Latest news with #Squishmallows
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals with 15 to collect including Halley, a never-before-seen Intergalactic Axolotl (not yet available in retail) and other fan favourites. Each has its own backstory and personality. Available in all restaurants nationwide from Wednesday, July 2, each Happy Meal will come with a Squishmallows plush toy or a Little People, Big Dreams Book. Patty and Cam, two fan-favourite Squishmallows, will be making special appearances at select restaurants nationwide, where families can join in with interactive activities and collect Squishmallows trading cards. Find your nearest participating restaurant here. For those families who'd prefer a story, the Happy Meal book option running alongside, features two titles from the Little People, Big Dreams series: I Can Sprint to Success, Usain Bolt and I Can Plan an Adventure to Space, Katherine Johnson. Available for around £4.19, a Happy Meal contains a choice of Fish Fingers, Chicken McNuggets or Veggie Dippers with a Melon bag side, plus drink options including water, milk, or a Robinsons Fruit Shoot.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
McDonald's is bringing back fan-favourite Happy Meal with an ultra rare toy
There's something about a McDonald's Happy Meal that turns us all into big kids, no matter our actual age. It's probably something to do with the nostalgia of collecting toys in the 90s and the exciting collabs that keep on launching – like Pokémon and Minecraft. And the latest Happy Meal announcement will undoubtedly be no exception, as the fast food chain has just revealed that a fan-favourite is returning. After two years, Squishmallows are back in the iconic red boxes from July 2, with 15 cute little plushies to collect from the fast food chain. And there's an ultra rare one customers will be hunting for that's not available in any other stores yet. The rarest one you can get is Halley, a never-before-seen Intergalactic Axolotl that's exclusively available in McDonald's meals. Other toys available include a pickle named Charles, a cactus known as Maritza, a cat called Cam, Babs the penguin and Junie the banana. Each Squishmallow toy has its own backstory and 'personality' according to the brand and they have proved incredibly popular in McDonald's branches around the world. The new Squishmallows, including Halley, launched in the US in May, and customers went wild over the toys. They've also recently been available in New Zealand and Australia where they caused a stir too. 'I need them all,' proclaimed @ on Instagram, as @_mysticmack_ said: 'They're so cute!!' Similarly, @ninamarie788 admitted: 'Just left my full-blown adult job to get a Happy Meal.' And @imgianning commented: 'I won't stop until I get them all.' Others branded the Squishmallows the 'best' Happy Meal toys McDonald's have ever had, while some thought they were 'the best toys in a long time'. Little ones will also have the exciting opportunity to meet their favourite Squishmallow characters as two of the most popular, Cam and Patty, will be making special appearances in McDnald's restaurants. During these visits, families can enjoy interactive activieis and collect trading cards. More information can be found at For those who don't want to collect the toys, there's always the option to order a Happy Meal with a book instead. The current book included will be Little People, Big Dreams. And if this weren't exciting enough, this week also sees a brand new item added to the McDonald's menu in the UK. For the first time in 50 years, Maccies is adding a Double Filet-O-Fish to the menu for fans of the quirky burger. More Trending The new product, which will cost £5.29 individually, or £7.39 as part of an Everyday Value Meal, features two Pollock fish patties in crispy breadcrumbs, melted cheese and tartare sauce in a steamed bun. To celebrate the launch, you'll be able to get your hands on the new item for just £2 all day on July 1, when you order via the McDonald's App – which is less than half price. And that's not all, a vintage character is coming out of retirement to celebrate the new burger. Phil A. O'Fish has returned to settle the debate of how to pronounce the product name correctly. View More » So if you've ever wondered if it's Fil-LAY or Fil-LET, there's now an official answer… And we're sorry to say that if you've been saying Fil-LET, you've been getting it wrong, as it's actually Fil-LAY. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Fast food chain finally brings 'phenomenal' US menu item to the UK MORE: The surprising drink nutritionist recommends for speedy festival recovery MORE: This is what a millionaire really buys from the supermarket Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Squishmallows are returning to McDonald's Happy Meals with 15 to collect including Halley, a never-before-seen Intergalactic Axolotl (not yet available in retail) and other fan favourites. Each has its own backstory and personality. Available in all restaurants nationwide from Wednesday, July 2, each Happy Meal will come with a Squishmallows plush toy or a Little People, Big Dreams Book. Patty and Cam, two fan-favourite Squishmallows, will be making special appearances at select restaurants nationwide, where families can join in with interactive activities and collect Squishmallows trading cards. Find your nearest participating restaurant here. For those families who'd prefer a story, the Happy Meal book option running alongside, features two titles from the Little People, Big Dreams series: I Can Sprint to Success, Usain Bolt and I Can Plan an Adventure to Space, Katherine Johnson. Available for around £4.19, a Happy Meal contains a choice of Fish Fingers, Chicken McNuggets or Veggie Dippers with a Melon bag side, plus drink options including water, milk, or a Robinsons Fruit Shoot.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: The new status symbol: Whatever's trending
I still remember clutching a Beanie Baby in each hand at the age of five, begging my parents to buy me just one more. Today, it's Labubus , Jellycats , Squishmallows , Sonny Angels, and Smiskis — but the feeling is still the same: the bragging rights that come with every new addition, the pride of the collection, the inevitable fade into forgotten shelves and boxes. In a culture driven by convenience, aesthetics, and social media hype, these products have become disposable status symbols and momentary proof that you're in the know. But this isn't unique to blind boxes or collectible toys. From fashion to the shift from Hydroflasks to Stanleys to Owala bottles, viral trends keep pushing new must-haves that become the new indicator of an individual's social status, only to be quickly replaced. While these trends may seem harmless at first glance, they reflect a deeper pattern of how consumerism and social media interact: Identity and belonging are increasingly tied to what we buy. Labubus are just the latest example of how trendy products are turning into pop culture flexes. In 2024, Pop Mart , the creators of the viral plush toy, reported that it generated $1.8 billion in revenue, a sevenfold jump since 2019, thanks to Labubu sales . That growth is powered by hype, scarcity marketing, and a desire to collect what others want before it sells out. In fact, NBC reported, long lines have formed outside Pop Mart stores for a chance at rare Labubu drops. Many of these toys are sold in blind boxes, meaning buyers don't know which character they're getting, fueling a resale market where these limited toys can go for hundreds of dollars. The excitement around attaining Labubus, or any trendy product, often spreads on social media platforms. For example, TikTok, with 1.8 million #Labubu posts and counting, platforms haul videos, unboxings, and collection displays posted by influencers that gain millions of views. Influencers play a key role in turning consumer products into status symbols. Dr. Jess Rauchberg explained to Town & Country , 'Let's say a parent influencer or a kid influencer even has all these Labubus, or they have all these Jellycats and you do not have them, but you see them as a reflection of a reality you want to participate in, then you want to consume those items, too, because then you feel like you're part of something — and that you're able to obtain a symbol of status that may be much more more accessible than getting the latest Louis Vuitton cherry blossom bag .' When everyone is chasing the next trend, it can start to feel like falling behind on these trendy items means falling out of place. For teens, especially, whose identities are still forming, these products can offer a quick sense of belonging, but that is short-lived. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, marketing feeds off this perception by emphasizing status and identity, often leading people to buy fad trends for social signaling rather than need or even genuine want. This is intensified through social media and peer influence by creating the illusion of belonging through consumption, and that trendy items automatically equal high social status. However, this illusion doesn't always match reality. We often believe these items will raise our status more than they actually do, especially in the eyes of others. That gap between perception and reality is where consumerism quietly takes hold. This is not to say you should feel guilty about owning a Labubu or Squishmallow, or that you shouldn't think they're cute. In fact, I have a Smiski hipper on my phone right now. Rather, this is about how convenience and aesthetics shape what we buy, and how fast social media turns those things into what determines our identity. It's okay to buy things that bring you joy, but first, examine your relationship with convenience culture and consumerism. The next time an Instagram reel tells you what you need, pause and ask: Is this me, or just the algorithm talking? Related
Indianapolis Star
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Squishmallows unveils 'SquishPillow': How to get the 'ultra-cozy' pillows
You won't have to sleep with your Squishmallow much longer because the SquishPillow is here. Jazwares, the toy company behind the Squishmallows brand, is "making dreams come true" with the release of SquishPillow, a new line of "ultra-cozy" pillows designed specifically for sleep, now available for purchase. The product, according to Jazwares, combines the "Squishmallows' proprietary super-soft fill with a dreamy, ultra-soft pillowcase made from the brand's signature velvety material." Laura Zebersky, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Jazwares, said in a statement that the company " "The SquishPillow is the ultimate blend of comfort, functionality, and squishiness — perfect for at home or on the go, and we're thrilled to launch this exciting new extension to the Squishmallows brand just in time for back-to-school and cozy nights in," Zebersky said. "At Jazwares, we're always listening to our fans, and when we learned so many were already using their Squishmallows as pillows, we knew we had to dream up and disrupt the home goods category by developing a branded pillow unlike any other,' said Laura Zebersky, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Jazwares. Here's what to know about SquishPillows, including how and where to get one. Shopping: Your ultimate 4th of July 2025 shopping guide: Epic sales, deals and where to shop now 🎆 SquishPillows, released June 22, can be found at Target stores nationwide and online at A pillowcase is included with every SquishPillow purchase. "Designed to provide personalized support while keeping things cozy all night long, the SquishPillow comes in standard ($29.99) and king-sized ($39.99, exclusive) options, with two distinct firmness levels: firm, available at launch, and medium, releasing this Fall," Jazwares said in a press release. Jazwares is also releasing six Squishmallows-themed pillowcase styles (sold separately, starting at $9.99), with additional styles launching later this year so consumers can "personalize their nap setup."
