How to Wrap a Gift When the Recipient Likes to Peek

Tips for Wrapping a Present for Someone Who Always Guesses the Gift

Some people can wrap gifts, put them under the tree, and the surprise is intact until the big day. And then there are those on the gift opening naughty list. You know the ones. They always know what they are getting. They shake the boxes, peek in the bags, and it is certainly not unheard of for them to carefully unwrap that perfect present and then re-wrap the gift when no one is looking so that they can announce their gift with certainty before opening it.

There are many ways to wrap a gift...and many ways to make the gift a surprise for even the most smug gift guessers with a little extra effort. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make sure that a surprise gift remains incognito until the special day:

Wait Until the Special Day to Present the Present

This might be easier said than done, because many peekers are also searchers. They might already know all the good hiding places around the house. I've been known to hide gifts so well that I forgot about them until long after the holiday. Be careful not to hide something like a laptop in the oven, dryer, or dishwasher.

You might resort to hiding a gift at someone else's house or perhaps waiting until the last minute to purchase the gift. Sometimes wrapping a "decoy" will keep the peeker busy wondering about a box that is beautifully wrapped but contains nothing or perhaps a note that says he or she has been caught peeking. You might also carefully wrap a decoy that contains something that would easily spill, like an cup full of water, if you want to be a little mischievous.

The peeker might resort to looking for receipts or trying to get you or others to confess if you go for this route...some people never admit defeat easily!

Use Powerful Adhesives to Stop Gift Peeking

If you really want the gift to be a surprise and don't feel like hiding it, make it difficult to open. If you can make a prom dress and tux out of duct tape, why not wrap the entire box with this awesome adhesive. Make it even more fun by placing the antidote, WD-40, in the box with the gift. Try completely sealing the top of a gift bag with strong glue. You might try wrapping a gift in cloth and sewing it together if giving a gift to someone who is needle and thread challenged.

Make it More Challenging to Guess a Present

Some gifts might be easy to guess, but wrap them in a huge box with a brick, marbles, candy that rattles, or a kids toy that squeaks when moved, and now you've given that person a challenge. Small gifts might be wrapped in multiple boxes – try placing plastic bags, packing peanuts, or bubble wrap between boxes if you don't want them to bump when being shaken.

Get Creative with Wrapping a Gift

I remember wrapping Christmas presents with the 4-H at an old Roses mall, and they had a special offer to seal a gift inside a can. The gift was placed inside an aluminum can and a lid was then sealed on top. The only way to open the gift was with a can opener. You might be able to find somewhere like a cannery that might help you out. I sealed all sorts of gifts for people with huge smiles on their faces, especially the guy who was going to propose and sealed a diamond ring for his sweetheart!

Give the Gift of a Secret

Giving gifts can be a great experience for both the giver and the recipient. Making sure that the gift is a surprise for those who like to peek can add to the excitement of the special day.