10 Products You Could Only Buy with Box Tops or Points
For decades, many companies offered exclusive products that could only be bought with collected box tops, proofs of purchase, or reward points.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Box top and point systems were once a major part of shopping and brand loyalty. Families collected cereal box tops, soda caps, or snack points to send in for items that were not sold in stores. These products often became symbols of childhood and everyday life in the late 20th century.
1. Kellogg’s Cereal Bowls
İrem Meriç on Pexels
Kellogg’s offered colorful plastic bowls that could only be ordered with box tops from cereal boxes. Many families collected the entire set for breakfast use. These bowls were lightweight, durable, and featured bright branding. They were never sold in stores and became a staple of promotions.
2. Pepsi Stuff T-Shirts
Mr.ちゅらさん on Wikimedia Commons
In the 1990s, Pepsi launched “Pepsi Stuff,” a program where bottle caps and labels could be exchanged for merchandise. One of the most common rewards was branded T-shirts. These shirts carried the Pepsi logo and were seen as a status symbol among fans. The campaign ran in several waves but eventually ended as marketing trends changed.
3. Cracker Jack Prizes
Jack Skellington III on Wikimedia Commons
Cracker Jack included small toys and trinkets in every box, but larger items could be ordered through collected points. Customers mailed in proofs of purchase for games, dolls, and novelty items. The prizes were unique because they were only available this way. The tradition became a big part of Cracker Jack’s identity for generations.
4. Kool-Aid Man Pitcher
MissouriStateArchives on Wikimedia Commons
Kool-Aid points could be redeemed for a glass pitcher shaped like the Kool-Aid Man. The pitcher became one of the most recognizable promotional items in the program. Families often used it during summer gatherings, reinforcing the brand’s image. It was never available in retail stores.
5. Bazooka Joe Merchandise
Deror_avi on Wikimedia Commons
Bazooka bubble gum wrappers featured comic strips with coupons that could be saved. Children mailed them in for prizes such as rings, T-shirts, and small toys. The rewards gave kids a reason to keep buying gum regularly. Collecting them became a common pastime during the mid-20th century.
6. Marlboro Gear
AnonymousEditor95 on Wikimedia Commons
Marlboro offered one of the most extensive point programs, where smokers collected “Marlboro Miles.” Points could be traded for items such as jackets, backpacks, and even camping gear. The rewards were high-quality and widely recognized. The program ended after legal and public health pressures grew stronger.
7. S&H Green Stamps Catalog Items
Cayobo on Wikimedia Commons
S&H Green Stamps were given out with purchases at grocery and department stores. Shoppers collected them in books and redeemed them for products from a catalog. Items ranged from kitchenware to small electronics. It was one of the earliest and most successful loyalty programs in the United States.
8. Camel Cash Merchandise
Pittigrilli on Wikimedia Commons
Camel cigarettes launched a similar program with “Camel Cash” coupons included in packs. Customers redeemed them for branded items such as clothing, bar signs, and coolers. The program was especially popular in the 1990s. It ended as tobacco advertising faced increasing restrictions.
9. Tupperware Exclusives
Fotonovela on Wikimedia Commons
Certain Tupperware products were only available through promotions that required sending in proofs of purchase. These included limited-edition colors and designs. Collectors valued these items because they could not be found at Tupperware parties or in catalogs. Many of them became rare household treasures.
10. General Mills Character Merchandise
CoolKid1993 on Wikimedia Commons
General Mills cereals featured box tops that could be traded for branded toys and collectibles. Items often included Count Chocula or Lucky Charms-themed products. Kids eagerly cut and saved box tops to mail away for these rewards. These items reinforced the popularity of cereal mascots in American households.