We opened our daughter's gifts for her on her 1st birthday (at her party). When they are young, they like opening the gifts right there. Instant gratification. At 1, she won't know the difference, but the guests will probably like to see her "try" to open them. As they get older, they just want to play with their friends who are celebrating with them and don't care about opening gifts right away. Its up to you, but from my point of view, there are only a few years when they want to open the gifts in front of people. I'd take advantage of it. We also ordered her own little cake for her the "eat". She played with it more than she ate it. Its cute though and it makes for great memories!

I tried this and my MIL was the main person who wanted to see all the gifts and so there I sat..opening every single gift. It was not easy for me and so many like to watch..so I just did it. Most people weren't watching..and most kids were playing outside. Her 2nd was the worse with kids trying to help.

Maybe U can plan enough and keep people occupied that it can be skipped over..and if people ask. Offer to let Ur child open there gift OR explain that U want to let her open in private so she can enjoy it and spend more time with family and friends:)

We are in party prep mode too. We will be having A LOT of people and have rented a hall as that its also going to be a co-party with DS's Grandma who is turing 65. (new thats a ettiquette nightmare lol)

I think because we are going to be at a hall opening the gifts at home would be the better idea but can completley understand people who would want to see their gift opened, I would.

I say do what you think is right. Thats the best we can do. I have found that you cannot please everyone. If you do it with good intentions and love ... then if someone is offended well thats really their problem.

Actually I have been to lots of 1 and 2 year old parties where gifts were not opened. I think it's fine. As long as you send very specific thank you cards later... Maybe you could take pictures of your DD opening or playing with each gift to include in the thank you note.

I was at a one year old's birthday party and no gifts were opened. The parents asked for no gifts on the invite, but of course we all brought gifts. it wasn't a big deal as we were told not to bring any but most of us did.

I agree making it about gifts is really dumb and makes people feel more used than anything. It's not very personal! I agree with making very personal thank you notes. Just politely say on the invite please no gifts. The only place I have been to that the gifts were not opened was weddings. Or what you could do is have a party the next day to those that want to come to their gift opening party. That's what one of my friends did. Of course only close family was there to enjoy it! I am sure no one will be offended and if they ask there just say well tomorrow we are having the gift opening party or whatever or if you'd like we can pull you 2 aside and open yours. I am sure it will come to you when you are in that situation.

You could kindly put on the invitation that there will be a smaller gathering that is optional after the party for opening gifts. That way the guests that dont want to stay for that can leave and those that are interested in seeing your child open their gift can stay. That way it leaves the ball in your guests court. I personally love watching the kids open their gifts. I like to see their faces and I also like to see what new toys and things they are coming out with, but I can see how some people would prefer not to sit through it all. Good luck to you in your decision!

I guess it's good I have a couple months to figure it out....

During my baby shower, we had a lot of gifts....and it took a long time to open them...and people actually started leaving while I was opening gifts (I didn't think it was taking that long!) and then as soon as I was done people really started leaving. I felt like I didn't get to talk with many people. I really didn't like it at all.

We are having the party at my church. So, I was thinking of taking the gifts out of the room. Then if people want to watch her open the gift, to just take her to the other room to open it.

I've seen it done both ways. If you do decide to open the gifts later, make sure to send thank you notes. We have been to so many parties where the gifts aren't opened and then no note. Did they get it? Did it get lost in the shuffle? We take time and care to buy the gifts, it would be nice to get some sort of acknowledgement. Of course, I say this and am about a month late with getting my son's thank you notes out (his party was in July).

We asked folks not to buy gifts for the party but they did anyway. A few were from out of town and wanted us to open them while they were there and it was awkward for those that hadn't bought a gift.

I'm not sure of your financial situation, but our son is so spoiled (also a long awaited IVF baby) and he didn't need more gifts. A friend recently had a great idea. With the invitation to the party came this note:

"Mikey would like to help children in need for his birthday. If you would ike to buy a gift, please consider buying some of the school supplies that the YMCA is in need of." They had a list of school supplies that the YMCA wanted to collect.

They collected 25 backbacks and tons of other supplies! She then took her son with her to make the donation (he's only two, but it is never too soon to teach them about giving back).

You could do the same with toys since Christmas is right around the corner from your daughter's birthday. Then just let family give presents at a smaller party (or after the other guests have gone home).

We do a seperate little get together for family and then another for friends. That way gifts are broken up into two sets.

My daughter's first party we actually did cake and gifts at the same time. My daughter didn't care for sweets so she poked her finger in her smash cake and called it good. So we set everyone else up with cake and then opened the presents so they were occupied.