Should we open gifts at the b-day party for 4yo or not? Happy UPDATE post #23 - Page 2

[amcal]

I think you're not going to be able to make everyone happy all the time.

If you open gifts at the party, some kids might be bored, your child might be overwhelmed, some kids might be jealous, act out etc...

If you don't open the gifts at the party, some kids might have their feelings hurt.

We don't typically open gifts at the party. But, if a child is leaving at the end of the party and expresses disappointment that their gift wasn't opened, I pull my child aside and have them sit with that child and open the gift privately.

For the most part, I have found that kids are having too much fun to care about the present opening part of the party.

[onyxravnos]

Originally Posted by LuckyMommaToo

do send very nice thank yous, however! You can even snap photos of your DD opening each gift and enclose/email a picture with the thank you.

: my two big hates a small childrens birthday parties are cakes. get cupcakes... no one has to wait and they are all the same so no 'i want the flower, i want the red truck piece etc' and opening the gifts at the party.

i would just mention to all the parents that you wont be opening gifts AT the party and just say why. This is my plan for the next b-day we have as well it's always HORRIBLE and i just refuse to do that this year.

[joy2grow]

The party was two days ago and was a great success! With 11 kids in attendance, we did open the gifts after all and it was no big deal. They all crowded around the table and oohed and ahhed with my b-day girl as each gift was opened. They exclaimed things like "I got that for you", "I hope you like it", and even "That was mine and I didn't want it anymore" LOL

I got a few requests to take toys out of the box, but the "Not at this time" answer was readily accepted. They were all so respectful! All my concerns with the gift process were assuaged - I was so relieved!

Thanks to all of you for weighing in. Reading lots of different opinions helped me work through my feelings & ideas.