McDonald's Launching 'Grinch' Meal in December

 The meal features a limited-edition fry seasoning and Grinch socks.

McDonald’s is known for rolling out festive surprises each holiday season, and 2025 is no exception. This year, the Golden Arches is teaming up with the ultimate holiday curmudgeon—Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch—to launch a limited-edition value meal inspired by the green grump himself.

The Grinch Meal includes your choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, a medium drink, and fries tossed in a special dill-pickle–flavored “Grinch salt,” complete with a shaker bag for added fun. Each meal also comes with one of four collectible Grinch-themed pairs of socks.

The meal officially launches on December 2, 2025, at participating U.S. locations. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but based on previous limited-edition meals, it will likely be around $10. Every pair of socks is packaged with a special message “from the Grinch,” written in his classic chaotic style. 

"THiS iS MY MEAL AND i DiDN'T PARTNER WiTH McDONALD'S OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF MY HEART," said The Grinch in a handwritten note on crumpled paper from Mt. Crumpit. "i SAW AN OPPORTUNiTY TO BRiNG MiSCHiEF TO YOUR BELOVED "RESTAURANT" WiTH MY DELiCiOUS CHAOS FOR THE HOLiDAYS AND i TOOK iT. SO GO AHEAD, GRAB MY MEAL STARTING DEC. 2 – YOU'RE WELCOME FOR MAKiNG YOUR HOLiDAYS iNFiNiTELY MORE iNTERESTiNG."

McDonald’s is also bringing back two seasonal fan favorites: the McRib and the Holiday Pie. The McRib features a pork patty shaped like a rack of ribs, smothered in tangy barbecue sauce and served on a toasted

rectangular bun with pickles and sliced onions. The Holiday Pie returns with its warm vanilla custard filling, topped with white icing and festive red and green sprinkles.

In addition, restaurants are currently offering a Chips Ahoy! Frappe and the Buffalo Ranch Sauce, available on their own or paired with four different menu items.

Get them while you can—holiday treats never stick around for long!

 

Boo Buckets Returning to McDonald's Stores for Halloween

 

Boo Buckets 2022, Courtesy McDonald's Corp./Prnewswire

This year's buckets will hit stores on October 21, 2025.

McDonald's Boo Buckets are a popular Halloween tradition for kids of all ages. The jack-o’-lantern themed buckets originated in 1986 and became a must-have for kids and collectors alike. The 2025 collection will include five different designs: an orange pumpkin, white ghost, red Frankenstein, black cat and a green witch. Get one with the purchase of a Happy Meal beginning on October 21, while supplies last.

The original Happy Meal buckets were similar to the current buckets, but had lids. Over the years designs came and went, and the company got rid of the lids, opting for decorated handles. Much to the chagrin of parents, these buckets remained long after Halloween was over. You may still have one in your attic or Halloween storage bin. 

Halloween Happy Meals aren’t the only Halloween tradition the restaurant chain has. Each year, participating stores offer treat books that trick-or-treaters can redeem for menu items like ice cream, apple dippers and hamburgers. The treat books come in packs of twelve and are priced around $1.25. 

There’s nothing more popular than nostalgia, so you can expect to the Halloween Happy Meal buckets to fly off the shelves. If you want to get your hands on one of those buckets, run to the closest McDonald’s at 10:30 a.m. on October 21. You may also be able to see the availability of the buckets by using the McDonald’s app.

Happy Meals $2.99

For a limited time, all Happy Meals are $2.99 in participating locations. Mighty Kids Meals are not included. Also, the popular Halloween pails will start arriving the first week of October.