Not opening gifts at a bridal shower

It was in my first post that I said my perception of the "I'm too bored to open presents" was that it sounded like the kind of thing a "bratty 13-year old" would do (and, I know all too well about bratty 13-year olds because I used to have one...). I said then, and I stand by it now, that I was not calling you self-centered or bratty or anything else, I just told you how I, as a detached stranger, would interpret the behavior. Wouldn't you rather know how others might perceive it if you choose not to open their gifts at the party then find out later people's feelings were hurt or they were offended? Compared with a lot of posts on this forum, I think this thread has been incredibly civil. But, if I offended you, I'm sorry for that. My wish that you have a lovely shower was sincere.

Honestly I think that if you have a shower then you should at least open the gifts in front of those who attended. As a guest I enjoy watching the expression of the bride when she opens the gift and I think it is rude not to open them.

So I'm going to be the weird one here. In the last 2 years I haven't been to a shower where gifts were opened (and I've been to more than I would ever want to go to) Until I joined this forum I didn't realize that it was a thing that was still done outside of girls who wanted to be all 'OHHH, LOOK WHAT I GOT'. I guess it is still commonplace in a lot of areas but I'm of the opinion it is overrated and no one wants to watch you open the gifts anyways.

No one is ripping you to shreds. They are giving sound etiquette advice. Open your gifts. It is the point of a shower. I am going to take time off from work, or re-arrange my Saturday or Sunday to be there, shop, buy and wrap a gift that I am excited to give you and you can't be bothered to open it because you are "bored"? Please let me know beforehand so I can politely decline your shower.

Look, you are on an Etiquette forum board - the vast majority of people are telling you to open the gifts. Open them, be gracious and say thank you.

Honestly, I agree. I don't enjoy watching the bride open gifts for two hours that she already knew she was getting because she chose them for her registry. I personally don't need the satisfaction of seeing you open the gift I got you. I got it from the kindness of my heart and don't need to see you light up in front of my face. Just knowing I got you something you needed and will help you start your new life is enough for me. Skip the gift opening. But this is my opinion. Most people don't agree.

I have been to big and small bridal showers and I've never seen anyone open gifts for two hours. That's just ridiculous and I apologize if it was sarcasm that I just didn't read into.

I didn't want to open gifts at my bridal shower because I wasn't comfortable with people watching me fiddle with wrapping paper and ribbons. But I also knew that the entire point of a shower is to shower me with gifts so the least I could do is appreciate it.

I had one bridesmaid passing me wrapped gifts and taking unwrapped ones from me, another picking up the trash that I tossed aside, and another one sitting off to the side writing what I got and who it was from. Because they knew how I felt and were helping me, it was a very quick and painless process at the end of the shower, everyone got to watch, and right after that I was able to say my thank you's to everyone coming and for everyone who put it together since the attention was on me anyway.

Your guests come to share their care about you, time and generosity. It is a happy occasion, so making your guest happy is part of having a shower. Opening gifts is like sharing a small bit of the excitement and the "new Life" you are beginning, either wedding or baby. I vote open the gifts.

Elizabeth

There's something to be said for the tradition of the bridal shower. It's a great way to get to know the bride and her friends before the big wedding. Here are some tips on how to plan a bridal shower.

Do what you're comfortable with, but people DO want to see you excited about what they got you! While you should do whatever you want because it's your day, I always try to keep in mind that these people (friends, family, etc) have done so much for me. My parents helped pay for my wedding, my friends got dressed up all nice and took the day to come celebrate me WITH GIFTS at my shower, etc etc. The least I can do is indulge them with some gift opening!