We've all done it: scavenging for gifts that haven't been wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. What's wrong with looking at it?
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Prizes
Step 1. Start looking in its usual place:
sheds, car trunks, under beds, above cupboards. Parents are usually too busy and don't have time to hide their gifts properly.
Step 2. Notice the name of the shipping company or the seller's shop on the "suspicious" box or bag
If you want something made by the company, you can guess what's inside.
Step 3. Don't just look for large gifts
Your parents might buy you tickets to the show you really want, or buy you shopping vouchers at the store you love. Recall what you want. If you want a car, of course it's big, but if you just want to get your ears pierced, maybe your parents will just give you a card that says their permission.
Step 4. If you ask for an unusual item, consider that they may ask questions about it (where did you buy it, what does it do, who else has it
..). This means at least they are considering buying it.
Step 5. Ask your brother
Go the classic way: try exchanging information with your sibling, if you have to. This method is often useful with older siblings.
Step 6. Look for the purchase receipt in the bag
This note may contain information about recently purchased items.
Step 7. If it still doesn't work, revisit your parents' spending habits
Do they usually order things over the internet or buy them directly at the store? If they usually order items via the internet, check the order history on their online account. Amazon.com keeps a list of the orders of all its users, very useful information for you. However, most parents already know what you are going to do, so try to find out secretly.
Step 8. If a friend of yours has an item you asked for (especially something that not many parents know about), they may contact your friend's parents to find out about it
This is a very useful hint!
Step 9. Sometimes, parents go shopping right before Christmas, so chances are they haven't bought anything yet (there's still Christmas Eve to figure out your gifts
)
Step 10. The most difficult to predict gifts are those that are left at a neighbor's house
These gifts include, pet dogs, bicycles, etc. Even if it's hard to guess, try to find out where your parents keep it, such as the neighbor's house your parents go to after shopping.
Step 11. Parents often keep gifts in the trunk of the car
Usually, they leave it there for a while, so that they can take it into the house unnoticed, or leave it at a neighbor's house. You might be able to find out what's in the trunk of your car when you're alone in the garage.
Step 12. Although it is more difficult, you can also peek at the contents of the wrapped gifts
However, this method requires a little skill and experience.
Step 13. When they leave the house, go through the parents' internet browsing history to see if they bought or browsed the item you requested
Step 14. If you live in a plantation area, the gift may be hidden in the barn
Step 15. Prepare the DVD box, and compare its size with the gift in the box
If the gift box makes a sound when shaken, perfect! You get a gift in the form of a DVD. Maybe a DVD or a video game, especially if you want one. This method is quite good to try, besides that, it doesn't damage the wrapping paper either.
Step 16. Feel the gift box and find out what's inside
Try to feel the soft parts and find clues. When you get home, touch the neatly wrapped box under the Christmas tree. Feel the edges and soft parts, if you can feel the curve of something inside, you should be able to guess what's inside.
Step 17. If you know how to log into your email account or unlock your parent's phone, give it a try
Sometimes, you can find an email confirming your order or a conversation between your parents (such as "did you buy an Xbox for (your name)?"
Part 2 of 3: Peek
Step 1. Make sure to have all the equipment needed to unlock the rewards
Step 2. Make sure you know or have prepared several sheets of the exact same wrapping paper, so you won't be caught because you can't re-wrap them
Step 3. Place a layer of pillows under the gift box, so it won't make a sound that your parents can hear
Step 4. Put the tape
Step 5. Place the scissors next to the tape
Step 6. Next is the wrapping paper
Then bolt.
Step 7. Also, prepare a letter opener, flashlight, paper clips, and a blanket
Step 8. Open your gift
Use scissors to cut the tape.
Step 9. Open the wrapping paper slowly, don't tear it
Step 10. See what your gift contains
Remember the contents.
Step 11. Now, you have to attach the tape properly
Place the new tape over the old tape that has been cut to hide it.
Step 12. Save the gift for now, if you don't like it
You can exchange it. But if not, continue reading:
Step 13. Once you remember what it's in and like it, you'll need to wrap it up one more time
Use the exact same wrapping paper your parents used, and try to wrap it the same way as before. Once neatly wrapped, return the gift to where you found it.
Step 14. Put all the equipment you use back where they belong, or your parents will suspect something
Step 15. If your gift is in a pouch, it just gets easier
You just need to take the tissue out of it and put it back where it belongs when you're done viewing the contents.
Part 3 of 3: Recall Parents' Observations
Step 1. You may have said "someday I want a camera
Remember what you want, because your parents will likely give it as a Christmas present.
Your parents are always looking for new Christmas gift ideas for you
Step 2. If you have given a list of Christmas gifts, search the list to see what it has crossed out
Step 3. Search in the car garage
Tips
- Just open one side of the box to see the packaging behind it. If the packaging is plain cardboard, it's hard to guess what's inside, forget about the gift, or check the contents of other gifts!
- View browsing history on computer!
- Finding out the contents of a gift is best done about 1 to 2 weeks before Christmas. This time of course varies according to your parents' shopping habits.
- Parents don't like to ask direct questions, so you may need to pretend to talk about what you want with other friends or family members when your parents are there too.
- If you don't want the hassle of wrapping gifts like your parents did, simply remove the gift box from one side. After that, put it back the way it was and put the tape back on. Not a hassle, and not too suspicious.
- Ask for the candy that is in your parents' wallet. If he allows it, be sure to take the candy and look at the receipt in the wallet. This note may contain the purchased gift and its price.
- Be sure to provide specific instructions when asking for something or writing a Christmas gift list. For example, if you want a computer, include the specifications, so it's easier for your parents to order one. Help them buy the gifts you want!
- Make sure you really want to find out what the Christmas gift is. The surprise that had been prepared would be spoiled, and perhaps even sadder than seeing the whole family curious about its contents!
- Visit the store and show them what you want as a Christmas present, then check the presents under the Christmas tree when your parents aren't home. Maybe you get what you want, because you make it clear.
- Don't try to find out what's inside a Christmas gift after 7am, or you might get caught. Try to find out what's inside between 3 and 5 in the morning.
- Some parents may store their Christmas gifts in a different place and move the storage area. Know this, so if the gift you previously found isn't in the same place anymore, chances are your parents are suspicious or just teasing you.
- Some parents will wrap the gift without the equipment, for example, if your gift is a computer, they may only wrap the computer, but not the mouse.
- One of the easiest ways to find out what gifts your parents bought is to ask for gifts that are easy to find and inexpensive. If you ask for an item with your name on it and it costs less than IDR 200,000, you will most likely get it. A common mistake people make is asking for gifts that are too expensive and difficult to buy. If the item isn't sold on Amazon.com or nearby department stores and malls, chances are your parents won't buy it.
Warning
- Getting caught while opening a gift could result in you being punished! Maybe even to the point of not being able to leave the house. Find out the location of all your family members at all times, and immediately step aside if you hear someone approaching.
- Some parents use a special coating that can detect touch on gifts. Look for unusual items in gift bags and boxes, then put things back the way they were.
- Delete your internet browsing history so your parents don't know the sites you visit. Don't lose their trust!
- If you find something you don't want, just accept it, or next year you might not get a gift.
- Don't violate your parents' personal boundaries. They may want to hide your gift for some reason.
- You may not open or start using the gifts you find. You can only view the contents before receiving them at Christmas.
- If the gift is under the Christmas tree, say that you're just setting it up to take a photo of a school project or to send to a friend.
- You won't be surprised if you already know the contents of your Christmas gift. Do you really want it?
- Be careful when trying this method of (a) placing the gift in an accessible place at night or (b) moving the gift to hide it and replacing it with an empty gift. Or (c) hide the gift behind so you can pick it up at night.
- Note (c) is a way for people who can't repack gifts well, and reduces the chance that someone else will notice the difference.
- If you have a camera, use it to take a photo of your gift and where it was stored.
- Some email services, such as Gmail, use trackers to identify devices that aren't common to the account, and will send an alert to the account owner. So, if you're trying to open your parent's email, make sure to sign in from the device they normally use.
- If you open your parents' emails, make sure they've been read. If it's still marked unread, just read the title and don't open it. Or, make sure to mark it unread again afterwards.
