Family Fun

McDonald’s Is Our Family Tradition

I came to America at the age of five, and it was a whole new world to me compared to the Philippines. As an immigrant with no preconceived notions about living the American dream, I had no idea what to even imagine about this country. At the time, my mother and I lived with my Uncles and Grandparents in a small suburban town of Dallas, Texas.

Daisy Age 11

“Daisy! Come to the kitchen, I’ve got a surprise for you!” yelled my Uncle who just came home from work. He stood in the kitchen with a happy meal and balloons as he was wearing his McDonald’s uniform and name tag. My eyes lit up with excitement, “What’s in the pretty box, Uncle?” I asked and he said it was a Happy Meal. I opened the golden arches handles and to my surprise, there was a hamburger, french fries, and a toy! My first bite into a McDonald’s hamburger was the most amazing American flavor I have ever tasted as a child. It was my first experience at McDonald’s and since then, I have carried on the McDonald’s family tradition that my Uncle started with my own children. My children have come to know McDonald’s on Saturday afternoons before we go shopping together as a family, and they too experienced their first Happy Meal as early as the age of two!

Cricket Family Fun 2

As a mother, I will never forget those childhood experiences for the rest of my life. I will never forget the moments spent with my parents and siblings over Chicken McNuggets and Hamburgers or the times I’ve spent meeting other new children and playing on the playground with them. I can honestly say that I learned so much about interacting and engaging with others through playground time at McDonalds at a very early age. I correlate McDonald’s with the good times in my life (even as an adult).

When it comes to dining at McDonald’s, I appreciate that they provide good food for less. They use white meat chicken breast in McNuggets and 100% beef burgers. They use real fruit in their smoothies, oatmeal, parfaits, and Happy Meals. Some of the same suppliers that serve your groceries provide some of McDonald’s beef, chicken and fruit. They are able to save us money because they buy in bulk and buy in advance (and direct).

mcondalds logo

It’s not just about the Happy Meal, hamburger, and fries — it’s about the emotions and experiences it brings to our lives. The quality family time we get sitting down in the dining area and watching our children play in the McDonald’s indoor playground is what makes McDonald’s so special. It’s those moments when your children’s faces light up when they see a Happy Meal and how excited they get when they rip open their new toy to play with — that’s that makes McDonald’s so special.

McDonald’s is our family tradition.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by McDonald’s via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of McDonald’s.

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