Poll - Opening gifts at b-day party

kreeper611 · November 2010

Did you/will have LO "open" gifts at their b-day party?

We always did growing, but our circle of friends now don't. At first I thought it was odd, but now I get it. I would much rather chat and visit than watch a 1 year old tear into paper having no clue what the gift really is.

darlawoods · November 2010

We are just having family and I'm sure everyone would like to see our reactions to their gift

Liss_37 · November 2010

we are. I personally get really disappointed when I bring a gift to a kids (or anyones actually) birthday party and don't get to see them open it.. I always like to see their reaction and take their picture, even if they're just little

Ivana_Stolichnaya · November 2010

I personally don't like just tossing a present into a pile and then not seeing their reaction of it being opened. You're spending money on them, they should at least open it in front of you. If you just can't handle watching someone opening presents, then leave.

LisaK2b · November 2010

When we had the bday at hone the 1st and second year, we opened presents after everyone got cake. For the 3rd bday, we didn't, because we had the party at ChuckECheese. I would say at home, it's a good idea to open gifts to have something to do. If you were away from home and time is limited, then no.

Asquared · November 2010

I'd say it depends on the size of the party. The only "friend" party we had was with my moms group that started at the hospital- we had each parent buy for their own kid, so we opened there. If it's a big party w/ tons of people, watching him/her open would be boring/long/tedious/not fun. Small gathering- fine.

ecoppins · November 2010

To me it depends on the age of the child and guests and how many guests there are. Dd1's first birthday party was small 1 other little girl and a couple of adults. There were about 3 gifts. It was totally fine both for the other little girl and fun for the adults and not overwhelming for dd. At our friends son's first bday party, there were 50 adults, and about 15 little kids, so tons of presents. The little boy opened one gift and wanted to play with it, not open other gifts, so he cried bloody murder when it got taken away. The other kids got restless watching the one little boy be forced to open all the other gifts, and they all wanted to play with them which of course made the little boy cry more. It was so sad and awkward and long (about 45 mins of present unwarping). At some point the poor little guy just kept saying "Done Done Done"

jrlandrigan · November 2010

lisswastaken:
we are. I personally get really disappointed when I bring a gift to a kids (or anyones actually) birthday party and don't get to see them open it.. I always like to see their reaction and take their picture, even if they're just little

I agree that this is how I feel. If I ever don't plan to stay at a party long, I want to at least see the child open our gift. DS didn't really open any of his gifts but everyone was really excited anyways. I opened them for him but he pulled out paper from the gift bags. He was still interested in the gifts though, even if he didn't get the opening part. The hard part was trying to move onto the next gift because he wanted to play with everything in the boxes!

mefsta777 · November 2010

we are not opening the gifts at the party, mostly because my DD gets ridiculously overwhelmed. what i am going to do, is the next day when we do open presents, i am going to take a photo of her either opening it, or playing with it, etc and send that in the thank you cards.

luckylauren14 · November 2010

mefsta777:
we are not opening the gifts at the party, mostly because my DD gets ridiculously overwhelmed. what i am going to do, is the next day when we do open presents, i am going to take a photo of her either opening it, or playing with it, etc and send that in the thank you cards.

this is a good idea!

mefsta777 · November 2010

luckylauren14:
mefsta777:
we are not opening the gifts at the party, mostly because my DD gets ridiculously overwhelmed. what i am going to do, is the next day when we do open presents, i am going to take a photo of her either opening it, or playing with it, etc and send that in the thank you cards.
this is a good idea!

thanks! i figured if people say anything at the party, i have a legit reason why not to open them..and they will be pleasantly surprised when they get their thank you cards

12bailey18 · November 2010

Personally, I think it's rude not to open gifts at a child's birthday party. If the guests spend money on a gift than I think it's only appropriate to open it in front of them. We plan on definitley opening them!

ablou · November 2010

12bailey18:
Personally, I think it's rude not to open gifts at a child's birthday party. If the guests spend money on a gift than I think it's only appropriate to open it in front of them. We plan on definitley opening them!

This.

Abinormal · November 2010

Ivana.Stolichnaya:
I personally don't like just tossing a present into a pile and then not seeing their reaction of it being opened. You're spending money on them, they should at least open it in front of you. If you just can't handle watching someone opening presents, then leave.

This is exactly how I feel about present opening. I would be super bummed if the child did not open my present while I was at the party. I think most of my friends would feel the same way. For me, present opening is part of the birthday party fun!

Kingston54 · November 2010

I am leaning toward not doing it. Most of the birthday parties I have been to for babies/toddlers they have not opened them. One of the reasons my friends said they didn't was because then the other kids at the party start pulling out the toys and they end up missing stuff/ruining stuff...

If anyone asks I'll have my LO open their gift but then it will be put away to be taken home.

Kingston54 · November 2010

mefsta777:
we are not opening the gifts at the party, mostly because my DD gets ridiculously overwhelmed. what i am going to do, is the next day when we do open presents, i am going to take a photo of her either opening it, or playing with it, etc and send that in the thank you cards.

I like this too!

Sizzline · November 2010

In our families, it's expected that the presents be opened at the party. That being said, we are expecting about 50 people for DD's party, and I have a feeling she might get a little overwhelmed. I think we might open some of the gifts, then do cake and play a bit, then open the rest of the gifts. I'm also going to hold off on our gifts for her last. If she is getting tired and cranky, she can open our presents at home later or on her actual birthday.

only1erin · November 2010

i'm not sure if we'll open them at ds's b-day party. i think it depends on how many people are there and how the party "flow" is going.

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