McDonald's is making a big change to its Happy Meals in time for Christmas. And what better way to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year than getting in the festive spirit with the restaurant's first-ever launch of The Elf on the Shelf Happy Meal?
From the North Pole to a McDonald's near you, customers throughout the UK and Ireland can choose from one of ten plush characters – The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elves, Elf Pets and Elf Mates toys.
Alternatively, they can choose from one of two books: Merry Christmas, It’s Your Elf and Merry Christmas, It’s Your Reindeer .
The playable plush and clever stories based on the popular tradition give children an imaginative new way to interact with the characters from Santa's North Pole.
While the collaboration is available in restaurants or via McDelivery through the McDonald's app, Uber Eats, or Just Eat, you'll have to be quick.
The Elf on the Shelf Happy Meal will only be available until Tuesday 20 December.
The diverse and merry range of Happy Meal toys has been inspired by the characters' values of kindness, fun, and curiosity.
The plush toys are equipped with handy hooks, which allow them to double as Christmas decorations. They also come with poke-out-and-keep North Pole certificates with space for the child’s name, signed by none other than Santa Claus himself.
Each toy also includes fun facts – for example, did you know Elf Pets Reindeer need your Christmas cheer to help Santa's sleigh soar?
There are also themed activity sheets and games available online on the McDonald’s Family Hub and an activity pack envelope for drive-through restaurant visitors.
Both toy and book options are 100% sustainable as all non-sustainable plastic has been removed from McDonald’s Happy Meal.
Available for just £3, a Happy Meal contains a choice of Fish Fingers, Chicken McNuggets, or Veggie Dippers with an Apple & Grapefruit Bag, or Carrot Bag side, plus, drink options including water, milk, or a Fruit Shoot.
The Elf on the Shelf phenomenon arrived in the UK in 2009 and has been a mainstay since.
Each festive season, Scout Elves arrive from the North Pole to bring families extra Christmas cheer, flying back nightly to report to Santa before returning the next morning to hide in a new spot.
While the annual tradition may seem gruelling for some parents to continuously think of new and entertaining ideas, a guide containing 25 unique Elf on the Shelf ideas is bound to put their minds at rest.
It features clever tricks for every day in the run-up to Christmas Day and it's bound to keep your little ones wrapped up in the festivities this winter.
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