Packing Christmas presents for trip?

[tylerandalexsmom]

Hhhhmmmmm...... it seemed so simple - going to get a tablet for teenage son to take for present from Santa to suprise him with Christmas morning at DLH on our trip. (have to take Santa presents for 7 year old, so have to take something for the 14 year old too) Then it dawns on me I'm not sure how I'm going to get it there - we are flying and getting it back with us won't be a problem - he can take it in carry-on. But getting it there, I'm not sure I want to risk packing it in checked luggage , but if I put it in my carry-on, I don't know how I can get it through security without him seeing it and ruining the surprise. (Normally we drive to WDW, so it was no problems sneaking presents on the last trip - just packed a separate suitcase with Santa presents and stocking stuffers, and just left it packed when we got to the resort, and the kids didn't even notice it. But since this is so much farther for us, we are flying) Any suggestions?

 

[Ancient Purple]

A couple of suggestions:

1. Perhaps have the kids go through with your spouse/partner first while you stay back to get something from a shop inside the terminal before going through security.

2. Give them something to look forward to when they get home by putting a nice photo of the tablet in a box with a note that Santa left this for them back home so that the "magic" would happen even after the trip.

3. Ship the items to your hotel via UPS or Fedex via their 2nd Day Air or even Ground Saver option. It really isn't that much and you can insure it for the full cost. I did this when I was in grad school back East and did my shopping where I was attending school. Since I wasn't getting home until Christmas Eve and that was too late to shop for my large family, I shipped everything via UPS and it was waiting for me when I got home. Call the hotel and let them know that you are shipping a package and ask them how to properly address it (usually it is the hotel name, "ATTN: Guest John Smith," address, etc.

I hope that helps!

 

[jlima]

My family traveled for the holidays last year; we did 2 nights at the Hard Rock in Orlando, 4 nights at the Wilderness Lodge and a 6-night Disney Magic cruise and celebrated Christmas on the Magic.

We opened family gifts at home the night before we left. I had DH, DS17 and DS11 to each purchase/acquire/make a gift for each of the other three in the family; and all three items had to be small enough to fit in their own suitcases. I did offer the option to purchase something in the parks, as we did that part of our vacation before Christmas Day. The objective was for each person to have three things to open on Christmas Day. DH got me a Kate Spade cell phone case; I got DS11 a Dr Who key chain; I got DH a pair of chopsticks from the big gift shop in the China pavilion at Epcot . . . it was all small gifts, but it was a Merry Christmas. It worked for us!

You could always buy it when you get to Anaheim. Are you renting a car? Have fun planning your trip!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Thanks for the suggestions - unfortunately, most of them won't work. Just the kids and I are going, so hubby can't distract. We will be opening presents before we go between each other. And really, this trip IS my present to them, so only a few Santa gifts will be left. This is the Santa gift (14 year old is in on the gig, but keeping it up for 7 year old) - have a couple of bigger items that will be taking pictures for, but this is for the one I was planning on taking with us (plus, he wanted the tablet specifically for our next Disney trip -- he just doesn't know it will be at Christmas ). It will also give him extra entertainment for the return trip, and when we get back, he is going to be going on a side trip, and won't be home 'til later, so don't want to make him wait that long for it. So, basically it all boils down to - it has to make the trip with us. I just have to figure out how to get it there without giving up the surprise.

So it's sounding like the only option is shipping it to the hotel. Staying at DLH. I'll check on the way to address it, but I'm a little nervous about something going wrong getting it at the hotel (getting lost, etc.) Anyone have experience with this? Or any other suggestions?

Thanks for help!

 

[ccgirl]

Hhhhmmmmm...... it seemed so simple - going to get a tablet for teenage son to take for present from Santa to suprise him with Christmas morning at DLH on our trip. (have to take Santa presents for 7 year old, so have to take something for the 14 year old too) Then it dawns on me I'm not sure how I'm going to get it there - we are flying and getting it back with us won't be a problem - he can take it in carry-on. But getting it there, I'm not sure I want to risk packing it in checked luggage , but if I put it in my carry-on, I don't know how I can get it through security without him seeing it and ruining the surprise. (Normally we drive to WDW, so it was no problems sneaking presents on the last trip - just packed a separate suitcase with Santa presents and stocking stuffers, and just left it packed when we got to the resort, and the kids didn't even notice it. But since this is so much farther for us, we are flying) Any suggestions?

Pack it in carry on luggage unwrapped. You go through security last. A tablet does not need to be taken out. Pack flat wrapping paper and tape in the carry on and pack scissors in checked luggage. Have fun!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Pack it in carry on luggage unwrapped. You go through security last. A tablet does not need to be taken out. Pack flat wrapping paper and tape in the carry on and pack scissors in checked luggage. Have fun!

Thanks! So for a tablet, you dont have to take it out? I know with a laptop, you have to put it in a separate basket, with the case in one basket, and the laptop by itself in a separate basket. So I figured the tablet would be the same (it would be new and still in the box though, so I'm not sure how that would work -- have visions of them opening the whole box right there at security, and really ruining the surprise! )

 

[mellers]

Hhhhmmmmm...... it seemed so simple - going to get a tablet for teenage son to take for present from Santa to suprise him with Christmas morning at DLH on our trip. (have to take Santa presents for 7 year old, so have to take something for the 14 year old too) Then it dawns on me I'm not sure how I'm going to get it there - we are flying and getting it back with us won't be a problem - he can take it in carry-on. But getting it there, I'm not sure I want to risk packing it in checked luggage , but if I put it in my carry-on, I don't know how I can get it through security without him seeing it and ruining the surprise. (Normally we drive to WDW, so it was no problems sneaking presents on the last trip - just packed a separate suitcase with Santa presents and stocking stuffers, and just left it packed when we got to the resort, and the kids didn't even notice it. But since this is so much farther for us, we are flying) Any suggestions?

Have Santa leave a note--"Hi guys, heard you were flying out, so I stopped by while on my scouting trip. Here are your Christmas presents, x days early!"

I've done that.

 

[abby]

Thanks! So for a tablet, you dont have to take it out? I know with a laptop, you have to put it in a separate basket, with the case in one basket, and the laptop by itself in a separate basket. So I figured the tablet would be the same (it would be new and still in the box though, so I'm not sure how that would work -- have visions of them opening the whole box right there at security, and really ruining the surprise! )

just returned from a flight to Canada on Monday, did not have to remove my ipad for any of the flights, so that should help keep the surprise.. I would send son first through the metal detector then 7 year old, then yourself, and direct them off to the side while you pick up your carry on just to be safe.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks! So for a tablet, you dont have to take it out? I know with a laptop, you have to put it in a separate basket, with the case in one basket, and the laptop by itself in a separate basket. So I figured the tablet would be the same (it would be new and still in the box though, so I'm not sure how that would work -- have visions of them opening the whole box right there at security, and really ruining the surprise! )

You are welcome. Correct, you do not have to take it out. As a matter of fact, we travelled from PVD to Tampa this past weekend and TSA at both places announced that tablets can be kept packed and only laptops have to be taken out. It's listed somewhere on their website too I believe. Thinks like kindle, nook, tablet do not need to be taken out.

Hope that helps. Have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless you get the TSA person from Hades, no, tablets do not have to be taken out anymore. Laptops are not tablets, tablets are not laptops.

Just remember to NOT wrap it!

 

[profa]

Sounds like you have your dilemma solved. As a last resort, I would simply check a bag. Have fun.

 

[tchrrx]

Since DS14 knows that you are packing Santa gifts, could you tell him that you don't want little bro's surprises spoiled? Then, have the two boys go through security first with as few carry-ons as possible. Ask the older to take the younger to the benches to put his shoes on (I know younger kids don't have to take their shoes off, but it would give them a good reason to stay distracted ) while you go through with the tablet.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Since DS14 knows that you are packing Santa gifts, could you tell him that you don't want little bro's surprises spoiled? Then, have the two boys go through security first with as few carry-ons as possible. Ask the older to take the younger to the benches to put his shoes on (I know younger kids don't have to take their shoes off, but it would give them a good reason to stay distracted ) while you go through with the tablet.

Good suggestion. The tablet is actually for the older one, but don't want my daughter (the younger one) to see it and then wouldn't be able to be from Santa without her figureing it out! But, I could let the older one know there are presents I don't want her to see, and he would be good at distracting her.

And thank you to everyone for letting me know I don't have to take the tablet out! (I gotta get one for myself -- more and more it seems so much more convenient than a laptop!) I thought I had the perfect solution -- something he really wanted that would be lightweight and not too bulky to pack and then it occured to me the whole security issue! I have come across a few security agents I wouldn't want to mess with, but maybe with the holidays they won't be too Grinch-y!

 

[ccgirl]

Sounds like you have your dilemma solved. As a last resort, I would simply check a bag. Have fun.

You may not be suggesting this but I just wanted to put out a friendly public service announcement to please don't check bags with any valuables in them. Unfortunately, not everyone that touches your bag is honest. In addition, your bag could get misrouted and/or lost.