I was afraid this was going to happen due to the number of people attending (over 60) and the time restraints at the hall. We only had it from 12 - 4 and by the time the guest arrived, food was served, and a few games were played we had less than 20 minutes to clear out. My husband and I had to open the presents at home but we took a picture of every single gift after opening with one or both of us holding the present.
I was wondering if I should print those out and attach it to the corresponding thank you card. Would that be ok or should i just send the thank you cards by themselves
Re: I wasn't able to open presents at the shower
this
I would send the pictures with the thank you notes. I'm sure plenty of people will appreciate the thought.
I can't believe you didn't have time to open presents!
this gets my vote!
It was held at a banquet hall that is popular in Miami for weddings. The majority of the guest arrived between 12 and 1 pm while there was mimosas, sangria and soda's being served. About half an hour was spent socializing before the food was brought out. They had a full buffet - salad, 2 cicken dishes, pasta, and veggies. I didn't get the chance to eat because they had hired a photographer who had me taking pictures with each guest and each table. Then the cake was brought in, a toast was given by my sister and mother while it was served with coffee. By the time the eating portion was done it was around 2:30pm. The next 30 - 40 minutes were spent playing games and when I went to start opening presents there wasn't enough time. There were just too many presents to open in under 30 minutes. We had to be out of the room by 4 pm.
I was very happy with how the shower turned out. I was worried about not opening presents at the shower because I kept reading how you are supposed to on these boards. However, I have to say that the majority of my guest expressed how glad they were that I didn't open the gifts. What I kept hearing over and over again (people called me today) was that they prefered to socialize and play games.
Maybe it is a cultural/regional thing. My crowd wasn't interested in the gift part.
You had a 4 hour shower and didn't have time to open gifts?! What the heck did you DO all that time? My DD had over 40 guests and there were like 5 games and there was still plenty of time to open gifts. Did you wait until every guest arrived? My DD's was started 15 minutes after the time it was supposed to start because her BFF felt it was rude to make those that came on time wait for late comers. So...some of them showed up almost an hour late. It would have been extremely rude to make people sit there that long. If people are talking, etc. your hostess just need to take control and start things and keep them moving. I can't imagine being at a shower for 4 hours to be honest.
It is nice you took a pic with every gift. I suppose since guests didn't get to see you open their gift (my favorite part) then I would send a pic with the thank you card.
I think it's a really great idea too...it might take some extra time, but your guests will LOVE it.
LOL, this is what I thought!
It sounds like you had a really lovely shower. I would definitely send the picture with the thank you. I know I'd love receiving something like that.
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Either way. I think you're very kind to go out of your way to do this.
BFP #2 ~ 4/22/2010 ~ EDD 12/29/2010 ~ Born 12/19/2010 ~ My Rainbow Baby
BFP #3 ~ 6/10/2012 ~ EDD 2/20/2013 ~ HB 100bpm @ 9w3d ~ M/C 7/11/2012
BFP #4 ~ 3/16/2013 ~ EDD 11/20/2013 ~ Born 11/17/2013 ~ Rainbow Baby #2
I was thinking the same as a pp - if it was me, I'd post them all online & then include the link in your TY notes in case people wanted to check them out. :-)
(I have to say - I haven't had a baby shower of my own yet, but as a many-time attendee of others' I was jealous of your guests for not having to sit through the gift opening! Maybe it's just me, but I hate being glued to my chair while one by one everything is opened, exclaimed over, and passed around and have always wished that the couple could either do that part at home or else informally so people could mingle and watch if they wanted to or wander and mix with other people too.)