Consumer Time Capsule
@consumertc.bsky.social
Vintage McDonald's Super-Collector
80s & 90s Food/Drink Nostalgia
***All images posted are from my own archives***
80s & 90s Food/Drink Nostalgia
***All images posted are from my own archives***
People always tell me that Ronald McDonald is creepy, but honestly, I don’t really see it. (“Light Stick,” 1998)
January 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
People always tell me that Ronald McDonald is creepy, but honestly, I don’t really see it. (“Light Stick,” 1998)
In 1983, McDonald's offered a popular set of Camp Snoopy souvenir glasses. Here's a crew mesh trucker cap from the promotion that I haven't come across before.
January 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In 1983, McDonald's offered a popular set of Camp Snoopy souvenir glasses. Here's a crew mesh trucker cap from the promotion that I haven't come across before.
Between Speedee and Ronald, Archy McDonald was the McDonald’s mascot. The run was extremely brief, but it was long enough for them to release this Archy bead game… one of the first toys ever at McDonald’s! (1964)
January 1, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Between Speedee and Ronald, Archy McDonald was the McDonald’s mascot. The run was extremely brief, but it was long enough for them to release this Archy bead game… one of the first toys ever at McDonald’s! (1964)
Today, I'm reflecting back on my best/most important year as a collector. In 2025, I went on SIX large-scale McDonald's buying trips. Here are all of the results. March (Captain Crook Sea Bag, first test Happy Meal Box, Tiffany-style light fixture, Muppet Kids Display):
December 31, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Today, I'm reflecting back on my best/most important year as a collector. In 2025, I went on SIX large-scale McDonald's buying trips. Here are all of the results. March (Captain Crook Sea Bag, first test Happy Meal Box, Tiffany-style light fixture, Muppet Kids Display):
Bugs Bunny and the gang had no shortage of McDonald’s promos, but the Super Looney Tunes Happy Meal toy set might have been the best. Each toy came with its own snap-on superhero costume! (1991)
December 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Bugs Bunny and the gang had no shortage of McDonald’s promos, but the Super Looney Tunes Happy Meal toy set might have been the best. Each toy came with its own snap-on superhero costume! (1991)
The Mac Tonight Baby Baby Grand Player Piano: For the tiny pianist in your life. (1988)
December 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The Mac Tonight Baby Baby Grand Player Piano: For the tiny pianist in your life. (1988)
Reposted by Consumer Time Capsule
So cool. Always wanted to see one of these. I think its from a short-lived 1975 deal where if you bought a regular McChicken meal you could get a one piece, fries, and cookies for your kid as a McChicken Little Dinner.
December 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
So cool. Always wanted to see one of these. I think its from a short-lived 1975 deal where if you bought a regular McChicken meal you could get a one piece, fries, and cookies for your kid as a McChicken Little Dinner.
Here’s an extremely rare piece of McDonald’s packaging I recently obtained but know virtually nothing about. My hunch is that it’s an early 70s piece, towards the tail send of McDonald’s referring to their bone-in chicken as “McChicken.”
December 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Here’s an extremely rare piece of McDonald’s packaging I recently obtained but know virtually nothing about. My hunch is that it’s an early 70s piece, towards the tail send of McDonald’s referring to their bone-in chicken as “McChicken.”
Passing by a scrap yard in Austin, my wife said she saw a Hamburglar Cop. Well, she could use some work on the character names, but it turned out they had both an Officer Big Mac Cell and a Carousel! Cool to see these in the wild!
December 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Passing by a scrap yard in Austin, my wife said she saw a Hamburglar Cop. Well, she could use some work on the character names, but it turned out they had both an Officer Big Mac Cell and a Carousel! Cool to see these in the wild!
In 1989, some McDonald's locations ran a Garfield sweepstakes with the prize of a jumbo Garfield plush doll. I actually have an unused entry form drop box in my collection from a store that decided not to bother to do the contest.
December 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
In 1989, some McDonald's locations ran a Garfield sweepstakes with the prize of a jumbo Garfield plush doll. I actually have an unused entry form drop box in my collection from a store that decided not to bother to do the contest.
A very Merry Christmas when a light-up Spuds Mackenzie from 1987 is waiting for you under the tree!
December 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A very Merry Christmas when a light-up Spuds Mackenzie from 1987 is waiting for you under the tree!
McDonald's has run dozens of holiday promotions, but I'm not sure any felt more Christmassy than Thing from the Addams Family guiding a sleighful of heavily discounted vhs tapes during 1992's Holiday Film Fest
December 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
McDonald's has run dozens of holiday promotions, but I'm not sure any felt more Christmassy than Thing from the Addams Family guiding a sleighful of heavily discounted vhs tapes during 1992's Holiday Film Fest
One of McDonald’s first attempts at a kids meal was the “Mayor McCheese Bag,” a cheeseburger, fries and Cookies (at regular menu prices), served in a special bag. This is a countertop sign from the promotion… the only survivor I’ve ever seen outside of the McD’s archives. (1975)
December 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
One of McDonald’s first attempts at a kids meal was the “Mayor McCheese Bag,” a cheeseburger, fries and Cookies (at regular menu prices), served in a special bag. This is a countertop sign from the promotion… the only survivor I’ve ever seen outside of the McD’s archives. (1975)
Reposted by Consumer Time Capsule
Results of my final buying trip of 2025! A park regulations sign, Cookie dispenser, Grimace plaque, breakfast menu, TWO character windowpanes, Big Mac purse, translite signs, toys, a carousel Fry Guy plus much more. The perfect ending to a banner year for my McDonald's collection!
December 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Results of my final buying trip of 2025! A park regulations sign, Cookie dispenser, Grimace plaque, breakfast menu, TWO character windowpanes, Big Mac purse, translite signs, toys, a carousel Fry Guy plus much more. The perfect ending to a banner year for my McDonald's collection!
Results of my final buying trip of 2025! A park regulations sign, Cookie dispenser, Grimace plaque, breakfast menu, TWO character windowpanes, Big Mac purse, translite signs, toys, a carousel Fry Guy plus much more. The perfect ending to a banner year for my McDonald's collection!
December 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Results of my final buying trip of 2025! A park regulations sign, Cookie dispenser, Grimace plaque, breakfast menu, TWO character windowpanes, Big Mac purse, translite signs, toys, a carousel Fry Guy plus much more. The perfect ending to a banner year for my McDonald's collection!
Amazing to see one of these late 70s McDonald’s light fixtures in person (and still operational!!!). Wasn’t able to convince the owner to part with it quite yet, but hopefully one day….
December 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Amazing to see one of these late 70s McDonald’s light fixtures in person (and still operational!!!). Wasn’t able to convince the owner to part with it quite yet, but hopefully one day….
Check out this McDonald’s stained glass booth partition from the early 80s. Is the Hamburglar plotting a Mayor McCheese kidnapping… presumably to eat his face? Why is the Apple Pie Tree unfazed by the imminent danger? So many unanswered questions.
December 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Check out this McDonald’s stained glass booth partition from the early 80s. Is the Hamburglar plotting a Mayor McCheese kidnapping… presumably to eat his face? Why is the Apple Pie Tree unfazed by the imminent danger? So many unanswered questions.
At least now I can use the carpool lane…
December 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
At least now I can use the carpool lane…
Next time somebody asks me “why keep traveling so much when you already have everything,” I’ll refer them to this photo of a weirdly psychedelic little kids Ronald sweater that I just found for the first time last night.
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Next time somebody asks me “why keep traveling so much when you already have everything,” I’ll refer them to this photo of a weirdly psychedelic little kids Ronald sweater that I just found for the first time last night.
Look who’s back at the McDonald’s corporate archives!
December 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Look who’s back at the McDonald’s corporate archives!
The Arch Deluxe launch was one of the biggest promotional efforts in McDonald’s history. Early on, they hosted an event at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago and thankfully, someone had the presence of mind to save this commemorative DELUXE LINE WINE BOTTLE! (1996)
December 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The Arch Deluxe launch was one of the biggest promotional efforts in McDonald’s history. Early on, they hosted an event at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago and thankfully, someone had the presence of mind to save this commemorative DELUXE LINE WINE BOTTLE! (1996)
Here’s the short-lived first design of the infamous McDLT (this version uses two stickers instead of a printed design.) But, it still keeps the hot part hot and the cool part cool. (1985)
December 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Here’s the short-lived first design of the infamous McDLT (this version uses two stickers instead of a printed design.) But, it still keeps the hot part hot and the cool part cool. (1985)
There have been a lot of great product names over the years, but perhaps none have been as ridiculous as Snapple Elements DIET AIR! (1999)
December 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
There have been a lot of great product names over the years, but perhaps none have been as ridiculous as Snapple Elements DIET AIR! (1999)
As someone that grew up on Nick at Nite and other sitcom reruns, this 1988 McDonald's trayliner stands as one of my all-time favorites
December 13, 2025 at 2:33 PM
As someone that grew up on Nick at Nite and other sitcom reruns, this 1988 McDonald's trayliner stands as one of my all-time favorites
Hardee's offered a Home Alone 2 "Funmeal Pack" in the winter of 1992. Each meal came with a sticker sheet and scene from the movie, but the best part was this box, featuring Duncan's Toy Chest and the Plaza Hotel.
December 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Hardee's offered a Home Alone 2 "Funmeal Pack" in the winter of 1992. Each meal came with a sticker sheet and scene from the movie, but the best part was this box, featuring Duncan's Toy Chest and the Plaza Hotel.