Picking out the perfect gifts for loved ones is the fun part. The hard part? Keeping those gifts hidden until it’s time to give them. With snooping gift recipients in the house (especially excited children), it’s important to find great hiding spots for all those presents.

Jules (Courteney Cox), on ABC’s “Cougar Town,” joked that she had to bury her son’s gifts in the backyard. Let’s hope you don’t have to go to such extremes.

Local gift-hiders share their tips:

If it’s small children you’re worried about, find hiding spots that are high up – if they can’t reach, they can’t peek. Beyond that, you might have to get a little more creative. Items that aren’t temperature-sensitive can be cleverly placed in a garage, shed, or other outdoor spot that kids or spouses may not think to search.

Within the home, “The bathroom’s always a good one,” according to Jameson Bacon, of Naples. “Who’s going to look there?” Stashing gifts in the back of a linen closet or under the bathroom sink may keep them safely out of sight. John Pietila, of Lewiston, added that “the drawer under the stove” is a place no one thinks to check. (Just don’t leave anything there while the oven is in use.)

Anything that has storage space and zips shut or locks is a good option. Suitcases, hope chests, and trunks may be good places to store gifts. Just pile some blankets or pillows on top just in case. And, if all else fails, get the gifts out of the house.

Patti LeBlanc, of Auburn, utilized layaway options at stores when her kids were young. It keeps the gifts at the store until the last minute, and also lets you get an early jump on shopping by letting you pick things out and hold them pretty far in advance.

Having a friendly neighbor or family member help out is an option as well. Alicia Brissette, of South Paris, who has young children, said, “I’ll bring the presents to my mother’s house.”

Quick tip: wrapping the presents before you hide them may deter family members from snooping too hard, especially if you use ribbon. It will be too difficult for snoops to unwrap and re-wrap cleanly, and your surprises will remain intact.

Turn the act of hiding gifts into a treasure hunt for the gift receiver. Hide the gifts where they won’t be discovered and then leave a clue on the Christmas tree. If the family sits down to breakfast before opening gifts – some families traditionally have a big breakfast first thing upon waking up – leave the clue on the table. Another place to leave the first clue is by the plate of cookies left out for Santa, if that is part of your tradition. The first clue should direct the searcher to another clue and then another clue. Four clues before hitting the jackpot is a good tease to finding the gift. Adjust the number of clues to the age of the searcher.

(By Denise Scammon)