1St Bday Party - Do You Open Gifts or Not????

Just MHO, but I think it's rude not to open gifts at a party. People giving gifts want to see a reaction when their present is opened, even if the child is only 1 yr old. Sometimes it's fun for them to see the parents' reactions too.

A birthday party for anyone under 2 is only for the adults in attendance. If you don't open the gifts no one gets their joy for attending. It's all a bout the oooohhh's and aaaahhhh's that everyone says when a new item is exposed.

If you don't open gifts it's not fun for the ones bringing the gifts.

For my son's 1st bday, I sat him on the kitchen table in his booster so everyone could see him, and helped him tear the paper, or pull stuff out of bags. He had a blast, was more interested in the paper than the toys! Of course, my family is very low key, so it probably depends on who all is going to be there.

Open the gifts. The whole reason for the party is to celebrate, plus this sets the foundation for all future events with your child. I have never been to a party (child or adult) that did not take the time to open the gifts that people went and spent time and money on. Still send thank you notes either way - even if you thank them in person. And regarding the comment below about the $ issue for a $5 gift or a $50 gift and not offending them when opening. That all depends on your reaction. My sister is the person in the family that can only afford the $5 gift, but when I or my children open the gifts, they are just as appreciative of that gift as if they had spent the $50.

I vote no. Both as a parent and a party guest.

For kids that little, it's hard for them to sit and watch, not to mention not be involved in the activities.
For parents, I personally, think it's boring to sit and watch that stuff.

I have a 3 and 1 yr old, and we always wait until after the party to open gifts.

In my opinioin, I agree that it is rude. My kids spend time picking out the "perfect" gift for parties they go to and they want to be there when it is opened. We went to a party last wknd and my five year old was very upset when she heard presents wouldnt be opened. She was excited about what she got her friend. After asking the mom took her girl and my daughter and let her open that one gift before we left. Awkward moment! I say open them! I will never make any of my kids wait until all guests leave. Have fun!

We opened for both kiddos at first b-day (with help, of course). It consisted of a few close friends and family and we didn't plan a lot of "activities" so the gift opening was part of the fun for everyone to see the boys try and open and of course #2 got help of big brother.
It was fun. however, if not at my own home and if there were more folks there, I would not have broached this as it would have taken forever!

We don't open presents because some cannot afford to get as others can. So instead we open later and send thankyou cards so everyone feels they welcome and happy. I know some people do but I would not ant a child who could only bring a 5 dollar gift to feel sad because some one got a 20 dollar gift. They were not invited for the gifts but to share youchilds day. Also ifyou think about it it is a lot easier to keep track of who bought what if you open after and make a list then

We did not, although I had intended to but by the time we got that far my daughter & the other kids in attendance we're getting so tired & cranky, I said no. A couple of people got their bent out of joint for a moment or 2 but conceded that it made sense. The 1st party was so huge & it was mostly adults so it ended up being more like a family reunion...my favorite part is the cake smooshing so I made sure that was a good photo op! Last year we just went to the zoo with her Godparents & had dinner w/ the grandparents. It's my birthday too, so I get extra say in what we do. I think this year (3) will be the 1st one she's REALLY interested in anyway. Have fun :-)

I think I asked this same question when I was throwing a party for my son's 1st bday. I pretty much got a mixed bag of reponses ranging from its rude to not open the gifts to it's unbearable to sit there watching a kid open his gifts. So basically it ran the gamut. We decided to not open the gifts at the party because my son wasn't that into presents at that age and he would've lost interest and gotten cranky. Plus, as a party-goer, I'm not sure I myself would want to sit there and watch a child opening up dozens and dozens of presents. If it's a party of under 10, I say open the gifts but any more than that, wait for after the party.

We tried to with our son at his first birthday party, but it was a disaster. The other kids wanted to play, our son was getting tired and cranky, and was just plain overstimulated. Now we wait until later that afternoon, after their naps, and still do (daughter just turned 2, son is 3 1/2). Once they are older we will switch and have them open them at the party, but when they are so young it can be difficult.

I have spent a lot of time and money on gifts and I am very disappointed if they don't open them. HOWEVER, if there is a time crunch and someone can't I am even more disappointed when I have never heard again if they got the gift, if they liked it or if it still sits unopened in a closet.I f you don't, thank you cards are wonderful. Just me.

we didn't. our son was 1. he didn't get the gifts or paper at all. When everyone had left, we encouraged him to open a gift and took photos of his efforts, but it took a lot of encouraging and we did most of the opening. the rest we opened after he was asleep, catalogued for Thank you cards, and put most away for the time being so that they could be fresh when introduced later.