Friday's Top 5: The Best Office Pranks

Without further ado, here we go...

5. The stapler encased in Jell-O Well-illustrated in the pilot for NBC's "The Office" (and in the BBC's earlier version of the show as well), this self-explanatory gag is great for both shock value and cheekiness. (If you're inclined to give it a go, jellostapler.com offers step-by-step instructions.)

4. The fake desktop Easy to accomplish and a great April Fool's trick. Step 1: Access the victim's computer and create a number of fake, suggestively named folders on the desktop. Step 2: Take a screenshot of the desktop. Step 3: Set the screenshot as the new desktop wallpaper. Step 4: Sit back and enjoy the show as your co-worker frantically tries to delete the new "folders."

3. Wrap party This is a popular prank but still gets lots of laughs. It's also got the virtue of being one of the fastest and easiest to pull off, so it's a great lunchtime gag. Simply wrap as many of the victim's items as possible in aluminum foil, bubble wrap, toilet paper, wrapping paper, or anything similar. Target items may include keyboards, pens and pencils, computer monitors, books, or even chairs and entire desks.

2. Fill 'er up A YouTube and photo gallery fave that works best in a cubicle environment. Wall off the entrance of the cubicle with cardboard, then proceed to fill in the entire cubicle with packing peanuts, rubber balls, or shredded paper.

1. Go crazy with construction A little remodeling can go a long way. Whether it's turning a co-worker's cube into a charming cottage or sealing off an office door, the do-it-yourself handyman school of prankery gets my vote for creativity and cleverness. My current top pick on YouTube: An intrepid crew literally walls off the executive wing.

Got another office shenanigan to share? Spill it in the comments section.

(image by Allen Elliotte via Flickr, CC 2.0)