Arse- ds1 has found one of his main presents...

[lecce]

It is the ELC Big City Garage but second hand from Ebay. It is in excellent condition and ds is more of a reader, a shouter and a dresser-upper than a sit and play with toys child and, as money ios fairly tight this year, we thought rather than pay £55 for something he and his brother may barely play with, second hand was the way forward.

I collected it already assembled and, stupidly, left it that way on top of our wardrobe covered by a sheet, with the intention of dh putting it in the loft at the weekend. Well, it fell off onto dh's head . Ds1 wasn't there at the time and dh put the biggest bits under our bed, not in bags or anything . It's a pretty high bed, they were easily visible to anyone, let alone someone of ds's height...

Dh told me today, as a "oh btw..." type comment that ds1 knows about the garage as he saw the bits and said, "Is the garage under the bed a hidden Christmas present?" By my reaction, dh realised I was not seeing the funny side that he was so started being evasive about the answer he had given, but I think "yes" probably pretty much covers it.

I don't know what to do now. It was going to be the main thing for both ds to share and, although we have a fair few other presents for them, there is no real 'main' present because we plan to get ds1 a bike for his birthday in March and that will be a big expense. I'm waffling, I know, I was just picturing them walking in to the sitting room on Christmas morning and seeing it all set up...it has put a real downer on it knowing that, for ds1 at least, it won't be a surprise...He has a memory like a steel trap so there is no chance whatsoever he will forget it. Maybe I should vroach the subject and say it is a present for someone else but we have no family members his age so threre is no one else he would believe we would buy it for.

I'm sure I'm making a huge deal out of nothing but what would you do?

Thanks for reading.

[lecce]

It is the ELC Big City Garage but second hand from Ebay. It is in excellent condition and ds is more of a reader, a shouter and a dresser-upper than a sit and play with toys child and, as money is fairly tight this year, we thought rather than pay £55 for something he and his brother may barely play with, second hand was the way forward.

I collected it already assembled and, stupidly, left it that way on top of our wardrobe covered by a sheet, with the intention of dh putting it in the loft at the weekend. Well, it fell off onto dh's head . Ds1 wasn't there at the time and dh put the biggest bits under our bed, not in bags or anything . It's a pretty high bed, they were easily visible to anyone, let alone someone of ds's height...

Dh told me today, as a "oh btw..." type comment that ds1 knows about the garage as he saw the bits and said, "Is the garage under the bed a hidden Christmas present?" By my reaction, dh realised I was not seeing the funny side that he was so started being evasive about the answer he had given, but I think "yes" probably pretty much covers it.

I don't know what to do now. It was going to be the main thing for both ds to share and, although we have a fair few other presents for them, there is no real 'main' present because we plan to get ds1 a bike for his birthday in March and that will be a big expense. I'm waffling, I know, I was just picturing them walking in to the sitting room on Christmas morning and seeing it all set up...it has put a real downer on it knowing that, for ds1 at least, it won't be a surprise...He has a memory like a steel trap so there is no chance whatsoever he will forget it. Maybe I should broach the subject and say it is a present for someone else but we have no family members his age so threre is no one else he would believe we would buy it for.

I'm sure I'm making a huge deal out of nothing but what would you do?

Thanks for reading.

[boxoftricks]

could you not say that you were looking after it for someone you know from work?

[shineypenny]

I agree with boxoftricks - you are looking after it for someone else; it is not for your ds; you hid it because you knew he would like it too and, you didn't want him to see it because he'd be disappointed that it's not for him.
Now, get it hidden properly at the first opportunity (you've taken it to your friend's house), do not mention it again. In a few weeks, make a few noises that you haven't got a clue what to get them for Christmas.
Then, when it turns up on Christmas Day they will love it just as much, if not more.

[ToothlessHag]

DS (3) found one of his christmas presents today. He was overjoyed and started playing with it straight away. Was a dog on a long stick type thing (meant to be a lead) so he could take it for walks etc. I didn't have the heart to take it away so he gets it now. Little tyke that he is, he's snuggled up in bed cuddling the dog as i type.

I remember when I was about 5 or 6? I found where my mum had hidden all my presents, I sat on top of the stairs and said "mummy for christmas i would like...." and listed everything she had bought me. I thought I was making her really happy by telling her this, little did i know, she was slightly heartbroken there were no surprises for me come xmas day.

I agree with boxotricks, its still early enough to hide it properly, and they'll probably forget by the time christmas comes along. If they do question it just say "oh it looked so fun we decided to get it for you too"

[girlywhirly]

You'll know for coming years to hide stuff really well as soon as you can, or hide it at a relative or friends home.

Agree say it is for another child of someone you know.

[lecce]

Thank you for the replies - we have re-hidden it and will say I was looking after it for a friend when he asks (as I know he will.)

This is the curse of having a small house with no proper storage. Where it's actually going to go after Christmas is the next question!

[pramsgalore]

i often end up seeing a bargain when out with dc's so i end up buying alot for other peoples children!!!!!!, they never say anything on chrismas day, although i do get the sulks and thats not fair i would like that, because i have bought someting for their ''friend'' they would really like