Clicky poll: Opening gifts at first birthday party?

Nicole.

When I was growing up we always opened gifts at the actual party- nowadays (at least at parties we've been to) no one opens the gift at the party.  I kind of like the idea of waiting until everyone goes home to open them so that we can enjoy hanging out and talking to everyone.  (Now that I think about it, size might be a large factor...we're having a big party for Jake's birthday- about 75 people).
[Poll]

AvaLikeLava

For G's party we opened when we got home. Personally I feel so awkward having MY gift me opened at someone else's party. I also don't like opening gifts others give me/us in front of them. I dislike this about any holiday (not just birthdays) -- just too much pressure to have the 'right' public response.

Plus at home, I can take notes on who gave what for thank you cards.

I figure as long as S and I are opening gifts for the kids I'd like to do it in private. Once the kids are old enough to make their own choices they can choose to do it in private (if they inherit their mom's awkwardness) or at their parties.

hannah&ben

We did it while people were with us but we had a teeny party - just grand parents and aunts.  We do the same for the big kids - but again we don't have major blow outs (not that there's anything wrong with big parties!!)

When the big kids have 'friend' parties we do it out places like the skating rink, etc and request no gifts on the invitation.  I don't care if it's tacky.  They have parties to hang out and have fun with friends, not to get a bunch of stuff.  So, that eliminates any issues about when to open.

Hannah

happytracy

We had about 35 people there...mostly family and a few friends.  Maybe its just my family... but they would be a little upset if they couldn't watch Izzy open her gifts.  So I guess it depends on your family and what they are used to doing.  That is a big party though!!!  It would take a while to get through all those presents!

LVBlvd

We did open at the party and had around 50 guests.  We opened in our formal living room, so people could come in and watch for a few minutes, go get food, sit outside, sit in the family room, etc.  It wasn't like everyone sat there and watched us open presents.  At any given time, there were maybe 10 people watching us.

skoorbnibor

We did it after most of the guests had left. It was my parents, my husbands parents and our siblings. Much easier to manage (I made the thank yous right them and there!) and much less chaos. 

sasa625

We opened gifts at DD's party only because almost every female adult guest got upset when we said we weren't going to do it... so we caved and opened them. I would definitely not do it that way again... DD was so overwhelmed and tired that I had to rush through opening. I didn't even have a chance to really read the card or properly acknowledge the guest whose present I was opening. DD didn't have any interest in opening the presents herself. I really wish we had waited... good thing I wrote down who gave her what because I certainly didn't have time to process that while opening them.

na24

I've never heard of opening gifts after everyone has left, actually.  I think people would feel disappointed that they didn't get to see the kid play with the toy(s) or see that you liked the present(s).  And when the kid is older, they're going to want to open them at the party, aren't they?  

I guess it might differ by region or generation.  

schmoodle

We opened at the party. I'm not crazy about it, I think it's boring for guests and I don't like having to come up with something to say for every gift, etc., but his party was small (under 20 people including kids) and I know people were expecting it so we did it. Hoping to phase that out in future years!

lckytabby3

I can't imagine not opening them.  I can see people getting really upset if we didn't open.  I would be upset if I purchased a present and it wasn't opened in front of me.  I like to see if they like it or not.