I am having an openhouse/ housewarming party today and wanted to know the proper etiquette for opening gifts. We said no gifts on the invitations, but if someone does bring something, should I wait until after the party to open it, or should I open it as they are coming in the door?
Also, if I receive a bottle of wine, do I open it to share with everyone?
Thanks
2007-04-14 07:14:38 · 14 answers · asked by Mandy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Be very diplomatic about it. When handed a bottle of wine say "Should I open this now?" They may tell you no no, that's for saving. Problem solved. As far as a gift, put it on a table and say something like you'll open it later you have to get back to the kitchen, whatever. See what the response is. If it's an only gift, invite them to the kitchen to open it so as not to flaunt it in front of people who didn't bring one. Make light of it, like "I love this, can't wait to use it! But I'm going to keep it here so nobody feels bad." They'll totally understand. Then send a thank you note telling them what you first did with it. (Candle, towels, kitchen stuff, whatever.) They'll know it's appreciated and you appreciated the guests' feelings. Or at least they should.
2007-04-14 08:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've only been to one wedding where the bride and groom opened presents and it was a BIG wedding, very time consuming and honestly quite boring for some guests after a while, especially for the children among the crowd. If you do decide to do this, have something else going on as well like a dessert buffet or some upbeat music, or something that people can wander back and forth from when they feel the need. My fiance and I are just going to open gifts up when we're at home together, it'll feel like Christmas morning times ten! I'm really excited! If people are really interested in seeing what we got, they can come over and share a nice meal with us to give us an excuse to use all of our new things.
2016-05-19 23:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait until later in the evening.
Chances are that if you specified "no gifts" on the invite, that means that not everyone listened. (Some will bring gifts, some won't.) Therefore, you should wait it out and see who brings what. There might be a lot of cards, and only 1 gift, and that would be awkward.
So, my suggestion is to wait it out and if it looks like everyone brought something, go ahead and have that be an activity after dinner.
But, if only a few bring something, then you should set them on a table and when they leave, thank them for coming (you could mention that they didn't need to bring something, etc or just wait for the thank you).
Later, when you open the gifts/cards, you should write a thank you note. It would be nice to write a thank you to everyone who came to your open house, as a courteous gesture. (not just those who brought a gift)
2007-04-16 03:04:02 · answer #3 · answered by 2sweet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't open any gifts until after the party. If you want to share a bottle of wine given by a guest, do so without announcing it's a gift in order not to embarrass those who didn't bring any gifts. It is not a rule that you need to share the bottle of gift wine.
2007-04-14 22:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You choose - I would open gifts later and then send a letter (or even an email) the next day.
Never use the wine received on the night - make the recipient think that you are keeping it for a special occasion (they will appreciate this). If you have said "no gifts" ask the donor(s) to which of your favorite charities they would like it sent.
2007-04-14 07:43:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it more polite to just accept the gift privately, if nobody else has brought one. On the other hand if it is from someone you aren't that familiar with, I would ask that person if he/she would like you to open it now, or later. As for a bottle of wine, I have no idea. Sorry.
2007-04-14 07:55:11 · answer #6 · answered by ShelBell28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wine I would share. Open gifts after the fact.
2007-04-14 07:29:52 · answer #7 · answered by mimegamy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question!
I would open the wine - to share with everyone. The gifts I would wait til everyone has left. That way you can open them when your comfortable and don't have to pretend you like a distasteful gift. It will also help to write down what gifts you got from who for thank you cards later on.
2007-04-14 07:26:29 · answer #8 · answered by kiwinky 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A bottle of wine can be shared, if it goes with the food being served. Rest of the gifts can wait till you are alone.
2007-04-14 07:43:53 · answer #9 · answered by P'quaint! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
keep all gifts including the wine for opening at a later time.
2007-04-14 08:33:59 · answer #10 · answered by bernel1403 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋