Suggestions for a silly America-themed gift.
May 13, 2009 4:28 PM Subscribe
My friend's visa to stay in the US just got approved. What awesomely tacky gift can I get him?
I don't want to get him something big or serious - I'm looking for something tongue-in-cheek, the sort of absurd patriotic merchandise that you see in a store somewhere and can't believe it actually exists. Any ideas?
(I've looked at the other threads, which are generally about serious commemorative gifts for new citizens)
I don't want to get him something big or serious - I'm looking for something tongue-in-cheek, the sort of absurd patriotic merchandise that you see in a store somewhere and can't believe it actually exists. Any ideas?
(I've looked at the other threads, which are generally about serious commemorative gifts for new citizens)
A gift certificate for McDonalds, gas, etc. If you want some serious gift, and he's not currently in the U.S., you might get him a $100 AT&T or T-mobile pre-paid SIM card, so he has a phone when her arrives, but that's likely more trouble than it's worth
posted by jeffburdges at 4:31 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by jeffburdges at 4:31 PM on May 13, 2009
Response by poster: To clarify, he has been in the US for many years, and this visa thing was mostly a formality - hence it being a silly gift rather than something more substantial or functional. The American Flag/eagle shirt and the Uncle Sam pez dispenser are both great and the sort of thing I'm looking for. Keep 'em coming!
posted by UsernameFilter at 4:46 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by UsernameFilter at 4:46 PM on May 13, 2009
A snow globe of the New York skyline or the Washington Monument.
posted by mrmojoflying at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by mrmojoflying at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2009
Best answer: I was thinking what's better/worse than the American Flag pattern on underwear. So Google showed me this. I honestly don't know where to begin on that, but it might be exactly what you're looking for if WTF is the reaction you want.
This was more along the lines of what I was looking for with that Google search.
posted by barc0001 at 4:52 PM on May 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
This was more along the lines of what I was looking for with that Google search.
posted by barc0001 at 4:52 PM on May 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Tacky American flag underwear: definitely also the sort of thing I'm looking for. :)
posted by UsernameFilter at 4:54 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by UsernameFilter at 4:54 PM on May 13, 2009
Maybe a nice magnet?
I don't know how your friend feels about Jesus, but this poster is awesome!
posted by marxchivist at 4:56 PM on May 13, 2009 [3 favorites]
I don't know how your friend feels about Jesus, but this poster is awesome!
posted by marxchivist at 4:56 PM on May 13, 2009 [3 favorites]
How about a tacky mini Statue of Liberty replica they sell at tourist stands in NYC?
posted by rabbitsnake at 5:04 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by rabbitsnake at 5:04 PM on May 13, 2009
I got a friend a partially filled out Wal-Mart application form when they finally got their green card and were able to switch employers.
posted by benzenedream at 5:08 PM on May 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by benzenedream at 5:08 PM on May 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
Nothing says "Welcome to America" like a McDonald's gift certificate.
...
and a gun.
posted by DonSlice at 5:14 PM on May 13, 2009 [2 favorites]
...
and a gun.
posted by DonSlice at 5:14 PM on May 13, 2009 [2 favorites]
Why settle for American flag underwear when you can get American flag flip flops? Go ahead and honor America with every step.
posted by mhum at 5:18 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by mhum at 5:18 PM on May 13, 2009
Best answer: This "I'm Proud To Be An American" belt buckle is pretty boss.
Or how about this "America: Whatta Country" bumper sticker?
posted by nitsuj at 5:27 PM on May 13, 2009
Or how about this "America: Whatta Country" bumper sticker?
posted by nitsuj at 5:27 PM on May 13, 2009
why waste money on trinkets which will be thrown away, get the most american of gifts, an apron that questions 9/11!
posted by TimeDoctor at 5:28 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by TimeDoctor at 5:28 PM on May 13, 2009
Liberace Stars and Stripes Forever magnet (I actually have one of these on my fridge)
posted by candyland at 6:00 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by candyland at 6:00 PM on May 13, 2009
How about a patriotic Gumby lapel pin? or Wag-A-Flag? Or an American flag unicorn (comes with a soviet unicorn as part of a Cold War Unicorn playset)? Or stuffed american flag bomb toy?
If you want tacky, terrible gifts, I firmly believe Stupid.com is the place.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:08 PM on May 13, 2009
If you want tacky, terrible gifts, I firmly believe Stupid.com is the place.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:08 PM on May 13, 2009
More stupid stuff: Cowboy boot sideburns! Soup kitchen all-access pass! Anthems of the world ball! Talking Ann Coulter Doll!
Ok, don't actually get him that last one. But they have a picture of their Ann Coulter doll making out with their Einstein doll, which I thought was amusing.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:17 PM on May 13, 2009
Ok, don't actually get him that last one. But they have a picture of their Ann Coulter doll making out with their Einstein doll, which I thought was amusing.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:17 PM on May 13, 2009
If you're interested in the cold war unicorns, they're actually three dollars cheaper here, and there's a picture (which for some reason won't show up on stupid.com). Carry on.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:24 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:24 PM on May 13, 2009
Nuthin' says I'm more of a patriot than you than an old fashioned belt buckle. (Personal favorite: "God, Guns & Guts Made America Free")
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:30 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:30 PM on May 13, 2009
Best answer: "I Love America" temporary tattoo booklet. $1.50 of pure cheesiness.
(Dover makes other tattoo booklets, too, in case you are looking for stocking stuffers for dinosaur-lovers, bug-lovers, happy-train-lovers, etc.)
posted by pluckemin at 6:36 PM on May 13, 2009
(Dover makes other tattoo booklets, too, in case you are looking for stocking stuffers for dinosaur-lovers, bug-lovers, happy-train-lovers, etc.)
posted by pluckemin at 6:36 PM on May 13, 2009
A copy of MAD magazine.
Anything from a truck stop.
6 pack of Bud.
posted by boulder20something at 7:23 PM on May 13, 2009
Anything from a truck stop.
6 pack of Bud.
posted by boulder20something at 7:23 PM on May 13, 2009
Response by poster: Not that I'm surprised, but all these suggestions are awesome.
posted by UsernameFilter at 8:44 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by UsernameFilter at 8:44 PM on May 13, 2009
A block of Velveeta cheese.
posted by mynameisluka at 9:27 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by mynameisluka at 9:27 PM on May 13, 2009
I'm seconding the American flag truck nutz. That's the USA in a nutshell right there (no pun intended). Let us know what you decide?
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 2:52 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 2:52 AM on May 14, 2009
I vote for the unicorns. They were the only things on this list that actually made my jaw drop, laugh, and say OMG. The others only got 1 or 2 of these reactions.
posted by like_neon at 3:55 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by like_neon at 3:55 AM on May 14, 2009
One of those awful t-shirts that says "Welcome to America. Now speak English."
posted by 8dot3 at 10:26 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by 8dot3 at 10:26 AM on May 14, 2009
I suggest you bundle up several of the smaller gifts that have been suggested and put them in a gift basket. You can add a little flag (for waving at future parades) and maybe a trucker cap as well.
posted by deborah at 4:00 PM on May 15, 2009
posted by deborah at 4:00 PM on May 15, 2009
I have this Statue of Liberty Christmas Light Attachment. It replaces one of the bulbs on the strand and so when you plug the tree lights in, it starts playing the Star Spangled Banner. Doesn't get much campier than that.
posted by coppermoss at 1:27 PM on May 20, 2009
posted by coppermoss at 1:27 PM on May 20, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nitsuj at 4:31 PM on May 13, 2009 [1 favorite]