Hiding Gifts a Holiday Tradition
November 23, 2006
While every parent likes to think the smile on a child's face upon opening a holiday gift is genuine, chances are some of those smiles are worthy of an Academy Award. That's because kids wouldn't be kids if they didn't spend some time leading up to the holidays rooting through packages as they attempt to see what presents they'll be getting this holiday season.
Parents who are hip to this yuletide cat-and-mouse game are well aware that hiding the presents well is a key component to ensuring the element of surprise when it comes time for kids to tear off the wrapping paper. For those are new to the game or fresh out of ideas as to how to keep the kids from finding their presents before the big day, the following tips should be a big help.
- Have the gifts wrapped at the mall. Unless you'll have time to wrap the gifts immediately when you get home, have them wrapped at the mall or the store where you purchased them. Kids know parents will recognize when a wrapped gift has been tampered with, so they'll be less likely poke and prod a gift that's already been wrapped.
- Replace store bags with plain ones. Carrying gifts in the house in bags emblazoned with a store logo can easily give up the surprise of what kids are getting for the holidays - what else would you be buying at the local toy store? A good way to keep them guessing is replace toy or department store bags with unmarked bags.
- Go the tall-person route. Most children are shorter than adults, so placing unwrapped gifts in places where only the tall adults can see or reach them can be an effective deterrent. To keep kids from risking injury and trying to climb up to such places when you're not looking, hide them in higher places while the kids are not around.
- The smaller the gift, the smaller the hiding space. Earrings for a daughter or even a video game for your son can be placed in an old coat you don't wear or a purse you don't use. Kids likely won't think to look in such places. Of course, make sure you remember each and every hiding spot when it comes time to do some wrapping.
- Use your office. One place you know the kids won't be rooting through is the office. If you have the space around your office, keep the gifts there until you have time to wrap them or until it's time to bring them home.
- Be creative. Kids can be unrelenting in their pursuit of presents, so parents should match that approach when it comes to hiding gifts. Try places such as under the kitchen sink or the attic to hide gifts. Most kids are not allowed to go under the sink or into the attic without supervision, so they're less likely to risk punishment to find their presents.
- Pool your resources. Use a relative's garage or closets to hide gifts, assuming those relatives don't have children of their own. If you're getting your youngster a new bike this year, ask a friend or relative if you can keep it in their garage until the big day arrives. If that's not an option, see if you can arrange a later pickup date with the store you purchased the gift from.
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