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Alyson
Just Said Yes July 2018

Opening gifts at bridal shower?

Alyson, on March 6, 2018 at 6:08 PM

Posted in Parties and Events 43

Hi guys! Wanted to get some opinions and/or ideas for my bridal shower. I have heard a little bit about guests being told not to wrap bridal shower gifts, leaving them just on display and giving more time just to socialize/play games etc. One of my bridesmaids suggested it, and while it seems like a...

Hi guys! Wanted to get some opinions and/or ideas for my bridal shower. I have heard a little bit about guests being told not to wrap bridal shower gifts, leaving them just on display and giving more time just to socialize/play games etc. One of my bridesmaids suggested it, and while it seems like a cool idea, I wouldn't want to offend anyone who wanted to have their gift unwrapped. Are any of you planning to do this? Or does anyone have any ideas of how to make gift unwrapping more exciting or fun for the guests? I know some guests enjoy watching the bride open gifts, but I feel like the majority get bored quickly. Looking for suggestions on how to make things more exciting. Thanks in advance!

43 Comments

  • B
    Dedicated October 2020
    Brooke ·
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    I went to a coworkers bridal shower about a year ago & she did this! She included a cute little note on the bottom of the invite. I don't remember exactly how it went, but I think it was something similar to this:
    "Tradition is changing and showers are too,
    So here’s an idea we’re hoping you do
    Bring your gift without paper or a bag,
    Simply use a bow and the enclosed tag.
    An unwrapped present is just as sweet,
    and will save more time to mingle and eat.
    We’ll display your thoughtful gifts for all to see,
    then relax and honor the Bride-To-Be!"

    As soon as we walked in with our gifts, the wedding party directed us to a table where we wrote our name on a tag & attached it & were able to view what everyone else brought. My other coworkers & I agreed that we liked the idea! I honestly preferred it to sitting there watching someone open a million presents. Other people who weren't able to stay for the whole shower also liked the idea because they were still able to see all the cute & fun gifts she got. It also saves anyone who can't stay from having to pull the bride aside to tell her they have to leave & if she can open their gift before they go. I have a lot of people in my family who are like this, so I was thinking of doing it for my shower & the fact that I hate people staring at me while I open gifts. Having them not wrapped also left a lot more time for the bride-to-be to go around the room & talk to everyone. There were still a few people who wrapped their gifts because they forgot or didn't read it, but it wasn't a big deal. I don't think anyone would get offended because I think it'd be more awkward asking someone to unwrap your gift in front of everyone while everyone else's are already unwrapped. Unless they really want you to be surprised in which case they could always wrap it & have you unwrap it maybe right before the shower starts so it could be displayed with all the other gifts, or after the shower is over.
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  • SnowyBride
    Devoted March 2018
    SnowyBride ·
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    I did this for my shower and it was awesome. I was so much more relaxed because I didn't have to sit there while everyone watched me open a gift. I struggle with having that much attention on me, and being expected to react a certain way. What if I didn't "oohhh" enough over the knife set!? That made my anxiety rise! My shower was so much fun, everyone played games and socialized. It was perfect for me and for my family/friends. My mom wasn't a fan when I first told her that was what I wanted, but when it played out, she was so glad I did it. In my situation at least, guests did want to give us gifts, but more than that, they wanted to spend time with me. Not spending half my shower opening gifts allowed this to happen. It was so successful that my sister in law is now doing the same thing for her shower!

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  • J
    Jennifer ·
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    I recently went to a shower where you did bring your gift unwrapped and they had this company actually log in the gift and display it on the gift table. The firm checked you in before you entered the banquet room and took your gift. If it was wrapped, they unwrapped it outside the room. If you sent your gift to them directly they had that on a little card in a frame. The bride never acknowledged the gifts individually. This was a large shower - 80ish? The firm then packed up the gifts as well MANY people were put off by this.

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