No unwrapping of gifts at the shower?

Doesn't bother me either way

I vote for no unwrapping, perhaps have more games to fill up that time. If the older ladies ask, explain that you're wanting to free up time for socializing.

Or you can compromise with opening a few gifts between games. Think I saw something like that discussed once.

I put a lot of thought into my gifts so I love it when it gets opened and everyone goes " ahhhhhhhhhh" if it was just sitting on a table some people might not even see it.

Some people don't like games. The woman who planned my first shower told me flat out that she doesn't do games. I was fine with that. My shower was a very elegant luncheon at a country club. We had a nice lunch, my dad gave a little speech (he just showed up for his moment) and then I opened gifts. Without gift opening it would've been weird.

I think it could be a good idea though. I feel a little weird with people staring at me while I open gifts. I hate having to be conscious of my reaction, so I'd be fine with no gift unwrapping.

That's the only part of showers I like... and people like to be recognized for the gift they get you. Makes them feel all special.

I like the suspense of watching someone open gifts, especially my gift to them. I like to Trojan Horse my small boxes in bigger boxes and fill them with newspaper. It may be annoying to those watching but it makes it so much fun for the recipient!

I personally like unwrapping, and watching people unwrap gifts. That's the fun part for me. It is a waste of paper though...

I like to watch people unwrap gifts.

hope I don't upset anyone, but from what I've heard from store clerks, the big reason why many people request that the presents not be wrapped is because then it makes it easier for the recipient to return them to the store!

that may not be the case in every situation, but sounds like it's the reason that some are doing it.

I can only speak for myself, but if I have a baby shower in the future, I would also ask for unwrapped gifts, because I get bored to death watching people open gifts and I hate opening gifts in front of other people and I do not want to do it. I tried avoiding it at our co-ed shower and was forced to do so awkwardly because the guest wanted. No fun, as the giver or receiver.

Though, if people buy what you registered for, easy returns wouldn't make sense. Off registry gifts I could see.

I felt like a kid on Christmas at my shower. That's also the part everyone kept asking when we were going to do. You only get to do it once, for me anyway.

My shower is this weekend (yes, I know about it, and I know some details lol). What my girls are doing is while I'm unwrapping gifts, occasionally they will be pulling names from a hat and giving away things to whoever they pull. We went to Bath and Body Works during their Semi-Annual Sale and bought a bunch of nice things to make "themed" giveaways, like a "kitchen", "aromatherapy", "beach day" etc.

As a guest, I personally don't care when people are unwrapping gifts. It's either that awkward silence until the "oooh" and "ahhhh" or everyone is just talking amongst themselves and ignoring the bride. As the soon to be bride, I don't want that attention so it'll be unwrapped.

The main issue I could see with no wrapped gifts is how do you know who gave you what? I won't lie, I LOVE wrapping presents, but I HATE opening them in front of everyone. It's super awkward and everyone is staring at me, especially this past weekend when it was the shower FH's family put on for me. I was trying to remember who everyone was and look at them to thank them for the gift.

Thanks for the input. I think im going to go with unwrapping the gifts at the shower but i'll be quick about it and not drag it out for hours.

I've been to two bridal showers (besides my own) and I can honestly say the unwrapping of gifts was exciting for 5 minutes. I guess I don't really get the idea of unwrapping gifts in front of everyone and showing everyone what you got. I felt a little awkward about it at my shower. I was kinda like, no one cares what I got, we just want champagne.

You only get so many showers, so if you are the type that likes to open gifts in front of people, you only get this chance a few times in your entire life. If you are the type to avoid the spotlight, displaying your gifts would be best. Personally, this is the first time in my entire life that i get the spotlight all to myself, so im milking the hell out of it. This is the first time that my sister getting pregnant, or getting married, or something similar wont overshadow my day.

I enjoyed the unwrapping of gifts at my shower. During the one shower (I had 2), before I opened each gift, my MIL asked me a question about DH. If I got it wrong, I had to chew a piece of bubble gum and keep chewing until I had unwrapped all the gifts. Luckily I only got 3 wrong of about 20 questions. It was something different.

I like the part of watching people unwrap... I feels nice to see them so happy

@Tiffany - MIL had such a cute idea!!! lol

My shower was this weekend and I was surprised by how many people pulled up chairs and seemed interested in what I was opening. I also got compliments on how I went through the huge amount of gifts so quickly. My advice..if your going to unwrap gifts, make it fun and snappy!