I love a clever piece of branded merch, especially during the holidays. Lest you think I’m being facetious or exaggerating as a narrative device, I’ll have you know that I actually purchased the Sam Adams beer mitten I wrote about last year and gave it to my dad for Christmas. (And not to brag, but I just may have won the holidays with the power of promotional products. Who else can make that claim?)

So, as another year draws to a close, it’s time to round up the usual suspects and see what kind of holiday hijinks they’re up to. Scented wrapping paper? Check. Nostalgia-laden drinkware? Check and double check. Mining social media trends for real-world gain? Also check. In fact, there’s something for everyone on your list here – whether they’re coffee drinkers, pizza lovers or just a person who loves a contentious internet debate. Buckle up, and let’s take a look at the highlights reel.

1. Chipotle Cilantro Soap

In an instance of life imitating memes, Chipotle is releasing cilantro-scented soap, the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to smell as fresh as a burrito. A few weeks ago, the Mexican food chain posted a joke mockup of the product on its Instagram account, pondering whether soap actually tastes like the love-it-or-hate-it herb, rather than the other way around.

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So naturally, now they’ve made cilantro soap a reality.

“Our cilantro soap plays into a larger trend of turning digital moments into real-life experiences,” said Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer of Chipotle, in a press release. “Every Chipotle fan, regardless of which side of the great cilantro debate they’re on, can appreciate this fan-inspired gift.”

There are a lot of staunch cilantro haters in my life (my dad claims it tastes like stink bugs – and please don’t ask how he knows that) but I’m not sure I’d subject them to this admittedly clever product. Still, gotta give Chipotle an A for effort.

2. Nostalgic ’80s Swag From Planters

This next debate is even more hotly contested than the great cilantro-soap dispute: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie or is it simply a movie set during the holidays? There’s a whole cottage industry trying to prove the action flick’s jingle bell bona fides. My husband has a children’s book retelling of the movie, and devoted fans can find T-shirts, sweatshirts and other apparel proclaiming their take on this most important of issues. There are even John McClane ornaments available for die-hard Die Hard fans.

Best $12 I’m ever spent on @amazon. #yippeekiyay 😜 pic.twitter.com/iPYwioeo7W

— Melissa Newman (@thea_creative) November 30, 2021

Now, Mr. Peanut has entered the fray. The Planters brand has created a nostalgic music video, “A Very Nutty Holiday,” featuring actor Reginald VelJohnson, one of the stars of Die Hard. In the video, VelJohnson celebrates shoulder pads, mixtapes and other hallmarks of the ’80s; he also declares definitively that Die Hard is, indeed, a Christmas movie. I’ll admit, I used to be skeptical, but there’s no way I’m going to argue with Carl Winslow on this point.

In addition to the video release, Planters is giving away limited-edition holiday gift boxes filled with retro swag, classic board games, a Bluetooth cassette boombox and a classic movie on DVD. Jaynee Dykes, associate marketing director for the Planters brand, said the company wanted to “spread the holiday cheer directly to our fans with our nut-stalgia gift boxes, bringing people from past and present generations together to celebrate this season in a memorable way after a year apart.”

Henceforth, Dec. 25 will be known as Yippee-Ki-Yay Yule.

3. Arby’s Holiday Collection

If there was one thing lacking from your holidays last year, it was probably the savory scent of Arby’s meats wafting up from under the Christmas tree. Or maybe it wasn’t – I won’t judge! Still, the fast-food chain has you covered if it is indeed meaty aromas you crave. The holiday merch collection includes smoke-scented wrapping paper, covered in a repeating image of its iconic Beef n’ Cheddar sandwiches. Mouthwateringly delicious? You decide. However, I wouldn’t recommend buying it for any of the vegetarians in your life.

Also in the collection is a Christmas tree “meat skirt,” dog pajamas and a matching family PJ set. Unfortunately, the giant Beef n’ Cheddar and curly fry inflatables are already sold out, as is the “Season’s Meatings” glassware. Maybe next year.

4. Dunkin’ TikTok Merch

Dunkin’ drew inspiration from TikTok with its limited-edition holiday collection, playing off the popular #TellMeWithoutTellingMe trend. The brand’s merch shop includes T-shirts that superfans can customize with their specific drink order, down to the last mocha swirl. There’s also a pretty adorable coffee plush that can be changed from iced to hot, thanks to a zipper and a few strategic flips and folds.

@dunkin

The tell me your order without telling me your order collection is HERE on shopdunkin.com 🔥🙌 #tellmewithouttellingme #dunkin #merch

♬ Sunrise - Official Sound Studio

In addition to the TikTok-specific items, Dunkin’ offers a sprinkle blanket pullover, color block hoodie, fuzzy slippers, onesie and much more. At this point, you could build your entire wardrobe out of Dunkin’ gear, if you were so inclined.

5. Pizza Hut Merch

Who else gets a little misty-eyed and reminiscent when they see a pebbled red drinking cup – preferably filled to the brim with chipped ice and root beer? I’ve written before about how I spent my childhood reading my weight in personal pan pizzas. So, it’s probably no surprise that Pizza Hut’s new merch would hit me right in the nostalgia bone.

For its holiday collection, Pizza Hut elevated its iconic red cups, transforming them into rocks glasses and stemware. There’s also a Pizza Hut playset for Matchbox cars, matching pajamas, pizza-themed ornaments and checkered tablecloth gift wrap. I regret to inform you, however, that the grown-up Hut cups are already sold out.

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