by Grace Mirchandani

Created on: March 13, 2009

It's that wacky time of year again! April Fool's Day is just around the corner and it's the perfect time to pull a great prank. It's hard to find the right prank to pull, though. You don't want to give your spouse a heart attack by faking a bloody stab wound or by pretending to fall down the stairs! No, those are the pranks of yesteryear.

2009 brings with it the need to be a little more original and creative. So what do you do? Here are three ideas to that you can use to "fool" that perfectly unaware someone:

1. Empty out their toothpaste. Make a paste with confectioner's sugar and water. Thicker is better. The tricky part is refilling the tube with your sugary concoction. Put just enough in there so it doesn't look suspicious. Unless it's a brand new tube, most people don't pay much attention to how much toothpaste they had the day before. When the unexpected "fool" goes to clean his or her teeth, they will of course realize that they have been a victim of a great prank.

2. This prank requires a bit of your time but is usually worth it in the end. Pick a phrase that is sure to scare, like, "I see you" or "I know." I prefer to use "I know." Take shaving cream and write your phrase on the bathroom mirror so that it is in place for your "fool's" shower. While they are in the shower, get some milk in the palm of your hand and write the phrase on the car dashboard with it. Here comes the fun! While they are at work, set up a free e-mail account and send them an e-mail with the phrase written over and over again. Have a male friend call and disguise his voice and whisper the phrase to your fool. Find clever ways to hide the phrase around the house that night.

Don't be obvious! Spelling the phrase out in your dinner carrots is GOING TO GIVE YOU AWAY! When your fool confides in you, try to act your way out of it. Don't worry if you can't though. Just remember, the longer in the day it goes on, the funnier the reveal is!

3. This is the most complicated prank: You need to have a guy pal on hand that isn't known well by the one you are fooling. He is going to act as your undercover police man! Have your friend use a disguise if possible. The best way to do this prank is to pick a time that your buddy can play his part. About five minutes before that, you need to fill a few plastic baggies with oregano (pot) or flour (cocaine) and plant them throughout your fool's vehicle. Have your "cop" go and get your target, and bring him out to the car for a search. Have your "cop" bring a warrant for search with him! As your accomplice brings all of the evidence out, your target will be beside himself! Have your "cop" try to get a bribe to make it all "go away!" Finally have him issue a "ticket" that has "April Fool" written in the name field.

No matter what prank you choose to pull, just remember to be smart and stay safe!

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