Opening gifts in front of everyone?

Yeah, this is typically the major entertainment at showers. It's one of the reasons we declined having a shower.

Have you never attended a shower before? Yes, you do this. It is polite to open gifts that people spent time purchasing for you.

Part of me says I don't want to open gifts in front of everyone, because it feels so awkward and makes me cringe, too. But then I think about how much I love giving gifts, and how much I love watching people open gifts I've put a lot of thought/effort in to- it makes me so happy!

However, I don't think it's rude to choose not to open gifts in front of everyone. I feel like I'm hearing this as a more and more common option. I'm not totally sure if it's against "etiquette," but I know I wouldn't be upset if I didn't have to sit and watch a bride open gifts. It'd give you more time to talk with your guests!

ETA: Googled it, my gut feeling was wrong- open them at the shower!

Yep. And you drink alllll the wine during.

Yes it's boring to sit through but oh well lol

Lots of people like to see their gift being opened and appreciated

I've been to showers where the gifts were not opened and I thought it was great! The bride seemed more relaxed and able to chat more. I don't know what will be happening at my showers, I'll leave that up to my hosts.

Snarky is on point- I had 2 glasses before I started opening.

Oh man I didn't think about this... Ehhhh I don't like the idea either!!

Maybe you should have a few drinks first!!!!

I am not a huge fan of the gift opening part of showers when I've attended. I don't think most people are. I'm still going to open all the gifts next weekend at my shower because that's what you do at a shower. Not opening them is seen as rude.

I'm not a fan of this either.. I've dreaded every single shower I've ever gone to (bridal and baby) and I cringe at the thought of making people have to sit through that because I know how much I hate it. I'll probably suck it up though and just open them since it's "proper."

Thankfully we're having a small wedding so there won't be too many gifts to open and more time to socialize.

I've heard of people requesting bringing the gifts already unwrapped to baby showers, but I've never heard of it being done for bridal showers so I'm not sure if that's even a thing or okay to do

I think it would come off as rude if they weren't opened. You don't have to make a scene every time you open a gift, just keep it genuine! A smile and a thank you to the person who gave it to you will be enough.

*edited for spelling.

I don't like opening gifts either. I requested "go green" and have the guests not wrap the gifts. So instead I just had to open the card and hold up the gift and say thank you. Cut the time in half and everyone could see and knew. It was way better, faster and less awkward.

It's polite! People, especially the olds, enjoy this. Drink the mimosas!

My first bridal shower (thrown by FH's aunts, so most of the guests will be his side of the family with the exception of my mother, grandmother, and aunt/godmother) is on Sunday and my anxiety about being the center of attention while opening presents is starting to weigh on me. I'm definitely not looking forward to that part, but I know it's expected so I've got to suck it up and do it!

I assume I will probably open them. I've never been to a shower where someone didn't. But I am leaving it up to the hosts to decide what we do.