Do showers make you nervous?

flerlgirl · January 2013

When I got married, I had a few different showers because DH's family is all over the country and they all wanted to do something. They were so generous and we have everything we need for our household... but I learned something important: showers make me so uncomfortable! I am the world's slowest gift-opener - seriously, check Guiness. You'll see my photo there - and everyone watching while I open gifts is just so uncomfortable for me...I am also not a "giddy" person and I don't really show emotion that well so I feel like the whole time I am just like, "Oh, gee. A really nice handmixer. Thanks, Aunt Martha. ZZZzzzzZZZzzz."

I don't want to seem ungrateful because people are so loving and generous with their gifts but... maybe I can take a video of me opening it and send it to you?

Anyone else?

dmlk413 · January 2013

Me. I really don't like being the center of attention so I was pretty uncomfortable at my wedding shower. I am expecting the baby shower will be the same.

BLT20051 · January 2013

We ran off and got married so I've never had a shower. I'm terrified.

adeller11 · January 2013

YES! They are very awkward and uncomfortable for me too. I was that kid growing up that would freak out when people paid too much attention to me -- I like to blend into the scenery.

Unfortunately, my mom, my co-workers, and my girlfriends are adamant on throwing me showers, so it has to happen. Be happy that people love you enough to throw you a party, and then have anxiety like I do at home before/after the party.

flerlgirl · January 2013

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
We ran off and got married so I've never had a shower. I'm terrified.

Go with God.

flerlgirl · January 2013

adeller11:
YES! They are very awkward and uncomfortable for me too. I was that kid growing up that would freak out when people paid too much attention to me -- I like to blend into the scenery.
Unfortunately, my mom, my co-workers, and my girlfriends are adamant on throwing me showers, so it has to happen. Be happy that people love you enough to throw you a party, and then have anxiety like I do at home before/after the party.

My mom and sister are, too - they are SO excited. And it isn't that I dislike showers - all the games and seeing your family and friends is good. And I will never. ever. turn down an opportunity for cake. It's just being stared at the whole time! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

BLT20051 · January 2013

flerlgirl:

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
We ran off and got married so I've never had a shower. I'm terrified.

Go with God.

I had no intentions of mentioning it and doing one. MIL is adamant about throwing one. Luckily, I'm just going to skype with my mom while I have some friends over so that is easier.

smithm24 · January 2013

Oh yes. Hate being the center of attention. Look up introvert in the dictionary, and there I am. I have to try so hard to look excited when I open presents. Most of the time I truly like them and I very excited about it, just not big on showing it to people I don't see on a nearly daily basis. I'm still doing the shower though, because my mom is just so excited and I don't really want to disappoint her. It's her first grandchild, might as well let her have some fun.

NOV04 · January 2013

I've seen a few invitations that suggest guests bring unwrapped gifts to be displayed clothes get hung on a clothesline, etc where everyone can ooh and ah but it's not a laborious opening process. Good luck!

Fuzzy21 · January 2013

The only thing that made my bridal shower, and previous baby shower, fun and not as stressful was the fact that there was A LOT of alcohol. Everyone got buzzed and could care less when I opened my presents. That was the best part.

That said, I'm not doing another shower. I think it's dumb for baby #2 and I'm not going through it again.

flerlgirl · January 2013

NOV04:
I've seen a few invitations that suggest guests bring unwrapped gifts to be displayed clothes get hung on a clothesline, etc where everyone can ooh and ah but it's not a laborious opening process. Good luck!

Oooh, thanks... I don't know what it is but I cannot open a present in less than 48 seconds. It takes me FOREVER. My family only gives me birthday gifts in bags because they know we will be there until Jesus comes back otherwise.

flerlgirl · January 2013

I am also TERRIFIED of not knowing what the gift is. I. know. nothing. about babies or what babies need... I'm learning, but I really hope I don't open and gift and have to say, "Ohhh, what a nice... pointy thing with funny animals on it! Thanks, Grandma!!"

BLT20051 · January 2013

flerlgirl:
NOV04:
I've seen a few invitations that suggest guests bring unwrapped gifts to be displayed clothes get hung on a clothesline, etc where everyone can ooh and ah but it's not a laborious opening process. Good luck!
Oooh, thanks... I don't know what it is but I cannot open a present in less than 48 seconds. It takes me FOREVER. My family only gives me birthday gifts in bags because they know we will be there until Jesus comes back otherwise.

I just snorted.

Ilovebeingamom · January 2013

I hated having the baby showers. It was fun and I tried to remember they were about the baby not me... But I hated everyone watching me open gifts and not to mention to stupid string measuring your belly game. Blah. Everything else about the shower was fun though. The food, hanging out with people I love and the games were fun for the most part. Just when it came to something about me, I was not happy.

smithm24 · January 2013

NOV04:
I've seen a few invitations that suggest guests bring unwrapped gifts to be displayed clothes get hung on a clothesline, etc where everyone can ooh and ah but it's not a laborious opening process. Good luck!

That is a genius idea!

RissNRuss · January 2013

I'm not nervous about it. I loved my bridal shower (thrown by my maids/matrons). They went so crazy making it a theme (musicals/theater) so there were games during the gift opening (which made it move quickly) and there was a "playbill" with cast "info" that each girl had written about our friendship that was also passed around so all eyes weren't staring and silent at me. I think my Mom will be throwing this one, so we'll see- she tends to have a different picture of me in her head but always throws lovely parties.

flerlgirl · January 2013

I think the shower itself will be a ton of fun. My sister and mom and BFF have put a lot of work into it already and I so appreciate their enthusiasm... I just hope they know it will have to be a 6 hour event so I have time to open at least 3 gifts.

JeseyJo · January 2013

Yeah... They make me pretty uncomfortable too. Just the thought of everyone staring at me and being showered with gifts. The center of attention is not my thing! Me and my whole family HATES shower games... so at least I know it will just be cake, chatting, and gifts at the one they throw. However, DH has 7 sisters and they insisted on throwing a shower before the wedding. It was totally awkward because it was the first time they met my mom and sister and they had games and everything, then wanted to go around the room and have everyone give me marriage advice. It got all mushy and weird. My mom and sister were SO ready to bolt (me too!) I love them all to death and they're super nice, fun ladies... but I'm secretly dreading it! hahaha. I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds them awkward.

flerlgirl · January 2013

CarolynL8:
I kind of like the new "wrap in clear" showers.
The last bridal shower I went to everything was wrapped in clear cellophane. The bride to be still announced all of the gifts but didnt have to sit there actually unwrapping everything. The bridemaids helped open the cards and passed the clear wrapped gift with the card to the bride then the bride said "my china, from so and so... thank you" and so on.
It cuts out a lot of time and lets be honest most people lose interest once youve opened their gift.
At the end of the invite it said something like "Please be a dear and wrap in clear"
Easy for the June moms to do if you wanted because most of our shower are after easter... plenty of clear wrap out there. lol

Just a suggestion. Don't flame me! lol Believe it or not its a hot topic sometimes. Some people find it rude, some people think its a great idea. I personally dont think its rude as long as you still acknowledge your gifts and the people who gave them to you.

I am really liking this idea. This will shock you but I am not very up on etiquette... doesn't sound rude to me!!

daisy19782011 · January 2013

Me! I hate them, but everyone else seems so excited about them Bleh!

freudenk · January 2013

flerlgirl:
NOV04:
I've seen a few invitations that suggest guests bring unwrapped gifts to be displayed clothes get hung on a clothesline, etc where everyone can ooh and ah but it's not a laborious opening process. Good luck!
Oooh, thanks... I don't know what it is but I cannot open a present in less than 48 seconds. It takes me FOREVER. My family only gives me birthday gifts in bags because they know we will be there until Jesus comes back otherwise.

I threw a baby shower for a girlfriend who HATES opening gifts in front of people. We just skipped that part. No games, either... Basically, we had food and booze and mingled. There was no pressure for my friend to be in the spotlight or to have to feign excitement.

SummerSnow11 · January 2013

I'm hoping to have some music playing in the background, so there is not just silence as I open presents. When it is silent I feel like I need to talk to fill the void. Then everyone gets to hear my nervous chatter.

ash1980 · January 2013

My mother-in-law's family threw me a lingerie shower...now that was uncomfortable. Luckily there was lots of booze

.

flerlgirl · January 2013

SummerSnow11:
I'm hoping to have some music playing in the background, so there is not just silence as I open presents. When it is silent I feel like I need to talk to fill the void. Then everyone gets to hear my nervous chatter.

I chatter like a FOOL whether there is music or not. It's like I am trying out for a Vegas comedy show. ...I don't think they'd hire me.

LovestruckAJ · January 2013

SO nervous. When my MIL offered to throw me a bridal shower, I declined. She continued being persistent about it. DH basically guilt tripped me into accepting it with the whole, "it would mean a lot to her" bit. Well, I accepted, & hello awkward anxiety. The guest list consisted of her friends & sisters. Hardly anyone talked to me, & when it came to game time, I had to take a seat on the floor because all the seats were taken. So much for being the "guest of honor."

I was so grateful for the gifts & graciously thanked everyone, but that whole experience tainted the idea of a shower for me.

My sister knows me well, & has opted to throw me a co-ed, BBQ, open-house style baby shower. I know this will be a much more comfortable situation for me & fits me better!! So hopefully this will keep my anxiety at bay.

(Okay, that turned into somewhat of a vent...sorry...carry on).

flerlgirl · January 2013

ash1980:
My mother-in-law's family threw me a lingerie shower...now that was uncomfortable. Luckily there was lots of booze .

Wow. That is just... Yikes is the only word that comes to mind. My parents let us use their house for the lingerie shower and then they went out. They came back as we were wrapping up and my dad ran up the stairs so fast I thought he was on speed.

LovestruckAJ · January 2013

SummerSnow11:
I'm hoping to have some music playing in the background, so there is not just silence as I open presents. When it is silent I feel like I need to talk to fill the void. Then everyone gets to hear my nervous chatter.

Haha, I'm the same way. I'll definitely have music playing, & hopefully the weather will be nice so I can open gifts in the backyard. Something about being outside in the fresh open space will make it feel more laid back.

ilovemarfa · January 2013

I hate showers, period. I think they are kind of cheesy, especially when they play games at them. I did not want a wedding or baby shower but my mil insisted and held one for each. I didn't attend my wedding shower as my grandfather in Texas passed away so I went to the funeral. I was at my baby shower and I was so uncomfortable. I hated having to pretend I was super happy to get baby nail clippers and booger suckers. It was just awkward for me.

MissDei · January 2013

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
We ran off and got married so I've never had a shower. I'm terrified.

Ditto, same here, we did a courthouse wedding as well. BUT, I'm starting to get excited. I hid my marriage somewhat, for a few months. But with a visible baby bump, there's no hiding that a baby is on the way. It helps that I'm married to an extrovert who is awesome at breaking the ice when there's awkward moments of silence...I'm also getting used to the extra attention, so by the time the shower comes along? I won't be as scared. Besides, I'll take all the cute and free stuff I can get lol

flerlgirl · January 2013

baby Gs mommy:
Another thing I forgot when I posted earlier....I HATE shower games. Seriously I despise them and I don't know why lol. I am trying to convince my Mom and Sister to not do any games at my baby shower. They got away with it at my bridal shower. My family is full of talkers, so there will not be a dull moment nor a quiet one.

I'm good with some of the games... for my sister's we wrote her messages or drew pictures on diapers. She used them and got to see the messages for a while. I thought that one was fun. My mom wrote "Be afraid... be very afraid" and some people drew the UT logo, etc.

I do NOT like the smelling the diaper or measuring my girth games. Luckily my mom and sister are the same page for that one.

LiLi23 · January 2013

I hated being on display at my showers. I turn beet red and get all flustered when I'm the center of attention. I never feel like I'm going at the right pace. I know it sucks to sit and watch people open gifts (especially at a wedding shower, no one really cares you got coffee maker or wine glasses or sh!t like that, let's be honest. Unless of course you're the gift giver I suppose.), so it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to open things in front of lots of people. I love being around all my friends and family, just the whole shower thing makes me super awkward.

megaroo64 · January 2013

Yup... me too! All those people staring at me kinda freaks me out. And on top of that, I have an extremely small family (though I have 4 siblings, outside of that I have 1 aunt and 2 cousins- both sides considered), and my DH has a HUGE family. For my wedding shower, I did not even KNOW half of the people there. It makes me really uncomfortable, but DH's family is not about to let me off the hook on that one- they all insist on being there to celebrate milestones. Though it is sweet, and I really appreciate it.. the whole idea makes me want to hide under a rock.

melissa0726 · January 2013

OMG, yes, I was so uncomfortable for my wedding shower, which made me that much more wound up for my baby shower two years later. It was just toooo much! And I begged, BEGGED for a very small shower and walked in on 60+ women. That was a lot, to me! Don't get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the wonderful gifts everyone gave to us. But the shower itself was NOT a fun day for me, I felt like I was rude because I didn't have time to talk to everyone and then I was hustled right into the gift opening because with that many people it took FOREVER. I am so glad not to have to go through that again!

RIngReady · January 2013

Add me to the "I hate showers list." I dreaded my bridal shower and wouldn't have had one if I could have avoided it. I hate being center of attention, I hate making small talk, I hate feeling like I need to be entertaining or like everyone had to gather and play silly games because of me. I also have very different relationships with friends based on how or how well I know them.

Unfortunatly I work at three locations and it is customary to have a shower at each location (we have had many other showers for co-workers). My cousin, loves showers and loves throwing them, so I think I am stuck as she is already asking if I want cupcakes or candies ect. I did tell DHs family that I would rather do a sip and see thing with them over the 4th of July instead of a shower and I am looking forward to that.

ChisenaBlasko · January 2013

I hate being the center of attention, so yeah having everyone sit there and pretend to be interested in the 20-30 gifts you have to open is a little uncomfortable.

Want a personalized experience?

Do showers make you nervous?

Re: Do showers make you nervous?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards