I dont lie very often at all, i find i dont need to, just handle telling the truth and accepting the concequences. It usually seems worse than it is when you feel you have to tell a lie. People also think better of you, in my opinion, its good to be honest
Although, playing a lighthearted joke i feel is ok and not true lying, as long as they understand later and hopefully laugh its not the same "feel" to it, your not decieving them about anything important.