First Birthday Party

[Dewdrop]

Our family was invited to a child's first birhday party. I was so excited because it was the first birthday party that my baby was ever invited to (my baby is only an infant). The party was good. There was food, swimming and cake. Our family plus a few other families were waiting for the birthday child to open the presents. We were waiting, waiting waiting...there's nothing like watching a child open up presents for the first time. The kids wanted to see the child open up the presents they gave him... finally, the mother of the birthday child said, "If you all are waiting for "child" to open up the birthday presents, then you'll be waiting a long time so BYE! We are opening them tomorrow!"

I thought it was disappointing and rude! And only some kids got party bags!
What do you all think about this?

[code3claw]

Not every family opens the gifts at the party. I know many people who wait until the next day, or the child's actual birthday (if the party is on a different day) to open the gifts. Sometimes it's just easier for the parents not to deal with the whole presents and clean up at the party. Also, a 1 year old would take forever to open the gifts.

It's not rude, it's just a different way of doing things.

[Dewdrop]

the child's actual birthday was a week before the party and the way she made her statement was rude. ... So BYE! you say that to your guests?

[freckles]

How exciting and you probably took special care to pick a good present. If the party was at a rented venue, like a bouncy place, then the parents are probably pressed for time so they opted to open presents at home. We always make room for opening presents and thank our guests respectfully. At my one year olds party, we had our older kids open them, oh well, he did not have a clue anyway!

[Dewdrop]

not a rented venue.... it was their house.
It did take a lot of time to pick a good present. I wasn't the only mother who felt this way.

[Dewdrop]

code3claw,
noone expects a 1 year old to open up his or her presents without the help of the parents or siblings. Also, the guests were helping clean up the party every step of the way.

[RImommy]

I do find that rude... not that presents weren't opened, but the way she said it. She could have politely mentioned it when you gave her the gift, or explained when she saw everyone waiting that they decided for whatever reason to open gifts the following day and thank everyone in advance - not say "so bye". And yes, if you are going to have party bags, every child should get one.