Gen X memories: McDonald’s gift certificates

McDonald’s gift certificates ad, 1978

It’s 1978 and Christmas is approaching. That means lots of television ads for McDonald’s gift certificates!

As I recall, these came in denominations of 50 cents and 1 dollar. That was not a fortune even in 1978. (Stagflation, remember!) But in 1978, a single McDonald’s gift certificate of 50 cents or a dollar could at at least buy one menu item. Not like nowadays. 

These were advertised as stocking stuffers and X-mas card inserts, not proper gifts. Even in the 1970s, we weren’t quite that parsimonious. 

I don’t remember ever buying any of these, let alone receiving any. But McDonald’s really pushed them in television ads in November and December.

-ET