Hobbies And Interests
How the Game Works
Players are provided different grids with approximately 25 squares containing numbers, or words based on a theme. The "caller" (dealer) draws numbers randomly and calls them out as they're drawn. If players have the corresponding number, they place tokens on the appropriate grids. The first player to have a full sequential line (diagonally, vertically, or horizontally) full wins. Each round of bingo has an arbitrary time frame, and it's often fun to provide small prizes for the winners of each round. Since rounds are generally short, bingo allows multiple winners, and players win by chance, so bingo prizes are generally inexpensive gag gifts.
Where to Obtain Gag Gifts
Many websites specialize in gag gifts, and these sites can be wonderful resources. Stupid.com, Gagworks.com, and Pranksplace.com sell a variety of gags, including political, holiday, kids, and toilet humor-themed gifts. Featured examples include "poop" calendars, fake candy bunny teeth, alien toilet paper, "hot mess soap," smoke bombs, prank "foaming" lighters, and talking political action figures. Other traditional gag gifts include prank chewing gum in various disgusting flavors, "bullet-hole" stickers, or silly string. Inexpensive gifts can also be obtained at party shops or local dollar stores. Used DVDs can be purchased at local rental stores, and these can be fun prizes as well.
Other Gag Gift Ideas
It's fun to award gag gifts based on the theme of your bingo game. If your bingo game has no theme, random gag gifts are hilarious awards, but sometimes age appropriateness must be taken into consideration. Underwear or socks with cartoons or goofy cartoons/phrases, silly string, crazy lighters, bizarre statues, oven mitts, neckties, or strange hats can be universally fun and cheaply obtained. For teenagers, blast-from-the-past items work well as gags, such as outdated DVDs/VHS/CDs, unpopular posters, hair gel or dye, or weird home décor. For bachelorette parties or middle-aged crowds, colored/flavored condoms, lingerie, and other random toys make fun gifts. "Blasts-from-the-past" work well with older players as well: fad toys or products long out of style, ugly socks, or toys currently popular with younger crowds might work well. Chia pets in various shapes are also fun gifts.
Tips
Another option for gag gifts is to raid the used "garage sale worthy" or used items from your home, somewhat like a "white elephant" gift exchange. Gag gifts, canned food items (sauerkraut or oyster broth, anyone?) or lightly worn items can work well. In addition, using the white elephant theme, you can also vary the bingo prize winning. For example, the first round's winner can choose a prize from the selection (prewrapped, or open), then the second round's winner can choose either a new prize or the first winner's prize. If the second winner takes the first winner's prize, the first winner can choose from the main selection. This continues until the game is over. This prize-awarding variation can be a fun addition to any game of bingo.