https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:51:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751568 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 22:12:59 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2751568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with doing a gift display. It is totally old school! My mom did it at her oh-so-proper wedding shower in the 80s. It also fits well with reducing waste/environmentally friendly shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751393 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:07:08 +0000 Autumnmama79 2751393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@alphagam84: I agree. Ppl put a lot of time, money and effort into baby gifts - is it really too much to ask to open them for all to see? </p> <p>I truly understand it's uncomfortable but you kinda just need to put that aside, no? Alternatively, just have a party and don't frame it as a shower at all!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751391 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:01:50 +0000 littlebug 2751391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend had a green shower and asked everyone to not wrap gifts. They were displayed on a table (actually on the bar of the restaurant where they held the shower) and you could either walk along and peruse or not. I actually really liked it - more time to mingle and talk to friends that I don't get to see too often! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751388 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:58:51 +0000 alphagam84 2751388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me, if it's a shower you are expected to open gifts. That's what they're really about!</p> <p>Have a low key bbq if you want but don't call it a shower and don't include registry info.</p> <p>I like to see people open gifts at showers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751379 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:42:26 +0000 littlejoy 2751379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the only time it's appropriate to not open gifts at a shower/party is if you specifically ask for no gifts.</p> <p>If you have a registry (that you've told people about), and you're inviting them to your shower, I think they want to see you open the gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751375 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:38:53 +0000 PawPrints 2751375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds wonderful. Sitting around watching someone open a million gifts is murder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751354 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:06:22 +0000 mrsjd 2751354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my locality, we typically do not open gifts at the shower. It's considered a little tacky. Instead, there is someone assigned to open gifts and display them on a gift table for guests to look at and ooh and ahh over during the shower. The same person also writes down who they are from so the mom can send thank you notes. I like it because it allows everyone to socialize more and there isn't the awkward gift opening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751352 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:06:15 +0000 hellobeeboston 2751352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like seeing all the gifts personally....</p> <p>We went to a shower recently where they asked everyone NOT to wrap, or have in a clear material and that way everyone could see the gifts, but she didn't have to open them all in front of everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751316 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:37:42 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2751316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift display!</p> <p>In the invite ask guests to bring the gifts unwrapped and have a system in place to identify the giver and gift in case cards and boxes/ gift bags are misplaced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751310 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:22:46 +0000 SweetiePie 2751310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I threw a shower for my SIL in Jan and she feels exactly the same as you.<br /> On an insert in the invite it said "we kindly request that any gifts be sent directly to John and Jane". Some older guests still brought one but she didn't open them and no one commented (at least not to me, the hostess). </p> <p>We just had a lunch with booze. And some passive games - (like just leave a card at each place setting and guess what's in the diaper bag at the front of the room. The only thing I did was give a 5 min warning and then read off the answers. Person with most got an Amazon gift card. The end. It was very not-cheesy and those that expect a traditional shower were happy.<br /> And we did a diaper raffle. Bring a pack of diapers any size to be entered in a raffle. Draw a name. Winner got an Amazon gift card and parents-to-be got a bunch of diapers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751298 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:52:07 +0000 BUNBUN 2751298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate baby showers because of the gift thing. I just went to one at a restaurant and she didn't open anything - I loved it! We had a party for our friends, and made sure to put on the evite that it wasn't a shower, just a party to celebrate with our friends before baby arrived. A few people brought gifts, but I didn't open them. I did have a traditional women-only shower for family and family-friends (mostly an older crowd) and opened the few gifts that were brought, but most were sent to our house (we live out of state). I kind of like the idea of 2 tables: "open me" and "take me home"! Although, maybe I'm just a bit passive-aggressive! I think it really depends on your guest list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751289 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:28:49 +0000 MrsKRB 2751289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a traditional shower and opened im gifts, but a friend of mine had a co-ed shower and didn't open gifts, it was fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751272 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:00:24 +0000 Meowkers 2751272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of showers and the gift opening is the worst part! I have no interest in seeing you open the same baby crap I have at my house. It's boring. I would be so happy if I went to your shower and didn't have to sit through that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751246 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:16:52 +0000 avivoca 2751246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's offensive here if you don't open gifts. I like the idea of having a gifts display where everything is unwrapped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751237 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:11:52 +0000 annem1990 2751237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyJenny: I could have written this! My sister is throwing us a Co-Ed/family BaByQ. I am hoping to avoid a big gift opening. I think our plan will be to kind of do it more naturally. When someone arrives/before they leave, we'll open their gift. If people want to see the gifts, they can, otherwise they can just mingle like a regular party. I'm hoping this works out because I don't want all of these people (especially guys/kids) to feel forced to sit and watch us open for an hour. I'd rather spend that time talking with friends and family on a more personal basis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751227 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:57:13 +0000 looch 2751227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The problem I have with the gift opening process is that sometimes, these showers take 4 hours and I don't have that kind of time to spend sitting around watching gifts being opened.</p> <p>I personally don't take offense, but some people, even though they bought something of a registry, want to see the giver open it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751203 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:01:34 +0000 erinbaderin 2751203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you're calling it a shower and expecting gifts you should open them at the party. If you call it something else (pre-baby barbecue or something) then you could skip it, although people still might want you to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751198 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:49:45 +0000 peaches1038 2751198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer gifts to be opened at the party. If not, then I would definitely expect a very nice and personal thank you note asap </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751197 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:49:25 +0000 Bibliolove 2751197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are having a non-traditional bbq/baby shower and I dont know yet what we will do about the opening gifts part. We're doing fun games (nothing baby-related) and it will be at our house. I hate the opening gifts part myself!! Ooohing and ahhhing over burp cloths and diapers. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751195 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:46:25 +0000 youboots 2751195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You don't have to but be prepared that people will approach you with their gift and insist you open it on the spot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751193 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:42:58 +0000 caterw 2751193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you are having older family members attend, they will expect you to open their gifts in front of them. I like the idea of of having two present tables so people who really want to see your reaction can have that, people that don't care about it can skip it (and reduce the amount of time you spend unwrapping!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751189 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:33:06 +0000 FaithFertility 2751189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally wouldn't care either way, but I know a lot of people might find it offensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751188 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:31:41 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2751188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if its a shower, its expected to open gifts. If its a BBQ or a gathering or open house or something then its not expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751184 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:24:39 +0000 travelingnanny 2751184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard of people having two present tables. One for those that want their presents opened at the party and another for those that don't care if you open them after/ at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751178 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:14:13 +0000 tequiero21 2751178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted offensive even though it's not offensive per se... but I think it's expected. Every single shower I've been to, they open gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751156 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 06:07:27 +0000 Adira 2751156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should do a gift display! Instruct the guests not to wrap the gifts and just have a table to put them on display! Then no one expects you to "open" them because they aren't wrapped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751136 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:35:35 +0000 birdofafeather 2751136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coral: agreed. i might call it something else. just because i think shower = gifts. i don't care about playing games, but i do like to see baby gifts opened because they're so cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751135 Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:16:39 +0000 Coral 2751135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like fun! I might be tempted to call it something other than a shower though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751127 Thu, 22 Jun 2017 23:19:02 +0000 ALV91711 2751127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it was a traditional shower I'd expect to see gifts opened, but for this type of get together I wouldn't. </p> <p>Sounds like a fun shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opening-gifts-at-baby-shower#post-2751123 Thu, 22 Jun 2017 23:06:19 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2751123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really think it's offensive, but some people are weird and like to see the mom-to-be react to their gift. So, I would just put something on the invite that lets everyone know that it's not a typical baby shower. That way, they won't be expecting the traditional stuff. </p>