Plastic lawn flamingos are an example of a flamingo gag gift.
The pink flamingo is a popular symbol of warm weather, vacations and humor. Pink flamingos are popular in tropical motifs and are sometimes used to promote tropical destinations such as Florida. Sometimes flamingos are even treated as kitschy, as evidenced by their relation to Baltimore's annual Honfest. Due in part to the pink flamingo's popularity, the symbol has spawned a number of gag gifts from lawn ornaments to hats, glasses, ties and even flamingo "seeds."
Lawn Ornaments
The pink flamingo lawn ornament is an original use of the flamingo icon. These lawn ornaments feature a pink hollow plastic flamingo body supported by two metal poles and are designed to be stuck in a lawn or flowerbed in front of a home. Some people enjoy the bright color of these decorations in the spring and summer months, while others enjoy the kitschy and iconic nature of the front lawn flamingo. You can purchase these seasonally at lawn and garden shops or online. They cost anywhere from $20 to $40 depending on the quality of the ornament.
Hats
Pink flamingo hats come in many different varieties. Cheap flamingo hats are made of paper or cardboard and circle the head. These cost about $5 and are usually only worn once. More expensive flamingo hats are made of felt, cotton or velvet. These hats cover the head with the body of the flamingo while the feet of the flamingo hang down on either side of the head. The neck of the bird curves up and over the head for a comical appearance. These hats cost about $10 and are available online.
Glasses
Flamingo glasses or sunglasses use a pink flamingo motif and are popular as favors at outdoor parties. These glasses are often made of plastic and use the body of the flamingo to frame the eye holes, while the legs of the flamingo make up the earpiece and the head of the flamingo curves over the glasses. These glasses are used as gag gifts or party favors during outdoor receptions. You can buy these online or at party stores for about $6.
Ties
For men who might enjoy flamingo gifts there are flamingo ties. These ties are colored bright pink and loop around the neck. The head of the flamingo is tied in the front while the feet of the flamingo hang off the end of the tie. These ties are humorous because they take traditional work attire and turn it into something both casual and unexpected. You can find these ties seasonally at party stores or online for about $20.
Lawn Seeds
Flamingo "lawn seeds" are a lesser known gag gift. Packages of these seeds are sold on Etsy for $1.50 each. The package includes four pink plastic "seeds" with an instruction card. Planting these seeds in the lawn is said to grown pink plastic lawn flamingos. While lawn flamingos will not actually grow from these seeds, the gag gift allows the recipient to imagine growing her own flamingos. This gift is also popular with young children who plant the "seeds" and then watch as flamingos "grow" from the ground with the help of parents. This gift is also popular with Florida tourists and those wishing to send a bit of humor to friends.
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