Awkward gift opener.

xxyourstrulyxo

So this is a totally random post but I wanted to hear from you guys, how you all are at opening gifts in front of people. With all the showers coming up I'd love to hear how you all handle being in the spotlight! After all my ranting about not having a shower previously on this board, I think now DH and a few of his close relatives are trying to put together a small sprinkle. Be careful what you wish for I guess... ha.

Now with that said, I don't know about you guys but I feel like I am a terrible gift opener! I just feel so awkward with everybody watching me, I am always so self-aware it drives me insane! Holidays are bad enough, let alone a whole baby sprinkle focused entirely on me... lol. Yeesh! It sounds like a nightmare.

I never had big birthday parties and I am an only child so I guess this all could have a little to do with my awkwardness about these sort of things. My job requires LOTS of public presentation however. I am constantly the main focus of attention and have no problem with it at all. Actually I love it. So what is my deal about opening gifts?? I haven't a clue!!

Of course I know to act excited and grateful. When I get gifts I usually make some sort of comment about how cute, awesome or thoughtful it is, how I can't wait to use it, and I'm also be sure to give a big thank you. It's just... EXCRUCIATING!! lol. I get so nervous I can't even enjoy myself!!

Maybe I'm the only one here.
But hopefully not.

laurenbrnwed

I hate it too. I got so sweaty at my bridal shower opening gifts. Now I have no control of my expressions and it might not go over well.

My shower is open house style and coed so I begged my mom to not make me open gifts. We put "unwrapped gifts" on the invitation so we could have them displayed. I've only gotten crap from my crazy aunt. Most people are thankful to not have to wrap.

If you have to do it, if assign my friend in the back of the room to raise her hand when I'm looking bitchy haha. Or do it in two phases. Get a break, and a treat.

jerseymommatobe

I personally would not open gifts but at my bridal shower I did HAVE to according to my mom. I tried to just keep it moving, I always make eye contact with whoever gave me the gift and just say thanks so much. Anything else is saved for a thank you card. I also hate sitting at showers watching people open gifts for over an hour, I get so bored but that could 100% be just me!

katemcl84

I know and I blurt lots to. I've been known to straight up say I didn't like a present.

blitzy23

I have people sit next to me so that I don't feel as much in the spotlight. It helps, and there will be light alcohol there as well, so people should be light spirited!

saric83

I have one friend who, like you, is very uncomfortable opening presents.  So for her shower, we staggered the gift-opening between games, eating, drinking, etc., which helped her feel more at ease without one giant time of opening present after present.  I think it also helped to have two of us quickly giving her the gifts and taking them away again to keep things moving, and we would often chime in and lead comments when she wasn't quite sure what to say over and over.  

But I totally get where you're coming from!  I also do a lot of public speaking and coordinate a ton of events with no problem, but when people are doing things FOR me instead of the other way around, I can be really uncomfortable and way over-concerned that I'm appreciative enough and what not.  

FeroceFamily

As a pp said we are having a coed shower with unwrapped gifts. My hosts asked my feedback on the gift opening process and I asked to forgo it. They were happy to oblige. I get all sweaty and red when I'm the center of attention. So I'm relieved.

We always think we look or act way worse than anyone else actually notices. So just breath and try to enjoy yourself! Good luck!

canadianmom89

I hate all that attention too and I feel bad accepting gifts.Like pp have said i staggered my gift opening at my shower in between games and food and I always read the card first and made sure to find the person and make eye contact and say thank you, which I found helped because then I was just focusing on one person.

Yesterday my coworkers had a surprise shower for me and I felt super awkward (but very appreciative) the gifts just kept coming and I kept saying I'm speechless this is too much....and I could feel my face was red the whole time.

xxyourstrulyxo

blitzy23 said:

I have people sit next to me so that I don't feel as much in the spotlight.

This!

saric83 said:

I have one friend who, like you, is very uncomfortable opening presents.  So for her shower, we staggered the gift-opening between games, eating, drinking, etc., which helped her feel more at ease without one giant time of opening presents. I think it also helped to have two of us quickly giving her the gifts and taking them away again to keep things moving, and we would often chime in and lead comments when she wasn't quite sure what to say over and over.

...and that! I think those are both very helpful for me, personally. I'll probably ask my mom to sit with me so she can hand me the gifts (she is helping with the shower, so I don't think that will be too rude, even though it will only be his family there) and I'll have DH sit next to me as well. He is extremely outgoing and ALWAYS has something to say about everything. I'm sure he'd be great at not only bringing some comic relief to the situation by adding in his remarks about everything but that will also keep it from being all attention on me. I'm also going to tell them both to keep the gifts coming and don't let me suffer haha.

Thanks everybody who has answered so far, ya'll have had some really awesome ideas!! I like the suggestion of having a friend do a secret motion when I get silly too... I tend to laugh when I get nervous and it's an awful habit. @laurenbrnwed

mrswynn2014

My sister sat next to write down names for the thank you cards and mom brought me the gifts and took them away after opened. I opened the cards first, announced who they were from and mom wanted me to hold everything up and announce what I got. She "hates going to showers that she can't see what's going on" lol I tried not to be very slow because I didn't want ppl to get bored, but I did take a break in the middle because I got hot and had to use the bathroom( go figure!) lol... I don't like the attention either, but I do know everybody who was there loves me and my baby and was excited for me to open the presents.

katiebug66

For one of my showers, I had a tea. That means it is come and go and hostesses open your gifts and display them. May be a Southern thing though. I like it much better! 

sailaplay

Kids are great for this. They LOVE opening gifts and people enjoy watching them. If you have any kids attending have them bring the gifts to you and help you open them. It totally takes the pressure off of you and the kids have a job and are less likely to get into trouble!

khaleesi123

Yeah I didn't want a shower to avoid the gift part but I did it anyways and just let everyone know I feel awkward about it so they all knew lol also you can always ask someone to sit with you make yourself feel better but no one would sit with me my mother Inlaw stood next to me and passed the presents so that made me feel a but better

xxyourstrulyxo

katiebug66 said:

For one of my showers, I had a tea. That means it is come and go and hostesses open your gifts and display them. May be a Southern thing though. I like it much better! 

This sounds so perfect for a self conscious worry wart like me!! I so wish I could get away with this but I know that won't happen for me. damn... haha

sailaplay said:

Kids are great for this. They LOVE opening gifts and people enjoy watching them. If you have any kids attending have them bring the gifts to you and help you open them. It totally takes the pressure off of you and the kids have a job and are less likely to get into trouble!

My DH's sister actually has a 4 year old son she's bringing and he LOVES opening gits. As far as him helping I'm all for it!! Yesterday I told my mom I wanted to let him help and she said that would be rude of me. That people are excited to watch me open the gifts that they thoughtfully took the time to choose for me. While I get what she's saying totally, I think she is being a little over the top in her opinion. It will only all be DH's family there anyways, they all know the kid, it's not like some random child crashing the party... I say let him have all the fun opening he wants! It isn't my mom's shower, afterall. I feel like I'm letting her bully me into doing things the way she wants, and it's bugging me.

Tomorrow is the big day and I'm still dreading it! wish I could just be normal and enjoy it, geez.

shan820

So glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! I'm awful with attention. I turn red and blotchy immediately. I asked for something small and simple, but it ended up rather large in my opinion. I have a small number of friends and family but my MIL invited 50 ppl total and 30 are coming. What's worse is its mostly her friends and family who I don't even know. Awkward! She's so excited and working so hard and I just want it to be over. I wish it was just lunch and no presents. Wish me luck tomorrow!

R0xanne1634

I refused a baby shower because I HATE being the center of attention.... I have everything I need anyway...lol... Besides with the money my mom would have spent feeding everyone, I could've bought something fancy for the bebe you know? So my mil and mama just gave us money and are buying whatever we haven't bought already...