Funny Gifts and Gag Gifts That Get a Real Laugh
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $10 to under $50
Good funny gifts get a laugh when they are opened and then earn a place on a desk or in the kitchen. Strong picks include a yodeling pickle, a talking Bob Ross bobblehead, a giant coffee mug, a pizza cutter shaped like a circular saw and a loud party game for the whole table.
Quick picks
- Best overall: A yodeling pickle that does one silly thing A press-and-laugh gag that works for almost any recipient. Idea 1
- Best under $10: Tiny hands to wear on your fingertips A multipack of silly fingertip hands for group photos. Idea 5
- Best for the kitchen: A pizza cutter shaped like a circular saw A joke that still cuts real pizza. Idea 11
- Best for game night: A word game where you can only use one-syllable words Loud, quick to learn and family friendly. Idea 15
- Best for the yard: A squirrel feeder that makes squirrels wear a horse mask A backyard joke you can watch from the window. Idea 20
A good funny gift gets a laugh when it is opened and then earns a spot on a desk, a shelf or the kitchen counter. We sorted these 20 ideas into pure gag gifts, funny things that still do a job, desk toys, party games and a couple of outdoor jokes, so you can match the joke to the person.
Each idea says who it suits and what to check before you wrap it, including age labels on the games. If you are shopping for a swap, our White Elephant Gifts guide covers the rules of the game, and many of these picks also work as funny Christmas gifts for coworkers and family.
Ideas 1 to 6
Gag gifts with a real punchline
Pure gag gifts: no practical purpose required, just a good laugh when the paper comes off. They are low-cost and easy to ship.
1. A yodeling pickle that does one silly thing
A press-to-play pickle that yodels is a joke with no setup, which makes it an easy laugh for coworkers, siblings and the friend who claims to have everything. Whoever opens it will squeeze it at least twice before passing it along. It works as a stocking filler, a desk toy or the small extra that sits beside a bigger present. Wrap it with a funny card and let the recipient press it first.
Tip: Press it once before wrapping so you know how loud the yodel is.
2. A tiny talking Bob Ross for the desk
A pocket-size Bob Ross who nods along and offers calm painting advice is funny and oddly soothing, which suits art lovers and coworkers who could use a gentle voice at their desk. It is small enough to tuck into a stocking or a desk-gift swap. Add a small sketchbook or a set of watercolors if the person actually likes to paint.
Tip: Pair it with a small sketchbook or paint set for someone who paints.
3. A box of plush chicken nuggets with feelings
A fry-box of smiling plush nuggets, each with its own name, is silly enough to get a laugh and soft enough to keep on a desk or shelf. It is funny without being crude, so it is a safe choice for an office swap where you do not know everyone's sense of humor. Open it in front of the group so the names get read aloud.
Tip: Read the nugget names aloud when it is opened; that is half the joke.
4. The original Pet Rock, back in its box
A pet that needs no food, walks or attention is a joke that has worked since the 1970s, which makes it a nostalgic pick for parents, grandparents and anyone who remembers the first craze. It arrives in its own travel crate, so the unboxing is part of the gift. Add a name tag and a mock adoption note for extra laughs.
Tip: Write a short mock adoption certificate to go in the crate.
5. Tiny hands to wear on your fingertips
Slip a pair of tiny hands onto your fingertips and every gesture turns ridiculous, which makes them a hit at game nights and in group photos. A multipack means you can hand them out around a whole table or team. They are small items, so keep them away from babies and toddlers who might put them in their mouths.
Tip: Pass them out before the group photo and let everyone pick a color.
6. Bandages that look like strips of bacon
Bandages shaped like strips of bacon turn the next small scrape into a joke, so they suit bacon fans and the friend who is always bumping into things. They are light and flat, which makes them an easy add-on to a bigger gift or a small surprise for a stocking. Treat them as a novelty and keep a regular first-aid kit nearby.
Tip: Tuck a few into a card as an add-on to a bigger gift.
Ideas 7 to 12
Kitchen and table gifts that still get a laugh
Each of these gets a laugh first and then earns a place in the kitchen or on the dining table.
7. A Loch Ness monster ladle for the soup pot
A soup ladle with a tiny Loch Ness monster rising out of the pot gives everyday cooking a small joke, and it suits home cooks who already own every normal ladle. It is a real kitchen tool, so it keeps getting used after the laugh. Check the listing for care instructions before you give it to someone who does not like hand washing.
Tip: Pair it with a good soup mix or a favorite recipe card.
8. A manatee tea infuser for loose-leaf tea
A manatee that floats on the rim of a mug turns a plain cup of loose-leaf tea into a small joke, so it suits tea drinkers who already own plenty of mugs. It does a real job, which keeps it in the kitchen long after the gift is opened. Add a tin of loose-leaf tea so they can brew a cup the same day.
Tip: Include a small tin of loose-leaf tea so they can use it right away.
9. A coffee mug the size of a small bucket
A comically huge mug is a gentle roast for the friend who lives on coffee, and it works as a desk gift or an office gift-exchange crowd pleaser. It holds a lot, so check that it fits the shelf and the dishwasher before you buy. Fill it with coffee or cocoa packets to make a full gift.
Tip: Fill it with single-serve coffee or cocoa packets to make a full gift.
10. A banana slicer, the classic single-use gadget
A kitchen tool that does exactly one job is a classic gag, and it really does slice bananas for cereal or toast. It suits friends who mock single-use gadgets and anyone who likes a joke they can use at breakfast. It is a low-cost laugh with a practical side, and it is easy to tuck into a gift basket.
Tip: Wrap it with a bunch of bananas or a box of cereal for a joke bundle.
11. A pizza cutter shaped like a circular saw
A pizza wheel that looks like a handheld circular saw gets a laugh at the table and still cuts real pizza, so it suits DIY fans and pizza-night regulars. It has a cutting blade, which makes it an adult kitchen item. Wrap it with a gift card to a favorite pizza place or a frozen pizza.
Tip: Keep the blade shield on when you wrap it, and note that it is for adults.
12. A wine glass that holds the whole bottle
A glass sized to hold a whole 750 ml bottle is a light joke for wine lovers who are 21 and over, and it works as a funny gift for a birthday or a holiday party. It is a real glass, so it holds up on a shelf as well as on the table. Pair it with a bottle they already like.
Tip: For adults 21 and over only; pair it with a bottle they already enjoy.
Ideas 13 to 14
Desk and bookshelf laughs
Small gifts that sit on a desk or shelf and get picked up again and again.
13. A button that plays a round of applause
Pressing a button for a round of instant applause is a fun way to celebrate small wins at work or at home, so it suits coworkers who deserve a standing ovation for finishing the week. It is a low-cost pick for a desk swap. Check the listing for the battery type before you wrap it.
Tip: Check the battery type on the listing and add spares if it needs them.
14. A book of truly terrible dad jokes
A pocket book of groan-worthy puns lets anyone, parent or not, deliver a bad joke on demand, which suits pun lovers of every age and the person who already tells the same jokes at dinner. It is small and light, so it passes easily around a room or a gift-exchange table. Mark your favorite page with a bookmark.
Tip: Mark your favorite joke with a sticky note before you wrap it.
Ideas 15 to 18
Game-night laughs
Party games that turn a table of tired adults or restless kids into a loud, laughing group. Check the age on every box.
15. A word game where you can only use one-syllable words
Players describe words using only one-syllable words, and anyone who slips gets bopped with an inflatable stick, so it suits families and friends who love loud party games. It plays well with a mixed group because the rules are quick to learn. Check the age on the box before you give it to a younger crowd.
Tip: Check the box for the recommended age and player count before you wrap it.
16. A whipped-cream game where someone gets splatted
Every turn risks a face full of whipped cream, so even the people watching end up laughing, which makes it a good choice for families with kids who love slapstick. Players score a point each time they avoid the splat. Plan to play over a table you can wipe down, and have paper towels ready before the first round.
Tip: Buy a can of whipped cream and keep paper towels handy before game night.
17. A headphone game where everyone lip-reads
One player wears headphones with music playing and tries to lip-read a silly phrase, and the wrong guesses are the best part, which makes it a strong pick for adult party nights with mixed groups. Check the age label, since it is meant for adults. Bring it out after dinner, when the table is relaxed and ready to laugh.
Tip: Note the listing's 17-and-up age before giving it to a younger crowd.
18. A party game where you win by thinking like the herd
The goal is to give the same answer as everyone else, which sparks loud debates over silly questions and handles big groups well, so it suits family reunions and large parties. The listing shows an age of 10 and up. Because the aim is simple to describe, a new player can usually join in after hearing it once.
Tip: Check that the player count matches your group before you order.
Ideas 19 to 20
For the front door and yard
Funny gifts for the people who live in a house with a doorstep and a backyard.
19. A doormat that politely says go away
A doormat that politely tells visitors to go away is a friendly joke for homebodies and introverts, and it gets used every day, which keeps the laugh going. It also works as a housewarming gag for a friend moving into a new place. Check the size against the door before you buy.
Tip: Measure the space by the door; the listing gives the mat size.
20. A squirrel feeder that makes squirrels wear a horse mask
When a squirrel stands on its hind legs to eat, the feeder makes it look like it is wearing a horse head, which is a fun gift for anyone with a backyard and a sense of humor. It hangs outside, so it needs a branch or hook with some room around it. It suits people who already watch the squirrels.
Tip: Pick a spot you can see from a window, since the show is the point.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gag gifts for adults?
Good gag gifts for adults get a laugh without being crude, and the best ones also do a small job. Try a yodeling pickle, a giant mug, a circular-saw pizza cutter or a banana slicer. For parties, a one-syllable word game or a headphone lip-reading game works well. Keep adult-only items, like the full-bottle wine glass, for guests who are 21 and over.
What are the best funny white elephant gifts?
Look for gifts that are funny at first sight and still fun to keep, because those are the ones that get stolen. A circular-saw pizza cutter, a giant mug, a box of plush nuggets and a Pet Rock all fit. Keep the humor mild for mixed groups, and check the exchange's spending limit before you shop.
What are good gag gifts for men?
Start with the hobby, not the stereotype. A DIY fan will like a circular-saw pizza cutter, a coffee drinker a giant mug, a home cook a Loch Ness soup ladle and someone with a backyard the horse-mask squirrel feeder. A joke that fits the person lands better than a generic one.
Are funny gifts appropriate for coworkers?
Yes, if the humor is mild and nobody could take it personally. Plush nuggets, a talking Bob Ross, an applause button and a giant mug are safe office picks, while jokes about looks, age or job performance are not. When you do not know someone well, choose a gift that is funny but also useful, and include a gift receipt.
How do I give a gag gift without it feeling mean?
Aim the joke at a shared experience or an object, never at the person. Choose something they can enjoy or use, like a mug, a tea infuser or a game, and pair a very silly gift with something small and useful such as good coffee, tea or a card. Add a short note so the joke is clear.
