We didn't open them at my kids' party last week (yes combined, their birthdays are two days apart) because the kids were running around playing and it would have felt weird and maybe tacky to call them all back to make them watch, especially in this area where it's not the norm. It wasn't so much worry about anyone feeling bad.

Because there are too many kids at these parties.
My 6 year old just had a home party. With himself, his brother, 4 friends and 6 (!) younger siblings I had 12 kids to amuse, but there were only 4 presents to open. He opened them in front of his friends and they had a blast checking out the new toys and explaining them to my son.
One mom actually requested that we not open them in front of her son because she was afraid he would get upset / envious. The kid was fine.

Most parties we attend are no-gift parties. I am happy to see that tradition go away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a four year old and we’ve never been to a party that didn’t say “no gifts,” I’m hoping the trend continues!!

Similar, I’ve only been to on non no-gifts party

This must be regional. I don’t live in the DMV and we’ve never been to a no-gift party or heard it talked about.

Agree. I live in California. Gifts are the norm, and if the party is small kids will open the presents there. There is no hand-wringing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not about you either. People also don’t like opening gifts and being the center of attention.

I’m the pp, and glad we agree it’s not about the adults. But many children still love opening gifts and being the center of attention with their peers for a short while on their birthdays.

The whole point of the party is about the birthday child. Kids get more than enough attention and adulation on most days, and especially their birthday. They should actually spend more time thinking about others and less thinking about themselves. The kids will be fine without this antiquated tradition. They can open their mountain of gifts later at home.

I distinctly remember a friend's party as a kid where some present were awesome and others were not. It sets a super weird dynamic among attendees. There is a pressure to "perform" that isn't something I care to perpetuate.

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 sweetie. No, gifts are not chosen with thought, it's just one more thing for a harried parent to deal with. Opening presents in front of everyone makes the kid who gave the cheap, Five Below Uno game feel bad, and is boring for everyone not opening presents. But bless your heart

Uno is awesome - my kids
would love that gift. If you’re creating an uncomfortable environment for your guests that’s a you issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not about you either. People also don’t like opening gifts and being the center of attention.

Then those people don’t have to open gifts…no one is proposing legal intervention to require this.

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.

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

Not that I’ve ever seen…but since gifts are either sent ahead or a check with a card it’s not comparable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not about you either. People also don’t like opening gifts and being the center of attention.

I’m the pp, and glad we agree it’s not about the adults. But many children still love opening gifts and being the center of attention with their peers for a short while on their birthdays.

Birthday parties used to be a celebration of the kid whose birthday it was. Now it’s all about the guests and keeping them happy. I liked having/attending parties at home and watching kids open gifts. It taught patience for all and a way for kids to learn gratitude. Now kids just invite lots of kids and don’t really interact much with them.

Anonymous wrote:Because it was an awful tradition?

Maybe awful, maybe not. But kids do open presents at birthday parties, it is still done, still a tradition.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not about you either. People also don’t like opening gifts and being the center of attention.

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 sweetie. No, gifts are not chosen with thought, it's just one more thing for a harried parent to deal with. Opening presents in front of everyone makes the kid who gave the cheap, Five Below Uno game feel bad, and is boring for everyone not opening presents. But bless your heart

Because it was an awful tradition?