It can be difficult to find the perfect gifts for your children, and even harder to find a place to hide them leading up to the holiday season. However, there’s no need to stress, the Good Hands Advice team has developed some tips for the best places to hide your children’s gifts this holiday season.
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Up above
Of course, the attic is often somewhere that younger kids can’t reach, but have you thought of your actual ceiling? If your home has a drop ceiling, it can be the perfect hiding space for lighter items!
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Storage Boxes for Decorations
You know all those empty boxes used to store decorations – like an artificial tree – for the holiday season? As you empty them to create a magical atmosphere around your home, why not fill them back up with gifts? Any empty storage box can be used to conceal gifts; the more difficult it is for kids to access them, the better!
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Empty Suitcases, Toolboxes, and More
Have you considered using those occasionally used and often overlooked items such as a suitcase, large cookware, toolbox, safe or deep freezer? If not, chances are your child may not have considered it as well. Depending on the size of your gift, these types of items could make for a great place to store gifts. However, if you put anything in a freezer, make sure the cold temperatures won’t damage the items!
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Outside Storage
While we wouldn’t recommend leaving your gifts outside in the open, we do suggest you consider using outdoor storage spaces that can be locked-up (e.g., shed, garage or locker). These are areas that young kids typically won’t access without an adult, so hiding gifts outside may keep them from prying eyes. However, remember that older kids and teens may access those areas as well – so be strategic!
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At Another Home
Can you get the grandparents on board to help hide your kids’ gifts? Aunty? A friend or neighbour? Having allies might be your best bet to prevent even the most resourceful children from finding their surprises. You can also return the favour and hide other people’s gifts in your home.
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At work
Just like using someone else’s home, keeping the gifts at work could be an option (and it may even let you wrap them in peace during your break). However, not all people have a safe personal space or time to wrap them at the office. Make sure you check with your employer.
Other tricks and tips
- Mix up your hiding places! Don’t put everything in one place, if you think your kids will be thorough in their search. Also, switch up your hiding spots every year. You might not know that your children found last year’s gifts, but they will remember exactly where it was hidden. Put a list of your hiding places in your phone to make sure you recover everything when needed.
- Put them in another closed box. Wrap your gift, then wrap it again in a storage box with tape. Even better, mislabel that box (tax documents, Algebra worksheets, kitchen utensils, etc.)
- Put someone else’s name on it. Is your child an expert sleuth? Finding a gift with someone else’s name on it could be enough to make your kid uninterested in sneaking a peek under the wrapping paper. Assign avatars to each of your kids to help ensure you keep them distinct when it’s time to label them properly.
- Out of reach but also hidden. You should take extra caution to hide gifts, even if they’re out of reach. Keeping them fully hidden while stored will help prevent your young ones from climbing or trying to squeeze in somewhere after seeing the corner of a wrapped gift.
- Be mindful of where you put gifts. You wouldn’t want them to get dirty or in a spot where it could be a hazard.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for general information only and does not constitute legal, insurance, or veterinary advice. Allstate makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. References to third-party products, services, or websites are for convenience only and do not imply endorsement. Insurance coverage varies by provider and policy; speak to a licensed agent to understand your coverage. Quotes reflect personal opinions, not professional advice.
