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pnc909
LIF Infant
Member since 11/07 185 total posts
Name:
Me
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Quick Question about Baby Shower
I need some advice from you ladies. We are having my shower in December and will be having men and women. We don't really want to open up gifts at the shower since we feel some people especially with men there find it kind of boring. I would like everyone to wrap there gifts in clear wrapping but I don't have a clue as to how to ask people to do that. We would like to put a little message on the invitation letting people know but I don't want to sound rude. So a couple of questions:
Do you ladies think that it is rude to put that?
Did anyone do this at there shower?
Can anyone give me advice on what to write on the invitation?
TIA
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Posted 10/16/08 12:02 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
My Aunt put it on the invite for my cousin's shower - but I can't remember the wording ..........
I really don't know why - we had to sit there and watch her open everything anyway ........ 
ETA - I personally don't think it's rude at all, I think it's great !!!
Message edited 10/16/2008 12:06:39 PM.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:06 PM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
To be totally honest I would be a little bummed to not be able see the person open a gift I gave, I love watching the excitement and reaction as someone opens a gift.
Etiquette wise, I don't know if it's rude to not open the gifts, especially since it is a male/female party. 
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:07 PM |
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hunnybunnyxoxo
this is what it's all about
Member since 11/07 3321 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
well, i think that part of the shower is to open the gifts that guests bought... i think people might get offended since they want their gift to be unwrapped and acknowledged..
but here is some wording:
At the request of the parents to be, this will be a casual “display” shower. Please bring your gifts unwrapped, so that the happy couple has more time to enjoy your company
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:10 PM |
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MaMaTeenie
Party of 5
Member since 4/08 6489 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
My cousin did this at her bridal shower which didn't bother me one bit, but the majority of the guests were not pleased about it.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:11 PM |
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hunnybunnyxoxo
this is what it's all about
Member since 11/07 3321 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
yeah i think the older generation are the ones that would be more offended.
the twenty/thirty somethings prob, wouldnt care but i would be more concerned about offending the elders than the youngins
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:14 PM |
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ruby
you rang?
Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by RyansMama
My cousin did this at her bridal shower which didn't bother me one bit, but the majority of the guests were not pleased about it.
Ditto. This was the dinner table topic at many a holiday dinner after her shower. The boys can suck it up or hang out amongst themselves.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:15 PM |
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pnc909
LIF Infant
Member since 11/07 185 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Thank You ladies! I really would like to open up everyone's card and acknowledge what people gave to us. I think we have some thinking to do.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:17 PM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Personally yes I think its rude. Some people truely get enjoyment of watching others open their gifts. I've been to Jack & Jill showers and the guys are fine.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:21 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by RyansMama
My cousin did this at her bridal shower which didn't bother me one bit, but the majority of the guests were not pleased about it.
I'll agree with this. A relative did this recently for her bridal shower and a lot of people complained that they *had* to go out and get clear wrapping for the gifts.
ETA: We had a J&J shower & the guys found something to do during the gift part. I hate opening gifts in front of people personally, but so many people expect it and like to be thanked.
Message edited 10/16/2008 1:18:04 PM.
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| Posted 10/16/08 1:17 PM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
I think its a great idea. I hate that part of any shower. Boring and winded. Its all to much. I think its called a "Display Shower"
ie: ” At the request of the bride, this will be a casual “display” shower. Please bring your gifts unwrapped, so that Lisa has more time to enjoy your company.”
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| Posted 10/16/08 1:27 PM |
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angnick
Life is So Wonderful!
Member since 8/06 6663 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
what if you wrap them in clear wrapping and still open the card and say who the gift is from and still show it off?
This is what we plan on doing for my baby shower.
I'm sick of watching people open gifts- it takes too much time..
it saves more than half the time to have it wrapped in clear wrap and then just open the card and say thanks aunt millie for the beautiful blanket, then hold it up for everyone to see!
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| Posted 10/16/08 1:42 PM |
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hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
I think it is fine to do this but I know it would not fly with DH's family. If you're inviting all ages I would be prepared for some ticked off aunts, and grandma types.
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| Posted 10/16/08 1:45 PM |
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MaMaTeenie
Party of 5
Member since 4/08 6489 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Maybe you could make it about the environment....save the wrapping save a tree kinda thing. Maybe people will be more accepting of it then! Just an idea.
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| Posted 10/16/08 1:45 PM |
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nyteacher13
Three Under Four!!! :-)
Member since 8/06 6405 total posts
Name:
~ THERESA ~
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by kerrycec03
Personally yes I think its rude. Some people truely get enjoyment of watching others open their gifts. I've been to Jack & Jill showers and the guys are fine.
ITA
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| Posted 10/16/08 2:03 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by RyansMama
Maybe you could make it about the environment....save the wrapping save a tree kinda thing. Maybe people will be more accepting of it then! Just an idea.
Good Idea !!! - You could ask them not to wrap at all ........many will wrap anyway - let them do whatever they want.
I don't think it's rude to not open the gifts in front of everyone. Personally I never really understood that tradition - I actually think it's kind of weird to open things and display them for everyone at the party to see/critique/compare what they gave you vs. someone else - and I'm all about manners. Rude is not thanking people, rude is sending a printed generic thank you card, or not sending one at all - But I don't bring a gift to a shower w/ the expectation that the recipent make a huge fuss over me and my gift - I'm there to celebrate HER - (wedding, pregnancy ...whatever)
And you know what? You can NEVER please the 'old' ladies - They're always going to find something to b*tch about - It's not about pleasing them, it's about you and your DH and your baby -
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| Posted 10/16/08 2:11 PM |
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pnc909
LIF Infant
Member since 11/07 185 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Thank you guys for all your responses it is all really helpful.
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| Posted 10/16/08 2:27 PM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by MarisaK
Posted by RyansMama
Maybe you could make it about the environment....save the wrapping save a tree kinda thing. Maybe people will be more accepting of it then! Just an idea.
Good Idea !!! - You could ask them not to wrap at all ........many will wrap anyway - let them do whatever they want.
I don't think it's rude to not open the gifts in front of everyone. Personally I never really understood that tradition - I actually think it's kind of weird to open things and display them for everyone at the party to see/critique/compare what they gave you vs. someone else - and I'm all about manners. Rude is not thanking people, rude is sending a printed generic thank you card, or not sending one at all - But I don't bring a gift to a shower w/ the expectation that the recipent make a huge fuss over me and my gift - I'm there to celebrate HER - (wedding, pregnancy ...whatever)
And you know what? You can NEVER please the 'old' ladies - They're always going to find something to b*tch about - It's not about pleasing them, it's about you and your DH and your baby -
I really don't see opening presents as a way to make a fuss over the person who gave it to you, but it is a courtesy to that person. I don't give gifts out of obligation, I give them because I want to and I enjoy it. Part of that enjoyment is seeing the look on someone's face when they open the gift, I couldn't care less what someone else thinks of the gift, it's the reaction of the recipient I want to see and experience.
If that makes me an oild lady, so be it. Hey, I am the VP of a quilting guild so maybe I am older than my years. 
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| Posted 10/16/08 2:30 PM |
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shell
:-)
Member since 6/06 2988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Well, I can tell you from experience...My friend had a jack/jill baby shower, and she opened all her gifts. Well, my husband was beyond bored and he kept giving me this look, very annoying!!
I should of left him home...
Anyway, to answer your question....I think it's fine not to open the gifts, I don't think men are as interested in little baby clothes and such, like women.....JMHO.
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| Posted 10/16/08 2:56 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
I went to a male/female shower and the gifts were opened. It was in a house though so people were dispersed throughout the house and the men did not stick around to watch.
My cousin had a bridal shower and it wasn't traditional...she had the invites say "Please wrap all gifts in clear celophane" and everyone knew nothing would be opened.
Message edited 10/16/2008 3:58:01 PM.
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| Posted 10/16/08 3:57 PM |
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betani
LIF Zygote
Member since 2/08 40 total posts
Name:
bethany
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
i think it's fine, but like other people said, the older ladies might be annoyed.
you can do what one of the above posters suggested and still show the gifts and aknowledge it, but ask for them to be wrapped in either clear paper or not at all.
or if you're worried about entertaining the men, maybe include them. have the gifts wrapped in pink and blue - pink for the gifts for you (maybe more baby oriented, blankets, animals, etc.) and blue for your husband to open (from his fellow men - maybe sports related items for baby, etc.). that way you can take turns opening, get what you need/want, and the men can be entertained watching your husband open gifts they got all creative on.
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| Posted 10/16/08 5:06 PM |
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babyonthebrain
Brotherly Love!
Member since 1/08 6209 total posts
Name:
Rafaela
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
I don't know if I would do that. Isn't the point of a shower for you to receive gifts? I think it would minimize what the shower is all about. For that just have a regular party and tell people to drop off their gifts whenever. I think more people want to see you open up gifts than not. But its your shower so you do what you want.
XOXOOX
BOTB
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| Posted 10/16/08 6:06 PM |
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juju
Welcome to the World!
Member since 5/05 6747 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
Posted by babyonthebrain
I don't know if I would do that. Isn't the point of a shower for you to receive gifts?
XOXOOX
BOTB
Totally agree. I think most people enjoy watching you open up gifts.
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| Posted 10/16/08 7:07 PM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Quick Question about Baby Shower
I think its totally mixed what people's opinions are on this topic.
I feel that noone is making you sit there watching the person open gifts- I was at a shower that the girft opening tooo forever! Could I have gotten up and went somewhere else? sure.
Did I? no b/c what's the point of the shower except to "shower" the honoree with gifts and cards with good wishes.
I can see the practicality of clear wrapping but IMO- it makes the person look like all they want is to have a party to get gifts but not acknowledge them
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| Posted 10/16/08 7:26 PM |
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