<font color=red>Eight Tips for Hiding Gifts from Kids </font color>

The average American family spends over $1,000 a year on gifts. That's quite a few gifts, and quite a few secrets to keep under wraps. Once you've tackled the challenge of finding the perfect gift, don't let sneaky snoopers spoil the secret!

According to Vicki Lansky, author of Practical Parenting Tips (Meadowbrook Press), "It helps to be creative, if not downright crafty, when it comes to hiding all those packages at gift-giving time." Lansky recommends wrapping gifts ahead of time, but points out that, "The biggest problem of prewrapping is remembering what you've wrapped."

The name of the game during the holiday season is to hide gifts in a spot where your kids won't think to look. Whether you prewrap or not, here are some hints for where to stash gifts so they won't be found:

1. Stash gifts in large trash bags in the attic, basement, or under your bed.
2. Put them in the garage under blankets or in trash bags.
3. Hide presents in seldom opened cabinets such as a wet bar.
4. Linen closets are a great hiding spot.
5. Store gifts in the trunk of your car.
6. Use your neighbor's basement or garage.
7. Hide things in your desk drawers.
8. Stash gifts away with summer gear like camping equipment or beach toys.