Advice on avoiding the awkwardness

Have a champagne or two. Lol

Ditto on the alcohol lol. Though I think I maybe had too much during mine because everyone just kept handing me drinks. Remember that everyone is there because they love and support you. And think about the showers you went to. We do it because we are there to support that person. Sure, they are not always the most fun thing, but we enjoy celebrating that person and seeing them happy.

Having your MOH and anyone else close to you sit nearby or "up front" while you open will be helpful. Also, take a break in between some of the gifts to play a game. It will help keep people engaged and it will lighten the mood and hopefully put you at ease. You'll be fine, everyone is there to support and celebrate you!

I don't think it will be as bad as you are fearing. Everybody is going to be excited to see what you got and to see you open their gift. Nobody is going to judge you for your reaction. Just keep a polite smile on while opening, but you don't have to be dramatically over excited.

Yep. Alcohol. My BP set next to me which helped.

My sister is the same way. When I planned her bridal shower, we just didn't open any gifts. The table for gifts was over on the side, so it wasn't the center of attention. We did some fun games (nothing super corny) and everyone got to socialize and enjoy the food. It worked out well and wasn't awkward.

If you are having a shower, you will get gifts. That is the whole point of a shower. Given that it is the whole reason for having a shower, the gifts should be opened. It does not have to be difficult. The guests will be chatting amongst themselves, only looking to see what the gift is after it is unwrapped. Some won't even do that, as they can see the gift when it is passed around.

Have someone close to you sit next to you, so you can chat with them.

If you are uncomfortable opening gifts, you can decline the shower. Have a brunch, luncheon or afternoon tea instead.

We didn't open gifts at the shower. We really didn't have time. I know when people don't do this I am a little sad that I don't get to see them open but then again it takes FOREVER! So my compromise was to invite my family back to the house to open gifts, then I took a photo of me and each gift. I ordered prints of the photos and put them each in the Thank you note.

At the few showers I've been to I didn't pay attention to the gift opening. I was talking with the people at my table and only knew they had opened my gift when I heard them say my name.

I don't like being the center of attention either so I know how you feel but you'll have all eyes on you at the wedding too so this could be good practice.

Alcohol for everybody! And just practice smiling and saying these words: aww thank you! And wow nice! Ok wow! Thanks so much! And you should be fine. Have Moh hand you the gifts and write down what everyone got you to send thank you notes. (If you do thank you notes)

Have someone up there with you to hand you gifts and write down what everyone brought. One of my showers was a couple's shower so H sat up there with me. He hates being the center of attention more than I do, but my sister took the mic and announced everything and made funny jokes so it was wayyy less awkward.

PPs are right drinks for sure. Everyone there cares about you. I'm sure as long as you are appreciative it will be fine. Nobody is expecting a dramatic response.

I am not opening gifts at my shower for a similar reason. I will thank everyone for their gift and open them at home with FH.

My FH will be right next to me, opening gifts. He will help with any awkwardness because he loves being in front of everyone.

Do you have a flower girl or kids invited to the wedding that you like? My flower girl helped me open them so instead of all watching me they were commenting on how cute she is and I just thanked each person.

If you have a sister or close friend coming you can have them sit up there with you. I did that for my sisters bridal and baby showers. We sat on a piano bench and then I was able to hand her gifts also. I also like the idea of having a little kid help you if there's any around. My 3 year old niece who I'm very close to decided to help me and it was adorable. She kept stealing the cards and "reading" them and I would have to grab them back to see who the gift was from.

In my experience most people don't open gifts at showers anymore. I'd do it after the party and send a thank you card.

I went to a shower where it was requested that all gifts not be wrapped and instead be put on a table to be displayed when they arrive. The bride greeted everyone and thanked them effusively for their gifts. I thought it was kind of the best of both worlds. Everyone got the personal thanks and the bride didn't feel put on the spot. Also, gift opening is usually pretty boring. Depending on when you shower is it may be too late for that though.

My 2nd cousins baby shower was "unwrapped" like @Rosered mentioned and I loved it! No one really likes watching people open gifts anyway - that's the most boring part of the shower IMO. Instead we had more time to socialize