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birthday party present opening

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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41523
Printed Date: 26 August 2025 at 11:19am
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Topic: birthday party present opening
Posted By: LG
Subject: birthday party present opening
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 11:19am
What does everyone do at their kids birthday parties about present opening?
Its been birthday party season for DD1's friends and at each party the kids have gotten into present frenzy and ripped open all the presents without really looking at whats inside (as all kids do i guess?)
Its DD1s birthday party this weekend and im not sure what to do. We've asked people not to bring gifts but i know both of our families have presents for her.
Do you try and get them to open them as they arrive, or try ration them out, let them have the frenzy or take them home and open them later?


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Angel Baby Aug '12, Feb '13



Replies:
Posted By: Stoked
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 11:42am
The present frenzy bothers me as well, even as an adult.(ETA, watching adults open presents all at one makes me uncomfortable). People want to see their presents opened - how about you ask them to hold on to the present and DD1 has to go and ask them if she can open the present? That way it will slow down the frenzy and she'll have an understanding of who the present was actually from?

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http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 1:27pm
That is a good idea I would either get them to open it with that person when they've arrived or just after. So you know who got it for them & they can see that it's been looked at.


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Kel
http://lilypie.com">

A = 01.02.04   &   C = 16.01.09   &   G = 30.03.12


Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 1:40pm
We let our kids open there presents from each person as they arrive,...but once tonnes of people start arriving at once we usually have them set the presents aside on a table then get the child to open them with us after the cake, so we can see what they get and who its from and thank the person. We also have one of us ready with a pen and selotape to stick the card with the present once its opened so we can remember what was from who later on, or to write on a peice of paper who gave what.


Posted By: blondie_2010
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 2:36pm
At my DS's 1st birthday we didn't let him open the presents as it would have created a frenzy as there were LOADS of kids...I wanted to be able to thank people for their gifts so we opened them together in the evening so that we could write little thank you notes that included the specific gift. I guess at future smaller birthdays I would let him open them but certainly not at big celebration birthdays IYKWIM.


Posted By: Orca1
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 4:05pm
It can get crazy at times! We usually do present opening after the cake, just before its time for everyone to go home. The thing I find the hardest is the other kids "helping" with the opening, thats when things can really get out of control! It is nice to open the gift in front of the person giving it but sometimes I think it would be easier to open them once everyone has left!

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DD born 2008
Oct 2009, April 2010, Dec 2010, June 2011
7 x IVF/ICSI/PGD = BFN


Posted By: pumpkino
Date Posted: 08 February 2012 at 7:51pm
The last few birthdays we have been to the presents weren't opened during the party (unless it happened after we left, which is possible as we had to leave slightly early both times).

At DS's birthday recently (turning 2) we did open presents as people arrived but it was a pretty small and casual affair with people coming in dribs and drabs so it worked. I don't think I would do it the same way if there were loads of kids, it could get ugly!!


Posted By: tigger,roo
Date Posted: 09 February 2012 at 12:30pm
since ds and i share the our birthdays, we let him open his presents from friends as they arrive - we try to limit chn numbers. and ask family or whoever is coming to family t to wait and bring their presents then. my mum normally comes to his kids party and she makes sure she arrives early to give him 1 present. my sister lets her son give him a present at his party but keeps hers til t time. also my best friend is on hand to write down who gave what.

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http://lilypie.com">

http://lilypie.com">

Angels - March'11, Nov '10, May '10


Posted By: kelzie_rose
Date Posted: 09 February 2012 at 3:09pm
Yea I don't think taking pressies home to open will work as people want to see their gifts opened.

I agree with opening them one at a time, as people arrive.

Mainly because I get embarrassed opening a bunch of pressies in front of a big group of people, and simultaneously want to see what I've been given RIGHT AWAY! :D

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Started TTC Apr 2008
With PCOS and a bicornuate uterus

Our angel babies
Jan 2010 <3
Oct 2010 <3
Apr 2011 <3


Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 09 February 2012 at 8:23pm

For younger babies/toddlers I normally have 1 big present opening session after the kids have had a feed (sometimes while the guests are eating the cake). For the older ones I have found at most parties the kids tend to open the presents staight away

 

I personally prefer just the 1 present opening session but for preschoolers (who are already hyped up and excited) it can be quite hard to wait.



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Mum to
Ella (5) and Tom (2)


Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 09 February 2012 at 9:28pm
We have done the whole; Wait until cake gets cut and while we dish cake out the kids open the presents in front of all the guests.

And also done the right as they bring the gift to you to open it and get a photo taken with the person and the gift. That way you know who gave what and it makes a great thank you card. (sent the photo as a thank you card to the person)

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http://lilypie.com">

http://lilypie.com">


Posted By: LG
Date Posted: 09 February 2012 at 9:37pm
Taking a photo with the person and gift is a great idea! We will try do that and open them as people arrive to keep track of everything.
I was going to do the cake at the start to make sure it gets eaten so she wouldnt have to wait too long to open them all after that

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Angel Baby Aug '12, Feb '13



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