
Is This $8 Box the Ultimate White Elephant Gift Prank?
Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on August 18, 2025
Hey everyone, David here.
Every year, like clockwork, the email arrives: "Subject: Annual Office Secret Santa!" And every year, my heart sinks a little. The $20 limit, the awkward gift exchange, the pressure to be clever but not too weird. I usually default to a gift card, a gesture as forgettable as the lukewarm coffee in the breakroom.
But not this year. This year, I was on a mission. I wanted to be the hero of the holiday party, the one who brought the legendary gift. My actual present was thoughtful—a high-quality, insulated coffee tumbler for my giftee, Brenda from accounting. But the delivery? The delivery needed to be an event.
That’s when I stumbled upon the "Fart Blanket" gag gift box. An empty box promising a blanket that captures and neutralizes farts. It was absurd, juvenile, and… perfect. But would it actually work? Would it get a genuine laugh, or just an awkward silence? I decided to risk my social standing at the office to find out.

Is This $8 Box the Ultimate White Elephant Gift Prank?
My hands-on review of the Fart Blanket gag gift box. See if this viral prank actually gets laughs or just falls flat at the party.
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
For less than the price of a fancy coffee, this empty box is the best entertainment value you can buy. It brilliantly transforms a simple, sincere gift into a legendary, laugh-out-loud moment.
Our Rating Breakdown
- Humor Factor: 9.5/10 - The concept is universally ridiculous and lands perfectly in a group setting.
- Deception Quality: 8/10 - The box graphics and text are just believable enough to create a crucial few seconds of confused silence before the laughter erupts.
- Build Quality: 7/10 - It's a standard cardboard box. It's not built like a tank, but it's sturdy enough for its one glorious purpose.
- Value for Money: 10/10 - You're not buying a box; you're buying a memory. For that, it's an absolute steal.
Overall Score: 8.6/10✨✨✨✨✨✨
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Product: Empty Prank Gift Box
- Dimensions (Assembled): Roughly 11.25" x 9" x 3.25" (Plenty of room for a book, mug, t-shirt, or multiple smaller items)
- Material: Printed Cardboard
- Assembly: Arrives flat, requires simple folding (no tape needed)
Unboxing and First Impressions
The "Fart Blanket" box arrived flat-packed in a simple plastic sleeve. Assembly took about 20 seconds, with pre-creased folds that snap easily into place.
But let's be honest, we're not here for the structural integrity. We're here for the comedy. And the box itself is a masterpiece of subtle absurdity. The photos look like they were pulled from the cringiest 1990s infomercial. The "features" listed on the side—like "Gas-Absorbing Nano-Fibers" and "Sound Dampening Technology"—are just believable enough to make someone pause and think, "Wait, is this real?" It feels substantial, not like a cheap, flimsy joke. Holding it, I felt a surge of confidence. My plan was going to work.
Putting It to the Test: Real-World Performance
The stage was set: our annual holiday luncheon. The pile of gifts sat in the middle of the room. When it was Brenda's turn, she picked my neatly wrapped, oddly-shaped present.
She tore off the paper, and a hush fell over the room. I watched her face go through the five stages of prank-gift grief:
- Confusion: A slight frown. She read the title, "Fart Blanket," and looked up, scanning the room for an explanation.
- Disbelief: She turned the box over, reading the ridiculous claims. Her expression was a perfect mix of horror and bewilderment.
- Awkward Acceptance: A slow, polite nod. "Oh... wow. A... Fart Blanket. How... practical." The room was holding its breath.
- The Realization: As she went to open the flimsy lid, the lightness of the box finally registered. She stopped, looked at the box again, and then looked directly at me. A smile flickered at the corner of her mouth.
- The Eruption: She burst out laughing. A genuine, deep belly laugh. The entire room erupted with her. The tension broke, and it was the biggest laugh of the day. The actual gift—the coffee tumbler inside—was almost an afterthought. The box was the real star.
What Real Users Love (The Pros)
- An Unbeatable Icebreaker: This isn't just a prank; it's a social catalyst. It immediately gets everyone talking and laughing, setting a fun tone for the entire event.
- Why this matters to you: It takes the pressure off. Your gift will be the one everyone remembers and talks about, regardless of what's inside.
- Surprisingly Convincing Design: The slightly-off branding, cheesy photos, and technical jargon are perfectly balanced to fool someone for that critical moment.
- Why this matters to you: A good prank needs to be believable. This box nails the look and feel of a real, albeit bizarre, "As Seen on TV" product.
- Incredible Bang-for-Your-Buck: For just a few dollars, you're creating a memorable experience. The return on investment, measured in laughter, is off the charts.
- Why this matters to you: It elevates any simple, inexpensive gift into something special. You can stick to your budget while still delivering a huge impact.
Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)
- It's Literally Just an Empty Box: Let's be clear: you are paying for printed cardboard. Don't expect anything else.
- Why this matters to you: Manage your expectations. The value is in the joke, not the physical product.
- Know Your Audience: While hilarious in most settings, this might not land with a very formal or sensitive recipient.
- Why this matters to you: A prank is only funny if the person being pranked can laugh, too. If you're giving it to your stern great-aunt or your new CEO, maybe reconsider.
Is It Built to Last? Durability and Long-Term Value
This is a unique case. Is the box built to last? No, it's cardboard. You'll get one, maybe two uses out of it if you're careful. But that’s missing the point.
The long-term value isn't in the box; it's in the story. People won't remember the coffee mug I gave Brenda in three years. But everyone at that party will remember the "Fart Blanket." The laughter, the reaction, the shared moment—that's what you're paying for. In that sense, its value is incredibly durable.
Best Alternatives (The Competition)
The world of prank gift boxes is vast. The "Fart Blanket" excels at pure, silly absurdity. Here are a couple of other great options that play on different themes.
Product | Core Joke | Best For |
---|---|---|
Fart Blanket Box | Absurd "As Seen on TV" Gadget | General audiences, office parties |
Prank-O "Pet Butler" | Ridiculous Tech for Pet Owners | Pet lovers with a sense of humor |
Prank-O "Earwax Candle Kit" | Gross-Out, Crafty Hobby | Friends, family, anyone you're comfortable grossing out |
The Prank-O boxes are the most famous competitor. They are slightly higher quality in terms of cardboard thickness and finish, but the "Fart Blanket" has a unique, low-budget charm that, in my opinion, makes it even funnier and more believable as a real, terrible product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is there really a blanket inside?
No, it is an empty box. That's the joke! You put your real, thoughtful gift inside. - What size gift can fit in the box?
It's surprisingly spacious. It can easily hold a large coffee mug (like mine did), a rolled-up t-shirt, a book, a video game, or several smaller items like socks and candy. - Is this prank gift box appropriate for a work party?
It depends on your office culture. For my relatively casual workplace, it was a huge hit. If your environment is very formal or conservative, you might want to choose a tamer prank. You know your colleagues best. - Can I reuse the box?
Maybe once, if you're very careful when the recipient opens it. It's designed for a one-time, high-impact reveal. - Is the packaging discreet when it ships?
Yes, it arrived in a plain Amazon mailer. The surprise won't be ruined before you can wrap it. - Does it come with wrapping paper?
No, you'll need to wrap it yourself. This is actually better, as it adds to the illusion of it being a real, legitimate gift.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
Remember my mission to escape the purgatory of boring Secret Santa gifts? Mission accomplished. For the first time, I felt like I truly "won" the office gift exchange. The "Fart Blanket" box wasn't just a container; it was a conversation starter, a tension breaker, and the source of the day's biggest laugh.
If you're looking for a way to inject genuine fun into a gift exchange, a birthday, or a holiday, I cannot recommend this enough. Don't just give a gift. Give a story. For the small price of entry, the Fart Blanket box delivers that in spades.
Go make someone laugh.
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Audience Growth & Engagement
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"We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:"
- Our 2024 Guide to White Elephant Gifts That Actually Get Stolen
- I Tested 5 Viral TikTok Gadgets: Here's What's Worth Your Money
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- 5 'Stupid' Amazon Products Under $25 That I Now Use Every Single Day
- Prank-O vs. Generic Gag Boxes: Which One Gets the Biggest Laugh?
- The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Thoughtful Gift for the Person Who Has Everything
"Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one."