Goofy gift ideas, please?

April 13, 2012 12:55 PM

My nephew will be graduating next month from medical school in PA, then going off to a seven-year (!) neurosurgery residency in CA. In honor of the occasion, I plan to give him a check along with some sort of goofy and memorable gag gift but my brain is fried. Can you give me some ideas and (if applicable) links? About him: He's tall with an athletic build (I swear he must have been adopted!), a runner, has a girlfriend, loves goofy and quirky stuff, and will do or wear most anything on a dare.
posted by DrGail to shopping (7 answers total)

Thinkgeek.com has lots of cool things. Enjoy!
posted by PJMoore at 1:00 PM on April 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

I got my neuroscientist friend a toy model of a brain and she really liked it. Or, how about this inflatable brain? Or, this hat?
posted by tinymegalo at 1:01 PM on April 13, 2012

If he's about to move cross-country, the last thing he needs is a gag gift that serves no purpose and he'd most likely end up trashing right away. I suggest something that is useful and decent quality enough to keep in his new household. Like a cool cutting board (assuming he's a child on the 80s). Or better yet, wait until after he moves and have the gift mailed to him.
posted by halogen at 1:20 PM on April 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Personally, I'd give him the check, and then a gift card/email code to a goofy home furnishings store or whatever, since he's not gonna want to pack anything else.

Or, cut down on the goofy, and get him something nice related to his profession. Like, my friend got a fantastic stethascope and a little name bar wood thing to put on his desk when he graduated from med school. He uses both every day.
posted by spunweb at 1:48 PM on April 13, 2012

Goofy *and* related to his profession: a plush neuron (brain cell or nerve cell).
posted by bentley at 2:54 PM on April 13, 2012 [3 favorites]

As a neuroscientist, I recommend a Phrenology head! I love mine : )
posted by katers890 at 6:07 PM on April 13, 2012

What about a brain shaped jello mold?
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 6:51 PM on April 13, 2012