In exchange, 4 to 6 weeks later, you’d end up with some kind of branded item or cool marketing swag (although some of the items you could get didn’t have any obvious promotional message).
Some of the most popular back-of-box premiums were things like toys, beach towels, tote bags and t-shirts — but, as you can see here, you could also get books, jewelry, art, home decor and more.
Here’s a look back at some long-expired offers from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s!
VINTAGE PROMO TOYS, GAMES & MORE FOR KIDS
C and H sugar rag doll toy offer (1972)
Two little Hawaiians only $1.00 each… plus C&H oval from any size C&H brown sugar package.
Perfect gift for youngsters — cuddly, colorful replicas of the C and H sugar kids, 15″ high, in bright non-toxic Hawaiian prints.
Vintage Mickey Mouse & other Disney vinyl dolls you could get from Close-up toothpaste (1974)
Imagine! These delightful Disney character dolls made of high-quality vinyl with cloth costumes and heads, arms, and legs that move, can be yours with this special offer.
Great for kids, safe and non-toxic, they’re wonderful gifts for the whole family.
For each doll you want, send $1.00 plus one proof of purchase of Family or Large size Close-up toothpaste. (Or all 6 for $6.00 plus only 3 proofs of purchase.)
Mickey Mouse – Minnie Mouse – Pinocchio – Pluto – Donald Duck – Dumbo
Turtle-Lite turtle stuffed turtle toy (1978)
Special Offer! Get this cuddly stuffed turtle for only $4.50 with your purchase of a package of 2 Westinghouse Turtle-Lite bulbs.
Turn on the kids with a stuffed turtle. Get a head start on your Christmas shopping. Each turtle is hand-crafted and safe for children. Use the convenient coupon included here, and look for the special Turtle-Lite display at your supermarket.
For each turtle, send the Proof of Purchase seal from a Turtle-Lite bulb package, plus $4.50. While you’re stocking up on Christmas gifts, you’ll also be stocking up on the amazing Westinghouse Turtle-Lite bulbs, the light bulbs that will last a full 2500 hours! That’s more than 2 years in average household use of 3 hours a day.
Smuckers Disney offer – 101 Dalmatians book (1979)
Buy Smucker’s Strawberry and get Walt Disney’s “101 Dalmatians” Funny Bone Book* free. (* Inspired by the current great animated movie.)
VINTAGE FREEBIES & OFFERS: BEACH TOWELS
Retro Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner personalized beach towel (1979)
Find your place in the sun with a personalized Scrubbing Bubble beach towel
Vintage Campbell’s Soup beach towel or sweatshirt offer (1971)
How to look M’m! M’m! Good! at the beach.
SPECIAL OFFER! M’m! M’m! Good! beach towel or sweat shirt. Get this big white terrycloth beach towel by Cannon. It’s 35 x 66 inches.
And when you’re sitting on your M’m! M’m! Good! beach towel, wear your M’m! M’m! Good! sweat shirt. It’s a bright red, raglan, short-sleeve shirt with a crew neck and a knit waist.
Order both today! These can be yours for just $2.00 each plus any two labels from these delicious Campbell’s Soups: Vegetable, Vegetarian Vegetable, Chicken Vegetable and Turkey Vegetable.
ALSO SEE: Who were the Campbell Kids? Find out about the vintage cartoon mascots for Campbell’s Soup
Kodak film towel and cooler bag offer (1977)
BAGS
Vintage Kraft Miracle Whip Skotch Kooler (1978)
Vintage Kraft Miracle Whip insulated picnic pack drawstring tote (1979)
Vintage Campbell’s Soup bag offer (1968)
Remington Lady Go Lightly shaver – vintage tote bag offer (1968)
Pooch Pouch purse offer from Clairol/Nice & Easy hair color (1972)
It’s wetproof inside! It’s yours for $3.50 and a box-top from Nice ‘n Easy — the honest-to-you haircolor.
If you don’t have a pooch, you need a shoulder-tote, right? A beach bag? A thing to keep curl-ers in? This one’s plastic-lined, in luggage-weight canvas, and so smart the same sort of thing could cost you up to $12 elsewhere … if you could find it.
But you can’t. Nice ‘n Easy had it made just for you. If you’re not yet a Nice ‘n Easy beauty, is there a happier way to discover what you’re missing? Nice ‘n Easy, the best-selling hair-color. From Clairol.
VINTAGE CLOTHING & FASHION OFFERS
The Great Winston cigarettes put-on: Branded Fancy Pants (1972)
How good it is, livin’ it up in your own Winston Fancy Pants – Just $2.95
Hip-huggin’, flare-bottomed, all-season funwear for guys and gals. Wear ’em outdoors, wear ’em indoors, wear ’em just for kicks. Yours for only $2.95 a pair and the end flaps from two Winston packs. Order a pair today!
Retro groovy fashion – branded Coca Cola-Coke pants and hats offer (1972)
MORE LIKE THIS: Novelty fashion fads of the ’60s: paper dresses, foil dresses & a dress-in-a-can
Native American jewelry offer – Land o Lakes 1970 fashion
Toni offers you jade jewelry designed for Miss America (1971)
Beautiful Phyllis George, Miss America 1971, shows off an exclusive collection of genuine jade and 24-kt. gold electroplated jewelry that was designed just for her.
And now Toni gives you a chance to show off too! A very fashionable gold-mesh choker with a jade stone centerpiece for only $2.00. A rich-looking circle pin, also $2.00. And a matching ring that’s completely adjustable for $1.50. Buy one, buy two. Or get all three for just $5.00.
The coupon tells you how to get your genuine jade and 24-kt. gold electroplated jewelry. And wearing it just might make you feel a little bit like Miss America.
To get your Miss America jewelry buy any Toni product pictured on this coupon (any size or type), trace the product brand name (e.g. Adorn, Tame) on a piece of paper, and mail it…
Chain belts from Kotex – vintage offer (1968)
Kotex invites you to join The Chain Gang.
Grab ahold of fashion’s newest, knock-out chain belts — $8 comparable value, just $2.50 each!
Go ahead. Hang one on. Or two or three. Choose now from four dinky, linky, new chain belts. They’re fashion’s zow-iest new zing-things to wear waist-high or hip-low! Each is 39″ long. From left to right:
Reversible Plank Belt — hot pink, bright orange, yel-low, green and white plastic planks—reverses to solid white.
Brass Block Belt — bright brassy blocks on a chain.
Daisy Belt — hot pink, bright orange, chartreuse, blue and green plastic daisies.
Reversible “Tortoise Shell” Belt — tortoise shell finish on one side, pewter on the other.
Starburst and Skittles fruit candy logo belts
Free belt mail-in offer from Starburst & Skittles!
Send for a free nylon belt with plastic buckle. (One size adjusts up to 42 inches.) A comparable retail value of $3.75.
For each belt ordered, send any combination of six Starburst Fruit Chews or Skittles Bite-Size Candies proof of purchase seals.
Retro TWA – White Stag – Speedo getaway kit and swimsuit offer (1970)
Eight ounces of fast-drying nylon tricot in a fabulous new sea floral print. Five combinations to suit your whimsy — wear just the top, or just the pajama pants over your bikini… of course.
Make your getaway with a little help from White Stag-Speedo. Add a TWA GETAWAY CHARGE CARD and you’re miles and miles from the ordinary.
ALSO SEE: The history of TWA: The ups & downs of one of America’s fallen giants, Trans World Airlines
Axion laundry detergent happy face T-shirt offer with Dodge Cars (1972)
FREE Happy Face T-Shirt at your Dodge Dealers for one Axion boxtop.
Buy any size box of Axion, take the boxtop to any Dodge dealer, fill out a receipt, and you get a free Happy-Face T-Shirt! Only one to a family, but additional shirts available at a special price of $1.25 per shirt plus an Axion boxtop. (Offer open to adults only. Expires January 31, 1973.)
Happiness is a cleaner, whiter wash with Axion. Because Axion pre-soak is formulated with special enzymes plus grease and oil dissolvers. Axion gets out dirt and many stains detergents don’t wash out.
Happiness is a Dodge. When you pick up your free T-Shirt, why not look over your Dodge dealer’s array of Dodge cars, particularly the Dart Demon. The good guys of Dodge can put you and your kids comfortably into a roomy Demon. The price? Smile.
Turn me on – Lightbulb T-shirts from 1979
Get the whole family “TURN ME ON” 3hirts. Only $3.50 each with purchase of Westinghouse bulbs.
Turn to spring with these delightful TURN ME ON T-Shirts. They’re imprinted blue on white, they’re washable and they come in all sizes. Use the convenient coupon shown at t
For each T-Shirt, send $3.50 plus proof of purchase (W Trademark) from a Westinghouse Cameo, Bug-A-Way, Floodlight, Spotlight, Heat Lamp or Fluorescent Lamp.
FOR THE HOME
Bufferin and Kleenex fuzzy shag tissue box dispenser mail-in offer (1967)
Old Del Monte Pudding cup blow-up photo and frame offer (1973)
We will blow up your favorite photo and give you a colorful frame for only $2.00.
ALSO SEE: Vintage pudding cups were smooth, spoonable snacks we loved, starting back in the ’70s
Brillo pillow, the latest in groovy pop art. Really flashy! (1968)
What a great conversation piece for your living room or den! The famous Brillo box made into an inflatable vinyl pillow. Full size inflated — 24″x24″x10. Pillow made in Taiwan.
For only $1.00 and one specially marked Brillo Pillo package end flap (18 or 10 pad box). But hurry. Supply is limited. Only from Brillo!
VARIOUS OTHER VINTAGE FREEBIES, PREMIUMS & OFFERS
Retro 1970s Chiquita Banana camping gear offer (1977)
The Great Outdoors Offer From Chiquita: A bunch of camp gear for your bunch.
We created an exciting new look in fun camp gear for kids. It’s designed to be extra tough and rugged for the way your youngsters play. Each piece features a giant Chiquita banana or our famous blue Chiquita sticker.
The big Chiquita Banana Pup Tent measures 5′ x 6′ x 36″ high. It’s made of durable water repellent canvas treated with flame retardant materials to CPAI 84 specifications. It’s easy to assemble and comes complete with aluminum poles, stake, guy lines, and complete instructions. Not to mention the giant bananas printed on both sides..
gear
Designed for indoors or out, our fluffy Chiquita Banana Sleeping Bag-Comforter measures 34″ x 69″ and is completely reversible. Unzip the full zipper and it’s a 68″ x 69″ comforter. One side is water repellent nylon taffeta for outdoors. The other is 100% cotton sheeting for indoors. Filled with 100% virgin polyester, the Chiquita Sleeping Bag is washable and comes in a reusable vinyl tote bag.
Our Chiquita Banana Windbreaker is night banana yellow with special closed flap pockets to keep rain out. It’s 100% high count nylon and wind- proof, water repellent, spot resistant and completely t washable. It’s double stitched with extra large set in sleeves and comes in youth sizes Small (6-8) Medium (10-12) and Large (14-16):
Our Chiquita Banana Backpack is ideal for hauling school hooks, lunches. even a bunch of Chiquitas! Its made of durable cotton duck, measures 13″ x 15″. It weighs just 10 ounces, and has adjustable straps for comfort.
Vintage Kraft physical fitness – yoga mat offer – Salad dressing tie-in (1973)
Staley stars and stripes party offer (1969)
Patriots all! Show off your colors on the great patriotic days of the year and the plain everyday days of the year with Staley’s special patriot’s party kit: red-white-and-blue paper plates, cups, napkins, and table covering.
Get your kit now with the mail-in coupon below for $1.00 plus 1 label from any Staley product you see here (Sta-Flo starch spray and Sta-Puf fabric softener). Then go ahead and throw a great stars and stripes party or picnic of your own!
Coronet toilet paper budget planner offer (1977)
The Home Budget Planner — Only $2.95 plus 2 proofs of purchase.
This handsome desk accessory in rich, leather-grained brown vinyl is a $4.95 value for only $2.95 (plus 50c for postage/handling) and two labels from Coronet Prints or Coronet Georgian Bath Tissue.
It’s the easy, organized way to keep track of all your monthly finances, from bills to bank statements.
The 4-Roll Bath Tissue Pack: Coronet Prints. It’s the prettiest, printed 4-pack of quilted, 2-ply bath tissue you can buy for your bathroom.
Comes in white, brushstroked with blue, green or gold. Always soft, never flimsy. And such a super value, it’s sure to keep your budget right in line.
ALSO SEE: Remember retro toilet paper that had colors & patterns?
3 Responses
I had a collection of dolls from different states. My mother bought them and sent in proof of purchase from a margarine company. This was from the 70’s.
I remember seeing the Coca Cola pants offer in magazines but was too young to order at that time. A pair of those pants are on display at the World of Coke in Atlanta.
my favorite things I received in the mail were Pillsbury Dough-Boy and Sprout from the Green Giant. I still have my Dough-Boy, but sadly Sprout met his match with my dog………