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12/02/2006: SNT & Christmas McNuggets!

I grew up thinking that people were supposed to eat McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets at Christmas parties, partly because that’s a really fun thing to believe, but mostly because the chain churned out several television commercials promoting their nugs as a holiday hallmark. The general theme in these ads, mostly from the mid 80’s, was that the special box of 20 Chicken McNuggets made for breezy pass-aroundage at crowded parties. I loved that “special box.” You know the one. Looked like something you’d carry a pet hamster home from the pet store in.


Today’s featured ad doesn’t say it outright, but it’s skipping the party push more for an insinuation that YOU, busy as heck from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, require good food and fast. This is illustrated by a man holding a stack of Christmas presents, being handed McNuggets from some off-camera ghoul. Admittedly, it’s something that works a bit better visually than on paper, because man that sounds spooky when I describe it.

I prefer to think of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets as being made from some totally alien meat that’s grown in tubes, was never alive and came into this world in a perfectly nuggetable shape. Within that, this commercial’s penchant for showing a fully cooked whole chicken being sliced up is a bit disconcerting. I don’t want to think about chicken when I’m eating Chicken McNuggets.

McDonald’s had a real knack for holiday-themed advertisements, and though this one falls on the lower end, it still makes me want to stand up and yell for Father Christmas to bring me hamburgers. Click here to watch the commercial!

This is your SNT. Take advantage of the fact that people you know in real life don’t read X-Entertainment by discussing some of the best/worst gifts you’ve bought for your friends and relatives this holiday season.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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Discussion Thread: 74 comments

Hey, SNT!

Best gift: I haven’t bought it yet, but I’m going to spend the big bucks this year and give a DS Lite and game to Child’s Play. http://www.childsplaycharity.com if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

Worst: Worst is simply the fact that I have done shopping for only ONE person at this point, and still have a bunch more that I have to go. I’m kind of stuck between a rock and hard place, because I need to get these gifts SOON (the receipients are leaving due to College being out), and I won’t be able to pay for them until I get another paycheck (next week). Not to mention the fact that I have NO idea what to get, and one of them is also a graduation present. But I’m sure I’ll figure it out…I always do! :)

Oh, and Thanks, Matt, for doing the Advent Calendar again. It’s been great so far, and we’re only on the second day!

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 12/03/2006 1:36 AM EST


Aw, that’s sad. It’s not like there aren’t plenty of shelter dogs available for those families if they really wanted one, so you know those parents that lost just wanted points for agreeing to a puppy, but with only 1/30th the risk of cleaning up tiny dooks throughout the house.
I did my shopping for the extended fam today; Decided that my cousins are simply too fertile to merit individual gifts, so I concentrated on the kids instead. I’m not expecting any reciprocal presents anyway, so why should I break the bank, right? Cousin One has two boys and three girls, so I picked up a pair of Hello Kitty make-your-own candy necklaces and Powerpuff Girl lipglosses for the youngest girls and a cute l.e.i. watch for the eldest sister. Still need to figure out the boys, though I picked up some Spongebob chocolates to start with. Cousin Two has two girls: one’s getting a Little Mermaid stamp/stationary set and matching roller stamp/markers, the other is getting a Tinkerbell journal and matching pens. Cousin Three just has one little guy, so he’s getting a freaking adorable airplane with a propeller that spins and a little pig pilot. Baby toys are too cute.
As for the immediate fam, little bro has been a bit of a pill so he’s just getting various knicks I’ve picked up (Animal from The Muppets keychain, giant candy cane, a cigarette lighter with a monkey sitting in the fluid that is actually quite awesome) and I’m at a loss for a present for mom as always. Sis is probably going to get one of these snazzy aprons, though I’m having trouble deciding which one. The Store That Need Not Be Named was SOLD OUT of both Star Wars “waterballs”, so I got a ceramic mug shaped like Chewbacca for a pal.
Okay. I admit it. The Powerpuff Girl lipgloss is a regift. I just don’t feel like I’m at a life stage where wearing flourescent makeup from a container adorned with cartoon characters is appropriate.

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 12/03/2006 2:17 AM EST


So this is an SNT, huh? I don’t know I’ve never been involved in one of these before.

You’re right, there is something almost disturbing about seeing a chicken associated with Chicken Mcnuggets. Which is weird.

Sallee, I’m gonna have to disagree with you. I mean, it tends to taste the same no matter where you go, but I find the meals presentations sloppy. Or, for example, I once ordered a sausage mcmuffin, to go, and there was NOTHING in it. Oh I was pissed.

Why is X-E suddenly controlling my cravings? After I read the Macy’s Parade ‘93 article I craved Wendy’s for three days, and now I have some need for Chicken McNuggets.

Best? Hmm… probably the Scarface box set I got for one of my friends.

Worst? I’m thinking of getting my father The Muppet Show Season One, because he vaguely mentioned wanteing to see ita gain, like five years ago. Or is that good?

Ghosted by Tutsuro @ 12/03/2006 2:20 AM EST


Congratulations, LemurCat! I just got my license this year, and I was only five years behind.

MissJess- I think Quisp tastes just like Cap’n Crunch. I don’t know how much you like that- if you do (I do), great. If not, it’s probably not worth the five bucks. The box is awesome, though.

Well, I guess I got a dog for Christmas this year. Some stuff went down on Thanksgiving so we ended up with my cousin’s dog. It’s really weird, because we’ve never had one. Well, except for the one that tried to eat me when I was two. But I don’t remember that. It’s very different wanting a dog and having one shoved on you. I like her though. She’s cool. Except that she got into the neighbor’s yard today.

Glad to see you dropped in, phunqsauce- good luck with things.

The Advent calendar is shaping up to be awesome. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. Knacks almost makes me want to get a myspace. Almost. I’m still your friend in my heart, Knacks. As for the SNT survey topic, I don’t think I’ve gotten anything crappy for anyone this year. What is cool are the boxes I made for my friends. I painted wood boxes and decoupaged book covers to the tops and text to the sides. Huge pain in the butt but I think they turned out very nicely. I got all the rest of my shopping and wrapping done already. I have to do it early or I have no joy for it. I’m actually pretty excited for this holiday season. I hope things are going well with my fellow X-E’ers.

Ghosted by Rainbowfeet @ 12/03/2006 2:31 AM EST


has anyone else noticed the face the commercial ends on? looks like he’s about to hurl up that mcnugget. awesome.

Ghosted by canoesforshoes @ 12/03/2006 2:43 AM EST


Rainbowfeet- The box is the main reason I wanted to get it. Knowing that it tastes like Cap’n pretty much means that I HAVE to buy it.

Ghosted by MissJess @ 12/03/2006 2:49 AM EST


Awesome, MissJess! Then it’s totally recommended!

Ghosted by Rainbowfeet @ 12/03/2006 2:58 AM EST


Best: For my brother, I got a Ha Ha Guy T-shirt, FFIII for DS, and one of those Wii beenie hats.

Ghosted by Kim @ 12/03/2006 2:59 AM EST


Speaking as a McDonald’s wage slave, Chicken Nuggets are officially “Chopped and Formed Chicken Patty Fritters protected in a water mist.” Or so sayeth the box they come in. Love old McD’s commercials, they totally kick the crap out of the new attemps McD’s has made at marketing their wares.

Ghosted by Cap'n Ducky @ 12/03/2006 3:17 AM EST


I was inspired from this SNT to buy my brother in law a book on wrapping decorative styles and wrap it in newspaper and duct-tape. It is a lot of work to open a present to find out it should have been wrapped differently.

Ghosted by Bill @ 12/03/2006 4:30 AM EST


Man, poor Knacks…there’s just no breaks for the guy. I mean, having your Ding Dongs stolen? That’s crap.

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 12/03/2006 10:24 AM EST


Are you purposefully trying to make emo kids look like fickle teenagers?……………Oh yeah, guess we are. Bummer. :( :D

Ghosted by K- @ 12/03/2006 11:14 AM EST


Where does one get a box of ding dongs so small?

And since I haven’t really shopped yet I haven’t bought a best of and worse of.

Ghosted by Geoffinsanity @ 12/03/2006 12:06 PM EST


Worst presents that I’m giving this year.. my “oh shit” presents. You know when you aren’t sure if so-and-so is going to exchange presents this year and you don’t know him/her that well anyway… and you get a phone call or a Myspace message.. “Hey let’s meet up, I got a present for ya!” then you can proclaim “oh shit” and give them a generic gift such as packaged fudge, cheap candle gift sets, or holiday socks.

My best presents this year are a nice “Love You Dad” plaque for my pops who’s in the hospital with pneumonia, various calendars for different folks, and Dr. McDreamy coffee mug for Mom.

I’m sitting here starving at work playing Fox All Access listening to Pepto Bismol commericials, but somehow craving McNuggets now. Yum.

Ghosted by djlisas @ 12/03/2006 12:31 PM EST


Quoting Jemmy
I’m making a sweater from my mom

I really needed that laugh. Wow.

I have so much Christmas shopping left to do. I don’t know why I always wait untill the last minute. I’m really not looking forward to being trampled on by a mom who just has to have a Baby Alive doll.

Ghosted by Matt(#2?) @ 12/03/2006 1:07 PM EST


I looked back and I still can’t figure out why Knacks has that pumpish thing on his head. Anyone?

Ghosted by Katherine @ 12/03/2006 2:04 PM EST


Katherine:
he was jealous of legotrons height so he started wearing that contraption to appear taller

Ghosted by JoshC @ 12/03/2006 2:27 PM EST


Oh, just in case Matt notices: I move for a change from “Basted by” to “Chestnuts roasted by” for Xmas. That is all.

Ghosted by Terror Claws Cole @ 12/03/2006 2:39 PM EST


Noted and agreed, just give me a bit! :)

Ghosted by Matt @ 12/03/2006 2:39 PM EST


It’s gonna be a Dollar Store Christmas from me. I have no money. Or better yet, what little money I DO have needs to be saved for when I leave for Japan in March.

Ghosted by Nate @ 12/03/2006 5:30 PM EST


McDonald’s became a Christmas (Eve) dinner tradition for many years in my house growing-up. It was instituted primarily because of time. (church, gift wrapping, parties, etc.) So instead of having to add fixing dinner to the list my mom suggested just grabbing Micky D’s. Its why Big Macs always make me think of Santa.

Ghosted by Jergy @ 12/04/2006 2:07 PM EST


Showing a chicken being carved while trying to sell nuggets is like showing a fisherman reeling in a marlin to sell a filet-o-fish sandwhich.

Ghosted by kevin @ 12/05/2006 10:03 PM EST


Chicken nuggets are made from chicken? When did this happen?

Ghosted by DougF @ 12/07/2006 4:54 AM EST


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