Not really MM re: bridal shower

blondie42107 · May 2014

My cousin is engaged and we are very excited for them. However, I just found out that his fiancee plans to have a bridal shower but doesn't plan to open gifts. I guess she doesn't like opening gifts in front of others. I'm usually really flexible and understanding of others but now I find myself wondering if it's worth traveling a few hours to attend. I can't see it lasting very long with not opening gifts.

FWIW, both have large families so easily in close family (cousins, aunts) they'll be 40+ people there. Because we have such a large family, baby and bridal showers are never a small, intimate afair.

hoffse · May 2014

Honestly this is a trend that annoys me. That's the entire point of a shower - that the bride or mom-to-be opens gifts and people get to oooh and aaah over it.

I would be inclined to send something but wouldn't bother attending.

jessica490 · May 2014

That is wierd! I was terrified of openeing gifts in front of everyone (some were lingerie) but I just did it anyway. I had my sis and friend sit right next to me to I didn't feel like the total center of attention.

I've been to a kids birthday party before for a friend and they never opened the kids gifts either. I don't know much about kids b-days but I was bummed that I didn't get to see her expression when she opened the gifts we got her...O well, I guess it's different for everybody.

vlagrl29 · May 2014

That's weird and inconsiderate. I don't think I would bother going, but I would still send a gift.

SmrBrd2012 · May 2014

I just went to a shower like this last month. Gifts were not opened but they were displayed on the tables. The invite had said not to wrap gifts so everyone can see what everyone else got. I guess this sort of works with very large bridal showers where opening all the presents starts to get old after awhile. The other reasoning is that it gives the bride more time to interact with guests. The shower ended up being fine but I did kind of miss the bride's reaction to things that she received. I don't particularly care for this method but I wouldn't let it stop me from going...

formerlyGDaisy09 · May 2014

that's weird. I too had a strong dislike for opening things in front of people...however, I put on my big-girl panties and dealt with it because that's what my friends and family at the party to support me (and shower me with gifts) wanted.

Xstatic3333 · May 2014

Ditto PPs; I'd send a gift but wouldn't go. Not a fan of this trend. If people don't want to open gifts they should call it a bridal luncheon, not a shower.

maple2 · May 2014

I am clearly in the minority, but I wouldn't care if there was gift opening or not as long as there were other activities to make it worth your time to drive there. I recently attended a bridal shower that did not include present opening. There was a great lunch provided and other activities to help people from different parts of the bride's life get to know each other. I had a good time for a few hours at the shower, and it made the actual wedding even more fun because I felt like I knew more of the people there. I agree that it would be unusual, but as I have already learned on this board I an much less concerned with protocol and etiquette than others so it wouldn't bother me.

Erikan73 · May 2014

If you will get a chance to see & visit with family & friends that you don't get to see very often, I would consider making the trip. Else, order something from her registry & have it shipped straight to her.

Not really MM re: bridal shower

Re: Not really MM re: bridal shower

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