Have you ever unwrapped a gift and thought, What in the world is this“? From a life-sized cardboard cutout of Nicolas Cage to a “cursed” antique doll with an unsettling stare, the internet is full of legendary gag gifts. But what’s the funniest (or most horrifying) gift you’ve ever received? This newsletter dives into the most outrageous, laugh-out-loud, and sometimes downright questionable presents people have shared on Reddit. Buckle up! You might just find inspiration for your next prank… or a reminder of what not to get your friends!
#1. One Shoe for Your Birthday, One for Christmas
“My sister’s birthday is about two weeks before Christmas. On her birthday, my older brother gave her a single shoe. My sister was extremely confused as to why my brother gave her only one shoe for her birthday. 2 weeks later, on Christmas, my brother gave my sister her Christmas present. Her Christmas present was the second shoe that belonged in the same pair as the first shoe she got for her birthday.”
#2. Santa’s Little (Big) Blooper
“I got my old boss in secret santa and bought her the biggest pair of knickers I could find. She was a size 8 and I found a lilac flowery pair in size 56. She put them on over the clothes and I don’t think I have ever laughed so much in work.”
#3. When Your Student Outs You as an Anime Fan…
“One of my students was playing pretend with his friends and after listening for a few minutes, I realized he was acting out a scene from Attack on Titan. I asked his mom about it and she was a little embarrassed to be outed as an anime fan (I don’t know why, I was obviously a fan too). That Christmas, they got me an Eren Jaeger action figure. I cracked up when I unwrapped it.”
#4. The Sean-Flamed Surprise: A Lit Gift Idea
“My household is my girlfriend, myself, and two roommates. I had custom bic lighters made last year by our roommate Sean. It was a picture of him when he was clearly under the influence at a concert and it said, “Bic here now.” Bic related pun of his favorite book, “Be here now,” by Ram Dass. I gave everyone in the house one in their stockings. He was so excited seeing a custom lighter. But when everyone else showed theirs with his face too he got so less excited. We all got a good laugh lol.”
#1. Extendo-Fork
“The Extendo-Fork. I bought it for my dad. It is an expandable fork, so you can reach the food on other people’s plates.”
#2. Talking Keychain
“Every year on my friend’s birthday I get them something odd or funny and when it’s my birthday she sends me funny or stuff. For example, last year I sent her a Richard Simon’s talking key chain and she sent me a bag of tiny “finger hands” and a bag of fake roaches. What should I get her this year? We both have dark senses of humor.”
#3. The Ultimate Losing Gift
“The best gag gift I ever gave was a book from amazon that makes people lose the game. Its middle school humour, but it is a classic.”
#4. A Gift That Really Rocks
“I gave my cousins some rocks I found while traveling. I straight up told them “I got you rocks” and they laughed it off. They didn’t find it as funny when they opened their little boxes. But I did.”
#5. Fun-Size Snickers
“I have my dad the stereotypical present inside a present a few years ago. After about 12 recursive presents, there was a single walnut. Inside the walnut was a fun-size Snickers.”
#6. Chia Head
“A Chia Head for my bald grandfather who hated the commercials. It grew beautifully.”
#7. Rack of Elk Antlers
“My parents used to always host/attend a “tacky gift” party that was held white elephant style. I wish I could remember more of the gifts that got passed around (I was young), but the one I do remember is my dad giving a full rack of elk antlers. He wrapped them in wrapping paper (somehow) and everything.”
#8. Nicholas Cage Mermaid Pillow
“I gave a friend a Nicholas Cage mermaid pillow. Makes me laugh every time I see it. She has a young child who loves it and has claimed it as her own.”
Inside Jokes: Pick a gift that references an inside joke between you and your friend. Whether it’s a silly phrase, a funny memory, or an embarrassing moment, it’ll make the gift extra special and hilarious.
Useless but Hilarious: Find something completely impractical but amusing, like a mini vacuum for their crumbs, a useless decision-making dice, or a fake “Best Friend Adoption Certificate.”
Weirdly Specific Gifts: Get something oddly specific to their quirks, like a giant spoon if they always steal your food or a pillow with their own face on it. The more random, the better!
Fake-Out Packaging: Wrap a real gift inside something ridiculous, like putting an expensive watch inside a cereal box or stuffing cash inside a pack of ramen. Watching their reaction is half the fun!
DIY Gag Gift: Make something absurd, like a “World’s Worst Driver” trophy (if they’re terrible at driving) or a homemade “Emergency Tinder Pickup Lines” booklet. Creativity wins every time!
Funny gifts should be personal, unexpected, and just the right amount of ridiculous!
