Opening gifts at party

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid, we only had family parties until we hit kindergarten. But I always remember parties being fun/activities, then cake, then gifts. However, at my kids' parties (and most that I've attended), people tend to dash out right after cake. Granted, we usually don't get to cake until 1.5/2 hours in, so it seems to be a logical ending point in the party (oldest is only 3 now). At DS's last birthday, we did open gifts after many people had left, but a few closer friends were still there. I think we'll be playing it by ear for parties for the next year or two.

[Anonymous]

Reading these posts I think it's odd that people are so into themselves that they don't feel happy for people (baby shower, wedding shower, etc.) or children (birthday, Christmas, Hanak. etc) who are trying to enjoy their day...and part of that is opening gifts.

The PP really hit it on the nail. Why is it hard to enjoy seeing a child's excitement and awe as they open up presents? Boring to you? Excuse me, last time I checked this wasn't your party?

Ill behaved guests? Put the presents out of reach or promise to serve cake (or another distraction) in a few minutes. Then stick to the transition.

Afraid Junior will be disappointed/rude when opening presents? What a great way to start teaching the value of a gift and what it means to be grateful, the thoughtfulness that counts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading these posts I think it's odd that people are so into themselves that they don't feel happy for people (baby shower, wedding shower, etc.) or children (birthday, Christmas, Hanak. etc) who are trying to enjoy their day...and part of that is opening gifts.

The PP really hit it on the nail. Why is it hard to enjoy seeing a child's excitement and awe as they open up presents? Boring to you? Excuse me, last time I checked this wasn't your party?

Ill behaved guests? Put the presents out of reach or promise to serve cake (or another distraction) in a few minutes. Then stick to the transition.

Afraid Junior will be disappointed/rude when opening presents? What a great way to start teaching the value of a gift and what it means to be grateful, the thoughtfulness that counts, etc.

Here! Here! So well said! I have posted several times and have really been trying to see all sides of this and this post (and the one this poster is referring to) finally cemented it for me. Yes - too f***ing bad that you, Ms. Guest, has to sit around around and be bored while the guest of honor gets to enjoy his/birthday/shower/whatever and open presents. I LOVE watching the honoree open presents (not just mine) because I like to see the person happy, I like to see to see the gifts (like guilt-free window shopping) and enjoy getting ideas and seeing new things that other people select that I might want to give someone else or myself or my child. I think its fun and I think it is depressing that sooooooooo many people around here think it is boring. Glad you won't be coming to my kids party (and thank GOD you weren't at my baby shower!) and yes, I would know if you were. And FWIW, the people that didn't want to watch stayed in the kitchen and drank. And that was fine by me too. Sheesh! Some people should really get over themselves.