MCDONALD'S has finally announced the date of the eagerly awaited Happy Meal addition Squishmallows.
As a Christmas treat, the fast-food chain will introduce its Squishmallows Happy Meal on December 26 at participating locations.
The popular plush toys that are known for being soft and squishy come in countless characters, ranging from food items to animals and cartoon characters.
The toys have become so popular on social media that McDonald's has decided to partner with the company to create mini versions of them.
It follows the chain's Halloween-themed Squishmallows in October 2023, and its autumn-themed release.
Customers will finally be able to collect up to 12 Squishmallow characters when they purchase a Happy Meal.
read more on McDonald's
As well as this welcome news, McDonald's and Squishmallow fans will be able to collect a mystery character alongside Squishmallow stars like Cam and Fifi.
"We're all about connecting our fans to culture and Squishmallows are some of the hottest toys out there right now," said Tariq Hassan, McDonald's USA Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer in a press release.
"This collaboration welcomes McDonald's and Squishmallow fans alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience with the first McDonald's Squishmallows Squad."
The collaboration will also embrace technology and music with QR codes that are unique to each squad character.
Most read in Money
Each code will take users to a personalized Spotify playlist made for each Squish to reflect their character.
"For even more fun, each character comes with a unique playlist, courtesy of Universal Music Group – a first for Happy Meal toys!" the press release stated.
"Families can scan the QR code on the Happy Meal box to access each Squish's playlist, which have been carefully curated based off their unique and fun personalities."
The press release noted that the special Happy Meals will only be available at "participating restaurants nationwide" and only "for a limited time while supplies last."
Fans have taken to social media to share their excitement and concern following the news.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: "@McDonalds I swear to the lort I'd you do not have the squishmallows in the happy meals in soldotna or kenai alaska I'm gonna cry!
"Those cuties are mine and my 2yo grandson's fav thing to buy when he comes to visit me! Please don't exclude us! (sic)"
It seems that the fast-food chain has answered the prayers of fans with one posting in November: "@McDonalds collab with @squishmallows i want grimace squishmallow really bad."
Other fans shared their joy at the previous Squishmallow releases at McDonald's and showed how the toys are an effective sales technique.
"We don't really go to McDonalds all that much. But they have squishmallows as the toys right now & one of them is a dragon!" one user said.
"So now we need to go to McDonalds regularly & check if they have her! I need a tiny squishy Tatiana Dragon!"
"The Squishmallows Happy Meal has taken the world by storm," said Gerhard Runken, Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing at Jazwares.
Read More on The US Sun
"We are excited to bring the program to our millions of fans in the U.S. with fun new ways to collect and connect with the Squishmallows brand."
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57zKilnrFfboZyfpduZ2ilk5m8r63LnapmnaiWsLV5w5qrnmWjpsKqv8emmKWkn6zAbrTAqaeyZZ2arq15wK%2BYoqSRl7mmecCmnKuhk5Z8