Case Study: Jell-O “No Thanks” Thanksgiving Molds

For Thanksgiving 2025, we partnered with Jell-O to put a playful spin on holiday traditions with the creation of the limited-edition “No Thanks” Thanksgiving molds. The campaign turned the most polarizing holiday sides, brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie, into colorful, wobbly desserts, celebrating nostalgia with a modern sense of humor.

Background

Jell-O has been a staple of American holidays for over a century. To mark its 125th anniversary, Jell-O wanted to remind people why it’s the original “fun food.” A survey revealed that many Americans say “no thanks” to certain Thanksgiving dishes, making them the perfect inspiration for this limited-edition drop.

Challenge

Celebrate Jell-O's legacy while creating something timely, social-media-ready, and irresistibly fun for a new generation.

Strategy

Tap into nostalgia and humor by transforming the least-loved Thanksgiving sides into Jell-O molds people would actually want to make and share. Keep it exclusive, playful, and easy to enjoy, only available for a limited time online.

Execution

Three silicone mold kits which form Jell-O brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie, were launched exclusively on Walmart.com on November 11. Each came with a mold and Jell-O mix, packaged in bright, tongue-in-cheek branding. The campaign capitalized on earned media buzz and social sharing to spread the word.

Results

The molds sparked widespread coverage in outlets like Food & Wine, Food Network, and Brand Innovators. The campaign reinforced Jell-O as a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously, bringing joy (and jiggle) back to the holiday table.

Conclusion

By mixing humor, nostalgia, and cultural insight, Jell-O turned “no thanks” into “yes please.” The campaign showed that even a classic brand can stay fresh by embracing its heritage with humor and creativity. Read more about it here.

Image source: Kraft Heinz