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It was not the norm where I raised my kids...I don't know about here yet. But in the southern city we lived in until now, no one ever ever opened gifts at the party and it was considered rude.
Once, when we were having a casual home (but large) party for my son (he was 3 or 4), I decided to let him open his gifts so he and the other kids could play with them. One mom had a major cow and stormed out with her kid, going to toys r us because now her son was insisting he get a gift too (and I gave out nice party favors too).
When I was a kid it was a big part of the birthday party. Games, cake, gifts. That was a party. I think not doing it is missing a great teaching moment for all kids involved (being a gracious gift giver/reciever). But I'm still scared to do it again. Besides the lady who had the cow, a few other parents seemed quite uncomfortable with my decision.
I'm flabbergasted. Why on earth would it be considered rude for the birthday child to open the gifts the friends gave him/her? Part of the fun of the birthday party is seeing the pleasure the kid gets from opening presents. Or did I miss this newest political correctness memo?
You swiped the letters right off my keyboard.
Now it's rude to open gifts at a party? Kids might be traumatized? The sky hasn't fallen yet since we were kids and presents of all sorts, sizes, and prices were given, and a good time was had by all. Sounds like yet another lost opportunity for kids to learn about the meaning of gifts and how a simple "thank you" is always appropriate.
I really don't understand this whole phenomenon. When I was a kid we ALWAYS opened the gifts at the party. As a party-attendee, it was my favorite part. I loved seeing the reaction to my gift and seeing what else the birthday person got. Now, it seems that no one opens up the gifts.
I can understand if the party is at some public place -- a bounce place or something, where it would be hard to keep track of the gifts, and they could get lost or something. But even when the party is at someone's home, no one opens them. I really don't understand the reasoning -- so what if people compare gifts? Teach them it's rude to say something while with the others. Kids have to learn to deal with stuff. People my age seem to have come through just fine, having seen people open birthday gifts.
Wow. All I can think is WTF?????? Her kid insisted on getting a gift? Uhh... How about "No. You're not getting a gift."
OMG.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HighFlyingBird
It was not the norm where I raised my kids...I don't know about here yet. But in the southern city we lived in until now, no one ever ever opened gifts at the party and it was considered rude.
Once, when we were having a casual home (but large) party for my son (he was 3 or 4), I decided to let him open his gifts so he and the other kids could play with them. One mom had a major cow and stormed out with her kid, going to toys r us because now her son was insisting he get a gift too (and I gave out nice party favors too).
... Part of the fun of the birthday party is seeing the pleasure the kid gets from opening presents. Or did I miss this newest political correctness memo?
I agree with you. I think part of giving is seeing the pleasure the person gets from getting the gift.
I am confused with this new wave going on now. I think I missed the memo too.
Now it's rude to open gifts at a party? Kids might be traumatized? The sky hasn't fallen yet since we were kids and presents of all sorts, sizes, and prices were given, and a good time was had by all. Sounds like yet another lost opportunity for kids to learn about the meaning of gifts and how a simple "thank you" is always appropriate.
We're turning kids into pansies in this country.
I have never heard that it's rude, never kids could be traumatized. It's not about turning kid's into pansies. It's about time management. Every parent I have asked because I was confused having seen it done both ways, has said its just about it taking too long. I learned this lesson the hard way at my son's last party. The place we rented only gave us two hours. I figured it was plenty of time. It's not. I found myself hurrying my son along so everyone could get back to swimming. Maybe I'm just cheap but it was expensive for only two hours and I wanted everyone to get as much fun in as possible.
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