How to Make Usable Gag Gifts

Trying to think of the perfect gift for someone? Is your mind drawing a blank? Consider a usable gag gift, if the person has good sense of humor. Rather than spending money on something they may or may not like, usable gag gifts will be put to work. Plus, they'll provide a few laughs at the celebration. Use your creativity and imagination.

Things You'll Need

• Holiday socks
• Potpourri
• Curly ribbon
• Pen and paper
• Holiday cookie cutters
• Holiday cookie platter
• Small cloth bags
• Permanent marker
• Small candies
• Basket
• Muscle rubs and creams
• Wrinkle cream
• Aspirin
• Whitening toothpaste
• Walking cane
• Specialty toilet paper
• Bathroom towels
• Specialty toilet bowl brushes
• Specialty toilet bowl lids
• Koozies, glasses or mugs
• Specialty band-aids
• Beano
• Tums
• Specialty food products

Instructions

Holiday Gag Gifts

1. Give Santa's Stinky Socks. Grab a pair of holiday socks, potpourri, curly ribbon, decorative paper and a pen. Fill the holiday socks with potpourri. Try a seasonal scent, which makes a nice addition to someone's home. Tie the socks closed with curly ribbon and add a message tag with a cute poem about "Santa's Stinky Socks."

2. Attach a few holiday cookie cutters to an empty holiday tray. Add a note explaining, "I sampled one or two, but don't know where the rest could have gone. I bought some new cookie cutters so you can sample your own." Put this gag gift together quickly if you're short on time.

3. Give a snack. This gag gift is fun for kids of all ages. Purchase or sew a few small cloth bags. Write "Reindeer Poop" or "Lump of Coal" on the outside of the bag. Fill the bag with small candies or holiday treats. Tie the bags closed with curly ribbon. Attach a message saying, "Santa's reindeer left a little present, thought you'd might like a taste!" or "Santa's been watching and left this for you." Be creative!

Gag Gifts for Special Occasions

1. Organize an Over the Hill basket of goodies. Give this gag gift to someone who's celebrating a milestone birthday such as 40 or 50. Purchase items that will get a laugh, but can be used such as joint and muscle rubs, wrinkle cream, aspirin, whitening toothpaste, a walking cane and other medicines. Try adding notes to each item to describe when or how they should be used.

2. Create a bathroom accessories basket. Purchase special toilet paper with the faces of politicians or actors, funny sayings or money. Look for towels with special messages. A popular gag towel is one with face and butt written on opposite ends, telling you which end to use. Think about adding toilet bowl brushes with famous faces or special toilet bowl lids to your gag gift.

3. Organize your gag gift around a theme. Using food and food-related products provide ideas and potential laughs. Search for unusual items that will bring out the laughter, such as a clock shaped like a piece of toast, pickle band-aids or a tongue shaped bottle opener. Include products like Beano and Tums with a silly message like, "For those trying times." Koozies, glasses and mugs with specials messages add a nice touch to gag gifts and are usable in the future.