How do you feel about children opening gifts at their party?

Question

I have two young children and have noticed that at birthday parties they've attended the presents were not opened during the party. I personally like the idea of opening gifts at the party because I (and my children) spend a lot of time picking out the "right" gift and I know I like to see the recipient's face when my gift is opened to see if they do indeed like it. But I wondered if it's now "politically incorrect" or something to open gifts during the party. I am trying to plan my daughter's 5th birthday and I'm wondering if I include the present opening part would people find it offensive or in bad taste. Like I said, I kind of find it in bad taste to not acknowledge the gift and the giver, but I may be in the minority so I just wanted to ask what others thought. Thanks!

Answer 1

You have a great point, buttt I honestly think that it is kind-of rude..

I don't know- I just always thought that.

Answer 2

I think gifts should always be opened at the party, and if you open a gift from a person and u don't like the gift, smile and let it pass! =) And I too love watching the person's face as they open the gift I've gave them! haha!  

Answer 3

all partys i been to have opened presents me to i think they should open presents to see if they like it or not and so you can see other presents and see if your kid likes it and get something simalar...

Answer 4

I always make sure we open the presents infront of the giver. Its inpolite not to in my opinion.

Answer 5

I like to open gifts at the party too!! I have found that people don't really pay attention when they are being opened.That kind of bugs me,because you want to thank them and sometimes there is no card or it has fallen off and you don't know who brought what.

Answer 6

I would never have thought NOT to open presents at their party.. I guess it depends on the child though.. If the child is raised to keep a good face and polite manners I would think that it is ok to open them. If the child is the opposite and makes remarks about what they get I wouldn't. I'll have to decide that when my baby is born and older but I would hope my child is curteious.

Answer 7

Of course.

you have got to open presents at

a birthday party

i have at all of mine

and my friends always have at theirs.

your childrens' friends must just dont have

good party planning skills.

alot of people love to see the reaction

of the birthday persons faces when

they open the gift they gave you

Answer 8

Hello, Yes I would let my children if I had any, open there gifts at the party.  I mean come on who thinks it's "politcally incorrect" to open there gifts at a party.  I don't know anyone who believes that!  

Answer 9

You're throwing the party. Run it how you want. I don't see anything wrong with opening the gifts at the party. I can't think of any reason not to do it that way. It could be to save time, but it only saves about 20 minutes. It's not that much difference.

Answer 10

Hi! you should have your child open her presents at the party. Chances are she is eger to open/get it! her friends prob. want to play

with the toy. if you are concerned

about her saying  somthing to the giver that she dosnt like the gift than talk to her. before the party simply say, 'hun, if you dont like a gift some friends give you, just say thanks." that way you are not teaching her to lie by saying she likes it. this is my first answer! hope i helped! :)

Answer 11

i think children sould open their gift when thieir with the person who gave them the gift. Theres no point in giving a gift if you don't get that joy of seeing a friends happy face.

Answer 12

Every party I attended/hosted when I was younger had a present opening part, its all part of the fun! Its really rude not to acknowledge the gifts. Make sure there are games, then cake, then present opening shortly after serving the cake so the kiddo's have something to munch on while the birthday boy/girl opens her gifts! :)

Answer 13

i totally agree with you. Ever since I was little I ALWAYS opened my presents at my birthday parties. It was a big part, seeing the reaction and my mom and other family members taking pictures to capture the moment! I understand when youre older. Like at my graduation, I didnt open the cards until everyone left because everyone gives different amounts and then you send out personal thank you cards. But when youre a child you dont care youre just excited you get a gift! I think you should do it! Even if other people arent!

Answer 14

it is their party. let them live a little.-blurey

Answer 15

I'm with you and feel the kids should open their gifts at their party. I mean, hello...it's a birthday party! I always just had a little talk with my kids beforehand to avoid any potentially awkward moments. I told them to always be gracious and say thank you, even if it's not something they particularly liked or wanted because someone took the time to pick it out just for them. We are also big on thank you notes, a lost art, in my opinion. I think it's important that the giver is acknowledged with a nice little note to let them know their thoughtfulness was appreciated.

Answer 16

I would open the gifts during the party, every birthday party or any other party for that matter, the person recieving the gifts open while everybody is around (weddings are usually an exception). I find it rude that they don't open during the party. It shows that they don't care. I think its a good idea to let your children open their gifts while everyone is there =)

Answer 17

Interesting question!

I noticed this for the first time when my daughter (who is now 18) attended a 6th birthday party back in 1996. I thought it was quite rude of the parents, to be quite honest, to just throw all of the un-opened presents into large black garbage bags when the party was coming to a close.

I can understand in certain cases where there might be a such a large group of guests, and so many presents- that the present opening part would drag on for too long.

My personal opinion is that the birthday child opening his/her presents WITH friends and family is a fun tradition. I don't think you should have to worry about offending others, celebrate with your child the way you would like.

Best wishes to your daughter :)

Answer 18

it's really up to you. but i would prefer children not be allowed to open gifts during the party at that age (children tend to become jealous etc) ppl were a lot more open to it in the 90s. maybe it's some parenting strategy and times are changing.  

Answer 19

i would never not open the gifts at a party i dotn know why anyone wouldn't . Thats totally normal...Of course you should!!  

Answer 20

It's the kid's party, for heaven's sake.  There's no rule about when to open gifts.  Let them be opened during the party.  It's much more fun that way.  Let people think what they want.  The party's not about them and it's not about you; it's about the kid.  The thing is that there be as much fun as possible at these often riotous gatherings.

Answer 21

I agree! I love seeing the expression on their face light up! Unless you have a mother who always thinks your friend needs a light bulb or something. You might just want to leave them to open their presents somewhere else :)

Answer 22

I think that no matter what age you are, you should open gifts in front of the person who gave them to you, if at all possible.  I think it's rude to take it, say thank you and just keep on.  And that poor kid is probably staring at all of those gifts just wigging out wanting to open them!  LOL!  Poor kid!

Answer 23

Wow, I think that I would be a little upset if I went to a birthday party and they did not open gifts.  I think that it's rude.  I think that the kids should open the gifts at the party.  

Answer 24

politically correct? do the five year olds even know what that means? Let them have their fun. Give some party favors so everyone has fun. If there are parents that find it offensive or in bad taste...give their kids two party favors....they need them.