Join us as we explore all things boobs. From inception to celebration we're boob lovers and we know you are too. And that's totally ok.
Stress Relief Gifts for Men: The Science of Squeezing
Quick answer: The best stress relief gifts for men give him something to do with his hands and a reason to slow down: squeeze toys, weighted or cozy comfort items, and anything that encourages touch and rest. Research links hugging and warm physical contact with lower stress responses. Our pick is the Booby Pillow, a lap-size memory-foam boob pillow (15×11×9 in) built for hugging and squeezing, and it makes him laugh too.
Why stress relief gifts for men are harder than they look
Plenty of guys don't talk about stress. They clench their jaw, refresh their inbox and say "I'm fine" in a voice that is clearly not fine. We've written about fun ways men can reduce stress before, and the common thread is simple: men tend to relax by doing something, not by talking about it.
So the best stress relief gifts for men aren't lectures in a box. They're things he'll pick up without thinking: something to squeeze, something to lean on, something that makes him laugh. If it feels like "self-care," he might ignore it. If it feels like a toy, he'll use it every day.
The science of squeezing: what research says about touch
We're a pillow company, not a lab, so here's what published research actually found. No hype.
Hugs and oxytocin
In a 2005 study published in Biological Psychology, researchers found that premenopausal women who reported more frequent hugs from their partners had higher oxytocin levels, along with lower blood pressure and heart rate. (Light, Grewen & Amico, 2005, PubMed) Oxytocin is often nicknamed the "love hormone." We dug into it in our post on oxytocin, the love hormone.
Hugs as a stress buffer
A 2015 study in Psychological Science asked whether hugging acts as stress-buffering social support. Researchers tracked adults' daily conflicts and hugs, then exposed them to a common cold virus. People who felt more supported, and got more hugs, were better protected against the stress-related increase in infection risk, and hugged people who got sick had less severe symptoms. (Cohen et al., 2015, PubMed)
What that means for a gift
Those studies are about human hugs, not pillows. No pillow replaces a person, and we'd never claim otherwise. But the takeaway is clear enough to shop by: warm, physical comfort is good for stressed-out people. A gift that invites hugging, leaning and squeezing (and a laugh) nudges him in that direction.
For our more playful take on the topic, there's also our post on research about touching and looking at boobs and stress.
Our pick: the Booby Pillow, a stress relief gift that's also a joke
The Booby Pillow is a realistic boob pillow, a lap-size memory-foam pillow measuring 15×11×9 inches. It's built to be hugged, leaned on and squeezed, and it slowly springs back every time.
Why it works as a stress relief gift for men:
It's a squeeze toy that doesn't feel like therapy. He'll grab it during a tense game, a long call or a bad commute recap.
It's huggable comfort. It's big enough to hug, rest his head on or tuck behind his lower back.
Laughter helps too. It's impossible to stay grumpy while holding a pair of sculpted foam breasts.
It's real memory foam. It's slow-rebound and satisfying to squeeze, and it won't go flat like polyfill.
Want the background? Here's what a boob pillow is and why ours is built differently.
Give him the Brand Nude Edition, the most squeezable stress relief gift →
10 more stress relief gifts for men
No brands and no made-up prices, just gift types that help guys unwind.
Things to squeeze and fidget with
Stress balls or squishy hand grips. They're simple and cheap, and they live on the desk forever.
A fidget cube or fidget spinner for the leg-bouncer in meetings.
A desktop punching bag or "rage button" with sound effects, for some cathartic comedy.
Comfort and rest
A weighted blanket. Its deep, even pressure is a favorite for winding down on the couch.
A sleep mask and earplug set for the light sleeper or frequent traveler.
A heated neck wrap or a microwavable heat pack for the guy who carries stress in his shoulders.
A handheld massager or a massage gun for post-workout or post-workday knots.
Unplugging
A puzzle or a model kit. Focused hands, quiet mind.
A cozy hobby starter kit: coffee brewing, bonsai, grilling rubs or fishing tackle. Something to do that isn't a screen.
A subscription to a meditation, audiobook or comedy app (gift cards make this easy). Laughter counts.
Shopping for your partner? See our funny gifts for your husband or boyfriend. Prefer pure comedy? Try our gag gifts for men they'll actually use.
How to choose a stress relief gift he'll actually use
Match his stress style
Fidgeter: squeeze toys, fidget cubes, the Booby Pillow.
Shoulder-carrier: heat wraps, massagers.
Bad sleeper: weighted blanket, sleep mask.
Overthinker: puzzles, hobby kits, audiobooks.
Put it where stress happens
A stress toy on the desk beats one in a drawer. A pillow on the couch or the gaming chair gets used. Hand it over with a suggestion: "This lives on your desk now."
Make it fun, not clinical
Men are far more likely to use a stress relief gift that doesn't announce itself as one. Humor is the Trojan horse.
When to give a stress relief gift
Busy-season at work (tax season, year-end, a big launch)
Holidays, when stress peaks. It also makes a great Secret Santa or funny white elephant gift
After a big life change: a new job, a new baby, a move
Before a wedding, where it doubles as one of the bachelor party gifts the groom will never live down
Just because he's been grinding
Shop the Booby Pillow Brand Nude Edition →
More Booby Pillow gift guides
New to all this? Start with our boob pillow, then shop the Brand Nude Edition or browse the store.
More reading in our Health and Wellness articles or on the Booby Pillow blog.
FAQ
What are good stress relief gifts for men? Good stress relief gifts for men include squeeze toys, weighted blankets, heat wraps, massagers, hobby kits and comfort items like the Booby Pillow, a lap-size memory-foam boob pillow made for hugging and squeezing.
Does hugging actually reduce stress? Research suggests it helps. A 2015 study in Psychological Science found that hugs and social support helped buffer stress-related infection risk, and a 2005 study in Biological Psychology linked more frequent partner hugs with higher oxytocin and lower blood pressure in premenopausal women.
Can a pillow replace a hug? No. Studies on hugging involve people, not pillows. A huggable pillow is a comfort item that encourages relaxing, squeezing and laughing, which is why it makes a fun stress relief gift.
What do you get a stressed-out man who has everything? Something he wouldn't buy himself: a funny comfort gift like the Booby Pillow, a weighted blanket, or a hobby kit that gets him off his screen.
Bachelor Party Gifts the Groom Will Never Live Down
Quick answer: The best bachelor party gifts for the groom are funny enough to embarrass him tonight and good enough to keep after the wedding. Our pick is the Booby Pillow: a realistic, lap-size memory-foam boob pillow (15×11×9 in) that's the ultimate "last night of freedom" gag, and it'll still be on his couch long after the honeymoon. Below are 10 more bachelor party gift ideas, from gag gifts to group keepsakes.
What makes a great bachelor party gift?
The groom's going to get blenders and towels at the shower. The bachelor party is the crew's one shot at giving him something with personality. The best bachelor party gifts:
Roast him (gently). It's his last weekend as a "free man." Mild public humiliation is tradition.
Become the story. If it's in the photos and the group chat for years, you nailed it.
Survive the wedding. Bonus points if the bride laughs too and lets it stay in the house.
And remember: the goal is "he'll never live it down," not "he'll never forgive us." Keep it cheeky, not cruel.
The bachelor party gift he'll never live down: the Booby Pillow
Picture it: the groom opens a box in front of the whole crew and pulls out a pair of perfectly sculpted breasts. That's the moment. That's the photo. That's the toast at the reception.
The Booby Pillow is a realistic boob pillow, a lap-size memory-foam pillow measuring 15×11×9 inches. It's sculpted and shaded to look like the real thing, and it bounces back after every squeeze.
Why it's the ultimate bachelor party gift:
It's the perfect "farewell to single life" joke. "Here's the last pair you'll be allowed to hug" basically writes itself.
It's road-trip ready. It's lap-size, so it rides along to Vegas, Nashville or the lake house as an airplane pillow, a car-ride headrest or a poolside cushion. It'll be in every photo.
It actually lasts. It's real memory foam, not a deflating novelty balloon. Long after the hangover's gone, it's a comfy couch pillow.
The bride will probably think it's funny. Plenty of women own a Booby Pillow themselves. (And if she doesn't love it, she now has the perfect white elephant gift for December.)
New to the whole idea? Here's what a boob pillow actually is. And if your crew's humor runs toward motorboating jokes, we already wrote the definitive guide to motorboating (send it to the group chat).
Get the groom the Brand Nude Edition →
10 more bachelor party gift ideas
Gag gifts for the groom
A "ball and chain" novelty keychain or costume shackle. It's an old joke, and still funny.
A custom "groom's last ride" T-shirt or sash, worn all weekend whether he likes it or not.
A blow-up "date" or a cardboard cutout of the bride. She attends the whole party in spirit.
A survival kit: pain reliever, electrolyte packets, eye mask, gum and a "do not disturb" sign. It's equal parts gag and genuinely useful.
Group gifts the whole crew can share
Matching custom shirts, hats or sunglasses for the crew. They're great for photos and for finding each other in a crowd.
A personalized flask or a set of engraved shot glasses. It's the classic groomsman-adjacent gift.
A drinking game or party card game made for adults. It's instant icebreaker material for the friends who just met.
Keepsakes he'll actually keep
A custom photo book or framed "best of the bachelor party" print, delivered after the wedding when the evidence has been carefully curated.
A whiskey, bourbon or cocktail tasting kit for the guy who'd rather sip than chug.
A "marriage advice" jar or card deck filled out by the crew. It's half wisdom, half roast, and he'll read it on every anniversary.
For more ideas in the same spirit, our list of gag gifts for men they'll actually use and our roundup of silly boob-shaped products are both gold.
How to give bachelor party gifts the right way
Do the big reveal in front of everyone
The best gag gifts need an audience. Hand it over at dinner, on the party bus, or right before the first round.
Pool your money
A group gift lets the crew go bigger and gives everyone credit for the joke. Add a card that everyone signs with their worst advice.
Plan the "after"
Think about where the gift lives after the weekend. A pillow on the couch? A flask in the bar cart? Photos on the wall? Gifts with a life after the party are the ones that turn into legends.
Keep it wedding-safe
Anything you'd be embarrassed to show the bride's grandma should stay in Vegas. The Booby Pillow is cheeky but tasteful. It's sculpted art, not a centerfold.
Bachelor party gift timeline
4–6 weeks out: pick the gift and order anything custom (shirts, engraving, the Booby Pillow).
1–2 weeks out: check that everything has arrived, and pack the reveal gift where the groom can't find it.
Party weekend: big reveal, lots of photos.
After the wedding: deliver the keepsake (photo book, framed print, advice jar).
Final word from the Booby Pillow crew
Bachelor parties are about one thing: sending your buddy off with a story. Give him a gift that gets a laugh, survives the weekend and earns a spot in his new home. Then make sure somebody brings it up in the best man's speech.
Order the Booby Pillow for the bachelor party →
More Booby Pillow gift guides
New to all this? Start with our boobie pillow explainer, then shop the Brand Nude Edition or browse the store.
More reading in our History Culture articles or on the Booby Pillow blog.
FAQ
What is a good bachelor party gift for the groom? A good bachelor party gift is funny enough to roast the groom and good enough to keep after the wedding. Popular picks include a realistic boob pillow like the Booby Pillow, a hangover survival kit, a custom flask and a crew-signed advice jar.
Do you bring gifts to a bachelor party? Gifts aren't required, but a funny group gift is a popular tradition. Many crews pool their money for one big gag gift or keepsake for the groom.
What's a funny but tasteful bachelor party gag gift? Pick something cheeky that he can still keep at home, like the Booby Pillow, a sculpted lap-size memory-foam pillow, or a custom "last ride" shirt. Skip anything that would embarrass the couple at the wedding.
When should you order bachelor party gifts? Order four to six weeks before the party, especially for anything custom or shipped, so it arrives in time for the big reveal.
Funny Gifts for Your Husband or Boyfriend (That Aren’t Socks)
Quick answer: The best funny gifts for your husband or boyfriend mix an inside joke with something he'll actually use. Our favorite is the Booby Pillow: a realistic, lap-size memory-foam boob pillow (15×11×9 in) that makes him laugh, keeps him comfy, and gives him something to hug when you're not around. Below are 10 more funny gift ideas for him, none of them socks.
Why funny gifts beat "sensible" gifts for your partner
You've done the sensible gifts. The wallet, the cologne, the third pair of slippers. He said thank you. He meant it, sort of.
A funny gift does something a sensible gift can't. It reminds him you get him. It's a shared joke and a flirt in a box, and it turns into a story you'll both tell. (If you've ever wondered why people love boobs so much, the Booby Pillow is basically that question answered in foam.) The trick is finding a gift that's funny and useful, so it doesn't end up in the "thanks, babe" pile.
The funny gift he'll hug every night: the Booby Pillow
Hear us out, ladies (and gents shopping for their guys): the Booby Pillow is the funniest "I love you" you can wrap.
It's a realistic boob pillow, sculpted and shaded to look like a gorgeous pair. It's a lap-size memory-foam pillow, 15×11×9 inches, built to hug, cuddle, rest a head on, and squeeze.
Why it works as a partner gift:
It's flirty, not crude. It's a wink, not a dare. He'll laugh, and so will you.
It's the perfect "while I'm away" gift. Traveling for work? Long distance? Now he's got something to hug at night. (You're welcome. Mostly.)
It's comfy, for real. Memory foam springs back after every squeeze. It actually works as a headrest or a lap pillow on movie night.
It's a forever inside joke. Every time he sees it on the couch, he thinks of you.
Plenty of women buy the Booby Pillow for their partners as a cheeky joke, and plenty of guys "borrow" it back. For the full backstory on this kind of pillow, see what a boob pillow is.
Surprise him with the Brand Nude Edition →
10 more funny gifts for your husband or boyfriend
No socks. We promise.
A custom "reasons I love you" book or deck of cards, filled with funny, specific reasons. It's sweet, silly, and all about him.
A personalized face pillow or blanket with your face on it. It's the weirdest, most romantic gift you can give, and it pairs well with the Booby Pillow for a full "sleeping alone" kit.
A "couple coupons" book. One back rub, one "you pick the movie," one "I won't say anything about the dishes." He'll actually redeem them.
A novelty grill set or a cheeky apron. If he's a weekend griller, give him something to show off at the next cookout.
A beard care or grooming kit with a joke label. It's practical, and the label makes it his.
A two-player board or card game for adults, perfect for date nights in.
A "date night in a box" kit: snacks, a movie, a candle and a silly dare card or two.
A wearable blanket or oversized hoodie. Fine, maybe you'll steal this one.
A desk stress toy for the guy who sighs at his laptop all day. (We've also got fun ways for men to reduce stress.) There are more ideas in our stress relief gifts for men guide.
Matching his-and-hers mugs or pajamas with an inside-joke print. They're cheesy on purpose.
If he's more of a pure prankster, our gag gifts for men they'll actually use list goes even further.
Funny gift ideas by occasion
His birthday
Lead with the laugh, follow with the love. The Booby Pillow plus a heartfelt card works every time.
Christmas
Wrap the funny gift and slip it under the tree with a misleading tag ("socks"), so the setup does half the work. It's also a perfect stocking-stuffer-to-the-max.
Valentine's Day
A flirty gift fits right in. Pair it with our post about oxytocin, the love hormone for a little science with your cheek.
Anniversaries
Funny works if there's a sentimental piece too. Pair the pillow with a framed photo or a note about the night you met.
"Just because"
Honestly the best time. A random Tuesday boob pillow is a power move.
How to make a funny gift feel romantic
Write a real note. One honest sentence turns a joke into a keepsake.
Make it personal. Reference a running joke, a trip or a nickname.
Mind the audience. Some gifts are for unwrapping in private, not at the family dinner table. The Booby Pillow is an "open this at home" gift if your in-laws are visiting.
Pair it with time together. A gift plus a date night beats any gift alone.
Why the Booby Pillow makes a great gift for him
Most funny gifts for your husband or boyfriend are funny once. The Booby Pillow keeps working: it's a joke, a cuddle buddy and a lumbar cushion all in one. It's made of real memory foam, it's built to last, and it's guaranteed to make him grin every time he walks past the couch.
Get him the Booby Pillow Brand Nude Edition →
More Booby Pillow gift guides
New to all this? Start with our boob pillow, then shop the Brand Nude Edition or browse the store.
More reading in our Health and Wellness articles or on the Booby Pillow blog.
FAQ
What is a funny gift for my husband? A funny gift for your husband pairs an inside joke with something useful. Good examples include a realistic boob pillow like the Booby Pillow, a "couple coupons" book, a personalized face pillow or a cheeky grill apron.
What can I get my boyfriend that's funny but sweet? Try a flirty gift with a personal note: the Booby Pillow for when you're apart, a custom "reasons I love you" deck, or a date-night-in-a-box kit.
Is a boob pillow a weird gift for a boyfriend? It's cheeky, and that's the point. Most guys laugh, then use it. It's a lap-size memory-foam pillow measuring 15×11×9 inches, so it works as a real pillow too.
What should I avoid when buying a funny gift for my partner? Avoid jokes that poke at insecurities, and gifts that are only funny for a moment. Pick something he'll keep, and add a real note.
Gag Gifts for Men They’ll Actually Use
Quick answer: The best gag gifts for men make him laugh when he opens them, and then he keeps using them. Our top pick is the Booby Pillow, a realistic, lap-size memory-foam boob pillow (15×11×9 in) that's a joke for 10 seconds and a favorite couch pillow for years. Below are 10 more funny gag gifts for men, grouped by the type of guy you're shopping for.
The problem with most gag gifts
Here's the dirty secret of the gag-gift aisle: most of it is landfill with a punchline. He laughs and takes a picture for the group chat, and by February it's buried in a drawer with the novelty bottle opener from 2019.
A good gag gift for a man passes the "still here in March" test. It needs to:
Get the laugh. Opening it has to be an event.
Do a real job. It holds a drink, supports his back, keeps him warm, or helps him chill out.
Fit his life. The gamer, the griller, the office guy and the dad all need different jokes.
That's the whole guide. Everything below passes the test.
Our #1 gag gift for men: the Booby Pillow
Yes, we make it. But hear us out, because this is the gag gift that guys actually keep on the couch.
The Booby Pillow is a realistic boob pillow, sculpted and shaded to look like the real thing. It's a lap-size memory-foam pillow measuring 15×11×9 inches, so it works as a headrest, a lumbar pillow, an armrest during a long gaming session, or a stress squeeze when his team blows a lead in the fourth quarter.
Why it's the perfect gag gift for men:
The reaction is priceless. He'll laugh, then blush, then squeeze it. Usually in that order.
It's genuinely comfortable. Memory foam springs back after every squeeze. It's not a flat novelty cushion stuffed with fluff.
It gets used every day. Guys tell us it ends up on the couch, the desk chair or the bed. It earns its spot.
It's a conversation piece. Every friend who walks in asks about it.
Curious why guys love squeezing it so much? We explore that in why people love boobs, and there's a full explainer on what a boob pillow is.
Shop the Brand Nude Edition: the gag gift he'll actually use →
10 more gag gifts for men, by type of guy
For the guy who lives on the couch
A wearable blanket or hooded throw. Mock it all you want. He'll wear it all winter.
A remote-control caddy or couch-arm tray. It's funny because it's so lazy, and useful for exactly the same reason.
For the griller
A novelty apron with a ridiculous print. Fake abs, a tuxedo, a cheeky slogan... Pick your poison.
An extreme hot sauce sampler. The gag is the heat. The gift is that he'll brag about finishing it.
For the gamer
A giant novelty controller or a "do not disturb, gaming" door sign. It gets a laugh and fair warning for everyone else.
An oversized snack bowl or a mug with a joke on it. Fuel for the late-night ranked grind.
For the office guy
A desktop stress toy, like a punching bag, a "panic button" with sound effects, or a squishy ball. Pair it with our guide to stress relief gifts for men.
A coffee mug with a passive-aggressive slogan. It's a corporate classic for a reason.
For the guy who has everything
A "build your own" kit: a beer brewing, jerky or cocktail infusion set. The gag is that he has to make it himself.
Personalized face socks or a face pillowcase with his dog's face, his own face, or his favorite celebrity's face. It's absurd, and he'll wear them.
Want body-part-shaped inspiration? Browse our roundup of silly boob-shaped products for more ideas.
When to give a gag gift to a man
Gag gifts are the right move more often than you'd think:
Birthdays, especially the milestone ones (30, 40, 50). The bigger the number, the bigger the joke.
White elephant and Secret Santa swaps. Our funny white elephant gifts list is built for exactly this.
Bachelor parties. A gag gift is basically mandatory, and we've got bachelor party gifts the groom will never live down.
Father's Day, retirement or "just because." Laughter is a gift too. A pillow he'll use is better.
Husbands and boyfriends. If it's your partner, check out funny gifts for your husband or boyfriend.
How to give a gag gift without it falling flat
Know the line
Your best friend and your boss have very different senses of humor. Cheeky works almost everywhere. Explicit doesn't. The Booby Pillow lands in "cheeky, very funny, probably not for a client meeting."
Wrap it like it's serious
Fancy wrapping on a joke gift doubles the laugh. A sleek box, tissue paper and a formal card that says "With deepest respect" are the setup. The pillow is the punchline.
Add a real gift on the side
If you're worried the joke is the whole gift, tuck in a gift card, a bottle of his favorite drink or concert tickets. That way the laugh is the bonus, not the main event.
Film the reaction
Trust us. The unboxing face is half the value.
Gag gifts vs. "real" gifts: why not both?
The best gag gifts for men sit right in the middle. They're funny enough to get a laugh and good enough to keep. That's the whole reason we built the Booby Pillow out of real memory foam instead of cheap polyfill. A joke that goes flat after a week isn't a gift. It's just trash with a punchline.
Give him the gag gift he'll keep on the couch: the Brand Nude Edition →
More Booby Pillow gift guides
New to all this? Start with our boobie pillow, then shop the Brand Nude Edition or browse the store.
More reading in our History Culture articles or on the Booby Pillow blog.
FAQ
What is a good gag gift for a man? A good gag gift for a man makes him laugh when he opens it and is still useful afterward. Examples include a realistic boob pillow like the Booby Pillow, a wearable blanket, an extreme hot sauce sampler or a desktop stress toy.
Are gag gifts appropriate for birthdays? Yes, especially for milestone birthdays. Pair the joke gift with something he'll use, or choose a gag gift that's useful on its own, like a lap-size memory-foam pillow.
What gag gift do guys actually keep? Guys keep gag gifts that do a real job: comfy pillows and blankets, drinkware, snacks and stress toys. One-time novelty items tend to get thrown out.
Is the Booby Pillow a gag gift or a real pillow? Both. It looks like a gag gift, but it's a lap-size memory-foam pillow measuring 15×11×9 inches, made for hugging, resting your head on and squeezing every day.
Funny White Elephant Gifts That Actually Get Stolen (2026)
Quick answer: The best funny white elephant gifts are the ones people get loud about: they're shocking when unwrapped, actually useful afterward, and worth stealing twice. Our top pick is the Booby Pillow, a realistic, lap-size memory-foam boob pillow (15×11×9 in) that gets a scream in round one and a fight by round three. Below: 10 more steal-worthy ideas and how to win the swap.
Why some white elephant gifts get stolen (and others get re-gifted)
Every holiday party has the same two piles by the end of the night. Pile one: the gift that got stolen three times, with grown adults negotiating like hostage brokers. Pile two: the scented candle nobody remembers opening.
The difference isn't price. It's three things:
The gasp. The best funny white elephant gifts get a reaction the second the paper comes off. If the room doesn't go "OH NO" or "OH YES," it's not a contender.
The second life. A gag that's funny for 30 seconds and then goes in the trash doesn't get stolen. A gag people actually use afterward does.
The story. The winner is the thing people are still talking about at next year's party.
Hit all three and your gift becomes the one everyone's plotting to steal. Miss them and you're the person who brought the lotion sampler.
The #1 gift that gets stolen: the Booby Pillow
We're biased, but we've also watched this one get passed around a lot of living rooms. The Booby Pillow is a realistic boob pillow, sculpted to look and feel like the real thing. It's a lap-size memory-foam pillow, 15×11×9 inches, so it's big enough to hug, rest your head on, or squeeze after a long day, and it springs right back.
Why it wins the swap:
The gasp is guaranteed. Nobody expects a pair of perfectly sculpted breasts to come out of a gift bag. Watch faces. It's half the fun.
It has a real second life. Under the joke is a genuinely comfy pillow. People keep it on the couch, the office chair, or the gaming setup (and yes, they squeeze it during stressful meetings).
It's a crowd-pleaser across the room. Guys steal it for the laugh. Women steal it because it's honestly comfortable, and some steal it just to keep it away from their husbands.
It comes with a story. "Remember the year Dave fought Aunt Linda for the boob pillow?" Yes. Everyone remembers.
If you want the full rundown on what makes it different from cheap novelty cushions, read our guide to what a boob pillow actually is.
Get the Brand Nude Edition, the white elephant gift people fight over →
10 more funny white elephant gift ideas that get stolen
No brands, no fake prices, just the types of gifts that reliably cause chaos. Check your group's spending limit and shop around.
A giant novelty candy bar. It's ridiculous and edible, and it makes everybody hungry. It's usually stolen by someone who missed dinner.
A "desk punching bag" or desktop stress toy. Bonus points if it plays sound effects. Perfect for the office swap.
A toilet-time gadget set. Think a putting green for the bathroom, or a "bathroom reading" trivia book. It's gross, funny and secretly beloved.
A custom face pillowcase or face socks. Print a coworker's face (with permission, ideally). It gets a huge reaction and is very stealable within friend groups.
A heated blanket or plush throw. Not funny on its own, but it's the "real" gift people secretly hunt for. Pair it with a silly card.
A beer or wine "helmet" or novelty drink dispenser. It's a party trick in a box.
A cheesy "build your own" kit: hot sauce, pickling, jerky or cocktail infusions. It's useful, giftable and fun to show off.
A ridiculous animal-shaped kitchen gadget, like a dinosaur pizza cutter or a sloth tea infuser. Low risk, high giggle.
A jumbo-size card or board game for adults. It brings the party straight to the party.
Butt-shaped anything. If boobs are taken, there's always the other side. (We wrote a whole post about a comfortable butt-shaped pillow.)
Want even more body-part-shaped chaos? Our roundup of silly boob-shaped products is a goldmine for gag-gift shoppers.
How to pick a white elephant gift for your crowd
Not every party is the same party. Read the room before you wrap.
Office party
Keep it cheeky, not explicit. Stress toys, snacks and cozy items do well. A Booby Pillow is a big swing at work. It's a hit in a laid-back office and a conversation in a buttoned-up one. Know your HR department.
Friends or roommates
Anything goes. This is where the Booby Pillow, face pillowcases and the truly unhinged gag gifts shine. The bigger the gasp, the more steals.
Family
Mixed ages need a gift that's funny to adults and harmless to kids. Giant candy, a goofy kitchen gadget or a cozy blanket all play safe. (Save the boob pillow for the cousins' after-party.)
Guys' night
Go big. Novelty drink gear, gag gifts and anything they'll show off on the group chat. If you're shopping for one guy in particular, our gag gifts for men they'll actually use list has you covered.
White elephant rules, quickly
If you're hosting, here's the standard version so nobody argues:
Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the agreed spending limit.
Draw numbers. Player #1 opens a gift.
Each next player either opens a new gift or steals an opened one.
A person who gets robbed can open a new gift or steal from someone else (no immediate steal-backs).
Most groups "freeze" a gift after it's been stolen two or three times.
Player #1 often gets one final steal at the end.
That freeze rule is why the gasp-worthy gifts matter. The gift that hits the steal limit first is the one everybody remembers.
Wrapping tips that make your gift even more stealable
Disguise the shape. A pillow-shaped box is a dead giveaway. Wrap it in a bigger box, add a weight, or go for an oversized gift bag.
Use a misleading tag. "Practical kitchen item" on a boob pillow is a classic.
Add a bonus treat. A candy cane or scratch-off taped to the outside makes the first opener smile, and it makes the next stealer twice as greedy.
When to buy
White elephant season runs from the office parties in early December all the way to New Year's. Shipping gets slower and stock gets thinner the closer you get, so order early in December at the latest. Future you, sitting smugly while three coworkers fight over your gift, will thank you.
Order the Booby Pillow Brand Nude Edition before party season →
More Booby Pillow gift guides
New to all this? Start with our the boob pillow guide, then shop the Brand Nude Edition or browse the store.
More reading in our History Culture articles or on the Booby Pillow blog.
FAQ
What is a good funny white elephant gift? A good funny white elephant gift gets a big reaction when it's opened and is still useful afterward, so people want to steal it. Novelty gifts with a real purpose, like the Booby Pillow (a lap-size memory-foam boob pillow), cozy blankets or useful gag kits, beat one-time jokes.
What white elephant gifts get stolen the most? Gifts that are surprising, practical and shareable get stolen the most. Cozy items, food and premium gag gifts tend to hit the steal limit first. A realistic boob pillow is a reliable steal magnet because it's both a laugh and a comfortable pillow.
Is a boob pillow appropriate for an office white elephant? It depends on your office. In a relaxed workplace it's usually a hit. In a formal one, choose something tamer, and save the Booby Pillow for friends, roommates or a guys' night swap.
How do white elephant steals work? On their turn, each player either opens a new gift or steals one that's already been opened. The person who was robbed then opens or steals in turn. Most groups freeze a gift after two or three steals.
