While Christmas shopping for my two sons I wanted to find things that would spark their imagination - things that don't dictate how to play with them. I don't even remember why I looked up rubber chicken. But I did and they're great - a perfect "open-ended" toy. The possibilities are endless. Of course, since my boys are 2 & 4, the rubber chickens were first used as swords - at least they're funny swords and I can hope that their imaginations will continue to evolve.

The ultimate gag, timeless and tacky. I have my rubber chicken as one of my "computer buddies," draped across my monitor. Visitors to my office always crack up when they see it and have to play with it. This is what my grandmother referred to as a "dust catcher." A useless item that is something you keep around (like any knick-knack) that you end up having to dust... still, I like this guy - puts a smile on my face.