You must be a registered and logged in user to subscribe to a topic.
| Posted By |
Message |
|
|
Opening Gifts @ Shower
Ok- this is  but what is the etiquette/protocol for opening gifts at showers? What do you say? Do you read the cards out loud before you open the gift? Do you give a verbal thank you after each one, or am I supposed to give a speech at end or something?
The last time I opened gifts in front of people, I was probably 10 years old at a bowling alley birthday party. At my engagement party we opened the gifts privately at home. I did not have a bridal shower. I have never even attended anyone else's bridal shower or baby shower. So I have no experience with how anyone else does this. I am the first of my friends and family to get married and have a baby.
I am worried about my face, reactions, comments, ... I have no idea what I should be saying or doing?? I'm getting anxiety over having to do this. Please help
|
Posted 4/18/12 1:51 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
At my bridal shower, I announced who the gift was from, but did not read the card aloud, then said "thank you" after opening the gift. There were also casual comments thrown in, like, "oh, that's beautiful."
|
| Posted 4/18/12 1:56 PM |
| |
|
ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up
Member since 7/07 4427 total posts
Name:
Jeri
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
I didn't read each card out loud, but I did skim the reading, if it wasn't a novel, and then announced who it was from; then opened the gift (let everyone oooh and ahhh) and say thank you to that person.
After opened the last gift I said thank you to everyone for coming to the shower and for all the beautiful gifts..blah, blah, blah.
Don't give a speech during every gift. My sister did this at her bridal shower and it took forever to get through it. I actually had to scold her for taking so long. The guests were getting restless
|
| Posted 4/18/12 2:00 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
What are some things I can say when I open the gift and see it, like:
-Thank you (obviously)
-It's beautiful
-I love it!
-She's going to look so cute in this
-How adorable
any suggestions? what did you say for something that was kind of boring to comment on, like if you opened a package of bottles? Just thank you?
|
| Posted 4/18/12 2:13 PM |
| |
|
ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up
Member since 7/07 4427 total posts
Name:
Jeri
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Posted by BaysideForever
What are some things I can say when I open the gift and see it, like:
-Thank you (obviously)
-It's beautiful
-I love it!
-She's going to look so cute in this
-How adorable
any suggestions? what did you say for something that was kind of boring to comment on, like if you opened a package of bottles? Just thank you?
For the necessities that aren't particularly "cute" you can say something like, " Thank you this will come in handy" or "We'll definitely be needing/using these"
|
| Posted 4/18/12 2:43 PM |
| |
|
springsandra
Baby girl has a baby brother!
Member since 11/09 7155 total posts
Name:
Sandra
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Posted by BaysideForever
What are some things I can say when I open the gift and see it, like:
-Thank you (obviously)
-It's beautiful
-I love it!
-She's going to look so cute in this
-How adorable
any suggestions? what did you say for something that was kind of boring to comment on, like if you opened a package of bottles? Just thank you?
LOL you are so funny trying to rehearse!  You are going to be SO overwhelmed with love at everything, you'll really have genuinely appreciative reactions.
Make sure someone you trust who is detailed is keeping track of gifts. My SIL wrote down what people gave me and did a TERRIBLE job so writing TYs was hard!
Another way to distract guests a little while opening presents is to do baby shower bingo during the present opening. I just designed one for a friend's shower a few weeks ago if you need some templates, or there are free printable ones online. It gets people talking together and keeps them from just sitting there staring at you the whole time.
Once you start opening stuff and picturing your little baby in it, you'll just be gushing the entire time! No worries!
ETA: As far as what to say for bottles -- it's "thank you so much!!! this is going to be so useful!!"
There's really nothing anyone can give you that isn't going to be useful in one way or another. And it's all something you don't have to buy yourself, which is really generous.
The only thing I received (and it was by mail) that I still kinda scratch my head about is this little tiny pin cushion thing that says "baby sleeping" on it. It's still a little strange. I don't know what you do with it. But it was still nice of that person to think of us and send it. She also sent along socks. I used every pair.
Message edited 4/18/2012 2:47:58 PM.
|
| Posted 4/18/12 2:43 PM |
| |
|
SRM12
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 711 total posts
Name:
Samantha
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
you'll prob feel better once in the situation!! don't forget, ppl will be chatting at their tables and eating so its not all eyes intently on you the entire time!
|
| Posted 4/18/12 2:59 PM |
| |
|
MrsPorkChop
Twinning!!
Member since 5/05 9941 total posts
Name:
Missy
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
just announce who each gift is from before you open it. for some of my friends i added a lfew more words like- this is from my friend laura- laura and i were college roomates or this is from my cousin jane, jane always keeps me laughing with her jokes. etc...
im sure you will have no problem gushing, all the stuff is awesome and you will be very happy! :)
i gave a speech before gifts thanking everyone for coming, thanking the hosts and added a few little anecdotes.
after the gifts were over i just said thnak you to everyone- everoyne clapped and that was that!
|
| Posted 4/18/12 3:04 PM |
| |
|
JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Usually i just announced who the gift is from and what it is, and say thank you
ETA: from my bridal shower experience!
Message edited 4/18/2012 3:23:12 PM.
|
| Posted 4/18/12 3:22 PM |
| |
|
KimberlyScott
Graceyn=My World <3
Member since 10/08 4173 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Posted by Jax430
At my bridal shower, I announced who the gift was from, but did not read the card aloud, then said "thank you" after opening the gift. There were also casual comments thrown in, like, "oh, that's beautiful."
Same here
|
| Posted 4/18/12 3:33 PM |
| |
|
Shop24-7
I love my little girl!
Member since 10/09 2026 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Posted by BaysideForever
what did you say for something that was kind of boring to comment on, like if you opened a package of bottles? Just thank you?
for the "boring" or practical gifts, you can say thank you or something like
"We are definitely going to get a lot of use of out this/these"
"This will come in very handy"
"Diapers.... you can never have too many!"
|
| Posted 4/18/12 3:35 PM |
| |
|
dazies827
expecting boy # 3
Member since 9/09 2522 total posts
Name:
Chris
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
I said who it was from, made them raise their hand, scanned the card and opened the gift
|
| Posted 4/18/12 3:51 PM |
| |
|
MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
My cousin who was helping pass gifts to me totally put me on the spot when she told me to give a speech at the beginning and immediately clanked on a glass. Talk about mortified bc I had no idea what I was going to say  and this coming from someone who has terrible anxiety. I was shaking opening gifts in front of everyone. Wasn't the most relaxing day for me!
Anyhoo, so be prepared for that and I just said the persons name. Looked around for them. Got their attention. Opened gift and thanked them.
|
| Posted 4/18/12 4:12 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
One more question-
DH will be at the shower with me. It is partially co-ed. My mom figured the men would just sit around the bar while the women watched me open gifts. But if DH is there at the restaurant, should he be opening gifts with me? Or do you think it is OK he is off sitting down and socializing like a guest?
|
| Posted 4/18/12 4:25 PM |
| |
|
MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
I think it's fine if your husband doesn't open the gifts with you. I'm sure he would be miserable doing it and most of the girls would understand that. I've been to showers where the guys just sat at a back table which was fine. At my shower, DH didn't come but my dad and uncles all hung out at the bar and I'm sure DH would have stayed there while I opened.
|
| Posted 4/18/12 4:29 PM |
| |
|
frio85
LIF Adult
Member since 8/11 1164 total posts
Name:
Michele
|
Re: Opening Gifts @ Shower
Posted by Jax430
At my bridal shower, I announced who the gift was from, but did not read the card aloud, then said "thank you" after opening the gift. There were also casual comments thrown in, like, "oh, that's beautiful."
I did the same thing.
|
| Posted 4/18/12 5:41 PM |
| |
|
