I dont want to open the presents at the baby shower...some friendly advice?

Question

I dont want to open the presents in front of everyone..im extremly shy! lol Is this tradition?! Do I really have to? Would it look bad if I didnt? lol Any ways to maybe distract the people while I do it ...?? lol

Answer 1

You need to open them there - people get satisfaction from seeing you open the presents they get for you. Think about it you got one of your friends a present and was excited for her to open it but she didn't want to open it with you there - kinda ruins the fun for you.  These people are spending money on you - just try and have fun.

Answer 2

lol your funny. actually i do feel your pain. When I had my baby shower, I felt like I was on show when I opened the presents, especially when everyone is looking expectantly at you for what you think of them. I say just do it, it doesn't take long and people do really like seeing what you think of their present. Yeah it is pretty much part of the baby shower tradition as far as i know. Goodluck with it, just enjoy, baby showers are sooo much fun!

Answer 3

Just don't open them! heh.

Put them on a table and play all the games do all the baby shower stuff then send everyone home.

I don't think anyone will say anything. It usually is a tradition to open them but its YOUR day and if you don't feel comfy doing it, then dont! good luck.

Answer 4

Just plan the shower full of activities so you won't have time to open the gifts. If anyone askes why you didn't open the gifts just say "____ and I had  planned to do that alone later" or if you are single, just say that "I had planned to do it later after the party, I would feel more comfortable that way". Hopefully after you said that, no one will insist on you opening the gifts.

Answer 5

It depends on the age group of the people coming to your shower.  It really is a tradition to open your gifts in front of everyone.  For younger people they really won't care, just open them whenever you want.  But for older people, they really expect it. They tend to give more traditional gifts like homeade baby blankets they spent months crocheting.  I am sure you can understand why it would be important to them that you open it while they are there so they can tell you they made it especially for you.  A friend of mine had a really large shower with men and women.  She suggested that the people attending keep their gifts with them and throughout the event her and her husband travelled around to them and greeted them and opened their gift.  It was the best shower I have been to because I didn't have to sit around and watch gifts!!  But you must understand, your guests have spent a lot of money (and sometimes time and money) on your gift, they would like to see you open it!  Good luck!

Answer 6

don't have a baby shower then,that would be rude if you did not open them,and say thank you!!.......even if you send out cards later to say thanks you, people would think your rude.that is one purpose to hold a party for seeing if you like what & what others brought you too.....they do like to see the reaction on your face duuuh......and might wish to come up with something else for you ,that you did not get....

Answer 7

Most people will want to see a reaction when you open the gifts.  I know it's hard, having the spot light on you when people have gone to the trouble of shopping for individual gifts.

You could TRY and organise a game for your guests, whilst you open presents and thank the guests one by one for the gifts.

But I think you will probally just have to suck it in, and open them as they are given (or near the end).  Just smile, say thanks and a good thing I always said was "wow bubba is so spoilt, love you guys, thanks".

:) Relax, and have fun!

Answer 8

I had no trouble opening the gifts, but I had a terrible reluctance telling the hostess whom to invite. I hated the idea of me telling them to give me something.

How about if you give each guest one of the gifts and ask them to open them one at a time while you watch?

Answer 9

I am the same way...I don't want all eyes on me as I open and act surprised...so we've decided to have a "display shower". everyone brings an un-wrapped gift and sits it on the gift table and as everyone is visiting and eating we will kind of rummage through the gifts briefly.

Answer 10

I was nervous about that too but it wasn't as bad as I thought.  It goes by fast and it is so exciting.  All those people spent money on those gifts and want to see your reaction when opening their gifts.  I forget what they are called but there is a type of shower people have where they tell the guests to bring the gifts unwrapped.  Maybe you can ask who ever is throwing it to look into that for you.  Good luck and no worries!  It's fun!

Answer 11

well you could go into "labor" ;) ;) just before and have to leave early... ha ha.... but you don't have to i guess... people just like to watch you do it! if you find it's something you have to do, i suggest doing the bingo game... it keeps them entertained... but most of the time people don't really watch they like to visit and eat cake....

the bingo game, all you do is print out a bunch of blank cards and then they write in each box what they think you'll get and they cross them out as you OPEN them. blackout wins :D

Answer 12

It would be considered a snub and extremely bad etiquette not to allow your guests the pleasure of watching you open what they thoughtfully purchased for you. Get over the shyness and just do it as a thank you to them. To answer you directly, YES it would look REALLY BAD if you invited them to your shower and then didn't open the gifts in front of them!

Answer 13

It would be really extremely rude if you didn't. It's expected - it's part of why you are being given a shower, for them to shower you and your baby with gifts.

What in the world does being shy have to do with unwrapping some paper or putting your hand into a gift bag?

Just be nice and behave graciously.

Answer 14

whatever

Answer 15

If you do not want to open them,then you do not have to.It is your shower & you do it your way.If anything you could do as another poster said & have them bring the present unwrapped.That way they can see your 'reaction' and you dont have to sit there opening gifts..:) Congrats.

Answer 16

I think it really depends on the kind of baby shower you're having and just maybe what region of the country you're in. Sometimes opening gifts at birthday parties (not showers) is ALWAYS expected in the South but not so much in the North. I don't know if the same is true for the traditional baby shower. I'm guessing that if you plan on having a traditional baby shower though, opening presents might just have to come along with the territory.

However if you plan on having a "couples shower" where the atmosphere is more like a casual party made up of couples your age, you might be able to get away with framing the shower as a party in honor of welcoming your new baby. Another idea if the shower is of the traditional kind (i.e. made up of girlfriends, aunts, sisters, moms, etc., in someone's home or church with a pretty cake and some games) is to open the gifts while everyone is eating light hor d'vores. People will be busy catching up and chatting. You know how girls are when we start talking and eating... Any way you choose to do it, enjoy your day. And good luck with your pregnancy!

Answer 17

I felt the same way at my wedding shower!  

Lol, don't worry about it!  Everyone there loves you, right?  Just smile and open the presents.  They will want to see you enjoy the gifts.

Answer 18

it would look really bad if you didn't open them at the baby shower. that's rude; people come & bring you presents, but you won't acknowledge them while they're there. people come from out of town; they buy expensive gifts they want people to see; a thank you card is very impersonal. you need to get over it & open the presents or not have a shower. -*D*

p.s. a lot of people won't stay to watch the gifts be opened anyway. and some people are chasing babies/eating/etc., so you shouldn't have to distract them.