promotional items to truly unconventional and creative pieces. From high-fashion items like the Happy Meal Box purse to the bizarrely delightful McFlurry cereal, McDonald’s has shown a flair for making its brand stand out in the world of consumer products. Whether it’s a fries-scented candle or a Big Mac lip balm, McDonald’s has proven that there’s no limit to what they can turn into an unforgettable, and often quirky, product. These unusual items not only make great collector’s pieces but also serve as a testament to McDonald’s ability to think outside the bun.
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