1996 McMemories Merry McNugget Christmas Collection

For those of us who came of age in the 80s and 90s, McDonald's nostalgia often leads us straight to their Halloween offerings - those iconic costumed McNuggets, plastic pails and bags, and special coupons that became the stuff of legend. These seasonal promotions didn't just market to a generation; they helped define our childhood memories.

But while Halloween at McDonald's holds a special place in our collective consciousness, there's another holiday promotion that might have slipped past your childhood radar. Not because it wasn't remarkable, but because it wasn't exactly Happy Meal material. In 1996, McDonald's unveiled what could be considered their crowning achievement in holiday collectibles: the  McMemories Merry McNugget Christmas collection. Unlike their plastic counterparts, these porcelain Christmas McNuggets were substantial pieces - highly detailed sophisticated decorations that required mail-order purchase and adult supervision. These weren't kids' meal toys; they were weighty, premium collectibles that could genuinely test the strength of your Christmas trees branches.

The collection is a testament to McDonald's creative ambition, comprising (I believe) 24 ornaments initially released in sets of four, followed by a single special 1997 release of 9 display pieces. Each porcelain McNugget tells its own holiday story - from bundled-up ice skaters and busy elves to determined hockey players and adventurous sled riders. The crown jewel of the collection might be the 1997 display set, featuring Santa himself with his full complement of eight reindeer, all reimagined as festive McNuggets. As a collector, I've managed to track down most of these cherished pieces, though eight still elude me at reasonable prices. In the photos, you will find a group picture of what I believe is the completed set of 24 ornaments. 

Adding to their collectible appeal, each set came with thoughtful packaging that elevated them above typical fast-food merchandise. Every piece was authenticated with a hand-penned certificate, and in a delightfully meta touch, McDonald's packaged each set of four ornaments in their own specially designed McNugget box. It's this attention to detail that transforms these pieces from mere decorations into coveted collectors' items.

These Merry McNuggets represent more than just holiday decorations - they're a perfect slice in time, when McDonald's wasn't afraid to dream big and transform their most iconic menu items into something truly special. I hope these images of Merry McNuggets satisfied your Yuletide hunger and rekindled a bit of that special holiday spirit. Thanks for reading!

RARE HALLOWEEN MCNUGGET BUDDIES!

McDonald's and Halloween - a pairing as iconic as Big Macs and post-meal regret. We've all gushed over their festive pails - the Holy Grail of trick-or-treat receptacles, praised their spooky bags as if they're couture fashion, and analyzed their costumed McNuggets with the fervor of art critics dissecting a Renaissance masterpiece. It’s safe to say each of those Halloween offerings from the golden arches has its own metaphorical plaque in the fast-food hall of fame. Yet, there is one set that remains mostly unheard of.

Just when you thought you'd seen every McNugget, from Count McNugula to Ronald McDonald's long-lost goth cousin, there's a set that's been lurking in the shadows since 1998. While the rest of the world was doing the Macarena, Australia was busy hoarding a secret treasure - the elusive McNugget Ghouls! These guys are so rare, most people have a better chance of spotting Jaws in their bathtub than owning the four specimens in this lineup.

The fearsome foursome includes McGhost (the shy type who's always transparent about his feelings), McFrankie (assembled from leftover parts of other menu items), McWolf (who howls at the golden arches instead of the moon), and McDrac (who sucks the flavor out of your fries instead of your blood). The names may not be as clever as their US counterparts, but what they lack in birth names, they make up for with their ominous, spooky glowing skin. It's like they've been marinated in nuclear waste - a real testament to McDonald's commitment to "all-natural" ingredients.

While we did get a ghost, Frankenstein, and a Dracula variant here in the States, these Aussie aberrations are completely different sculpts. Then there's the addition of McWolf, a red/orange-haired lupine McNugget who absolutely needed to be carrying two dog bones to get the point of his costume across.

It feels good to have finally completed the Halloween McNugget sets - a quest that's been years in the making and has cost me way more than a few Big Mac meals. I've heard rumors of these legendary glow in the dark Halloween McNuggets for ages and only assumed them to be urban legends, like the mythical McPizza or the fabled always-working ice cream machine. But I finally took the plunge and snagged a few on eBay, proving that with enough determination, even the most elusive McNuggets can be caught.

LINGERING THOUGHTS

1. How does McDrac like his coffee? Weird question…. but De-coffin-ated.

2. How many Happy Meals could I have bought instead of these toys? I plead the 5th.
   

3. Why doesn’t the ice cream machine ever work? I don’t know… I only go there for Halloween stuff.

Thanks for reading!