Good gag gift ideas are cheap, harmless and funny in the first five seconds: stick-on googly eyes, funny socks, a tiny trophy, rubber ducks in costumes or a set of fake mustaches. Pick one that fits the person, keep it safe to open, and skip anything that makes them the joke in front of other people.
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What is a gag gift?
A gag gift is a present meant to get a laugh before it gets used. It might be useless, silly or a little ridiculous, and the person opening it is in on the joke. The best ones are small enough to carry in one hand and clear enough that nobody has to explain them.
What makes a gag gift funny and not cruel
Three checks cover most of it.
- The joke is about the gift, not the person. A tiny trophy for “Best Parallel Parker” is funny. A gift that points at someone’s body, health, money or family is not.
- Nothing breaks, stains, stings or scares. If it could spoil their evening, pick something else.
- They will laugh. If you are not sure, give them something kind next to the joke.
12 gag gift ideas
- Stick-on googly eyes. Put them on the fridge, the toaster, a houseplant. A pack is small and the joke keeps going. Search: stick-on googly eyes.
- Funny novelty socks. Tacos, cats, tiny faces on the toes. Someone will wear them to dinner. Search: funny novelty socks.
- A tiny trophy. Write an award on the base with a marker: “World’s Okayest Parallel Parker.” Search: mini gold trophy.
- Rubber ducks in costumes. A duck in a cape, a duck in a taco suit. They fit anywhere and are hard to dislike. Search: costume rubber ducks.
- Fake mustaches. A pack of stick-on mustaches makes a dull dinner a photo shoot. Search: fake mustache party pack.
- Funny temporary tattoos. A sheet of silly ones, like a heart that says “Pizza”. They wash off. Adults only, and check the age label. Search: funny temporary tattoos.
- A magnetic poetry kit. Words on magnets for the fridge. The rude and the sweet ones both show up. Search: magnetic poetry kit.
- A fill-in-the-blank word game. Pass it around and read the stories aloud. Search: fill in the blank story game.
- Finger puppets. A set of tiny animals that does a whole show in one hand. Search: finger puppet set.
- A Christmas pickle ornament. A glass pickle to hide in the tree. Whoever finds it first wins. Search: Christmas pickle ornament.
- Wind-up chattering teeth. Wind them up and they hop across the table. It is a dumb joke and a good one. Search: wind-up chattering teeth.
- A plush potato. Soft, round, with a tiny face. It does nothing, and that is the joke. Search: plush potato toy.
Make your own. A gag gift you made yourself often lands better than one you bought. Our edible fake poop recipe works for adults who like a gross joke, and the fake everything page has more. For kids, a jar of homemade slime is safe and fast.
How to pick the right one
- Think about the person, not the joke. What do they already laugh at?
- Keep it small. A gag gift that costs a lot stops being a gag.
- Check the age label and small parts if kids will be around.
- Add a card. A line on the card tells them it is a joke and says it is from you.
Which gag gifts mail well
Googly eyes, temporary tattoos, fake mustaches, finger puppets and magnetic poetry are flat or light and fit in a padded envelope. Socks fold small. Glass ornaments and trophies need padding, and anything with a battery or a spring needs a close read of the listing. Put a note inside so the person knows it is a gift and who it is from. If you would rather have the joke mailed for you, a card or postcard is the easy version. See the petty mail cards at GlitterBombTrap, a HowToRevenge shop. Send one gift to one friend, and stop if they ask.
What to skip
- Anything that tampers with food or drink. Do not touch what someone eats or drinks.
- Anything that makes fun of their body, health, money or family.
- Anything that looks like a real bill, legal paper or government notice.
- Anything messy, loud or sharp that they have to clean up for real.
- Anything you would not want to explain to their face.
FAQ
What are some gag gift ideas?
Stick-on googly eyes, funny socks, a tiny trophy with a joke award, rubber ducks in costumes, fake mustaches and a plush potato all work. A good gag gift is cheap, harmless and funny in five seconds. Match it to the person and skip anything that could embarrass them in front of a room.
What makes a good gag gift?
A good gag gift gets a laugh in the first five seconds, needs no explanation and is safe to open. The joke is about the gift and not about the person. It should be small, cheap enough that nobody feels cheated, and kind enough that the person would happily show it to a friend.
Are gag gifts rude?
They can be, but they do not have to be. Most gag gifts are silly, not rude: googly eyes, socks, a tiny trophy. Save the cheeky ones for a person who has asked for that kind of humor. Never give a gift that points at someone’s health, body, money or family.
What is a good gag gift for a friend who is hard to shop for?
Pick something about a thing they already joke about. A tiny trophy with a made-up award, a pack of googly eyes for a houseplant or a pair of socks with their favorite food all work. Add a short note so the joke is clear and the gift feels personal.