The most frivolous day of the year — April Fools’ — is also the favorite of many.
Ever wonder how the tradition got started? Its origins are hazy, but a popular theory is that it began in the 16th century after France officially made Jan. 1 New Year’s Day. Prior to that, the new year had been commonly celebrated for eight days, starting March 25 and ending April 1.
Many people did not know of, or refused to accept, the new calendar, and continued to celebrate on April 1. They were called “fools” and often sent on “fools’ errands” and made to suffer others’ jokes.
Pranks continue to be the hallmark of the day. Here are a few harmless pranks you can attempt that go beyond the normal switching salt to sugar, and gluing coins to a sidewalk. One idea is to buy a significant amount of bubble or plastic wrap and wrap a friend’s or family member’s car completely in it. Make many layers so it takes them a while to get it off.
One for the school kids is find out your friend’s locker codes and fill the locker with water balloons. When he opens it to get his math book, he gets a little bit more than a few algebra problems. Be careful with breaking and entering on that one.
A more simple prank is to wrap a rubber band around a spray-hose handle at the sink. When someone goes to turn the water on, the spray hose goes off and …. you can figure out the rest.
Finally, if you want to be really cruel, call someone you know at 3:30 in the morning on April 1 and tell them you need to be bailed out of jail. When they come home from the county jail, don’t be looking forward to attending any of their parties for a couple of years.
Whether you play a simple prank, or plan an extravagant scene worthy of a screenplay plot, just remember what April Fools’ Day is about: family, love and giving. April Fools!
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