Panic stations.

Remembering how mysisters and I would do a forensic police search of our childhood home to find the presents (we later discoverd DF kept them in his office at work), I decided that the bestthingnto do was brazen it out.

Presents were/are wrapped and labelled as soon as bought and placed under the tree or where the tree is going. We pointed out to the children that if they handled them too much and discovered what they were, it would spoil all the excitement of Christmas morning. It seemed to work.

We do nto have any pets and with DGC, they live a long way away and usually only arrive with us on Christmas Eve.

One of my bedrooms looks like Santas grotto, dozens of parcels to wrap, can’t put them (wrapped) behind the couch as our son’s dog is here a few times a week and she’d be into them. DD and family arrive Saturday evening so I will have to clear both spare bedrooms for them and prepare our big family party (34 of us) for that night. Anxious? Just a bit, but it will be great and I’m very lucky

Put evetything in the wardrobe and lock it or if no lock tie handles together. Tell them there's a spiders nest inside or something else as ridiculous to keep them out.

Our son has just done the same thing kitty. Hiding gifts from his daughters - aged 14 and 17 . He has use of two vehicles. As long as he remembers which one is the hiding place all will be well!

Well done kitty crisis averted.
We’ve got to pull our finger out wrapping before ours come to stay for the night next week.

If you have a room that can be locked, or where you can wedge the door or tie the door-handle to something solid nearby so little fingers can't undo the line, or open the door, then put all presents or whatever your shopping is, in there.

Alternatively, box the whole lot up and hand it to the children's mother or father, when she or he brings them with instructions to take it home, not look at it, and return it when they pick up the kids!

Work out which would be easier?cheaper. So you could suggest they bring swimming stuff and take them swimming for a morning and fish and chips or whatever as a special treat. Or is there a suitable film on at a cinema near you? the agreement is go to swimming or cinema on codition dont go into dining room! Do you have an old tent that could go up in the garden and they could play some silly games or dress up in there?

Don’t know what age the children are, but would a large bed sheet thrown over the table work and tell them they can’t go near it.

LovesBach

The car is an amazingly useful storage item; when we were moving house and had viewers, any stacks of paperwork, odd items that ruined the 'minimalist' look, and on several occasions the cats, all went into the car. Back seat/boot, throw a blanket over. (This will only fall apart if you are taking the children out anywhere. )

I have boxes of stuff for the charity shop (toys etc) but am not allowed to dispose of it until it's all been inspected by DDs, apparently . DH suggested putting it in the boot but the trouble is the boot on his new car isn't very big and there is a lot of stuff .....

I'm trying to be ruthless but keep being thwarted 🙂

I can chime in about not being able to find presents hidden away.... and car makes good hiding place especially for keeping stash out of sight of DH... who does not drive!

My daughter came with a big bag of wrapped presents yesterday.Six year old granddaughter had been searching at their house. We put them in black bin sacks in the cold garage behind my husband’s motorbikes.No way will anyone go there,we hope.

Everything is in the car boot - easier than trailing it all round to next door and S*d's law says they would have had a viewing booked and we'd have had to panic again.

Well don't do what I've done in previous times, secrete them in really well thought hiding places around the house, so, good were those various nooks, that I couldn't remember where they were when the wrapping time came
Oh well there's next years present/s if they fail to be recovered in time.

Good luck.

Play the theme tune from Jaws kittylester. It’s just when you thought it was safe to back in the water time. I was emergency granny for the school run yesterday - I solved it by getting up early and collecting rather than the easier option of them being dropped off here.
Best of luck as your wonderful organisation is under attack

The car is an amazingly useful storage item; when we were moving house and had viewers, any stacks of paperwork, odd items that ruined the 'minimalist' look, and on several occasions the cats, all went into the car. Back seat/boot, throw a blanket over. (This will only fall apart if you are taking the children out anywhere. )

Stamps!! 😲

Rosie51

You're not alone Callistemon21, I've bought two gifts, ordered two more and do have a Christmas pud......but that's it. I need to get going! No I lie, I've written about 6 cards, no stamps on them yet, thought I'd wait until they were all done.

Just did some panic buying online!

Baggs

Black bin bags. Garage. Came to mind.

But risky!

... as long as you stick some toys in the bin bags for them to play with, it should be OK...

You can entertain your grandchildren in the house next door, Brilliant idea kl

Just realised, the house next door is empty and we have a key!!

Now, kids in there or presents?

I’m still ordering stuff from you know where 😫

You're not alone Callistemon21, I've bought two gifts, ordered two more and do have a Christmas pud......but that's it. I need to get going! No I lie, I've written about 6 cards, no stamps on them yet, thought I'd wait until they were all done.

Are they allowed in your bedroom? Put the boxes in there.

Then take the door handle off 😁
Making sure you can screw it back on again!

Oh dear, I'm panicking now .....

Oops 😂😂