One of the best parts of Christmas is getting to play Santa for your children. Seeing their wide-eyed surprise when they venture to the tree early on Christmas morning is a site we all treasure. But to ensure that your children really are surprised, you must be sure to keep those gifts well hidden until late Christmas Eve—not always an easy task.

If your children are still small, the top of a tall closet or an attic area is generally good for storing gifts. But if your children are older, consider hiding gifts among obvious items in the garage or closet. Placing small items inside other boxes that are generally stored and ignored makes them blend in. Roll items inside an unused sleeping bag or place them inside a bin used to store summer clothing.

Call upon a friend or relative who doesn’t have kids, yet lives nearby to help you store items. This is an especially good idea for hiding larger items such as bicycles or furniture. Even better, order items online and have them mailed directly to your “secret” location for storage. Just be sure the location is not too far away, because you will likely need to pick up your hidden gifts on Christmas Eve!