Competitions are meant to be fun, aren’t they? The thrill of possibly winning something big, or even something small, is what keeps us going. But let’s be honest, some of the prizes out there are just plain weird. I’m not talking about the odd branded pen or keyring—these are the types of prizes that make you laugh, scratch your head, or even wonder why on earth someone thought it was a good idea to give them away in the first place.
I’ve been digging through the MoneySavingExpert forum to find some of the strangest prizes people have won, and let me tell you, there’s a treasure trove of bizarre competition wins out there. So, grab yourself a cuppa, and let’s dive into some of the weirdest competition prizes people have ever received.
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1. Greggs bacon-scented candle and a shewee
Let’s start with one that’s both practical and, well, a bit odd. EnglishWelshie shared that they once won a Greggs bacon-scented candle. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the smell of bacon as much as the next person, but in candle form? That’s a whole different story. Sadly, they never received it, so we’ll never know if their home ended up smelling like a fry-up.
Along with that, they also won a shewee, which, for those who don’t know, is a portable urinal for women. It’s still sitting in a drawer unused, and I can’t blame them for not rushing to test it out!
2. Chocolate statue of your head
This one is both exciting and downright strange! whizzybop shared details of a competition where the winner would receive a £5,000 cash prize, but there’s a catch—the prize also includes a chocolate statue of your head. Now, I’m not going to lie, part of me would love to see a giant chocolate version of myself, but the other part wonders how I’d feel about it melting or someone eating it!
To claim the prize, the winner has to send in several photos of their head from different angles for the chocolatier to create the sculpture. The likeness isn’t guaranteed, but it’s sure to be an interesting conversation piece. A life-size chocolate head for your next dinner party, anyone?
3. Year’s supply of cat litter
If you’re a cat owner, you’ll know that a year’s supply of cat litter sounds like a dream come true. Silvertabby shared that they won this exact prize, but the reactions from friends and family were priceless. People kept asking if they even had a cat! Imagine entering a competition for cat litter without owning a cat—it’s definitely one way to confuse people.
Unfortunately, the cat in question wasn’t too keen on the brand of litter that was won, so they ended up donating the whole supply to the Blue Cross. At least it went to a good cause, and some other cats got to enjoy it!
4. Jedward’s soiled underpants
Now, brace yourself for this one because it’s truly out there. One-Eye came across a competition where the prize was none other than Jedward’s soiled underpants. Yes, you read that right. The competition also included Kerry Katona’s fags and lighter from her stint on Celebrity Big Brother. I think it’s safe to say that not all prizes are glamorous!
I can’t imagine anyone proudly displaying this on their mantle, but it definitely takes the cake for one of the most bizarre prizes ever offered.
5. Jumbo packs of bacon
Now, we’ve all heard of food prizes, but Malt290 shared a particularly meaty win from their teenage years. They entered a competition to win a box of pork scratchings, but instead ended up with four jumbo packs of bacon. It’s not the strangest prize, but winning that much bacon is certainly a win for any breakfast lover!
Imagine the fry-ups you could have with four jumbo packs of bacon. It’s not a holiday to the Maldives, but I’d say it’s a pretty decent prize if you’re a fan of a good bacon butty.
6. Aftershave that smelt like burnt toast
chocoholic123 takes us into the realm of peculiar fragrances with their win of an aftershave that smelt like burnt toast. Now, I’ve heard of woody and spicy aftershaves, but burnt toast? That’s a new one.
They had hoped for a nice mix of scents with maybe a hint of toast, but sadly, it was just pure burnt toast smell. Needless to say, this one ended up in the bin. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to walk around smelling like they’ve just burnt their breakfast, can you?
7. Apple-shaped box for a single apple
And finally, Misslayed shared a prize that at first glance seemed quite exciting, only to turn out to be a bit of a letdown. They had misread an email and thought they’d won a box of apples, which they were looking forward to sharing with the kids at school. But when the prize arrived, it turned out to be a box to keep a single apple in—and yes, it was apple-shaped.
It’s not the most useful prize, but at least you’d never lose track of your apple again. It does make you wonder why companies think people need such specific storage solutions, though!
Why do companies offer such bizarre prizes?
Now, you might be wondering why on earth companies offer such weird and wonderful prizes. Well, part of it is about standing out. In a sea of competitions offering the usual cash or holiday prizes, something quirky like a chocolate bust of your head or a lifetime supply of toilet paper grabs attention and gets people talking. And as we all know, word of mouth is priceless when it comes to marketing.
Quirky prizes are also great for creating a bit of buzz on social media. People are much more likely to share and talk about competitions that offer something unusual, even if it’s just for the novelty factor. Plus, it’s a clever way to tie the prize into the brand—like winning a year’s supply of cat litter from a pet food company.
Wrapping up
So, there you have it—some of the weirdest competition prizes people have ever won, as shared by fellow compers on the MoneySavingExpert forum. From bacon-scented candles to a box for a single apple, these prizes are a reminder that entering competitions isn’t just about winning big—it’s about having a bit of fun and maybe getting something utterly unique in the process.
Next time you enter a competition, keep your fingers crossed, but remember—you might end up with something you never even knew you wanted!