who decided

4realyo

that at showers the person has to open all the gifts in front of everyone? I mean cant there just be a short party and then they open the gifts later? Personally, I dont give a rat's ass if she opens my gift in front of me or not.

I have met some people who get really offended if you dont open their gift in front of them and I always find it weird. Also, at my sister's bridal shower for some reason she wasnt allowed to open any gifts herself (but her MOH opened them for her and then passed the gift to her) - this really p!ssed people off as well.

 thoughts....

AMYfromKY

I think some people like you to ooh and aah their gifts in front of everyone.

I would rather open them myself.  DH and I would've had a blast laughing at some of our wedding gifts, but unfortunately some extended family came over to watch us. 

Glowconsin

As previously mentioned I HATE HATE HATE watching people open their presents.  It makes me want to stab myself in the right eye with a dull spork.  At my wedding shower, they made me open my presents in front of everyone and I was so uncomfortable, and I felt so glutteounous (sp?).  No one should have to endure this.

kb75

I wouldn't be offended if someone didn't open my gift in front of me.

That said, I think a lot of people like to see the loot. And at baby showers, people like to ooh and ahh at the cute baby stuff.

ukantuchdis

I think if the MOH or someone else opens them that would bother me. ?I wouldn't want to be sitting there opening gifts in front of everyone though.

But I like to see the person open the gift I got them.?

Mrs. BZ

I think people like to see all that is given. I personally would like to open them at a later time.

justinlovesme

I agree, it is weird!  For my wedding, we had a Sunday brunch the day after our wedding w/ DH's whole family to open the gifts.  I thought that was weird.  I felt bad opening duplicates in front of the people that got these gifts for us.

Showers should be the same, I think.  And I've never heard of the moh opening gifts for the bride.  WTF???

anotherlady2013

I was just thinking the same thing after responding to the poll below.  I feel uncomfortable opening gifts at showers...what if someone didn't bring one?    I just feel so awkward.  But, yea...some people get offended if you don't.  I think having a co-ed shower would somewhat fix this...everyone knows guys don't want to see baby stuff. 

Kie310

I agree, as the guest of honor, it sucks to have to open everything in front of everyone. But I get that people like to see the reaction on the giftee & so you have.

I, as a guest, hate watching everything be opened SO I could give up the look & just wait for the Thank You Card.

justinlovesme

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

K8-B

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

Oh, so inapropriate!

Glowconsin

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

Ah!  Yes!  My mother was the ONLY person to give me lingerie at my bridal shower.  I was MORTIFIED!

justinlovesme

I had to hold them up and show everyone.  One was a black thing, with straps that attach to nylons, and another was a pink teddy with a strip of lace that goes up the butt crack.  I was bright red the whole time!

Calypso312

I hate opening gifts in front of people. What if I don't like their gift? And I'm not too good at hiding my true feelings. It would show all over my face.

Tonys_Bride_2_B

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

I can beat that if it makes you feel better.  My bridal shower was at our church, and I received a dildo from a "friend".  Talk about mortifying!  Along with all kinds of other totally inappropriate toys and games from the same person.  

justinlovesme

Tonys_Bride_2_B:

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

I can beat that if it makes you feel better.  My bridal shower was at our church, and I received a dildo from a "friend".  Talk about mortifying!  Along with all kinds of other totally inappropriate toys and games from the same person.  

Oh my gosh!!!  That is awful!  Why would anyone get you a dildo for a bridal gift??

hainesherway

I agree it is boring to sit there and watch someone open gifts.  At least someone invented Bridal Bingo to pass the time and win prizes!

mrs.g_6708

This might be a southern thing, but at all my bridal showers, I arrived an hour or so early, opened my gifts with jus the hostesses and then they set them out on tables for the guests to view when they arrive.

ams8099

Glowconsin:

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

Ah!  Yes!  My mother was the ONLY person to give me lingerie at my bridal shower.  I was MORTIFIED!

I guess somebody didn't get the message that there is a huge difference between a bridal shower and bachelorette party!

Tonys_Bride_2_B

justinlovesme:

Tonys_Bride_2_B:

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

I can beat that if it makes you feel better.  My bridal shower was at our church, and I received a dildo from a "friend".  Talk about mortifying!  Along with all kinds of other totally inappropriate toys and games from the same person.  

Oh my gosh!!!  That is awful!  Why would anyone get you a dildo for a bridal gift??

Beats me!  I was MORTIFIED!  I totally expected that for the bachelorette party.  The shower though?  The best part is that she was 41 years old.  You would think that she would know better.  Needless to say she wasn't invited to anything else for fear of more humiliation.  Oh and then after I had been married for about a year I found out that she was telling mutual friends that she thought I was settling for my DH and that we would never last.  Nice huh?  Jealousy does strange things I guess.

Needless to say - THAT experience makes me not ever want to open another gift in front of someone again.  

Stephanie2167

I love watching people open gifts.

MSC03

That is so bizarre to have the MOH open gifts!! I can't get over that.

I don't care if someone opens a gift in front of me, and I do understand how uncomfortable it can be.

I was at a shower recently where the game was to mark off gifts on a bingo board (that you filled out with things you thought she would get). I actually liked it because it passed the time.

Lexi0402

As awkward as it is to open gifts in front of other people, it's the whole essence of a shower. People go to shower you with gifts and ooh and aah over them. And if people knew you wouldn't be opening them in front of everyone else, your gifts may not be as generous.

Mrs_Hamlin

This is the one and only request I have when I have a baby.... PLEASE don't make me open gifts at my baby shower.  I don't care about tradition... I think that 90% of the guests don't like watching and hopefully the 10% that do, love me enough to forgive me. 

Kdonn15

I think it's because the purpose of a shower is to shower the guest of honor with presents.  When I go to a shower I expect not only my gift, but all of the gifts that the guests brought to be opened by the guest of honor.  If gifts aren't opened at a shower then it's kind of gift grabby.  Not everyone is interested in opening gifts in front of others......these same people should then decline any shower offers if they really don't want to have to open gifts and show off what others took the time to pick out and buy for them.  It's really quite simple.

high_hopes

I hate opening gifts in front of a crowd. It makes me uncomfortable. Plus, if you don't like it, you have to pretend you do because the gift giver is there!

ZeeDesertStar

Because gifts are the whole point of a shower. If I went to a shower and they didn't open the gifts, I wouldn't be offended but it would irritate me.  If someone is that uncomfortable about opening gifts in front of people, I would tell them that then they should only have a small shower with girlfriends and close family or say no to a shower.  My family (both sides) threw me a wonderful shower, and even tho I hate being in front of people and the center of attention, I am grateful for all the wonderful things we received.

What does get really old is when the bride is left to do everything! At the very least the BM's can open the card and hand it to her, help undo any complicated packaging, etc. to move the process along.  Having to watch the bride open cards and rip tape or ribbon one after the other is annoying.

As far as the MOH opening gifts go, that's weird. But maybe that's what the bride wanted? 

 

sagittmama

Glowconsin:

justinlovesme:

Oh, and the worst was my bridal shower:  opening various Victoria's Secret naughty outfits from sil and aunt in front of a bunch of dh's grandma's friends from church.  Ugh.

Ah!  Yes!  My mother was the ONLY person to give me lingerie at my bridal shower.  I was MORTIFIED!

That was me!!  Oh man, MIL was embarrrrrased!!  SIL thought it was hilarious.  I ended up returning it b/c it was NMS and my MOM bought it...  I wouldn't feel right at the honeymoon...  Oh man, that takes me back... 

ZAngel

In our circle it is a thing of respect and people do take it very personally if the person doesn't open the presents at the party.  In fact, at baby showers it is tradition to pass the items around so everyone can see them "up close and personal".  I guess people feel as if their gift is being honored in some way.  You have to make it very clear who purchased each gift as well.  When someone makes an item it is put on "display" for the rest of the party.  I know it is strange but it makes everyone feel good and people get really excited during the gift opening phase.