How to Make a Candy Cane Puzzle Gag Gift

Does your office, family or other group have a tradition of a white elephant gift exchange or a Yankee swap? It can be difficult to come up with funny gag gift ideas year after year. A candy cane puzzle is sure to garner some laughs. It might even be one of those presents that keep coming back every holiday season.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Small cardboard box
• Several candy canes
• Paper, marker and other decorating items
• Zip-top sandwich baggies
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tape
• Hammer
• Bottle of white glue
• One toothpick

1. Remove any labels or paper from the cardboard box, if possible. If not, wrap the lid and the bottom of the box with plain or decorative paper.

2. Decorate the cardboard box using a marker, paper cutouts or other embellishments. Label the box something funny such as "5732-Piece Candy Cane Puzzle" and "Hours of Fun!" Add pictures of candy canes cut from magazine pages or printed using your computer and printer.

3. Place the candy canes inside of a sandwich baggie and use the hammer to break them into many pieces.

4. Place the pieces into a different sandwich baggie (chances are, the one you hammered the candy canes in shows some serious wear and tear). Place the baggie inside of the cardboard box along with the bottle of white glue and toothpick.

5. Write or print out "instructions" on putting the puzzle together. For example, you might want to write: "Instructions for Advanced Candy Cane Puzzle--Match puzzle pieces together. Use the toothpick dipped in glue to adhere the pieces together. Start today and you might be finished by next Christmas!"

Tips & Warnings

• Make a "Beginner's Version" by breaking a large, thick candy cane stick into three or four pieces.

• Make sure the recipient knows this is not necessarily an edible gift.

Resources

• Candy canes