lynn Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 I'm going to the American girl doll store with my daughter tomorrow and I'm trying to figure out how to pick up some stuff for Christmas for her without her knowing what I'm getting? Any ideas or tips on how to shop discreetly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnold Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Tell the clerks what you want. Have them bag it, then you go to the counter and pay. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Ideal situation: husband goes with you so one of you can distract dd while other pays/takes to car--we've successfully done this with our dd not even knowing anything was purchased, but she's only 5yo, and it requires both of us since we have no other kids. Just as good if your other kids are good at it: take one of your other kids with you. Kid can either ferry things to the register while you distract dd, or can distract dd while you ferry things. Kid distracts dd at the end while you pay. Less ideal but still workable: make a list as you go--write down pretty much everything so you dd can't tell what you're noting, but put asterisks by the things you want. Discreetly explain the situation to a sales clerk while your dd is looking at something, give them the list, and ask them to assemble things for you. Then you send dd off to look at something, go check the selections, and pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 When DH was with me, he bought and ran it to the car while we kept wandering. If I had been there alone, no way would my kid have missed an extra bag. I ordered online and shipped to his office. They come in brown boxes, but I was afraid she would recognize the return address. Now my second child, I could probably buy an elephant and simply tuck it under my arm... Third misses nothing either, and has caught us trying to sneak something at a Target when she was 2. Fourth, well, we will see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Tell the clerks what you want. Have them bag it, then you go to the counter and pay. That will work. I know exactly what I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 If you're spending more than $100, AG has a free shipping code right now, so you could also order online instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnIslandGirl Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 We always use a personal shopper at American Girl. They are well versed in helping parents with a surprise purchase. If you have time to call ahead, you might want to see if there are any appointments available on the day you are planning to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 If you're spending more than $100, AG has a free shipping code right now, so you could also order online instead. It seems like my online purchase comes to $99.99 kwim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 It seems like my online purchase comes to $99.99 kwim Throw in something cheap from the sale section to bump you over. Ex: $4 hangers http://www.americangirl.com/shop/sale/starry-clip-hangers-f5327 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 That will work. I know exactly what I want. You also can call the AG store ahead of time, and they will have it ready for you behind the counter. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Tell the clerks what you want. Have them bag it, then you go to the counter and pay. :iagree: This is the way to go if you can't "divide and conquer" by having a friend or family member go w/ you to distract her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 It seems like my online purchase comes to $99.99 kwim Ha! Yeah, that always seems to be how it goes. One of the AG things DD wants for Christmas is way out of our price range, and the other one costs $89. Figures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristi26 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Everyone has given you great advice already and you should probably just follow theirs, but I had to say this. I regularly pick up Christmas presents in front of my children and then tell them they have to try to forget I bought it...lol. :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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