The good, the nostalgic, and the spooky- the Halloween pails, affectionately named Halloween Boo Buckets,  from McDonalds are returning for the season after being discontinued several years ago. Set to return on Tuesday, October 18, the buckets will be available until October 31, or until the supply runs dry. 

Originally beginning in 1986, McDonald’s Halloween Boo Buckets have long been a tradition for kids during October. To make sure you get to relive nostalgia with the Boo Buckets, order a Happy Meal, which the bucket comes with. It is also worth mentioning that the Happy Meal toy for the Boo Buckets, is the bucket itself.

The Boo Buckets have experienced a great evolution in style since the 80s. Emerging in 1986, the Boo Buckets each were orange, resembling pumpkins with three different faces: the McBoo with the face of a ghost, the McPunk’n with the face of a jack-o-lantern, and the McGoblin, with a goblin-inspired scowl. Due to their rise in popularity, the buckets were distributed again in 1987 and did not reappear until 1989, when it was remodeled. 

With the remodeling of the Boo Buckets in 1989, the buckets lost their pumpkin appearance and each took on their own colors for McGhost, McBoo, and McWitch. After another year’s break in 1991, the buckets were substituted for McBoo bags; however, the pails made a grand re-entrance the following year. 

The pails’ design made some minor changes to the characters, but more importantly, included cookie cutters in the lids of the buckets. McDonald’s Boo Buckets experienced occasional hiatus’ in the 90s, featuring another break after 2001 once the cookie cutter lids were discontinued. Stretching from 2010 to 2016, McDonald’s experimented with different children’s cartoon themed pails until the buckets once again hibernated in production in 2016. 

But now, the wait is over! The pails are returning nationwide and will come in three different types: McBoo, McPunk’n, and McGoblin- the original character set from their start in the 80s. Each meal with feature the customer’s choice of a cheeseburger, hamburger, or chicken McNuggets, with fries, a small drink, and an additional side; costing somewhere between $5 to $7.

In addition to nostalgia, McDonald’s has also released an adult Happy Meal. McDonald’s has collaborated with Cactus Plant Flea Market, a fashion business. The adult Happy Meals contain either a Big Mac or 10-piece chicken McNugget with a side of fries and a drink. The adult Happy Meals also include toys! Customers will be surprised with either the Hamburglar, Birdie, Grimace, or Cactus Buddy.

With nostalgic items back again for younger and older audiences alike, kick back with your Happy Meal and enjoy your nostalgic eating experience.