Gift certificates
If you didn’t know what to get a friend for their birthday, you could give them McDonald’s gift certificates. Back then, gift certificates actually looked half-decent. They weren’t just cards or digital numbers that you punch in while checking out. McD’s gift certificates were colorful and a joy to have, even if you weren’t going to spend it!
The gift certificate in this picture is at least 20 years old. With a $1 certificate back then, all you could get was a regular soda and as many refills as you could stomach. You’d think it was a steal like you were the Hamburglar or something, but it really wasn’t (of course).