1. Mini Comics with Gum
In the mid-20th century, certain chewing gum brands like Bazooka came wrapped with tiny comic strips, Mark Memmott from NPR explains. Each piece of gum had a colorful Bazooka Joe comic inside, featuring corny jokes and simple storylines. They were only a few inches wide but packed in a surprising amount of charm. Kids would collect and trade them like baseball cards.
These comics became a huge part of the brand’s identity. Some even featured fake “fortunes” or silly advice. In the age before smartphones, they were a quick, funny distraction. Though still around, they’re less prominent in today’s packaging.
2. Maps from Gas Stations
Before GPS, travelers relied on printed road maps, which gas stations gave out for free. Companies like Esso, Gulf, and Phillips 66 handed out foldable maps marked with their logos and often featuring scenic artwork. It was a clever way to encourage brand loyalty—drivers were more likely to return to stations that “helped them out.” Some stations even had attendants highlight the best route for you.
The maps often included tourism info and fun facts about regions, Phillip D. Phillips explains in a Research Gate article. For road trippers, they were an essential tool and a mini souvenir all in one. As GPS took over, the printed map largely disappeared. But vintage ones are still loved for their detailed charm.
3. Records with Magazines
In the 1960s and ’70s, magazines like National Geographic and Rolling Stone occasionally included free vinyl records tucked into their issues, according to Joel Selvin from SF GATE. These could be music samplers, interviews, or even quirky educational recordings. One notable example is National Geographic’s 1979 issue that included a “Sounds of Space” flexi-disc. It added an extra sensory layer to the reading experience.
These records were thin, flexible, and cheap to produce, making them ideal giveaways. They weren’t exactly high fidelity, but they were incredibly fun. Some even became collectors’ items over time. As cassette tapes and CDs took over, the tradition faded out.
4. Toys in Cereal Boxes
Who could forget the tiny toys or gadgets you had to dig for at the bottom of a cereal box? Starting in the 1950s and peaking in the ’80s and ’90s, cereal companies like Kellogg’s and General Mills added little plastic toys, mini puzzles, or even temporary tattoos as free prizes. Sometimes, it wasn’t even about the cereal—it was about the thrill of what was inside, according to Amelia Tait from The Guardian. Kids would beg for whichever brand had the “coolest” toy that month.
These incentives weren’t just fun—they drove massive brand loyalty among young consumers. The prizes even became collectible in some circles. Eventually, tighter safety regulations and shifting marketing strategies made these promotions rare. But for a few golden decades, breakfast was an adventure.
5. Gas Station Dishes
During the 1930s to 1970s, gas stations across America gave away dishware with fill-ups. Companies like Texaco and Shell offered everything from teacups to full dinner plates as loyalty rewards. The more you filled your tank, the more pieces you could collect to complete your set. Housewives often chose gas stations based on what pattern of dishware they were collecting.
This odd combination of fuel and fine china worked surprisingly well. It turned routine errands into a kind of family mission. Brands used these promotions to build customer retention, especially when gas itself didn’t vary much in price. Today it feels bizarre, but back then it made total sense.
6. Cracker Jack Prizes
The phrase “toy surprise inside” basically originated with Cracker Jack. Since the 1910s, these caramel popcorn and peanut snacks came with a tiny prize in every box. From stickers and rings to miniature comic books, the prizes were often more memorable than the snack itself. It was a simple but effective way to market to kids.
The excitement of not knowing what you’d get kept people buying again and again. These tiny toys were often themed or collectible, giving fans a reason to keep snacking. In recent years, Cracker Jack shifted to digital prizes, but the charm isn’t quite the same. The old-school surprises remain a nostalgic touchstone for many.
7. S&H Green Stamps
Throughout the mid-20th century, grocery stores and gas stations gave out S&H Green Stamps with purchases. Shoppers would paste these stamps into booklets, which could then be redeemed for products like toasters, toys, or even furniture. It was like a physical version of a rewards card—only with way more glue. People would often collect for years before finally “cashing in” for something big.
The stamps were handed out so widely they became a national phenomenon. Families even had stamp-saving parties to pool booklets together. The catalog of available rewards was thick enough to rival Sears’. Eventually, inflation and the rise of credit cards made stamp-based rewards obsolete.
8. Movie Tickets from Soda Bottles
In the ’90s and early 2000s, companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi regularly ran promotions where bottle caps or codes could be redeemed for movie tickets. You’d twist off the cap, hope for a win, and sometimes score a free night out. The campaigns were usually tied to blockbuster releases, making them especially appealing to teens and families. It was a genius way to link soda consumption with entertainment.
This cross-promotion boosted soda sales and movie attendance at the same time. Some people even collected codes obsessively to earn multiple tickets. Eventually, the switch to digital marketing and streaming services cooled these promotions down. But for a while, your soda bottle was your golden ticket.
9. Cookbooks with Appliances
Buy a blender or pressure cooker in the ’50s or ’60s, and odds are it came with a free branded cookbook. Companies like General Electric or Westinghouse included tailored recipe books to help people get the most out of their appliances. These booklets weren’t just helpful—they were promotional tools packed with brand loyalty messaging. They made sure you used your new gadget the “right” way.
These books often featured idealized housewife imagery and were carefully designed to fit the product’s niche. They created a sense of community among owners of the same appliance. Many of these vintage booklets are now collectors’ items. Today, you’d be more likely to get a QR code link.
10. Trading Cards with Cigarettes
Believe it or not, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, cigarette packs often included collectible trading cards. These featured everything from baseball players to exotic animals to military heroes. The idea was to stiffen the cigarette pack and give customers something to look forward to. The most famous example is the Honus Wagner card, now one of the rarest and most valuable sports cards in history.
These cards helped create early fandoms and collecting communities. Eventually, concerns over marketing to children and the rise of public health campaigns led to their disappearance. But they remain a fascinating example of how branding and habit can intertwine. For a while, your smokes came with stats.
11. Towels in Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent companies in the ’60s and ’70s often included washcloths or even full towels as promotions. Brands like Duz would feature the towel rolled up inside the box like a secret treasure. These towels often came in colorful patterns and sometimes matched a promotional campaign. It was another example of turning everyday products into little surprises.
Moms would plan purchases around which towel design was currently being offered. It was a budget-friendly way to add to the linen closet. Eventually, this gimmick became less practical as costs rose. But some vintage Duz towels still show up in thrift shops and eBay listings.
12. Matchbooks from Restaurants
There was a time when nearly every diner, steakhouse, or lounge gave away branded matchbooks with your bill. These weren’t just practical—they were mini advertisements you could carry in your pocket. With custom art, slogans, and phone numbers, they were as much a marketing tool as they were fire-starters. Collecting matchbooks became a legitimate hobby for some.
It was especially common in the mid-20th century, when smoking was practically expected in social settings. Eventually, smoking bans and lighters killed off the matchbook as a freebie. But their nostalgic charm remains, often displayed in shadowboxes or on Etsy. They were tiny pieces of branding genius.
13. License Plate Toppers
In the ’30s through the ’60s, businesses would hand out decorative metal license plate toppers as promotional items. These often bore the name and logo of local car dealerships, garages, or even radio stations. Drivers would screw them above their license plate to show off a bit of flair. It was basically a mobile billboard.
People liked them because they added personality to otherwise plain cars. Some were even designed with regional pride in mind, like state shapes or local mascots. Eventually, tighter regulations and new car designs made them less practical. Today, they’re collector’s items found at car shows and antique shops.
14. Software in Cereal Boxes
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, some cereal boxes came with free computer software on CDs. These could be educational games, demo versions of full software, or even kid-friendly design tools. General Mills was especially known for including CD-ROMs with titles like “Zoombinis” or “Reader Rabbit.” Breakfast and early tech exposure—talk about a strange combo.
These discs were often tucked between the liner and the cardboard, making them feel like buried treasure. It was a creative way to combine physical products with emerging digital culture. As internet downloads became the norm, this gimmick faded away. But for a while, your morning Cheerios came with a side of edutainment.
15. Glassware in Oatmeal Boxes
Back in the early to mid-20th century, companies like Quaker Oats used to include glassware inside their boxes of oatmeal. Families would open up a cardboard canister of oats and find a drinking glass nestled inside, carefully packed to avoid breakage. It was part of a larger marketing trend called “premium marketing,” where brands competed for customer loyalty with free gifts. It sounds wild today, but for many, their first set of real glassware came from breakfast food.
This tactic was a huge hit during the Great Depression when extras like glass cups were out of financial reach for a lot of families. It made breakfast feel like a mini holiday. Quaker wasn’t the only company to try it, but they were one of the most consistent. Eventually, rising costs and safety concerns phased out the practice.
