I got married last month in Las Vegas. My sister is giving my husband and I a party. This is not a shower, and not an occasion where I am expecting gifts. However, I know that some people may bring gifts. In this instance, do I open the gifts at the party, or should I wait until later? I have heard different perspectives. Some say that you open gifts at a shower, but not at a party. Other people are of the opinion that it is tacky not to go ahead and open the gifts that people bring. I don't want to offend anyone! What is the proper protocol here! Thanks!
2007-09-08 10:34:54 · 11 answers · asked by Anj 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
No, you don't need to open your gifts at the party. In fact, it's best to open them in private.
At a shower, you are expected to shower the person of honor with gifts.
However, not everybody will be bringing a gift to the party, so the occasion doesn't ask for a display of gifts.
2007-09-08 10:44:05 · answer #1 · answered by Lighthouse 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would set aside gift unwrapping time, and explain that you probably won't get to them all, everyone is so generous. {sniff, teary eyes wiped at this point}.. Open the ones from guests who came a long way, or you do not see very often first, or just unwrap at random. Get someone to write it all down for you, I found writing the gift on the back of the card, and then putting the card in with the present to be a great double check system. This way, with a helper,you get to more presents. If your guests let you, it is OK to wait until later, when someone hands you a gift, say Thanks, make a pleased comment, like the wrapping is pretty, that's a huge bow, and take the present ot the gift table.
2016-05-19 22:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by lorrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never seen gifts opened at a wedding reception. Usually they are saved until later. This is especially true where not everyone will be bringing a gift.
Your sister can have a gift table or you or she can take each gift offered, thank the giver and then put the gift out of sight. Either way works for this type of event.
2007-09-08 13:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's not a shower and you are not expecting gifts, open any you receive after the party is done. If you open them during the party, people who did not bring a gift will be embarrassed.
2007-09-08 13:07:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would wait until after the party. Though some people may bring gifts, other won't. It would be uncomfortable to watch gifts being opened for those who didn't think a gift was necessary.
2007-09-08 11:46:19 · answer #5 · answered by dawnb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
taken from http://www.frugalbride.com/dosanddonts.html
You're not required to open your gifts at the reception or in front of anyone.
I don't think you'd have to open them then. If it was a shower, that'd be a different story, but a party is for partying-- you're not at a birthday party or something. I would make sure you have a small spot for guests to put gifts if they're bringing you one, and just make sure you send out thank yous right away!
ETA: plus, if not everyone is bringing gifts, won't it be awkward for them to sit around while you open others? I think it'd be best to do it at home
2007-09-08 11:01:57 · answer #6 · answered by clizzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think if it is obvious that not everyone brought you a gift, better to wait until later to open them. If most everyone did, you can open them.
Time might be an excuse you can use, say, I wish we had time to open the gifts.
And if this is really your wedding reception, you don't have to open the gifts.
2007-09-08 11:00:00 · answer #7 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think it depens on the kind of party it is. if it's more on the formal side, i'd say open them at home and make sure to send thank yous. if it's casual, like at someone's home or backyard,it will probably be just your closest friends and relatives. in that case, open them there.
2007-09-08 11:41:21 · answer #8 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Asians don't open their gift in front of the givers. Americans/Canadians do.
2007-09-09 05:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rip into it as soon as they hand it to you. They want to see your true reaction.
2007-09-08 13:40:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋