Why don’t we open gifts at kid parties anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont because my kid is awful at showing gratitude and I would be embarrassed. Also it would be a comparison game where some people give relatively “lavish” gifts vs others give a ten dollar bill. No need to put it all on display.

What are you doing to correct this?

+1

[Anonymous]

People are paying $500+ and more likely much more than that for 90 min- 2 hours of time at a venue. Even 15 min of time spent opening presents when the kids can be playing is too much time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IDGAF what present the kid got and am glad we don't have to sit through that waste of time.

[Anonymous]

It was never fun to see, OP. It just resulted in hurt feelings.

[Anonymous]

It’s hilarious that only in the DMV this results in hurt feelings.

Here in the south gifts are typically opened at parties and most parties are venue parties. When gifts aren’t opened there are always a couple kids begging the birthday child to open theirs before they leave. Gifts are chosen with thought and kids love seeing the birthday child open them typically.

[Anonymous]

I always had my kids open their gifts at their parties, and I would take a photo of my kid with the giftee & gift. A copy of that photo would go in my kid's thank you card.

As a point of reference, my kids were born in 1986, 1994, and 1996.

[Anonymous]

it was always a dumb idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, too boring for the other kids, takes too long and can be too over stimulating for the birthday kid. Many many reasons why

So it’s “boring” for the other kids? Yes heaven forbid these precious things be “bored,” even for 10-15 minutes. And be taught to express happiness for the birthday child? Never!

We get it. You like this antiquated custom. Oh, well. You’re in the minority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is not good with diplomatic responses and at age 6 I worried about a weird face and an honest comment that would hurt a gift givers feelings.

He also had friends who we knew couldn’t afford a gift or a big gift and I didn’t want those kids to feel embarrassed because they didn’t bring something or brought something small.

Because opening gifts is boring to watch.

Now, at 11, most of his gifts are gift cards to activities that he likes and that is boring to watch open.

That’s your kids problem and a reflection on you if you haven’t taught him better

I also think it’s really not a big deal if a 6 year old makes a face and another 6 years old is disappointed by that. That’s life and we should be letting our kids have at least some tiny doses or real life, no?

Absolutely. Could not agree more.

This whole thread is making me rethink plans for DCs party coming up in a couple of months. Maybe we will shock everyone by having a gift opening time during the cake serving. I think it’s a nice tradition that should make a comeback.

Thanks OP!

Oh, grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is not good with diplomatic responses and at age 6 I worried about a weird face and an honest comment that would hurt a gift givers feelings.

He also had friends who we knew couldn’t afford a gift or a big gift and I didn’t want those kids to feel embarrassed because they didn’t bring something or brought something small.

Because opening gifts is boring to watch.

Now, at 11, most of his gifts are gift cards to activities that he likes and that is boring to watch open.

That’s your kids problem and a reflection on you if you haven’t taught him better

I also think it’s really not a big deal if a 6 year old makes a face and another 6 years old is disappointed by that. That’s life and we should be letting our kids have at least some tiny doses or real life, no?

Why though? If opening gifts at a party served some purpose that made it more important than kids being rude to each other, then maybe. But what is the point?

I am so glad the tradition is gone, personally. It’s a waste of time. I didn’t allow it at my baby shower because I think it’s boring, both for the person opening the gifts (don’t they want to be having fun and enjoying their guests?) and for those who have to watch it. For my baby shower a small group (my mom and hostesses)came to our afterwards and watched me open gifts and helped me track. That was enough.

Perhaps it is a moment to teach gratitude, happiness for others and that one does not constantly having to be “doing” in order not to feel bored. Life is not always about your personal entertainment, PP.

DP. It also doesn't have to be about the personal entertainment of the weirdos who like watching a six year old open a toy, but no one seems to have explained that to them.

Nailed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s hilarious that only in the DMV this results in hurt feelings.

Here in the south gifts are typically opened at parties and most parties are venue parties. When gifts aren’t opened there are always a couple kids begging the birthday child to open theirs before they leave. Gifts are chosen with thought and kids love seeing the birthday child open them typically.

Oh, of COURSE. It all becomes clear now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s hilarious that only in the DMV this results in hurt feelings.

Here in the south gifts are typically opened at parties and most parties are venue parties. When gifts aren’t opened there are always a couple kids begging the birthday child to open theirs before they leave. Gifts are chosen with thought and kids love seeing the birthday child open them typically.

Oh honey, it’s not a thing every where in the south. Just at the boring parties where there is nothing else to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hilarious that only in the DMV this results in hurt feelings.

Here in the south gifts are typically opened at parties and most parties are venue parties. When gifts aren’t opened there are always a couple kids begging the birthday child to open theirs before they leave. Gifts are chosen with thought and kids love seeing the birthday child open them typically.

Oh, of COURSE. It all becomes clear now.

Right! We don’t have snowflakes down here, they would melt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's boring AF. It's bad enough at baby and bridal showers but beyond painful at a kid's party.

It’s not about you, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s hilarious that only in the DMV this results in hurt feelings.

Here in the south gifts are typically opened at parties and most parties are venue parties. When gifts aren’t opened there are always a couple kids begging the birthday child to open theirs before they leave. Gifts are chosen with thought and kids love seeing the birthday child open them typically.

Do people in the south also open their wedding gifts at their reception?