How to Figure Out What Your Parents Got You for Christmas

Start with the obvious: look in basements, in the trunk of their cars, under beds, on top of shelves., Examine any suspicious boxes or bags for company or store names as shipped boxes may have a return address., Don't look just at the biggest...

62 Steps 3 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Start with the obvious: look in basements

    Parents are usually busy and may not have time to hide presents well.
  2. Step 2: in the trunk of their cars

    If you wanted something from that company, you can get a pretty good idea of what might be inside. , They may have bought you tickets to a show you really wanted to go to, or bought you a voucher for a shop you really love.

    Think about what you want.

    If you want a car, it will be big, but if you want to go to have your ears pierced, they may just give you a card saying that's what you are going to do. , This means they are at least thinking about buying it. , A classic maneuver.

    Arrange an exchange of information if you must-this is often the case with older siblings. , They may have information about recent purchases. , Did they most likely order your gifts online or did they store-buy? If online, check the order history on their online accounts.

    Amazon.com keeps lists of all of one's orders-a real jackpot.

    Most smart parents know what you're trying to do so be VERY sneaky! , This is a huge clue, but is also easily hidden by parents. ,, That includes dogs, bikes, etc.

    While hard to get clues, try to find where your parents are stashing these gifts, like if your Mom stops at a neighbor's house after shopping. , Usually they keep them there for awhile--for the opportunity to sneak it home or to a neighbor's house.

    You may be able to sneak a peek at the trunk when you go to the garage for some bogus reason. , This requires some skill and is not for the untrained. ,,, If it rattles, bingo, you've got a disc.

    It could be a DVD or a video game, especially if that's what you wanted.

    This is a good, non-invasive method. , When you get home, feel the boxes wrapped up under the tree, feel the edges and for soft spots, if you know where all the creases of the box, you should know what present it is. , Sometimes you could find conformation emails or even have your parents talking about it(ex.

    Have you bought (your name)'s Xbox yet?) , For example, if they are thinking about getting you a DVD, they may ask you if your DVD player still works.

    If they are going to get you a TV, then they may ask you "Can you plug your into new TVs?".

    Similar clues are very easy to spot for more technical gifts that your parents don't understand as well as you do (but may be obvious for other gifts also), and while a clue like this is by no means a guarantee of the gift, it's usually a pretty good indicator of it.,,,,,, Then the screwdriver. ,, Use the scissors to cut the tape. ,, Admire your gift. ,, You can replace it.

    If you didn't replace, keep reading: , Use the same wrapping paper your parents used, and try to wrap the paper the same way as your parents did.

    Once it is back, put the present back where you found it. ,, Just take out the tissue paper carefully and put it back when you're done. , Remember stuff you wanted and your parents wanted to get you that for Christmas.

    Your parents always refresh their minds on Christmas on what to get you. ,,
  3. Step 3: under beds

  4. Step 4: on top of shelves.

  5. Step 5: Examine any suspicious boxes or bags for company or store names as shipped boxes may have a return address.

  6. Step 6: Don't look just at the biggest present.

  7. Step 7: If you asked for something unusual

  8. Step 8: consider what they may ask you of this item (where do you get it

  9. Step 9: what does it do

  10. Step 10: who else has it...).

  11. Step 11: Question siblings.

  12. Step 12: Check bags for store receipts.

  13. Step 13: If still stumped

  14. Step 14: think about your parents' shopping habits.

  15. Step 15: If you have a friend owning something you requested (especially something your parents are unfamiliar with)

  16. Step 16: they may call your friend's parents to ask them about it.

  17. Step 17: Sometimes parents are just last minute shoppers-maybe they haven't gotten you anything yet (there's always Christmas Eve)!

  18. Step 18: The hardest gifts are the ones your parents keep at your neighbor's house.

  19. Step 19: Parents often leave presents in the car trunk.

  20. Step 20: Though trickier

  21. Step 21: you can also peek at wrapped gifts.

  22. Step 22: When they are out

  23. Step 23: check your parents' Internet history to see if they bought or looked at what you asked for.

  24. Step 24: If you have sheds at your house

  25. Step 25: or you live on a farm

  26. Step 26: it is possible that gifts will be hidden there.

  27. Step 27: Take a DVD box and compare to gifts of similar size.

  28. Step 28: Feel the boxes of the presents you want

  29. Step 29: make sure you feel all the soft spots and where exactly they were.

  30. Step 30: If you know how to enter your parent's email/texts do so.

  31. Step 31: Listen out for subtle slip ups your parents might make that could give away the secret.

  32. Step 32: Make sure to "borrow" all of the supplies that you'll need to open the gift.

  33. Step 33: Make sure you know or have the same wrapping paper as the present

  34. Step 34: and a lot of it

  35. Step 35: so you won't have to get caught not being able to wrap it back!

  36. Step 36: Pad the box with pillows so your parents won't hear the rattling while walking around.

  37. Step 37: Put the tape at the bottom.

  38. Step 38: Put the scissors next to the tape.

  39. Step 39: Next on top is the wrapping paper.

  40. Step 40: Also on top place the letter opener

  41. Step 41: flash light

  42. Step 42: the paper clips and a blanket.

  43. Step 43: Open your gift.

  44. Step 44: Carefully part the gift wrap

  45. Step 45: making sure not to tear it.

  46. Step 46: Look at your gift.

  47. Step 47: the skilled tape applying: Put strips of tape over cut tape

  48. Step 48: to hide evidence of cut tape.

  49. Step 49: Put away the gift for now

  50. Step 50: if you don't like it.

  51. Step 51: Once you remember it

  52. Step 52: like it

  53. Step 53: and got details

  54. Step 54: you need to wrap the present all over again.

  55. Step 55: Put all the borrowed supplies back exactly where you found them or your parents will suspect something.

  56. Step 56: If you have a bagged present

  57. Step 57: then this is easy as pie!

  58. Step 58: You said something like

  59. Step 59: "I want a new camera someday."

  60. Step 60: If you gave them a Christmas list

  61. Step 61: look for it they might have crossed out what they already bought.

  62. Step 62: Look in the garage.

Detailed Guide

Parents are usually busy and may not have time to hide presents well.

If you wanted something from that company, you can get a pretty good idea of what might be inside. , They may have bought you tickets to a show you really wanted to go to, or bought you a voucher for a shop you really love.

Think about what you want.

If you want a car, it will be big, but if you want to go to have your ears pierced, they may just give you a card saying that's what you are going to do. , This means they are at least thinking about buying it. , A classic maneuver.

Arrange an exchange of information if you must-this is often the case with older siblings. , They may have information about recent purchases. , Did they most likely order your gifts online or did they store-buy? If online, check the order history on their online accounts.

Amazon.com keeps lists of all of one's orders-a real jackpot.

Most smart parents know what you're trying to do so be VERY sneaky! , This is a huge clue, but is also easily hidden by parents. ,, That includes dogs, bikes, etc.

While hard to get clues, try to find where your parents are stashing these gifts, like if your Mom stops at a neighbor's house after shopping. , Usually they keep them there for awhile--for the opportunity to sneak it home or to a neighbor's house.

You may be able to sneak a peek at the trunk when you go to the garage for some bogus reason. , This requires some skill and is not for the untrained. ,,, If it rattles, bingo, you've got a disc.

It could be a DVD or a video game, especially if that's what you wanted.

This is a good, non-invasive method. , When you get home, feel the boxes wrapped up under the tree, feel the edges and for soft spots, if you know where all the creases of the box, you should know what present it is. , Sometimes you could find conformation emails or even have your parents talking about it(ex.

Have you bought (your name)'s Xbox yet?) , For example, if they are thinking about getting you a DVD, they may ask you if your DVD player still works.

If they are going to get you a TV, then they may ask you "Can you plug your into new TVs?".

Similar clues are very easy to spot for more technical gifts that your parents don't understand as well as you do (but may be obvious for other gifts also), and while a clue like this is by no means a guarantee of the gift, it's usually a pretty good indicator of it.,,,,,, Then the screwdriver. ,, Use the scissors to cut the tape. ,, Admire your gift. ,, You can replace it.

If you didn't replace, keep reading: , Use the same wrapping paper your parents used, and try to wrap the paper the same way as your parents did.

Once it is back, put the present back where you found it. ,, Just take out the tissue paper carefully and put it back when you're done. , Remember stuff you wanted and your parents wanted to get you that for Christmas.

Your parents always refresh their minds on Christmas on what to get you. ,,

About the Author

D

Doris Smith

Writer and educator with a focus on practical pet care knowledge.

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