Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

When we were kids I think the norm was to open presents at parties. I always have let Liam do that (well, he is only 2 but, for his kids parties).

But, I don't think I have been to any party where they have done that in recent years. Family parties, yes. But, never at the kiddie parties

What is your opinion on this? Can you give a reason why? My Mom tells me it's rude to the guests to not open the gifts and thank them for the gift (also send a card, of course). I can see this. But, I can also see where having a party at a place would put a time constraint. Is that the reason?

***(I am NOT saying that either side is wrong, please understand. I am really just trying to decide what to do next month for Liam.)

Message edited 4/23/2012 7:15:29 AM.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I am sooooooo inexperienced with kids parties, but all my life, my favorite part of the party was when it was time to open presents... whether I was the guest or the birthday girl! It was so exciting to just hear the words "Time to open presents!!!"

I'll be kind of disappointed if the poll says not to open them at the party.

Is there an age when kids typically stop opening them at the party - or is it always that way from the 1st Bday on?

And I wonder if it's strictly because of time constraints - or if it's somehow considered "tacky"?

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

With many parties being an hour and a half, there is just no time to open presents. Kids would rather play than watch each other open presents, too!

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I think it depends on where you are. If you are at a home party then I see no reason to NOT open them.

If you are out, like pp said, it's only 1 1/2 hours party then I can see waiting to get home to do that and that would not be in front of people.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

if my kids opened all their presents they would want to play with them right then and there...and i have had it where it was a duplicate and now i am stuck with two of the same toys.(on christmas over the families houses) i would rather take the time to open them with them later to avoid this and see if anything needs to be returned/exchanged..not to mention keep track of who gives what so i know who to properly thank later on...i havent had a true kiddie party yet but hopefully this will be my plan

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I personally do not have my kids open gifts at the party. It makes it more difficult to keep track of who gave what, if you get doubles & they open it you can't return, and all the other kids kind of rip into them as well & it's like pandemonium... Pieces everywhere & if they don't want/like something im afraid they'd make a face and toss it. I'd hate for the person who gave my dd pants to see her reaction
We open them at home with family & some close friends after the party.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

We've done both and I think either way is fine. Her 1st bday we had a room rental for 4 hours so we opened her gifts there with her. Her 2nd bday we only had 2 hours and there was so much to do/play with in that time that we opened them at home with family who came back to our house after.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

we have done only home parties where the opening of the gifts are in a more controlled environment. but with so many parties being jammed into a 1.5-2 time slot with multiple parties right behind you, it only makes sense for them to be opened at home.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I put other. if the age is under 3, I'd say not to open gifts. Over 3 AND at home...open gifts. Over 3 and at a kiddie place, don't open gifts cause it wastes time.

ETA...DS is only 2, but for his parties we have some people come back to the house and we open gifts there.

Message edited 4/23/2012 8:52:07 AM.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I think its a time thing with an out of house party (bounce place/CEC).

If DS had a home party with a few kids, I might do it. I guess depends if they kids were playing nicely, let them play.

Plus DS is big on "that's not fair" so if we went to Billy's party and he got all these new toys, it wouldn't be fair to DS.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Home party - open them during the party
Party out at a party place - open later

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

one month later and DS has still not opened all his presents from his birthday party. there were way too many gifts.

I think it depends on the age group. Our guests were all 3 and under. I don't think the other kids would have been happy watching the birthday child open gifts they can't play with. We also had 30 kids. it would have taken WAY too long.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I have never heard of kids not opening their gifts at a Bday party but Im not from NY and I prefer at home birthday parties where the time isnt an issue.

That was always my favorite part as a kid.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

DS is almost 4. We have never had a party for him where he opens his gifts there. Like a PP said, parties are only about an hour and half and there just isn't enough time.

We are doing a birthday party for him this year at BounceU. They only give the kids like 20 minutes for pizza a cake! The rest is all bouncing.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Kiddie parties - open all gifts at home. There isn't even time built into the party for that anyway.

Family parties - open all gifts with everyone there.

That's how we have always done it, even when I was a kd myself.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Posted by Ladybug63

I personally do not have my kids open gifts at the party. It makes it more difficult to keep track of who gave what, if you get doubles & they open it you can't return, and all the other kids kind of rip into them as well & it's like pandemonium... Pieces everywhere & if they don't want/like something im afraid they'd make a face and toss it. I'd hate for the person who gave my dd pants to see her reaction
We open them at home with family & some close friends after the party.

Message edited 4/23/2012 12:12:24 PM.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I say no.
It was expected AT dS'S FIRST birthday party, by the time we opened them, DS was tired, everyone was hot and buzzed and talking, I was exhausted from running around the whole party, I ended up kneeling in the corner of the room and had to find people to thank them, DS barely paid attn and was wandering off... so annoying. I'd say never again but I don't get a choice.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

It really depends on where you are and that being said, also time constraints.

If it's an at home party definitly open the presents while the guests ar there.

For a party at a party place, it depends on the time alloted. We've had it at a party place where after the kids ate my DD had time to quick open up her presents before everyone left. We've also beenat a party place where they were kicking us ou the door(due to another party) while the kids were still finishing the cake.

I say if there's time, definitly have them open at the party!! Especially since all the other kids love to see what they got!!

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I never opened birthday presents at my party when I was a kid, we always opened them later. We've been to a lot of birthday parties recently and my friends kids dont open their gifts at the party either. I never thought people did otherwise until my SIL did it at my nephew's 1st birthday, but it was at her house so I can see doing it then if you had time and wanted to. I dont think its rude not to though, its a birthday party not a shower.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

Okay, So I am actually glad to see this. I was thinking it was thought of as tacky to open them at the party. I guess it's more of an issue of we didn't have parties "out" as much when we were kids so that's why there is so much of a change. I never had any issues keeping track of who got what since we just write it down as we open them.

We had Liam's first and second at home so we opened them. This time it will be at california pizza kitchen. It is only 1.5 hours but, besides making pizza there is not much scheduled so I guess I will play it by ear and see if there is enough time to open them.

Thanks for all the honest responses.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

We don't open at the parties (regardless of whether they're at home or at a place) because of a few reasons mentioned: I like them to sit & appreciate each gift they get, plus I don't want things getting separated and therefore not knowing who to thank for what gift/s; also, I have been to several parties where the older kids (guests at party) help rip open the gifts and make a disaster...not a fan of that.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I plan on setting aside the last half hour of the party after cake for opening presents. DS is turning 1, and the party is all of our family and our very best friends- I know they all want to see him open up what they get him. However, when he gets to be 3 and 4 and he is having parties at kiddie places with friends from preshool, I will wait until we get home and open gifts just us. Like a PP said, with most party places only offering a 90 min party, there is no time. I think either way is fine though, I don't find it tacky to open up gifts at a party.

Re: Opening Presents at a Birthday Party- with poll

I loved opening my presents at my parties when I was a kid!

I understand that there is a time constraint when the parties are held at a place, but if it's at someone's house I think the gifts should be opened.