I remember my fair share of giving and receiving gag gifts for Christmas growing up. One member of my family would receive a lump of coal in their stocking (whoever was on the naughty list that year). Or the endless, Russian doll-style, wrap job that led to a single gift taking about 30 minutes to open. Then there was the Chia Pet.

I don’t really know if the Chia Pet was a gag gift? It sure does seem like it was, without a doubt. And I don’t recall any of ours being out on the counter for more than a couple of months. Then it just got stinky, slimy, and gross.

Or, it was a huge fad that everyone had a Chia Pet to tend to. The history behind the Chia Pet is fascinating, and a brilliant business model at that. Whatever the story is of household Chia Pets throughout the 80s, 90s, and even today, most folks can remember getting their very own Chia Pet for Christmas.

The Chia Pet story begins in 1980, with a man named Joseph Pedott starting his own ad agency in San Francisco. He was already selling terra cotta planters at a large drug store chain that apparently were just flying off the shelves. He wasn’t turning a profit however. Turns out, he had a middleman working for him in Oaxaca, Mexico (where the planters were being made). And this middleman had been stealing from him! After that bit of company reorganization, he worked with the maker directly. Then, he just needed to update his marketing strategy.

Round 2 of the Chia Pet began in 1982 with the Chia ram. And the low budget commercials, my God. If you were watching TV in the 80s, there is no way you didn’t see a commercial for the Chia Pet. And you’d be lying if you say you don’t remember the jingle. Ch-ch-ch-chia!

Soon after, new planter designs were produced and sales of the Chia Pet exploded. At one point I remember having an Elmer Fudd planter. And you guessed it… You grew him some Bob Ross looking chia hair. They even came out with a Bob Ross planter! I mean, why wouldn’t you? According to the official Chia Pet website, more than 25 million Chia Pets have been sold to date!

Pedott was also the brilliant marketing mind behind “The Clapper.” Clap on. Clap off. The Clapper. One year for Christmas, my college roommate and I attached The Clapper to our Christmas tree lights. At every loud clapping sound, whatever time of day, our tree lights would turn on and off. It certainly provided an endless supply of laughter that year!

So, with over 25 million Chia Pets sold, maybe it’s not a fad, but a brilliant marketing plan for a kitschy product that worked really, really well! Let’s celebrate this classic piece of nostalgia by remembering the Chia Pet. If you choose to gift one this Christmas (or buy your very own), you’ll find them directly on the Chia Pet website, Amazon, Walmart, or in-store at plenty of other fine retailers.