I don't buy much box cereal anymore so I really have no idea what's going on inside or outside the box. As a child I was heavily influenced by cereal commercials in the 1950s. My poor father ended up eating a lot of bad cereal. I took one bite and wouldn't eat anymore. My folks didn't have money to throw away on food so dad ate the dreadful stuff.
My main interest were the toys in the boxes or the games on the back. I no longer have any of those toys and actually can't remember what any of them were. Sometimes you had to cut a form off the back of the box and send it in with some small change (which at the time was not small change for my folks) and a box top. Then the excitement was waiting for the mail to arrive. Ah yes, that scene in Christmas Story when the decoder ring arrives; mail like that was exciting.
This ad is from the July-August 1951 Archie comic. The entire comic is in bad condition looking like a mouse feasted on one corner.
Click on image to see it larger.
Anybody out there ever get one of these rings? Think that's a foolish question? Well, I've heard from people who bought the little soldiers featured in ads from comic books so who knows?
The following two ads were found on Google Books, each an ad in an old Life magazine. Who remembers Pep cereal made by Kellogg's? Not me, which doesn't mean the mere mention of it wouldn't put a lump in my father's throat.
Think I'm crazy? Think these things weren't marketed to kids?
I rest my case.
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I've never heard of Pep. My mom was the Food Minder, and what we got was Cheerios, Corn Flakes and Shredded Wheat, with the treat being Wheaties. Wow. I know you're impressed.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Cheerios. My mother tried to get me to eat Shredded Wheat but I wasn't buying it. I liked Sugar Smacks, Trix, and Sugar Pops; I was a very picky eater. I think my mother was happy to get me to eat anything. And then I'd get to school and oh my was that a nightmare. I have too many memories of teachers telling me what to eat and if I didn't I was punished in the 1st and 2nd grade. I still shake my head in wonder as to what those teachers did.
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ReplyDeleteToys cereal boxes are a great way to make your kids feel like they're getting something special out of their breakfast. Not only do these toys keep them entertained for an extra five minutes, but it also makes you seem like the best parent ever! So what's the big deal?
Why should you put toys cereal boxes?