https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 03:40:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215167 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:50:35 +0000 blackbird 1215167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to watch people open up the gifts I gave them. Mom and dad can definitely help to speed it up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215153 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:41:46 +0000 Smurfette 1215153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: This is why my family does it during the party. They want to see the kids reaction to the gift. But at 1 and the number we are going to be expecting at her party. Too overwhelming in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215149 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:39:49 +0000 Adira 1215149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, I've never heard of opening the gifts AFTER the party! People aren't upset to not be able to see the reaction to the gift they brought?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215123 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:20:00 +0000 MamaBehr 1215123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know what the protocol is, but our last party we didn't open presents with guests and I really liked it. The kids kinda got to the presents before us, so we weren't able to really know who gave them what, but I find it eliminated some crying (little kids who don't get why they don't get to open presents) and just the stress of opening presents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215118 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:17:42 +0000 Smurfette 1215118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family always does them during the party. And it takes forever. I am planning on waiting till after the party for R. They aren't going to like it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215089 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:51:59 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1215089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a guest waiting on the birthday boy (really the parents) to open gifts, hugs and thank yous all over again at the beginning of the party would be such a time waster. Nothing really starts until the hosts and guest of honor join the party. If you guys get caught up at the door with extra long greetings that will push back the rest of the party.</p> <p>I like opening presents after the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215060 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:10:02 +0000 sorrycharlie 1215060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had her open a few from people that asked to see before thry left. No one else seemed to care at all, we opened the rest the next day. She was super overwhelmed and overtired as the party went on anyway </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215058 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:05:53 +0000 honeybear 1215058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't go to a ton of toddler birthday parties, but at nearly every single one we've been to lately the gifts have been received with a smile and a sincere thank you and put aside to be opened later. I think it's a smart way to do it, at least for the under-3 set. It also keeps my son from seeing a bunch of stuff he'd like to have. I like getting a thank-you note afterwards, though! </p> <p>Also, I know the party is over despite the lack of present-opening once the cake has been cut. After I've wished the birthday child a "Happy Birthday," I know I'm free to go! :) </p> <p>If you know there are some guests who want to see their present opened, I like the idea of inviting them over for another occasion, doing a video chat, or taking photos of the the child opening the gift and sending them to the giver. I like to see my gift being appreciated, but I don't need or really want to see all the other gifts opened (I tend to compare them to mine and then I feel bad because I didn't know the birthday boy loved cowboys so much, or my budget was smaller than some other friend's, etc.). We opened all the grandparents' gifts over video chat and they loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215046 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:38:29 +0000 rachiecakes 1215046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After the party activities DS was too tired to open presents. We invited folks back to the house and planned on having him open gifts after his nap but most went home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215025 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 04:37:22 +0000 nana87 1215025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always like to see gifts opened. I think I get some enjoyment out of the suspense/surprise of it, even though the gifts aren't for me. I've only ever been to one party where the gifts weren't opened--it was a baby shower and SUPER awkward because we wanted to leave but didn't know when the party was over since they never opened the gifts, we just kept waiting around until some people started leaving...But every birthday party I went to as a kid, the birthday boy or girl opened the presents during the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1215004 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 01:31:46 +0000 wheres_c 1215004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: I thought it was weird too, but just went to our first and the little boy opened them like he would in a shower.</p> <p>@rawrasaur: thanks for that! You know that that's not the case for us at all (I couldn't care less if anyone got him anything besides us and my folks...) Thats why I was trying to avoid the big present opening...</p> <p>@hellocupcake: I agree! We don't really need anything either and I've told people that, but I'm sure stuff will be brought anyway.</p> <p>@luckypenny: I just went to a first birthday and it was a tiny but awkward, but I wasnt sure if that was just me because I find showers awkward too</p> <p>@lemondrop: good call. I don't know how long he'll last. LOL</p> <p>@MamaCate: How long did it take to open them?</p> <p>It sounds like it's about 50/50 open then during(all at once) or after. I guess my idea was dumb. Oh well.</p> <p>Did anyone else do it after guests left?<br /> Did the guests say anything about wanting to see them opened? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214993 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 00:56:20 +0000 MamaCate 1214993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with pps about not opening as guests arrive, and as a gift giver I enjoy seeing the birthday girl/boy react to the presents.</p> <p>My LO turned one last year and we did a lunch time party, so it was appetizers/run around, eat lunch, do presents, then cake. There were only about 15 people total. She was interested in the presents but did go and hide once or twice. Everyone understood, and then I think they really liked getting to see her explore them or interact with the toys with her afterwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214947 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:33:37 +0000 lemondrop 1214947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way would mine have put up with opening gifts all at once- he freaked out after a couple and we had to spread them out throughout the day. We didn't have that many, and it took alllllll day to get through them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214943 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:28:27 +0000 luckypenny 1214943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like opening the presents after the party. I think for kids birthdays it would be awkward and boring. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214935 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:20:01 +0000 hellocupcake 1214935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm thinking of saving them for her actual birthday, a few days later. But, more than likely, people will want us to open the gifts right then and there. I hope no one mentions it, I really prefer people don't bring that many gifts anyway. She has more than she needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214919 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:58:22 +0000 rawrasaur 1214919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would find it super weird for it to happen as they arrived - it is kind of like saying you value the present more than the company of the guest. I would wait until after if you want to avoid the watch and open part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214917 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:57:27 +0000 MrsStormy 1214917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I'd be pretty bummed to have put effort into finding the "perfect" gift and not getting to see it opened... But if it really is uncomfortable for you it's ok to skip. I think opening as people arrive might be a bit awkward for people, and be less fun for you and your son, because it will take time away from the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214916 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:57:05 +0000 birdofafeather 1214916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think bridal showers and baby showers are okay for opening gifts, but it seems weird at a 1st birthday party. my vote is for after guests leave. my focus at her birthday party is making sure she lasts through the whole thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214914 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:53:41 +0000 sandy 1214914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't mind if others want to open presents at their parties but I do not like opening gifts at my LO's party. For both her first and second party we just opened gifts after everyone left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-open-first-birthday-gifts#post-1214897 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:30:19 +0000 wheres_c 1214897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're gearing up for Bs first birthday!<br /> I've never been a fan of "let's open the presents" and opening them all at once in front of guests. As a giver, I feel nervous about my gift compared with the others, and as a receiver I feel weird having an audience.</p> <p>Ideally, I'd love for B to open them as people arrive. Is that strange?</p> <p>How did you do it? What do you think? </p>