I am wondering the best etiquette for a 2 year old's birthday. I'd like to have a party for my son but is it possible to get around the akwardness of opening gifts in front of all of the guests? We had a fun party last year with friends, & the gift opening was just akward. Some people got him $5 gifts & others bought him much more expensive gifts. We certainly don't care how much someone spends - but opening gifts in front of everyone made us feel so "on the spot" - especially since our son is too young to have much of a vocabulary - we did all of the oohing and ahing & thanking for him.
I've heard of parties where the birthday child opens the gifts after the party but that seems a little wierd. Other suggestions have been to politely ask guests in the invitation to limit their gift to $10 or less - but I'm not comfortable mentioning much about gifts at all - I've always heard that is poor etiquette.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
2007-02-04 13:48:27 · 15 answers · asked by me 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
is this a party with family members and friends? I would say it would be fine to put the presents on a table and open them later, after the party...but are you having an exciting party where people will be occupied the whole time? lilke...you don't have time to open them?
another possibility is to open only presents from other kids...save the grandma, grandpa, auntie and uncle presents for family time!!!
one more suggestion would be to have a donation party...ask that each family bring a $5 donation to x charity. People will bring the donation and some will bring a small gift...your family can still give their gifts later.
2007-02-04 13:53:31 · answer #1 · answered by k t 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You could do a registry with an array of gift suggestions at a variety of prices.
I am not sure what was awkward about gift opening at the last party. If you oohed and ahhed over the five dollar gifts as well at the 50 dollar gifts, it shouldn't have been a problem.
If it's a case of some relatives or friends purposely trying to upstage others, well, that's an issue that can't be resolved at a child's birthday party. Just show equal appreciation for everything, offer guests a piece of cake and coffee or other beverage and that's the most you can do. Everyone knows two year olds aren't going to be the most gracious hosts.
2007-02-04 13:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It used to be that children's birthday parties were just cake and ice cream for a few of their neighborhood friends. Now they seem like an expanded social occasion with themes, clowns, ponies, in unique locations, and may include friends, relatives, neighbors and preschool playmates. Attendees (or their parents) should feel free to spend what they are comfortable spending on a gift--over-the-top for grandparents, the $7-$10 variety for school mates, and every price in between. No need to mention gifts at all in the invitation. But I think everyone enjoys seeing the gift opening. It's the culminating event, after which the kids start playing with the toys and the parents are happy to escape the chaos and go home!
2007-02-04 14:08:30 · answer #3 · answered by Misty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, here's an idea... perhaps you could plan the party with a "children's literature" theme. Decorate the party and cake using character's from classic children's books, and have a comfy "reading corner" set up where someone reads stories to the children instead of having taditional party games.
You can spell it out in the invitation that this is the party's theme, again using characters from books or "book" clip-art, etc... get creative. If it's a theme party like this, I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask that gifts be literary in nature. That way, your child will receive only books -- and it's pretty hard to upstage each other when everyone is bringing the same thing. It would make gift opening less stressful and the best bonus of all is that your son won't end up with an enormous collection of toys he'll quickly outgrow, but instead a huge library of books you can enjoy together for years to come.
2007-02-04 15:07:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When we adopted our son, you can imagine what his first (he was turning 3) birthday with us was like! There were so many gifts that it literally took up all of the space in my living room!
Kids this age don't have the attention span to sit and open all the gifts; they will get bored and move on. Most parents will agree with me on this, having been there, and I am certain they would understand if you choose open the gifts later. I have always done that with both my kids and nobody ever seems to mind. I wouldn't ask people to limit what they can spend(unless it's family, then if you want you can), it's pretty tacky.
Good Luck and don't worry!!
2007-02-04 13:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every party Ive been to this year for 5 and under - has said no gifts on the invite. Relatives and special friends typically give a gift on the side. I think this is a wonderful idea, and will do the same for my two toddlers.
2007-02-04 14:17:44 · answer #6 · answered by lillilou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gift time is just stressful at most parties. When they are young the guest don't understand that they can't open them and they aren't for them.
At my sons last party we just skipped the opening part. We had the party outside and just had the guests place the gifts inside. I made sure I wrote detailed thank you notes letting them know how much we appreciated their coming and thoughtfulness though.
If you aren't comfortable then don't do it. I believe it is all in how you handle it.
Take Care. SD
2007-02-04 13:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by SD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take her a craft store and pick out supplies for a picture frame and a homemade gift bag. Then, help her assemble the frame and bag. On his birthday, you can take a picture of the two of them and print and frame it right away. Two year olds are more excited about giving a gift, rather than the look or quality of the gift so don't worry too much about it being perfect.
2016-05-24 09:28:59 · answer #8 · answered by Shivani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why dont you tell them to donate to a local charity in your son's name? Ive done that for my children before.... We have also had people bring can goods so we coul donate them too. Like someone said before special friends and family will probably bring gifts at another time. I dont think asking for no gifts to be brought is tacky at all.... Some people cannot afford as much as others. Im sure that its not just you that felt awkward. Good luck.
2007-02-04 18:05:31 · answer #9 · answered by SchGrl79 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its kinda rude to invite people to a party where they can't watch your child open the gifts that they took time and picked out for him. cost shouldn't matter either your child doesn't know any difference in prices .If you want to throw a party for him then you'll hafta just deal with it being awkward for you.
2007-02-04 13:57:17 · answer #10 · answered by sweet lady 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋