Opinions on "Display" Baby Shower

mrscate88

My best friend and mother-in-law insisted on throwing me a baby shower, which is totally fine (this is baby # 1). They both know my personality really well, that I am not fond of being the center of attention and definitely don't want all eyes on me while I unwrap gifts for hours (exaggeration, but still). That is my least favorite part of the zillion showers I have attended.

So my friend suggested making the gifts part of a "casual display" that do not require any wrapping. She sent me this corny, but cute, little rhyme that requests any gifts come with just a tag or a bow naming the giver, and all gifts be put on display to allow us more time to enjoy each other's company. No unwrapping necessary. I honestly love the idea, and wanted to know what some of your thoughts are on it.

I'm in southern California, so yes, we have a bit of leniency on how to do things around here. But I still wanted to know if any of you have heard of this casual display gift table idea, and what you would think if you attended a baby shower where all the gifts were put on display with no boxes or wrapping. I love the idea of sparing all that wasted wrapping paper and also saving tons of time to just relax. Thoughts?

PrincessPiper

I think that's great, Cate! It's quite a green thing to do as well, saving all that paper! Plus, your guests will like not having to wrap anything! I think it's totally personal preference, And you should go with your gut lady!

mrscate88

@princesspiper Thanks for the input! My hubby's aunt actually mentioned that 'going green' part of it and that made me want to do it even more. I hate all that waste.

Edit for correction

Mousemama

I've never heard of this, but I haven't been to many baby showers. I think it's a cute idea, especially with the silly rhyme! I'm also uncomfortable being the center of attention, and it seems like an awesome idea to cut down on unnecessary wrapping paper.

barrelocarol

I think this is a cool idea! I want to know the rhyme...I might steal it

The unwrapping is a bit awkward, even though it's soooo cute to see everything that is given.

mrscate88

@barrelocarol Here is the rhyme that she found on Pinterest, but she's modifying it just a tad. And also a pic from Pinterest of another display shower. I'd be thrilled if the idea caught on and I wasn't the only weirdo doing it haha!

WDDCH

Ugh I hated unwrapping stuff too. I felt like I was taking too long and all eyes were on me, eek!

This is a great idea and eco-conscious.

kbfash

I love this idea and honestly feel like half way through everyone is just talking amongst themselves with the exception of the guest of honor and host who usually writes for you! Your heart is in the right place and most guests will be happy to save on wrap and bags to be honest!

excited2bmommy09

This is what I am doing at my shower! I hate the unwrapping part too and it's so time consuming. People can still look at all the cutesie baby stuff without it being a huge production. 

mrscate88

Wow, I'm so thankful for all this feedback and I'm glad this idea doesn't come off as bratty! What a relief. Now I can enjoy my shower 100x more and skip all the awkwardness!!

LaurenNewph

I've heard of this done at bridal showers. I've never been a fan of this only because then what are you supposed to do? But when you put it the way you did "enjoying each other's company," I really like it! I mean isn't that really the whole point of the shower? I say go for it!

sugarmagn0lia

I love this idea! I honestly hadn't even consider that I'd have to do unwrapping and would love to cut down on the awkwardness and wasted paper. Plus it would make it way easier for guests to interact with each other about gifts because they can just see them and chat instead of being put on the spot! Great idea

smiversen

I've never heard of that and I think it's great!

Growingapepper

That's a great idea! Opening presents in front of everyone is awkward, and as a guest it does get boring to watch after the first few.

brittanylanc

I normally spend up to $5 on cutesy wrapping paper or a bag for baby showers and hate the extra cost. I would much rather spend the $5 towards something the mother to be will use. If I was having a baby shower I would totally do this!

mrscate88

@LaurenNewph you're so cute haha. 'Now what are we supposed to do?' ) I just know that from the showers I've attended, unwrapping gifts took up sooo much time and we all just stood there going 'oooo...awwww' and it got old and boring. I like the idea of having the gifts out for everyone to 'oooo' and 'awwww' if they want to, but the rest of us can eat, talk, play games, take pics etc etc. Ours is outside at a city park and it would be too hot to sit there and unwrap a bunch of gifts with everyone staring at me...

@brittanylanc I agree, I hate people to have to waste money on me for something that is going right in the trash :-(

shaunnar053

I actually love the gift unwrapping part at the baby showers I've been to! Lol. But I think this is a good option of you'd rather not have that part at your shower. I think it's just personal preference . Nothing wrong with doing it either way I'd say.

JenLovesDesign

I also hate the unwrapping portion and asked it not be done, but got out-voted. The one thingbI especially like about gift unwrapping is seeing their face and how excited they are,,,and being able to say thank you...

mrscate88

@shaunnarose I love hearing other perspectives too, I honestly don't think either way is wrong. If you love it, power to ya girl!!

@JenLovesDesign Those first few gifts and expressions really are special, I feel like it becomes sort of mechanical after that (sometimes). Sorry you got out-voted :-( It'll still be great either way!!!!

BabyBugutsky

I think this is an amazing idea! Wish I had thought of it for my shower!

2chihuahuas

A friend had that type of shower and I thought it was really great! It was coed and more like a casual open house, which was her and her husbands personalities! They had some games in another part of the house, I remember it was pictures of them cut into thirds so you guessed what features the baby would get from each parent. It was a fun time!

ktbkitten

I am probably like the only person at showers who likes to see the gifts opened. At least around here people are eating cake and chatting quietly in groups and it's not like people are staring at the gift receiver. I still don't think there is anything wrong with it though. I also like wrapping presents...yup odd person out LOL!! I wouldn't do it (my mom would have a cow over it I think because you aren't appreciating each gift from each person), but it wouldn't bother me if someone else did. 

wassuphoes

I like wrapping presents and seeing the guest of honor unwrap them. I would not attend a display shower.

I get that unwrapping gifts in front of people is awkward, but I also think if you accept a shower unwrapping presents is part of the deal.

PrincessPiper

wassuphoes said:

I like wrapping presents and seeing the guest of honor unwrap them. I would not attend a display shower.

I get that unwrapping gifts in front of people is awkward, but I also think if you accept a shower unwrapping presents is part of the deal.

Wow, you really wouldn't attend a shower if the gifts weren't wrapped? Ok, do you.

mrscate88

@wassuphoes to each their own. I can honestly say I don't think I have any friends that would refuse to attend my shower because it is a display shower, that's pretty dramatic, and I don't hang with many drama queens. I'm glad my friend wants to do it this way for sure, but if she didn't, I would roll with whatever she had planned. I think it would be kinda messed up to not attend your pregnant friend's baby shower because you don't like the way the hostess arranged it...just a thought.

irenejean

I love the idea of a display shower! I also don't like all the attention that comes with opening shower presents in front of people. And as a guest, if there are a lot of gifts, I think it'd be more fun to not sit there for long time watching someone open their gifts. Seems like a win win to me.

mrscate88

@2chihuahuas Yeah I think that is the point of the shower, honoring the parents-to-be (if coed like ours) and suiting their personality, if possible. Hubby hates unwrapping gifts more than I do, so we had to consider that too. I'm so thankful that my best friend and MIL are arranging this in a way that we will personally enjoy! For all you ladies who love unwrapping gifts, I'm all for it if that is what YOU really want and enjoy! It's your day and it should suit you :-)

sugarmagn0lia

@wassuphoes I'm super for people voicing their opinions, and that's what Miss Cate asked for, but you really wouldn't attend just because of that? That seems a bit petty to me. Not liking the idea, sure. Thinking it's not for yiu, sure again. But seriously refusing to attend because your friend is uncomfortable being put on the spot and doesn't want to be wasteful? Come on now.

momofsweetps

I have been to showers like this and it is great. I hated sitting in front of people opening presents, just makes me feel awkward as well. So I think it's a great idea.

eah325

Love the idea- just sent it to my two best friends who are planning my shower.

It is totally awkward when people make comments that compare their gifts (and the cost of them) to other gifts.

Lastly, I hate when people hand cards around for other people to read- cards and their messages are personal.

mrscate88

@eah325 Awesome, let me know what feedback you get from them. I went to a shower last weekend and one guest made a huge deal about the crib that she bought for the mom, a crib that was not even present at the shower. So yes, comparisons can be awkward. I'll still admire the gifts, thank each of the guests, get pics by the gift table, send thank you cards, etc etc. I don't want to come off as unappreciative of my family's generosity. I just don't like all eyes on me and don't like wasting all that paper 8->

eah325

mrscaterosales said:

@eah325 Awesome, let me know what feedback you get from them. I went to a shower last weekend and one guest made a huge deal about the crib that she bought for the mom, a crib that was not even present at the shower. So yes, comparisons can be awkward. I'll still admire the gifts, thank each of the guests, get pics by the gift table, send thank you cards, etc etc. I don't want to come off as unappreciative of my family's generosity. I just don't like all eyes on me and don't like wasting all that paper 8->

I already heard back, and they think it's awesome! Looks like I'm following suit- I'm so glad you posted this. I'm looking forward to the shower even more now!

mrscate88

@eah325 Awesome, I'm soo happy for you! I'm looking forward to mine now too hehe

lemondroplife

Ugh! I love this idea! I wish I had thought of doing this but sadly my mom just sent out the invitations today...so I guess I'm stuck with unwrapping gifts for hours. Lol.

wassuphoes

Lol. No, I probably wouldn't attend the shower as the gift opening is my favorite part. I would probably still send a, wrapped, gift to the mom to be later. Or if she was actually eco-conscious, wrapped in a blanket.

mrscate88

lemondroplife said:

Ugh! I love this idea! I wish I had thought of doing this but sadly my mom just sent out the invitations today...so I guess I'm stuck with unwrapping gifts for hours. Lol.

It'll still be fun! Enjoy :-)

chelseajeanene

I think that's such a cute idea, I hate opening gifts in front of others too. I would love to just open them once I got home like wedding gifts!

Mousemama

wassuphoes said:

Lol. No, I probably wouldn't attend the shower as the gift opening is my favorite part. I would probably still send a, wrapped, gift to the mom to be later. Or if she was actually eco-conscious, wrapped in a blanket.

So, just to clarify, you wouldn't attend a friend's baby shower because it wasn't going to cater to *your* specific tastes even though you're an invited guest and not the honoree?

wassuphoes

Mousemama said:

wassuphoes said:

Lol. No, I probably wouldn't attend the shower as the gift opening is my favorite part. I would probably still send a, wrapped, gift to the mom to be later. Or if she was actually eco-conscious, wrapped in a blanket.

So, just to clarify, you wouldn't attend a friend's baby shower because it wasn't going to cater to *your* specific tastes even though you're an invited guest and not the honoree?

Because I personally would find it boring and tacky, yes.

Good Lord, I didn't say I was going to show up and throw a fit and start wrapping all the presents. You realize people decline to attend showers all tI'm right? Invitations are not summons.

shelbydd

I like the idea but the mass of in laws would wrap all their stuff anyway. Lol

str13

I wish I had known this for my shower with DD1!! People kept talking to each other, then would yell "who's that from?" Really?!? If you care pay attention before I die up here!! I hate hate hate opening gifts in front of people. Everyone could look at all the gifts and still comment how cute everything is, without you having to dig through tissue paper to make sure you got everything in the bag!!!

While opening gifts SMIL and her friend wanted a picture of me opening each one. At one point she said "look at the camera!" So I plastered on my b!tchiest smile ever!!