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Even though the Monty Python story ended in the ’80s, the British comedy troupe is still considered one of the best humor acts to ever grace our TVs or stages. It’s no wonder they have so many fans, even among those who weren’t even born when the Pythons were performing.

Insults about hamsters, funny accents and walks, a king and a messiah, the Spanish Inquisition and dead parrots are just a few of the ingredients of the Python recipe for success. And, naturally, when something is so good, people will want to show their appreciation.

If you’ve got a friend who’s a fan of the Brits (plus American), you can surprise them for Christmas with a jumbo pack of Python stuff. Since s/he probably owns every conceivable DVD and maybe some old VHS too, you’ll need to be creative…

But we’re here to help.

Introducing the best Monty Python Christmas presents…

First off: everyone needs clothes, and these are two of the coolest Python t-shirts you can get online.

The rabbit on the Killer Bunny t-shirt might look cute, but the red stuff is blood, and any Python fan can recognize the infamous line from the Beast of Caerbannog scene. This gets extra points because the design is actually cool by itself, not only because it relates to The Holy Grail.

On the other hand, The Knights Who Formerly Said Ni t-shirt is one for the fans who aren’t afraid to show their love for silly jokes. “Ecky ecky ecky ecky pakang zoom boing” indeed. And no, if you haven’t watched the movie you won’t get it.

Next up, toys. Because we’re all kids at heart…

The birthday boy/girl’s inner child will love the Cow Catapult. The “fechez la vache” scene in The Holy Grail is one of the best, and the toy catapult comes with assorted animals perfect for launching a cubicle war. Outrageous fake French accent required.

But you cant have war all the time. For times of peace, get the Black Knight Plush, a harmless type of toy - especially since it comes with removable limbs. Just a flesh wound, of course.

And finally, everyone needs to have some fun.

Yeah, yeh, card games aren’t that entertaining, but the Monty Python Fluxx Game is just as absurd as the troupe’s humor and will provide a lot of laughs and a new view on those “boring” games. How could you not love something with rules as silly as “If you speak with an outrageous fake accent… you may play 1 extra card”?

Get shopping!

There you have it, 5 gifts to make one big one. But don’t worry: even if you can’t afford getting so many things, you can limit yourself to one or two. Each of them costs less than $30. Who said that you have to spend hundreds of dollars to show you care?

One of the very definitions of card games is their rules, so what happens when a game doesn’t have them? Surprisingly, not chaos. Or at least that’s what the Monty Python Fluxx Card Game promises.

It makes sense, though: nothing else would fit the humor of the Brits (and American). Like the name suggests, the game is forever changing depending on what cards the players choose. The fun part is that one can change the rules in a way that seems favorable to him and still lose because it was even better for someone else.

Since you never know if celebrity merchandise actually has much to do with said featured person/people, I was very glad to see the example cards, and Python fans will see what I mean:
Goal Card: “Opening Credits - You win if you have the Foot and the Nude Organist on the table in front of you.”
Rule Card: “Fake Accent - If you speak with an outrageous fake accent . . . you may play 1 extra card.”
Keeper: “Unladen Swallow - Counts as African or European Swallow.”
Action: “My Brain Hurts - Discard as many of the New Rule cards in play as you feel make your brain hurt too much.”
Creeper: “The Spanish Inquisition - You cannot win if you have this unless the Goal says otherwise.”

But the best part is that it doesn’t require Python knowledge; it won’t be so fun, but you can play it even with friends who don’t haven’t seen the best comedies in the world. (But you need to force some Pythony goodness on them at least afterwards.)

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Being a fan doesn’t mean buying everything branded under the name of your favorite author/band/movie. So, even though I think Monty Python are utterly brilliant, I would think twice before getting the Abuse Keychain.

The Brits’ insults are delightful… in context. Frenchmen atop a castle wall talking about elderberries are funny; frenchmen talking out of a plastic foot… not so much. Even if it is the foot animated by Terry Gilliam for the interludes.

Among the insults this keychain can utter are “Shut your festering gob, you tit!”, “You stupid bird brain flat head!”, “You stupid bastard!”, “I fart in your general direction.”, “I’ll wave my private parts at your aunties.” and “You’re a loony.” But if you’re dead set on buying something Pythonesque, there’s lots of better merchandise you can choose from.

How much under $29.99?
Some $14.99 on Stupid.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

Monty Python fan-girliness alert! I sometimes get too excited when it comes to my favorite things, and since I just saw Holy Grail (again) yesterday…

The Killer Bunny t-shirt is one of the rare ones that are funny both for people how know what it references and people who don’t. For the Python fans, the rabbit of Caerbannog is one of the best scenes in the movie, but even non-fans can appreciate the contrast between a cute fluffy white bunny and the blood and gore.

Unless you’ve got a Holy Hand Grenade, Sir Robin’s approach to anything is the best: Run away!

(Sing with me: Brave Sir Robin ran away… bravely ran away away…)

How much under $29.99?
Some: $17.99 on Jinx.com.

The publishing process on this blog sometimes takes place like this: Jen sees Monty Python-related item; Jen squees and starts thinking if she can afford it; Jen posts. Sort of like Pavlov’s dog, but with Brits instead of food.

The Knights Who Formerly Said Ni t-shirt is bound to be an instant favorite for anyone who’s seen and loved Holy Grail. After you’ve quested the land for the appropriate shrubbery, you deserve a reward (beside the right to leave with your life). And this -shirt features all the best bits: a coat of arms adorned with the said shrubbery and the undying sort-of-words “Ecky ecky ecky ecky pakang zoom boing” (plus the fish from The Meaning of Life?).
(No one knows how the new name of the Knights is spelled, so there’s no right and wrong way to do it.)

Nothing more to add… except “I want one!”.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

I’ve written about my love for Monty Python before, and I usually like Python merchandise. But… there’s a limit for me, too.

The Monty Python “General Direction” boxers are very… Pythonesque. “I fart in your general direction” is one of the most famous lines in Holy Grail. It is very funny when uttered by a French soldier taunting King Arthur and his knights, but I don’t find the humor in putting it on a pair of boxers. Potty humor if not my cup of tea.

But I suppose this fits Monty Python, so fans might like them. Which is ok… as long as they don’t take the message literally.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.99 on WebUndies.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

Yesterday I went mad about the Monty Python Cow Catapult. Today, I am less impressed. Or maybe I’m missing something?

The Monty Python Wooden Trojan Rabbit, also from Holy Grail movie, is a pretty faithful reproduction of the original and, like the original, it doesn’t do anything. Which is… boring. In the movie the gag was funny - get the French to rope the Trojan rabbit into the castle then realize none of the knights is hiding inside - but without the movie context the toy is just a plastic rabbit.

For hardcore fans of Holy Grail, perhaps. I’d rather have the catapult, it’s more fun.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.99 on EntertainmentEarth.com.

Via OhGizmo!

The most awesome thing today (or this week, or this month) arrived in my RSS reader this morning. And it was perfect timing, since only two days ago I was feasting on the Monty Python DVDs I got for my birthday…

The Monty Python Cow Catapult is the best toy for bored Monty Python fans at work. Just fechez la vache and try to catapult the “ammunition” over to the next cubicle. It features not only cows, but also sheep and ducks - plus, of course, the catapult.

Put on your fake Frech accent and make that k-night whose mother was a hamster run for his life! Just make sure he doesn’t run complaining to the boss.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.99 on EntertainmentEarth.com.

Via OhGizmo!

Monty Python are gods. Period. British humour at its best (and no, I am not British). Although I think my favourite is Life of Brian, The Holy Grail is a close second. For those who haven’t seen it (shame on you!), it’s a spoof of King Arthur’s search for the Holy Grail. One of the best scenes is the one where Arthur meets the Black Knight and is forced to chop off his arms and legs to pass over a bridge.

Now you can have your very own Monty Python Black Knight Plush. It’s 7.5″ tall, it has removable arms and legs (of course!) and even a sword to (inefficiently) fight King Arthur. I doubt this would appeal to anyone but a Monty Python fan, but the fans will probably be nuts about it. I know I love it.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Well, there’s egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam; spam bacon sausage and spam; spam egg spam spam bacon and spam; spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam…

Recognize this? No? In that case, go buy Monty Python’s Flying Circus right now! The Spam Sketch is one of their most famous and it’s said to be the origin for the word “spam” as we know it in the internet sense.

These Spam Can Earrings can be worn as a tribute to Monty Python or a bitter remark over the state of the internet. Actually, that’s all I can say; they’re pretty ugly, I wouldn’t wear them as a fashion statement.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $12 on spamgift.com.

Via FashionablyGeek