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Gag gifts and funny novelties have been entertaining us since we put on our first pair of “Groucho” glasses or planted a rubber chicken in our history teacher’s desk.  We all enjoy a good laugh as evidenced by the more than $16 billion retail market segment of which gag gifts and funny novelties are a strong part*.

... very many occasions definitely benefit from  some hearty laughs ...

Of course, not every occasion is appropriate for a gag gift, but very many occasions definitely benefit from  some hearty laughs – retirement, birthdays over 30, college graduation, 21st birthdays, engagement, wedding, new baby and even bad break-ups.  These milestones and many every-day situations add stress to our lives that need to be relieved and humor is the perfect medicine.

Gag gifting covers a wide range of gift items from silly to sophisticated.  Factor in your recipient’s taste (or lack thereof) and sensitivity when selecting an appropriate gag gift.  At the silly end of the spectrum are your basic funny novelties like rubber chickens, fake bodily fluids (and solids), bugs in fake ice cubes and dribble glasses.  You will even find realistic fake tattoo sleeves for your arms.  Funny novelties are generally quite affordable and readily available online.

You can emblazon humorous statements on almost anything!

One step up the gag gift spectrum you will find imprinted items like T-shirts, ball caps, mugs, trophies, bumper stickers, and doormats.  You can emblazon humorous statements on almost anything, and these gifts do not need to cost an arm and a leg.  Take what they offer or come up with your own witty saying.  Surely, you know someone who would get a kick out of a bumper sticker that reads “Look Out, I Drive Just Like You!” or a doormat that reads “Welcome, Now Go Away!”  How about a fake trophy for that special person you know who is the “World’s Worst Bowler?”

Just above imprinted items on our gag gift spectrum are the more pricey funny novelties like remote controlled vehicles that carry beverage cans or cups to your thirsty couch potato.  For your friend who is habitually late, get them an alarm clock with no snooze button.  You can even find a GPS device that nags incessantly instead of supplying directions (no satellite service required).  Consider getting an oversized putter for the golfer in your life that cannot sink a putt in less than four strokes.

Consider a “beefcake” photo calendar as a bridal shower gift.

Mid-range in the gag gift spectrum you will find non-novelty items that carry specific humorous significance for the recipient.  For a friend’s retirement, I gave him an electronic metal detector, so he could keep up with the other geezers mining for small change on the beach.  (We are still friends, by the way.)  Consider a “beefcake” photo calendar as a bridal shower gift.  If the bride-to-be is more of a “bridezilla,” assemble a gift basket that includes accessories like whips, handcuffs, and leather chaps.

On the sophisticated end of the gag gift spectrum, are the accidentally or intentionally funny items.  Look for bad music collections or parodies of someone’s favorite recording artist.  Parodies of books and songs will entertain the recipient as well as an audience.  For the clotheshorse in your life, get him the ugliest tie you can find.  For added hilarity, hold an ugly tie contest at a party for this person, and after the judging, let him know he has to wear the World’s Ugliest Tie to work for one full day.

A properly worded or constructed greeting card (or electronic greeting card) can be every bit as memorable as a gag gift and cost a lot less.

Aside from gag gifts and funny novelty items, remember the significance of the humorous greeting card.  A properly worded or constructed greeting card (or electronic greeting card) can be every bit as memorable as a gag gift and cost a lot less.  The best and funniest cards are handmade because you can personalize them embarrassingly.  Edit real photos of the recipient(s) or, if you have the talent, sketch a topical cartoon, add your own funny caption and you have a gag gift that says, “I care enough to make you smile.”

Of course, everyone’s sense of humor is not the same as yours, so you must observe some boundaries.  Avoid truly sensitive areas for your recipient (or those of his/her inner circle).  When in doubt, err on the side of caution and find another focus for your gag gift.

However, with balanced hilarity, some ingenuity, and a world of funny novelties from which to choose, you can find or create a truly memorable and entertaining gag gift.  So go ahead, yuk it up!

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*Source: US Census Bureau, 2002, NAICS code 45322.

Tags: funny, gag, gift, novelty, present