Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

We are having a party for DD's 1st birthday. My grandmother is expecting DD to open her gifts at the party, but I have been to several 1st birthday parties and never seen a baby open gifts at the party.

Do babies usually open gifts at a 1st birthday party? Is there some protocol for gift opening at baby birthday parties?

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

My son has not opened gifts at any of his 3 birthday parties. We let him do it later in the day when things have calmed down and he's not so distracted.

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

I dont think there is a protocal per se

Both my kids 1st bdays were catered events at restaurants so we didnt open the gifts there...it would have been too crazy

Family came over the house after the parties to see the gifts being opened

HOWEVER--if the party was in my house I would probably have my DS open them after the cake

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

I have never been to a party where the gifts are opened except for a wedding or baby shower. To make your grandma happy, I would invite her over to your house after the party and open the presents in front of her.

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

I don't know if there is a "protocol" but we didn't open gifts at DS 1st birthday party. We had his in a restaurant and there really wasn't enough time between lunch and the clown etc.

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

We didn't open gifts at the first birthday party but I have seen it done.

Re: Protocol for opening gifts at 1st birthday party?

My niece and nephew both did at their first bday parties, but I was just at my friend's daughter's party the other day and she didn't. Her fam was expecting it also and was a little miffed when she didn't, but my friend knew it just be too much to handle. I think it's your call. You know your daughter best and what she can and can't handle. I think it also really depends on how many people (gifts) will be there. While it was nice for us to see my niece and nephew open their gifts, I think it was difficult for them, because every gift that they opened was exciting, so they just wanted to play with it, but then it was quickly taken away and they were told they had to move on to the next gift. And at 1, they're still too young to understand the whole thing, IMO. But definitely no protocol, I'd say whatever you are comfortable with!