A Guide to Risky Presents

Gift-giving is an age-old tradition that has the potential to either make you the hero of the day or, well… the villain. We’ve all been there—finding the perfect gift that’s thoughtful, personal, and guaranteed to bring a smile to the recipient’s face. However, there’s also the other side of the coin, where a gift might be so outlandish or inappropriate that it will leave the recipient questioning your sanity (and possibly your friendship).

In New Zealand, as in many parts of the world, giving gifts is a time-honoured practice for birthdays, holidays, housewarmings, and just about every other occasion. But there’s an art to gift-giving, and sometimes, you want to go beyond the safe, predictable presents. You want to take a risk and see how far you can push the envelope. So, if you’re looking to either become the gift-giving hero or the ultimate villain, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your guide to risky presents that could make a lasting impact (for better or worse).

1. The “I Thought This Was Perfect” Gift: Taxidermy Animals

Imagine this: It’s your friend’s birthday, and you want to give them a gift that will stand out. Something unique, something with a bit of flair. You decide on a small taxidermy animal. Maybe it’s a cute little possum or a stoic kiwi (real or faux, of course). It’s quirky, it’s unusual, and it’s certainly unforgettable. But will they love it or absolutely hate you for it?

Taxidermy is a risky choice. Some people may appreciate the oddity of having a stuffed animal displayed in their home, while others might find it downright disturbing. But one thing’s for sure: it’s not a gift that’ll be forgotten easily. If you’re aiming for villain status, this gift is definitely on the list. If you’re willing to embrace the weirdness and want to make a statement, it could potentially make you a hero of eccentricity.

2. The “Because Everyone Loves Themed Parties” Gift: Inflatable Dinosaur Costume

We all know that one friend who loves to take things to the extreme. They’re the ones who love dressing up for every occasion, be it Halloween, birthdays, or even a trip to the supermarket. What better way to show them you understand their quirky sense of humour than by gifting them an inflatable dinosaur costume?

This gift might just make you the hero of the party—imagine their delight as they open the gift, only to realise they’ll be able to walk around in a giant, bouncy T-Rex costume at the next gathering. However, there’s a chance this gift could backfire. If your recipient isn’t a fan of dressing up, or worse—if they’re the kind of person who enjoys being subtle and low-key—then you might have just sealed your fate as the villain of gift-giving. But if they’re into a good laugh, get ready for some laughs and memories that will last a lifetime.

3. The “Because We All Need to Sleep More” Gift: A Snoring Pillow

New Zealanders love their sleep, and if you’ve ever had a friend who’s constantly complaining about their partner’s loud snoring, this might seem like the perfect gift. Enter the snoring pillow—designed to reduce snoring by aligning the head and neck in just the right way.

Sure, it sounds thoughtful, but imagine the awkwardness of gifting something that could be seen as implying “you snore so loudly, you need this.” This gift could go one of two ways. Either you’re the hero who comes to their rescue, offering a solution to a sleepless night. Or, you’re the villain who awkwardly hands them a pillow that screams, “Your snoring is ruining my life.”

4. The “It’s the Thought That Counts” Gift: A Self-Watering Plant

Plants are great gifts—especially in a country like New Zealand, where nature is all around us. However, if you really want to take a risk, consider gifting a self-watering plant. Seems like a good idea, right? A low-maintenance plant that requires minimal effort to keep alive. But here’s where it gets risky: you don’t know whether your recipient is the type to nurture plants or if they’re the kind of person who kills even the most indestructible houseplants.

Gifting a self-watering plant is a bit of a gamble. On one hand, you’ve given them something that doesn’t require much effort. On the other hand, if they forget to refill the water tank or ignore the plant completely, they might end up with a dead plant—and you’ll be forever associated with their plant care failures. It’s the gift that could either make you the hero of low-maintenance greenery or the villain who foisted another “unnecessary” responsibility onto their life.

5. The “Let’s Get Extreme” Gift: Bungee Jumping Vouchers

Kiwis love adventure, and one of the most iconic adrenaline-pumping activities in New Zealand is bungee jumping. So, what better way to gift an experience than with a voucher for a bungee jump? If your recipient is an adrenaline junkie who thrives on adventure, you’ll be the hero, offering them a chance to experience the thrill of jumping off a bridge over a beautiful New Zealand gorge.

But if they’re terrified of heights or prefer a more laid-back lifestyle, this gift could instantly make you the villain. There’s nothing quite like watching your friend’s face fall as they realise they’re going to be dangling over a massive drop in the near future. It's a daring choice, but you’ll be remembered for it—either as the one who pushed them out of their comfort zone or the one who forever traumatised them.

6. The “This Will Be a Real Conversation Starter” Gift: A Life-Size Cardboard Cutout of Their Favourite Celebrity

What do you get the person who has everything? Something truly bizarre. A life-size cardboard cutout of their favourite celebrity is a gift that will either have them in stitches or leave them silently contemplating your sanity. Whether it’s their favourite actor, sports star, or even a historical figure, this gift is guaranteed to make a statement.

It’s a conversation starter, no doubt. But it’s also a gift that could easily cross the line into creepy territory, especially if they don’t have the space for a full-size cardboard replica of someone they admire. If your recipient enjoys humour and doesn’t mind a quirky decoration in their home, you’ll be the hero. But if they’re not into the idea of having an oversized cardboard figure in their living room, you might have just earned yourself the title of villain.

7. The “Wait, You Actually Bought Me This?” Gift: A Personalised Emergency Kit

This is one of those gifts that could be seen as highly practical—or completely offensive. A personalised emergency kit might sound like a great idea. You can include items like a mini first-aid kit, some snacks, a flashlight, and maybe even a mini survival guide. It’s useful, right?

But it could also suggest that you think the recipient is prone to accidents or in need of constant preparedness. Do they need a reminder that things can go wrong? Are you trying to tell them they’re not ready for life? Depending on the situation, this could make you the hero who anticipates every potential crisis—or the villain who made them feel like they can’t handle life without your “help.”

8. The “This Is So You” Gift: A Personalised Bobblehead

Everyone loves a good laugh, but a personalised bobblehead can be a risky choice. This gift might seem like a fun, quirky way to capture someone's likeness in a playful, exaggerated form. On the surface, it’s hilarious. However, if your recipient isn’t the type to appreciate caricatured versions of themselves, it could backfire. Imagine gifting someone a bobblehead of themselves at their birthday party—how do you think they’ll react?

If they love a good laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously, you’ll be the hero of the day. If they’re more on the serious side, though, you could end up in the villain’s corner, forever branded as the person who got them a gift that made them cringe.

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Conclusion

Gift-giving in New Zealand (or anywhere) doesn’t have to be boring. Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that take a risk and push the boundaries of what’s “acceptable.” Whether you want to make a bold statement, create some chaos, or simply give a gift that’ll leave a lasting impression, there are plenty of options that’ll either make you the hero or the villain of the day.

So, when choosing a gift, think about what kind of impact you want to have. Will it make you a legend in your social circle? Or will it leave your friend questioning their life choices? Either way, risky gifts are sure to create unforgettable moments and stories for years to come. Choose wisely, but don’t be afraid to take a leap and embrace the unexpected!