Seasonal surprises are one of life’s simple joys, but parents know how challenging it can be to keep gifts hidden from curious kids. Many families rely on creative secret hiding spots in their garages, sheds, or storage areas to keep presents out of sight, but not every hiding place is equally safe.
To determine where gifts are most likely to be discovered, we surveyed 1,005 parents about their holiday gift-hiding practices. We also created a fun and interactive tool — the Holiday Gift Hiding Spot Risk Calculator — to help families assess the “risk level” of their favorite hiding spots and discover new storage hacks. Our results reveal the best places to stash presents, where kids are most likely to snoop, and how parents can keep their hidden gifts safe throughout the season.
Key Takeaways
- 21% of parents said their children go snooping for presents at least once a year.
- 42% of parents reported that their child had found a hidden gift before the holidays, with 28% admitting that their child had outsmarted their hiding strategy.
- 29% of parents have had to re-wrap or re-hide a gift because their child found it.
Find the Perfect Hiding Spot With Our Holiday Gift Risk Calculator
Think your hiding spot is foolproof? Find out how safe your secret stash really is with our gift-hiding risk calculator. This quick and entertaining tool reveals whether your go-to storage bins, cardboard boxes, or garage shelves can withstand a curious kid’s search.
Where Parents Hide Gifts and Top Decoys to Deter Snooping
Parents across the country shared their favorite hiding spots and the clever ways kids still manage to uncover presents early. The findings show that while classic locations are popular, they’re also the most likely to be discovered.
Nearly three-quarters of parents (73%) said they rely on the bedroom closet to store presents, while others use the attic or basement (23%), the space under the bed (20%), the garage (19%), or the trunk of their car (18%). A smaller number favor locked drawers (14%), coat closets (14%), or suitcases (13%) as their go-to hiding places.
Even with these strategies, kids often manage to uncover surprises. Parents reported that children typically start snooping around at age 6, and about 1 in 5 (21%) said their kids search for presents at least once a year. In fact, 42% said their child has found a hidden gift, and 28% admitted their child completely outsmarted their hiding strategy.
When kids uncover a surprise, reactions vary: 47% of parents said their child confessed right away, while 42% said their child tried to quietly re-hide the present. Most kids (60%) were thrilled when they made a discovery, but that excitement often caused extra work for parents, with 29% saying they had to re-wrap or re-hide gifts to keep the moment magical.
To prevent early discoveries, parents have become more creative than ever. Popular decoys include empty boxes (28%), nesting one gift inside another (25%), or placing gifts in travel bags (24%). Others hide presents in plain sight (22%), tuck them into old appliance boxes (16%), or disguise them as household items (14%). Some parents even go high-tech, with 11% saying they’ve installed locks, cameras, or barriers to protect a hidden gift.
Gift-Hiding Tips to Keep Surprises Safe and Secret
Here are a few tips to help you find the best hiding spot this holiday season:
- Go vertical: Use the top shelf of a closet, garage, or other storage area, where smaller family members are less likely to look.
- Hide in plain sight: Disguise smaller gifts among everyday items, like on a bookshelf or in a storage box labeled with something ordinary.
- Use decoys: Place presents in cardboard boxes or storage containers that blend into your space.
- Create off-limits zones: A shed, self-storage unit, or home office can be the perfect place to keep surprises safe from curious eyes.
With thoughtful planning and a few creative tricks, families can enjoy the excitement of giving without any spoilers before the big day.
Methodology
For this study, Alan’s Factory Outlet developed a holiday gift-hiding risk calculator. This interactive tool evaluates the safety of common Christmas gift hiding spots based on user input regarding location, child age, and snooping habits. To complement the tool, the company surveyed 1,005 U.S. parents with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 18 about their experiences with holiday gift hiding.
About Alan’s Factory Outlet
Alan’s Factory Outlet provides durable metal garages, carports, and storage buildings that help families stay organized throughout the year. Many customers use these structures to safely store seasonal decor and holiday surprises, too. With customizable designs and dependable construction, Alan’s Factory Outlet offers reliable solutions for protecting what matters most.
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