https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 08:11:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921694 Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:46:55 +0000 PinkElephant 2921694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for asking! It all went smoothly. She (and her big sister) spotted the big wrapped box (that didn't actually contain the bike) right away, and guessed that maybe it was the bike...which was actually in the garage. Santa left a note saying he couldn't imagine her mom and dad would want an outdoor toy in the house, and he didn't want to get her in trouble on Christmas, so to go check the garage. She was super excited to get out on her bike later that afternoon, but luckily she was okay with waiting until her sisters had opened their (indoor) gifts as well before we headed out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921679 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 10:32:55 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2921679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: How did it go on Christmas morning?</p> <p>Our boys walked out and saw their respective bike/scooter and immediately started riding them around the living room. They were so excited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921599 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:08:57 +0000 PinkElephant 2921599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: you’re so right. I’m thinking I’ll wrap a large-ish box and maybe throw in a five pound dumbbell for weight, then put the bike in the garage. It’s so true that what’s plausible to a six year old is more flexible than what’s plausible to an adult :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921591 Mon, 21 Dec 2020 23:05:59 +0000 MamaG 2921591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 6 year old is getting a bike. She expected it at her birthday 6 weeks ago. She had no concept of size and thought a relatively small box had her bike. She really wants it now. I had this conversation with my mom on the way home from picking it up tonight. I think the bike will be in the garage. She’s getting a new helmet. I think the helmet box will have a note in it. </p> <p>My concern is more once she sees the bike I’m not going to be able to do anything else until she gets to go riding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921517 Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:30:37 +0000 hellobeeboston 2921517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My younger son is getting a bike, but my older is getting a drum set and we're going to set them both up in the basement with big bows, and put a note under the tree that there is a final special present down there... Maybe have a big card with a little picture of a bike on it, then you can put it somewhere else and she can go find it?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921416 Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:55:53 +0000 alphagam84 2921416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just chiming in to please have the bike be a gift from you and not santa. Many kids ask santa for a bike and don't get one because their parents can't afford it. Don't make them feel bad. Take the credit :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921356 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 22:53:16 +0000 PinkElephant 2921356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluemasonjar: I'm a little annoyed/embarrassed by this, but I guess it's pretty typical kid behavior - I think if she thinks she didn't get the bike, I might even have difficulty getting her to open a basket/bell to let her know she got the bike. :( :( A few years from now, I think she'd "get" it more and be tickled by the surprised, but right now....she'd sulk for sure.</p> <p>I for one, love surprise twists on gifts. I'll never forget the Christmas pre-kids when my husband gave me a new suitcase (which I needed, so it wasn't super exciting)....and inside it were plane tickets leaving the next day for us to celebrate New Years' Eve in Australia with our friends who lived there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921355 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 22:48:37 +0000 PinkElephant 2921355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, all! It's nice to have some back-up when I need to get bossy with DH :):) </p> <p>@JennyPenny: haha, you know what, I actually went out to Target after the kids were in bed to buy the bike off the floor specifically so we didn't have to assemble it. Otherwise I love this idea - I might do something similar for the giant Kidkraft dollhouse my parents bought them :silly: </p> <p>@Mommy Finger: Yes, we've done that in the past with "there's no way it's moving once it's assembled" things like a play kitchen. But as you said, those were surprises. I don't think there's a way around putting this baby under the tree!</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: Totally doing one of those giant printed garbage bag things - there is no way I'd feel okay about the amount of giftwrap a 20" bike would take! I was toying with making reusable cloth gift bags/sacks this year, but it just didn't happen with COVID shaking things up.</p> <p>@charm55: I have an ugly pine-tree green curtain that has served a similar purpose :) </p> <p>@wrkbrk: @lindseykaye: With three girls all born within about 4 years of each other (they're 8, 6, and 4 this year), someone is bound to be jealous of someone else's gift no matter how hard I try! But they're all getting exactly what they asked for, and at least the older two are getting items of similar value - the eight year old is getting a few "medium" kind of things like a Barbie ambulance (the younger one isn't really equal, probably, because as a third girl there's just not that much left to get her, but I think she'll be okay with her gifts)...but yeah, size-not-cost-wise, we could be in trouble. My parents got them a pretty amazing Barbie mansion (we've never had a large dollhouse before), so I'm hoping that resolves any tension!</p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: I think you win mom of the year for the bounce house - please don't tell my kids, haha :) No seriously, this is an awesome gift. And I think it makes sense in many case to put big items in the place where they will be used, ready to be used right away!</p> <p>@AB810: This is what I'm thinking re: covering it a bike bag - she'll know the bike is there, which is fine, because she hopes/expects it will be there, but she can be surprised by the color and style and the fun little add-ons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921327 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:31:52 +0000 wrkbrk 2921327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Under the tree! Definitely. Unless it would hurt or upset a sibling without something equally as exciting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921324 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:13:49 +0000 erinbaderin 2921324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wrap it! Just use a lot of paper! Otherwise I agree that it should go under the tree - if it’s all she really wants she’s going to be disappointed if she doesn’t see something that might be it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921322 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:00:07 +0000 Mommy Finger 2921322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my favorite Christmas memories was the year my brother and I got bikes. Rather than have it under the tree, "Santa" sent us on a small scavenger hunt that led us to the garage where the bikes were. Might not work in this case but we tend to do things like this. </p> <p>We are getting the kids a basketball hoop as the one that was in already when we bought the house is about to fall over. The box is already in the garage. No way we're moving that thing inside. it's heavy! Instead we'll wrap up a basketball and do something fun to make them guess. That being said, they're not expecting it so I would probably put it under the tree in your case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921321 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:45:46 +0000 charm55 2921321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My girls are getting a AG dollhouse that dh is building (its obnoxiously huge). They have no idea they are getting it so we will hide it and have them find it for their last present . But if it was an anticipated gift I would for sure make sure it was under the tree ! My family always wraps big things like that in a towel. Not sure why but we do haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921320 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:29:41 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2921320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are doing a bounce house which will be set up in the basement. But they don’t know they are getting it as they didn’t ask for it so I’m gonna write a note in an envelope which we can open anytime. For you, I would definitely put it under the tree with a big ribbon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921319 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:59:17 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2921319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Under a Christmas blanket! We did that last year with some big items and I think I’ll do it again!<br /> Other wise have her open the bell or something and head to find the bike right at the start of gift opening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921318 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:49:38 +0000 JennyPenny 2921318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not sure if this would work for you, but I know my sons most recent bike came disassembled in a box that was a reasonable, but large size. Could you wrap the box and have the assembled bike ready in the garage? That way it looks big and exciting and she may wonder if it’s the bike without knowing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921317 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:29:47 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2921317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would put it out under the tree. That is what we are doing with the bike and scooter we bought for our boys. It is fun to see a big gift under the tree!</p> <p>One year my Dad got a ping pong table for my brother and only gift wrapped a set of paddles. He was a little disappointed until he was sent to the basement to get something and saw the assembled table. But he was much older and it was a fun surprise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921316 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:53:46 +0000 AB810 2921316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>what if you wrapped it in one of those massive gift bags they sell for things like bikes? that way she could deduce it was the bike she asked for but wouldn't see it right away and you could delay the opening if you wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921315 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:46:27 +0000 lindseykaye 2921315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my favorite photos from childhood is of my brother’s reaction to seeing a new bike with a big bow in the living room on Christmas morning. </p> <p>My only other question would be if you may have anything flashy/big for your other kid(s) and having the bike out may cause friction? But based on what you said about her really hoping for the bike I would do the tree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/large-christmas-gift-wwyd#post-2921312 Fri, 04 Dec 2020 14:17:05 +0000 PinkElephant 2921312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Back story: DD2 has asked for (and is receiving) a new bike for Christmas. Not sure whether Santa will bring it or if it will be from us, but I don't think that really matters for this question. </p> <p>DH thinks that the bike should remain hidden for the initial "tree reveal" when the kids come down on Christmas morning - that we should put it in the garage/basement, and wrap a bike accessory like a bell or basket with a note to look in the garage. We've done something similar with physically large gifts in the past. However, DD2 is REALLY banking on this gift, and hasn't asked for much of anything else. </p> <p>My concern is that if she doesn't see it under the tree, she'll be very disappointed and get in a foul mood that will spoil Christmas morning..it's not one of her best character traits, but she can get really grouchy/stubborn when things don't go the way she is expecting them to....and my feeling is that there are plenty of times to make an example of expectations/good behavior/handling disappointment, but Christmas morning isn't really one of them.</p> <p>Where would you put a large present like this (bike, dollhouse, etc.) - somewhere immediately visible, or hide it til the end of gift opening? Or do something else entirely that I'm not thinking of? </p>