https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:30:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756721 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:18:42 +0000 coopsmama 1756721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only been to kids' parties where they opened the gifts. I enjoy watching them be opened, but I guess I don't really have a preference. There are definitely pros and cons to both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756714 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:16:52 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1756714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i wouldn't for younger kids because they can be less than appreciative which can make the parents feel bad!</p> <p>i've never been to a kids' party where they opened gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756707 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:14:33 +0000 snowjewelz 1756707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really care either way; usually if it's a big party then I prefer not to since it can take so long but if it's not that many people, it's one way to make the gift giver feel special! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756667 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:03:14 +0000 aegie 1756667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't like opening gifts in front of people. Because people give gift cards and that never generates the "oooohs and aaahhs" but honestly, I prefer them! Plus, it's overwhelming for the kid (and mommy!) so I like to open them over the course of a few days. In our case, we opened some a month after her birthday too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756666 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:02:59 +0000 looch 1756666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's one of those things that you have decide on the spot, honestly. I had planned to open at my son's first birthday party, but he was so overwhelmed, it wouldn't have been worth it.</p> <p>I feel badly for guests who put a lot of thought into it and want to see the reaction, but for a first or even second birthday, they might be disappointed. At 3, I think the kids get it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756627 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:52:27 +0000 sslm 1756627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Normally I would say I like to see presents opened. However, after a party on Saturday, I've changed my mind. I could not keep Madeline away from the presents! I kept pulling her away, she kept going back. I tried to hold her, she screamed like she was being tortured. It would've been better if they had opened the presents after the party... But my kid must be insane bc no other parent seemed to be having this problem :S </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756613 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:49:16 +0000 mrsjyw 1756613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>completely indifferent!</p> <p>we opened gifts at DS' party. mostly family, wouldn't have been able to get out of it! went relatively quickly and was a good way to "end" the party! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756594 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:44:01 +0000 NovBaby1112 1756594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>totally indifferent. I could care less if gifts are opened in front of me or not. As a host, I always hate opening gifts in front of people...it's just so awkward sometimes and I always feel so rushed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756197 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:19:11 +0000 AprilFool 1756197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We opened at home because her party just went so fast but H was not interested in the gifts AT ALL! It was so overwhelming for her at home, let alone in front of everyone. As she gets older presents will always be opened in front of the giver. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party/page/2#post-1756193 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:14:07 +0000 Grace 1756193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on how big the party is and how much room there is. I don't want to be part of a group of 30 crammed into a living room to watch presents being opened. But if it's small, 10-15 people, then I do like watching my present be opened. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756139 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:31:41 +0000 mrsrain 1756139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For kids, absolutely like to see them opened there. That said, how you do it could depend on how many people are going to be there. I went to a one year-old's party where gifts were opened as people arrived, which I thought was cool. (It was a pretty casual) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756124 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:22:33 +0000 Sofiel 1756124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted to open at the party, but at this age I don't really care when they're opened. I usually like to see people's responses to my gift, especially if I make them something handmade and special, but when they're young it doesn't matter to me, especially if babe is being fussy, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756112 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:17:10 +0000 autumnlove 1756112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't mind it for small parties...under 8-10 gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756111 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:17:09 +0000 StbHisMrs 1756111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to watch kids open gifts, but I would also suggest doing it earlier on. For M's first birthday she was a crying miserable mess while opening! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756033 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:34:33 +0000 regberadaisy 1756033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a preference especially at a 1st birthday party because the child could care less. When they're older and excited to open presents it's fun to see!</p> <p>We ended up playing it by ear at LO's first birthday party. It was getting late and we could tell guests were starting to get restless so we went ahead and did cake and not presents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1756023 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:25:09 +0000 Mrs.ThinMint 1756023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't mind the gifts being opened later. I could understand family wanting to see the gifts open. I would compromise on it and open family presents if they would care in front of them before or after the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755917 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 19:13:52 +0000 blackbird 1755917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I generally don't care. </p> <p>What we did was, after the party, opened family gifts. It's very generational and I could see why family wanted to see what the gifts were-there were handmade dolls and really special things in there. But my friends mostly gave toys and outfits and said to open them later and enjoy the party. My mom was basically horrified we weren't opening gifts and it's an expectation in DH's family, so this was a good compromise. Party was from 4-7, I opened the gifts at 730 while E ran around chasing her cousins. It was actually kind of perfect. I only had to open about 8 gifts, family was happy to see their gifts oohed and aahed over, and E just ran around like a maniac, playing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755855 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:38:49 +0000 autumn865 1755855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate gift opening at any party (birthday, bridal shower, baby shower). At DDs first birthday we opened them the next day. We might do different as she gets older and understands better, but at her first birthday DH and I were the ones actually opening the gifts and it just would feel awkward. Opening them the next day allowed DD to enjoy her party and guests and the next day enjoy all her new toys. She didn't know any different and others didn't make a comment either way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755853 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:37:13 +0000 NavyRN2012 1755853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: This. I would be terrified she wouldn't be appropriately excited for a gift and someone would end up with hurt feelings.<br /> I prefer gift opening after the party is over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755834 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:17:51 +0000 Boogs 1755834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really mind either way. I like when it happens at boring parties as a signal that the party is over after the gifts are done lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755763 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 17:16:08 +0000 dolphin 1755763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've actually never been to a party where thru opened gifts other than showers. Personally I prefer DD to open her gifts at home do I guess I wouldn't expect it at a party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755697 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:30:17 +0000 MsLipGloss 1755697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a variety of reasons, I would rather they not be opened. Especially at a party with small children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755688 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:25:03 +0000 sandy 1755688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's just a small party with family then open away bc that's what grandparents and aunts/uncles live for </p> <p>If it's a bigger gathering and/or primarily a kid centered party (lots of activity or people coming and going and different times) I prefer not to open gifts during the party. I'm indifferent what others do at their parties but slightly prefer just enjoying the party than having to gather round and watch the presents being opened </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755648 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:59:07 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1755648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I seriously don't care either way.</p> <p>That being said: we don't open gifts when we hold parties. I'm actually scared of lo's reactions because sometimes he acts indifferent (when really he is just distracted, tired...). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755603 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:29:48 +0000 ShootingStar 1755603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of parties with a mountain of presents that the parents open (like a 1st bday). I'm hoping to avoid it when we have D's party. It's not like he's going to have much of a reaction and I'm totally over opening the presents myself and having to act so excited over everything (like at baby/wedding showers). I'm kind of a grinch I guess :silly: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755598 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:26:37 +0000 birdofafeather 1755598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>showers, i like the gifts to be opened. birthday parties, especially under 4, i don't care to see it! kids take forever (aka, i would have had to help her) and are fickle/cry, so we didn't bother to even attempt to open gifts! we wanted to spend time with our friends.</p> <p>ETA: we opened our immediate families' gifts beforehand with them present. my friends would not have wanted to see their gifts opened... or maybe i don't want to see my gift opened by their kids, so i put that expectation on myself! ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755597 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:25:51 +0000 MamaMoose 1755597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Indifferent. M's party was short and she was overwhelmed as it was so we didn't open presents. I don't think anyone was upset. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755595 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:22:34 +0000 illumina 1755595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to see the giftee open my gift...don't care about anyone elses ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755594 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:21:41 +0000 photojane 1755594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like seeing them opened, but we didn't have time at Sadie's party. She was ready for her nap &amp; not feeling well. We let her open them on her actual birthday instead. No one seemed to mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-birthday-party-guest-do-you-prefer-that-presents-be-opened-at-the-party#post-1755580 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:12:20 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1755580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like seeing gifts opened! </p>