https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:34:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party/page/2#post-2182629 Tue, 19 May 2015 07:49:28 +0000 cat620 2182629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I live in NC, and my circle of friends doesn't open presents at the party. I think it depends on what's common in your circle. Everyone is probably different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party/page/2#post-2182619 Tue, 19 May 2015 07:40:39 +0000 NCSUchick27 2182619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At every children's birthday party that I have ever been to presents have been opened at the party. I grew up in North Carolina and I live in Virginia now.</p> <p>I have always liked watching kids open their presents. I like to see their reactions, and what everyone else got them.</p> <p>Most people I know don't bring gifts to adult birthday parties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party/page/2#post-2182570 Tue, 19 May 2015 07:08:55 +0000 hilsy85 2182570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did at LOs first birthday party but that was small and just family. </p> <p>If you do it at a friend party what do the other kids so while LO opens the presents?? That seems so boring for them! I do not plan to ever have presents opened at the party--I much prefer to do it at home, at our own pace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182529 Tue, 19 May 2015 05:33:18 +0000 daniellemybelle 2182529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: Really, even adults? I have never been to an adult birthday party where gifts ARE opened! And I am from the South, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182512 Tue, 19 May 2015 04:35:48 +0000 looch 2182512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It tends not to be done in my circle when you get to parties held outside the home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182386 Mon, 18 May 2015 21:04:02 +0000 Torchwood 2182386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I grew up in TN and GA. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182338 Mon, 18 May 2015 20:13:56 +0000 mediagirl 2182338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: mind if I ask what state? We moved to North Carolina 10 years ago but neither of us grew up in the south. I'd like to stick with what's normal for our region!</p> <p>I just worry because there are going to be 8 kids and 2 of our childless friends there. That's a lot of gifts to open for an almost 3 year old. Maybe we'll just play it by ear and see how the day goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182324 Mon, 18 May 2015 20:03:04 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2182324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we will have the main part of the party and then at the like two hour mark if people are still hanging open gifts. I agree DD likes seeing her friends open what she "got" them. I hope it also instills a sense of giving too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182319 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:58:36 +0000 cat620 2182319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: That's impressive! Some kids are more advanced than others. I have to hide the gift from my son and not let him see me wrap it, because he will start screaming to play with it. Even if it's a toy he already has! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182303 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:48:36 +0000 Truth Bombs 2182303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: I was actually surprised with how well my LO understood gift giving at 2. She knew which gift she brought and was excited to see her friend open it. She would say things like "I get this present for my friend!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182295 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:38:34 +0000 travellingbee 2182295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always have but recently I find the trend is not to. I prefer when they do, but it's not a big deal either way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182288 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:33:59 +0000 cat620 2182288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is turning two soon, and he won't open gifts at his party. None of his friends opened gifts at their parties either. At that age, the kids just want to run and play, and they don't have the attention span to watch someone open a bunch of presents. They also don't understand the concept of giving a gift, so the parents don't want the kids to start fighting over all the toys. It's so much easier to open them when everyone has left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182255 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:05:09 +0000 Torchwood 2182255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Like I said above, I've never been to a party where they didn't open gifts. But I do remember when I was about 13, my mom mentioned after my party that one of my friends looked sad when she saw what my grandmother had gotten me because it was so big/better than what she had gotten. Though I don't know that it would have been as much of an issue if they hadn't been very similar gifts (just one much bigger). And for what it's worth, I loved them both equally! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182248 Mon, 18 May 2015 19:01:28 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2182248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never been to a birthday party where gifts were not opened as a part of the party. There is always a present opening time! I didn't realize this was even a consideration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182229 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:44:21 +0000 littlebug 2182229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were pressured to have D open his gifts at his 1st birthday party (thanks, MIL). At his 2nd, he just started tearing into them when our backs were turned, so we just let it go. I don't really want it to continue, though. I think it's really awkward and it can make people feel bad if they didn't/couldn't bring a gift.</p> <p>Hubs' family does this for every occasion. Even Christmas morning - youngest to oldest opens their gifts one a time while everyone else watches. I despise it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182223 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:37:03 +0000 Peasinapod 2182223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most parties I've been to gifts are opened on the spot. But I love the idea of not opening them. I think I also lean towards requesting no gifts. I like the idea of a birthday being about friends, family and time together rather than gifts. But if all her friends get presents at their parties it might be hard to stick with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182201 Mon, 18 May 2015 18:12:48 +0000 regberadaisy 2182201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It will be pretty hard not to let her! DD1 was literally stalking the presents like a predator at her small family party. We only had a few presents though; not sure what we would do if there were a ton. That's always boring for guests, I think. But generally, coordinating that during cake time would be perfect. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182164 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:30:28 +0000 Torchwood 2182164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with @artsyfartsy, I never even knew this was a thing until someone brought it up on here. I've never been to a birthday party (kids or adults) where gifts weren't opened at the party. I'm in the South, if that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182151 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:13:23 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2182151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes but we haven't had "real" parties just small family ones. It just depends on how many people are there and how long it'll take IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182148 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:11:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 2182148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We requested no gifts at LO's 1st birthday party and will do the same for future birthdays, I believe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182145 Mon, 18 May 2015 17:08:51 +0000 WinterBee 2182145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a LO, but I've never considered not opening the gifts. I always opened them growing up and I've never been to a birthday party (friends/family members kids) where the gifts haven't been opened. </p> <p>I know most people, including myself like to see people open their gifts. I've also never been anywhere where people have made a big deal about someone not bringing a gift, so I don't think that would be an issue.</p> <p>I can see if you run out of time, but if that's not an issue I would open them. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182138 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:52:28 +0000 HabesBabe 2182138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did for C's first birthday, but not for H's (this past weekend). By the time we got done with lunch, playing, and cake, he was exhausted. Plus, I really hate opening gifts in front of an audience (and seeing them being opened), so I wanted to skip it this time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182135 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:44:35 +0000 Greentea 2182135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought you were "supposed" to, I thought it was considered rude not to. I guess culturally it is/was a no-no not to in all the places I've lived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182132 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:39:30 +0000 Truth Bombs 2182132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we did the two year old birthday circuit last year people tended to open the presents at parties at home and not open them at parties away from home. I like not opening them so I can pace LO and give them to her over time. Also, there were a LOT of duplicate gifts which was a little awkward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182126 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:34:19 +0000 Mama Bird 2182126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the kids in my family, always. They can get all excited over the gifts and it's really fun to watch. The adults usually don't bother because we just give each other money if wet can't decide on a gift. But if it's an actual gift, it also gets opened on the spot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182121 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:30:07 +0000 Madison43 2182121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artsyfartsy: same. Is this regional? With the exception of a party at a play place where time was limited, I have never been to a bday party where the birthday child didn't open his/her presents, usually right after cake. I'm including current Bday parties and every party I went to as a child </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182102 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:08:31 +0000 Dandelion 2182102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do. I love to watch kids open all their gifts (not just mine) cause I love to see their faces when they're being spoiled. It's the same thing as watching my kids open their stuff on Christmas morning. I just love their reactions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182098 Mon, 18 May 2015 16:05:47 +0000 dolphin 2182098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. I've actually never been to a kid's birthday party where they open gifts. I prefer DD to open her gifts at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182081 Mon, 18 May 2015 15:54:45 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2182081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's kind of expected in my circle. I feel neutral about it...So we will probably continue to do it for all of her parties just because it's the norm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/open-gifts-at-the-birthday-party#post-2182074 Mon, 18 May 2015 15:49:04 +0000 blackbird 2182074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did for E's second. She loves to open gifts now and we were at a park, so we were on our own schedule </p>