How do you organize physical gifts to keep them hidden?

Question

So I have basically two weeks left until the big day and my apartment is looking like a toy store warehouse right now. I've been trying to keep everything hidden from my 8-year-old who is basically a professional detective at this point and my husband who just stumbles into everything.

I saw a few blogs suggesting using empty suitcases or those under-bed storage bins but the problem is our suitcases are literally packed with our summer clothes since we have zero closet space in this place. And the under-bed area is already a graveyard for old shoes so thats out. My logic was maybe to use the top shelf of the pantry but then I realized my kid is tall enough now to use a chair and I caught him looking for snacks yesterday near there.

I even thought about the car trunk but we live in a really humid area and I dont want the boxes getting all soggy or ruined if it rains. I'm stuck because I want to keep things organized so I know what's for who but it needs to be totally invisible. How do you guys actually hide the bulky stuff? Like I have this huge LEGO set and a vacuum for my mom that are just sitting behind a living room curtain right now and it is so obvious... its driving me crazy trying to find a spot that is easy for me to access but impossible for them.

Marioimige · Accepted Answer

Honestly I've been super satisfied using opaque plastic bins labeled as boring stuff like old taxes. Kids never look there. Just a heads up, definitely avoid the car trunk since moisture ruins cardboard and it’s a total waste. Also, don't stack heavy items too high if your kid is a climber, safety first! This method has worked well for years with no complaints.

KordahSmoth · Answer

Unfortunately, hiding larger items behind curtains is rarely effective. I've had issues with items getting damaged in tight spots. Do you have any high-clearance closets? I basically organize everything via Amazon wishlist creator.

Rudolphsmera · Answer

I've been very satisfied with these cost-effective methods for our place:

Utilize dark garment bags in your closet for flatter items.

Select any storage furniture from IKEA, you can't go wrong with their units for hiding larger boxes in plain sight.

Wrap gifts in plain brown paper so they look like mundane shipping deliveries. Btw I use Share Product for my holiday shopping lists, definitely worth a look if you're struggling with the Amazon app.