I have 1 year old twins and I am having their party this weekend. I am wondering if they have to open their gifts at the party or is it ok to wait until after the guests leave to open them. I don't see them being very interested and with 2 of them I might spend more time chasing them then actually opening gifts. Thanks for the help.
As a gift giver I like to see people's reaction when they open the gifts. At this age the parents are really who we buy the gifts for. A cute outfit or a unique toy. It robs the giver of that "happy giving feeling" if you don't unwrap the gift. I enlisted the help of all the children at my sons first birthday and it really made it fun. Make it quick though. Don't try to save paper or bags or tissue. Get straight to the point and have fun!
My son is two, and we do NOT open the gifts at the party. None of our friends do either and thier children range from 1-4. It is too hectic, and no one enjoys it. The other kids get antsy, and the parents gat frustrated. I am not sure why anyone would encourage you to open the gifts at the party. It is a very BAD idea!! We always open them the morning after, then send out our Thank You cards!
Good lunch with whatever you decide!!
I asked this exact same question on here and get a very strong response that the gifts had to be opened. I ended up opening about 30 gifts and my baby played with the paper. It ended up being gret fun and got some really cute pictures. If you start opening and it becomes to crazy, move on to the cake. Everyone will understand. Happy Birthday!
I may be one of the few who think this but I think the gifts should be opened at the party. Have your husband and family members help. You and your hubby could each open with the kids and enlist the help of family or a close friend to grab the trash and another to take pictures. We were recently at a party of a 4 year old and when time ran out (party was at a Gymnastics center) the Mom announced they would open the presents later. My 4 year old was really upset, as she already puts a lot of thought into picking out a gift for her friends, and loves to see them open it. I have noticed her friends also get very excited watching her open THEIR gifts. Just a thought to keep in mind if you will have older kids attending. When your kids have had enough you and your hubby quickly open the rest or enlist the help of the older kids at the party.
My twins will be 2 in Nov. For there 1st birthday, we had a huge family party and our son and the cousins helped open the presents. The twins had a ball with the paper and bows and the big kids loved helping. My husband and I each had a twin and we had other people take pictures and make the list of gifts/givers. If the party is at someone's home, I think presents should be opened. I don't think it is necessary at places like Chuck E Cheeses because there is too much noise and the kids are more interested in playing.
Whatever you decide will be fine. Have fun!!! Congratulations on making it through the first year with twins. Twins are lots of work but they are tons of fun, too!
It's totally okay to just wait till after the party to open the gifts. It's funny because as the host of the party, I prefer doing that but as a gift giver, I really like to be there to see ther child open it. However, that only applies when the kid is old enough to react to the gift. Kids 3 and under I think it is totally okay to do the gifts without the guests. I know I always did it that way. My son just turned 4 and this year was the first time that we opened the gifts at the party. We would set up two chairs and my son would sit inone and open his gifts and each other child would take turnes sitting in the chair next to him when their present was being opened. It makes them fee special!
All of the parties I took my daughter too last year 3& under--did not open gifts at the party--but in the thank you notes I sent out for her party I took a picture of her holding her gift from each person and sent it in a thank you note--the moms really loved that---I had no idea it was being done that way now but other moms said it was liek that at most parties til the kids were about 5
My girls are 2 and soon to be 4. I stopped opening gifts at the party after my oldest's first birthday. I personally think it is hard for them to enjoy them at the party. It is more pleasant to open them gradually later. It is also not very entertaining for the other children, in my opinion. Just my two cents! :-) Congratulations to YOU!! That first year of parenthood is a real celebration for you, as well. Enjoy the day!
Warmly,
A.
after realizing my daughter was going to take forever opening presents at her first birthday, we asked her cousins to help out (age 2-4). we had a family only party, so there weren't tons of kids running around or anything. they had a blast and it actually wasn't crazy. we also saved some of my mom's gifts for later. i say do give it a try and if opening presents is too hectic, then move on. at most of the parties we've been to the kids have not opened presents because they were too busy playing and nobody was offended. enjoy your twin's first birthday!!!
