A Baby Shower... without Opening the Presents?

on May 6, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Photo by bam61907; loot from her recent shower, post-gift opening!

Hi, everyone! We've got Alison Neumer Lara, from Ideal Bite's Mama Bite, here today for a visit....

I recently attended my first ever "display" baby shower - that is, a baby shower where no one wrapped their gifts and instead, displayed them on a table - and I've got to say...it's brilliant.

The mom-to-be, my sister-in-law Janet, got the idea from attending a huge shower with 100+ guests where time just didn’t allow for opening every gift.

At Janet’s own shower, she spent time socializing with friends and family, and enjoying the party, instead of unwrapping present after present. We all had a better time (forget gushing over blankets and booties!), plus no one needed to run around with a garbage bag picking up wrapping paper and bows. (Check out Ideal Bite’s tip on setting up a display shower.)

If you do need to wrap presents, try to pick up some recycled gift wrap. There are plenty of lovely options (Fish Lips designs are great), and it saves a few trees. Another alternative: Sidestep stuff altogether, and opt for an experience gift, like a ticket to a concert or a spa day certificate. An excuse for an eco pedicure? I’ve got to say…that’s brilliant, too.

+++

What do you think? Do you like the idea of a display baby shower? Would you have one?

Filed Under: baby prep, baby showers

Comments (36)

tweetyfan

on May 6, 2009 at 12:21 PM

Dang i wish my cousin's family would have done this a couple of weeks ago ... she spent an 1 hour just opening presents and passing them around ... Boring ....

Report this comment

ThePearl128

on May 6, 2009 at 12:43 PM

What a great idea!!!

We went to a baby shower last weekend (not just for ladies, but everyone) and not only did they not have the time to open the gifts, but mommy-to-be felt 'embarassed" about sitting in front of everyone opening the gifts.

I love, too, that you're not wasting paper!!

lilmomma995

on May 6, 2009 at 12:44 PM

LOVE THIS IDEA

AMsMommy212

on May 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM

I think it's a great Idea! Im going to suggest it to a friend who's shower is coming up next month!

amy068

on May 6, 2009 at 1:03 PM

I think its a great idea, I spent over an hour opening gifts, between that and greeting people I didnt really get to truly visit with people at my shower. And I hate being the center of attention so it was hard to be up in front of everyone opening gifts.

eykelley

on May 6, 2009 at 1:10 PM

My BFF and I are having a joint baby shower! (next year, we're both trying to get PG this winter) and I think this would be a GREAT idea! Have two tables, one for each of us, and have the present displayed. I am a HUGE Eco friendly person, so I like the no wrapping thing! Plus if their displayed right, whoever whats to see what was given can see when they want, not at a designated time. Huge time saver too! YAY!!

peppermintmocha

on May 6, 2009 at 1:15 PM

I love this idea!

Jo-Anna

on May 6, 2009 at 1:28 PM

I think it's a fantastic idea and would absolutely do this.

J9Mommy

on May 6, 2009 at 1:29 PM

This would have been great for a friend of mine. She has tons of friends/family and seriously she spent OVER 3 hours opening presents. That is not even an exaggeration. She had so many duplicate items to it was crazy. That was the first shower where I saw someone get 3 baby monitors.

Mrs.Cullen

on May 6, 2009 at 1:43 PM

Well honestly I personally would have loved to not open the preasents at my showers, it took so long and everyone just sits there like ok come on.. But I don't know, I would feel bad if my guests got upset because I didn't notice theyre gift in particular. By opening your gifts one at a time you give that personal attention to each guest even if you can't get to certian people when your mingeling in the party. I don't know on this one..