Have you ever unwrapped a present and immediately questioned the judgment of the person who gave it to you? That's exactly the reaction Prank-O hopes to inspire. The company has made a business out of creating hilariously absurd products that look surprisingly convincing, at least until you look closer.
Founded by Ryan Walther and Arik Nordby, Prank-O specializes in empty gift boxes decorated with fictional inventions, complete with professional-looking product photographs, made-up brands, and ridiculous marketing claims. The idea is simple: hide a real present inside one of these boxes and enjoy the recipient's confusion before they discover what's actually waiting for them. We've featured Prank-O's creations on Bored Panda before, and now the company is back with five new designs that take everyday problems to wonderfully unnecessary extremes.
From questionable bathroom accessories to inventions that probably shouldn't exist, there's plenty to laugh about. Take a look at the five new boxes below, and let us know in the comments which one you'd most like to give someone as a gift!
First up is the Toilet Hämmøk, for anyone who thinks a regular toilet just isn't comfortable enough
For anyone who considers the bathroom their personal sanctuary, Prank-O has created the “Toilet Hämmøk.” This fictional invention promises a whole new level of comfort during bathroom breaks by turning an ordinary toilet into something resembling a miniature hammock. Complete with a stylish fabric design and a carefully positioned opening, it's presented as a luxurious addition to any modern bathroom. Whether it would actually make sitting on the toilet more relaxing is another question entirely.
The design supposedly works for both men and women, with quick-drying fabric and an extra-large opening
There's even an entire range of bathroom relaxation products, including the Saddäl and Leanki
Dealing with unwanted advertisements and junk mail can be frustrating, but “BurnBox” offers a rather extreme solution. Instead of sorting through piles of unwanted letters, this imaginary mailbox attachment promises to incinerate them before they even make it inside your home. The packaging presents the contraption as a convenient way to eliminate unnecessary mail, but installing what amounts to a miniature furnace next to your front door raises a few obvious concerns.
The packaging introduces a fictional Danish designer and promises to bring Scandinavian luxury to your bathroom
And for the ultimate experience, there's even a relaxation CD designed to encourage “deep gluteal relaxation”
Parents are constantly being introduced to new products promising to make their children's lives better, but “Peck & Play” takes that trend in a particularly bizarre direction. Marketed as a way to encourage babies to spend less time looking at screens and more time connecting with nature, this fictional invention consists of a birdseed-filled collar worn around a baby's neck. The idea is that wild birds will come right up to the child for a snack, turning an ordinary afternoon outdoors into a rather questionable wildlife encounter.
Next are Long Tongs, which let you grill from the comfort of your favorite backyard chair
These supposedly extend up to 10 feet but conveniently fold down to under a foot for storage
If you've ever struggled to find enough electrical outlets for all your devices, “Plug-A-Ton” might initially sound like the perfect solution. This enormous fictional power strip boasts an incredible 50 outlets, allowing users to connect just about every gadget they own to one spectacularly overcrowded setup. Its packaging makes the invention look like a practical home improvement product, even though the tangled mess of cables alone should make most electricians nervous.
Apparently, they're useful for much more than grilling, including picking fruit from tall trees
The packaging even suggests using them to rescue someone from a swimming pool
Finally, there's “Long Tongs,” a product seemingly created for people who love grilling but aren't particularly interested in getting up from their chairs. These ridiculously extended barbecue tongs promise to let users flip burgers, turn sausages, and manage their grill from a comfortable distance. It's the kind of invention that sounds almost useful for a moment, until you imagine trying to maneuver an extremely long pair of tongs around a backyard full of people.
And why bother carrying food to the table when you could simply serve it straight from the grill
Peck & Play promises to introduce babies to the wonders of nature in a rather unconventional way
The birdseed-filled collar supposedly attracts feathered visitors right to your little one's shoulders
According to the packaging, these encounters can teach babies valuable lessons about confidence, compassion, and humor
Once your toddler outgrows it, the collar can apparently be repurposed as an ashtray or a container for nuts and bolts
There's even a proposed version for dogs, because apparently babies should be feeding the whole animal kingdom
Plug-A-Ton takes the idea of a power strip to a completely unnecessary extreme
Its fictional specifications boast 50 standard outlets, six USB-C ports, and 12 USB-A ports
The packaging even promotes a matching product called Connect-A-Cord for people who need ridiculously long charging cables
Apparently, the enormous power strip is equally suitable for boats, gardens, and practically anywhere else
And for those concerned about interior design, it supposedly comes in stylish colors like Terracotta Blush and Dusty Rosewood
Finally, BurnBox offers a rather dramatic way to deal with unwanted advertisements and junk mail
The fictional device supposedly heats your mailbox to 570°F, turning unwanted letters into ashes
Its elaborate packaging includes a heating element, control box, and chimney attachment
There's even a weather-resistant control panel that lets you adjust the temperature and display your address
The company presents it as a way to reduce paper waste, although setting your mailbox on fire seems like a questionable solution
