Opening Presents During the Party or Wait?

I like to watch the kids open the gifts during the party. It always seems to be done at the end of the parties we've had or have been to. It also seems like it gives the people who are ready to leave a chance to go ahead and go. Its kind of like the ending to a party. Just have everything done and let your son open them to end to the party.

Let the kids and their parents eat their cake while the presents are being opened. While the birthday child should get the first piece, he/she can choose to eat it then or postpone it to get into the presents. Their hunger level rules.

I suggest the child opens it, the parent helps explain what it does, and then tells them who to go hug and thank for it.

The last party we went to, the child got very little sleep the night before and was uncharacteristically sullen and anti-social. That wasn't comfortable for anyone!

Open during the party, people like to see that your child was happy with the gift they chose. Besides, it may be boring for the adults but it's always fun for the little kids to see what their buddy gets. Have fun, my DS turns 4 Nov.2nd so we're in the planning process as well.
Take care!

Our children have their birthdays all within weeks of each other so we have one BIG party for them. In the invitation I include a note that says because of the time and confusion it would create we would not be opening presents at the party. This way the children attending will know beforehand that the presents will not be opened at the party. (They always seem to wait for that moment). Be sure to send Thank You cards so that the kids know that their gift was appreciated.

By the way if you need any entertainment for your party, my husband and I are professional Clowns living in Anna. We offer facepainting, balloon sculptures, comedy magic shows, Glitter Art Tattoos (these are great since they stay on for 5-7 days), friendship bracelets, along with fun interaction and games. We've entertained at birthday parties and large events like the Plano Balloon Festival.

Our prices are very reasonable (we have four great kids of our own so we know how expensive things can get)and we do our best to work within a person's budget.

Please feel free to take a look at our website at www.freewebs.com/bubblesandwowza for samples of our work.

Give us a call at ###-###-#### if you have any questions at all.

Hope you have a great party whatever you decide to do.

Hope to hear from you,
K. Schmidt
Bubbles the Clown
Bubbles and Wowza, LLC

I've done it both ways and I think I prefer opening them after. My son just had his 4th bday and opened presents. I had lectured him on thank you's and not saying anything negative. Well there was one present that he said how do you turn it on and I said " we will put batterys in it later" The toy wasn't suposed to turn on. It was just a toy that you use your imagination. Last year we opened them after everyone had left and it was easier to get the right name with the present for thank you notes. I also included a picture of their child at the party. A group picture of all the kids is easy. Play it by ear and do what works best for you.

I think that the presents should be opened either before or most likely after cake... I have a four year old daughter and now a 3 month old son. At every party i have ever been too or have thrown for my daughter we always open presents at before cake... But its up to you some people might find it weird and offensive if you dont have the child open presents at the party.

Thanks for this post - it was very interesting for me to see how many people feel strongly about opening the presents during the party. I've always kind of been in the opposite camp and it never occurred to me I might offend someone - next time I'll remember that!