The Best Gag Gifts, According to Etiquette Experts
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“It’s the thought that counts” is most often used as a salve for a misguided gift-giver, but it’s also useful advice for the aspiring gag-gifter. Choosing to give an item without beauty, utility, or value means that the thought behind a gag gift — namely, “Isn’t this so funny?” — has to be reciprocated by the recipient. Screw it up and there could be an all-time awkward situation, but nail it and you’ll find that the best gag gifts can be a source of genuine connection.
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Once one has decided that a gifting situation is ripe for a non-serious present, the next tricky question to answer is what that present should be. It’s easy to err on the side of a gift that’s too gross, lewd, or stupid to be funny, which is why finding a winning gag gift is so gratifying.
One thing that’s true of all gag gifts is that they’re not expensive. They’re meant to be frivolous and silly, and large budgets are anathema to frivolity. So, while the biggest concerns for someone in the market for a gag gift lie in how it lands with the recipient, money is thankfully not part of the equation, as expensive gifts can pretty much be ruled out as incongruous with that mission.
What the Experts Say
Gifting experts say that choosing when to give a gag gift is the first, most important consideration. For this story, SPY spoke with etiquette consultant Jamila Musayeva; Matt Carlson, a gifting advisor for Parent Presents; and Alice Vaughn, creator of Offensive Crayons, to find not just the best gag gifts on the market but the best way to choose one.
“Giving a gag gift depends on how intimate and close you are to the person,” says Musayeva. “A gag gift must be given to someone you know well enough who would understand the joke and not be offended.”
Vaughn agrees. “The key is knowing your audience. If they have a hearty sense of humor and aren’t easily offended, you’ve got more leeway,” she says. “It’s all about striking the right balance.”
The other big thing to consider is the occasion for which a gag gift is being given. “Casual settings are your playground — think birthdays or informal gatherings. But tread carefully in more formal or sensitive environments,” Vaughn says. Carlson adds that gag gifts are best suited for “casual gatherings and parties where the atmosphere is light-hearted and informal. It’s crucial to consider the dynamics of the group and the expectations for the event to ensure that the gag gift enhances the overall experience rather than detracting from it.”
BEST OVERALL
Kikkerland Far Animal Butt Magnets
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A gift that’s undeniably unserious, not at all offensive, and, gasp, actually kind of useful? These magnets hit all of these usually discordant notes.
A sextet of butts made to look like the front half of the animal is digging around for ice cream makes for a fantastic gag gift, full stop. Musayeva says that a gag gift “should be light-hearted and make the person laugh without being insulting.” It’s hard to fathom how animal butts could be considered insulting, but they’re undoubtedly light-hearted.
Fifteen bucks for six magnets that add some whimsy to the fridge is a great deal. Bonus points for keeping that shopping list securely in place.
INFOMERCIAL CLASSIC
Baby Yoda Chia Pet
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Readers of a certain age already have the iconic “Ch- Ch- Ch- Chia!” jingle reverberating between their ears, and we’re happy to report that the 1-800-Classic gag gift still has the juice in 2024.
“When selecting a gag gift, opt for something light-hearted and playful rather than something potentially offensive or inappropriate,” says Carlson. Unless the recipient is rooting for the Empire in The Mandalorian, this ceramic Grogu will bring smiles even before the seeds sprout.
At $24, there are certainly cheaper gag gifts out there, but this Chia Pet is still priced in gag gift territory.
POLITICALLY CORRECT
Wacky Waving Inflatable Table Guy
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A gag gift for a friend with a, how shall we say, less developed sense of humor might seem like a fool’s errand, but a gift as undeniably silly and G-rated as this desk toy is always a good idea.
“If they have a hearty sense of humor and aren’t easily offended, you’ve got more leeway,” Vaughn says. If they don’t, this miniature version of the used car dealership staple is sure to entertain without offending.
A sub-$10 price tag for this kind of real wacky waving action? It’s a steal at twice the price.
POLITICALLY INCORRECT
Offensive Crayons
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Should you give a gag gift that touches on politics or religion? Vaugh says, “It can be done, but it’s high risk, high reward.” And she would know: the gag gift she created is one of the best around for recipients who’d prefer a racy comedian’s set to a knock-knock joke.
The humor in this otherwise ordinary box of crayons comes from the color names printed on the labels. Examples include ”Privilege” on a white crayon, “Lives Matter” on a black crayon, and “Boner Pill Blue” on a Viagra-colored crayon. There’s nothing mean-spirited about these labels, but even mentioning these kinds of hot-button issues means they should be saved for the right recipients.
Just under $10 for two dozen crayons is a few bucks more than a Crayola set of the same size, but jokes aren’t free and that’s a pretty fair deal as far as we’re concerned.
FOR HOMEBODIES
Horse Head Squirrel Feeder
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People tend to think of squirrels as either loathsome pests (rats with tails) or among the cutest animals in God’s Kingdom. No matter where one falls on that debate, this squirrel feeder is a delightful gag gift.
From a longtime leader in the gag gift industry, this squirrel feeder is designed to be hung outside with a string and filled with food. Squirrels will appreciate the nibbles inside while unintentionally providing a nice moment of comedy to any human that happens to catch them feasting.
Gag gifts shouldn’t be expensive, and for less than $20, this one certainly isn’t.
BEST FOR INSIDE JOKES
Custom Trophy
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One thing gag gifts have in common with their more serious brethren is the value of a personal touch. “If a friend sends you self-deprecating memes about something they’re experiencing, you can take that and turn it into a gag gift because it shows that you pay attention to what they’re sending you,” Musayeva says.
A personalized gag gift that can be appropriate for any occasion is a trophy with a custom engraving that hearkens back to an inside joke. The incongruity between a shiny golden trophy and a deprecating line like “World’s Worst Parallel Parker” or “Most Likely to Show Up Late” makes this a delightfully cheeky present with a personal touch.
Customization costs money, so getting this trophy for less than $25 (after shipping) feels like a fair price.
BEST SCATOLOGICAL
Crap Jokes Toilet Paper
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There is no shortage of novelty toilet paper on the market, with designs ranging from $100 bills to word searches. This one earns our nod because it can provide simple entertainment when there’s time to kill.
Poop jokes aren’t for everyone, of course, and Carlson reminds us that the goal of a gag gift “is to bring laughter and enjoyment, not discomfort or embarrassment.” The people in one’s life who do appreciate a good poop joke will appreciate this toilet paper, which comes printed with plenty of them.
It’s a bit pricier than Charmin, but it’s funnier than Charmin, too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gag Gifts
What Occasions Are Appropriate For a Gag Gift?
A good rule of thumb is that one should only consider occasions where dressing up isn’t required. “For example, a relaxed backyard barbecue with close friends would likely be an ideal setting, whereas a formal dinner party with colleagues or acquaintances may not be the most appropriate venue,” Carlson says.
What’s a Reasonable Amount to Pay For a Gag Gift?
Spending a ton of money on a gag gift is weird. Dropping serious coin on an unserious gift can undercut the frivolity of the whole endeavor, and there are so many great gag gifts available for less than $50 that it would be unnecessary to spend more even if it wouldn’t throw off the vibes.
Can a Gag Gift Reference Serious Topics Like Politics or Religion?
“About touching on politics, religion, or personal topics — it can be done, but it’s high risk, high reward,” Vaughn says. “You need a solid read on the recipient’s views and boundaries. It’s effectively like playing comedic poker; you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.” If you haven’t joked about these topics with the recipient IRL, then it’s likely best to avoid referencing them with a gag gift.
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