Post # 1
Member
209 posts
Helper bee
Hello Ladies,
I was thinking… For my bridal shower, I will most likely have about 70 people (Big family on Fiance side, big bridal party, work friends etc etc) .
So I do NOT want to open up all of those gifts and have everyone be bored just sitting there doing nothing… Ive been in that situation and it isnt fun!
Has anyone had there gifts clear wrapped?
and when you sat down, how did it work?
They gave you the gifts one by one , said outloud who its from and
what it was then on to the next one? LOL I have no idea.
Please let me know ! 🙂 thanks !
Post # 4
Member
209 posts
Helper bee
Give or take — Thats how many will be invited… but Im sure itll drop to about 50-60 attending… I cant help it !! lol We have big families — I also have step families since my parents are divorced .. its crazy…
But anyways, about the clear gift routine anyone?????
Post # 5
Member
13901 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Honestly, if I received an invitation that said to “clear wrap gifts,” I’d be confused and probably wrap it normally. Half the fun of a shower is opening presents. I think juut picking it up and saying “oh, this is from Susie” then moving on is weird.
Post # 6
Member
47457 posts
Honey Beekeeper
If you have that many friends, family and co-workers who would be attending a shower, I would ask the potential hostesses to break into smaller groups.
Watching while 70 gifts are opened is boring and to not open them would be rude in my opinion. I would be offended if I spent time and money to buy you a shower gift and you did’;t even open it. It also would not leave any time for games or socializing.
Post # 7
Member
1318 posts
Bumble bee
@Stina11287: I wouldn’t stress too much until closer to the shower (if the date by your name is the correct wedding date). A lot of people don’t go to showers… My friend’s shower had over 100 invited and about 30 came… My shower (for my very small wedding) was about 12 people… You could ask that they be unwrapped, as asking people for specific wrapping may annoy some people who are already going out of their way to get a gift and come to your shower.
Post # 8
Member
2157 posts
Buzzing bee
I don’t think you can dictate how the gifts are wrapped. I went to a co-ed shower once that requested that gifts weren’t wrapped. But there was no acknowledgement of who gave the bride and groom what- gifts were just left unwrapped on a gift table. It was more of a party than a shower. It was fun, but I enjoy watching the bride opening presents, since thats the point of the shower. I would just unwrap quickly. Plus people might give money or go in together on gifts. Just because 60 people rsvp doesn’t mean you’ll get 60 gifts.
Post # 9
Member
504 posts
Busy bee
I think it would be rude to specifically ask for clear wrapped gifts. JMO
Post # 10
Member
3942 posts
Honey bee
@Stina11287: 70 is an insane number for a shower. It should be very close friends and family…not every female member of your extended family.
with that said, I think guests (especially older ones) would be confused about the clear wrapping thing. I had a lot of awkward shaped gifts that were in bags, and a lot of gifts wrapped inside other gifts. So I don’t know how this would work?
Post # 11
Hostess
1425 posts
Bumble bee
I’d confused if I got instructions to “clear wrap…” I’d probably end up calling up my friends or posting on WB going “what does clear wrap mean… plastic/saran wrap?”
Honestly opening presents is fun!! 🙂
Post # 12
Member
39 posts
Newbee
My mother went to one, with about the same number of attenders, a few years ago. They requested clear wrap and not everyone listened.
Mom used clear wrap and the bride still unwrapped her gift. Most people left before everything was unrapped.
It makes alot of sense to request no traditional wrapping. I’ve been to showers where they did. Some used gift bags, others a ribbon/bow, where you could see what was int he box.
What was really nice was that those who gave large or heavy gifts – think laundry hamper, set of pots and pans, etc. dropped them off at the house of the bride or hostess. Their names and the gift they gave were read and acknowledged at the shower.
It was lots of fun and personal. I.E. “Michele gave me a laundry hamper.” (Michele stands up). “My family used to live 3 doors away from Michele’s family and I remember lots of fun times together. Now if anyone knows how I can actually get my future husband to put his laundry IN the hamper, please let me know.” (Guests chuckled and applauded).
Post # 13
Member
209 posts
Helper bee
@BlueBellPa: Thank you ! I feel like it would be nice, and I can write it on the invitation in a nice way saying cellaphane/clear wrapping paper so I dont have to open them and they can just be handed to me and I say what it is and from who and smile and be all excited ! Its more time to be able to spend with everyone and socialize I feel !
Post # 14
Member
209 posts
Helper bee
I had a friend who had a friend do this — there was a cute poem int he invitation that basically told everyone to wrap their gifts in clear cellophane. The bride-to-be was able to see the gift and acknowledge it during the gift “opening” part of the shower, but she never actually unwrapped them. it saved time, it wasn’t messy to clean up, and she didn’t have to worry about putting things back in boxes after opening them! I feel like its better that way… atleast more time with friends and family
Post # 15
Member
5950 posts
Bee Keeper
@Stina11287: I get the logic behind your request, but watch out…it could be misinterpreted in a terrible way. Combined with the large number of guests and the fact that you aren’t even interested in opening them could make it sound like you just want the presents, hand it over, I”ll look at it and put it in a pile for later.
I KNOW that isn’t your intention, so please be careful, it would be sad to have a fun event go South over something unintentional.
Post # 16
Member
209 posts
Helper bee
@Bostongrl25: Yes I need to invite extended family.. Not having my step family that Im very close with and just inviting blood family isnt right. The amount of people to me dont matter– the more the merrier. I have a lot of aunts and alot of cousins on my side and my Fiance side that Im all very close with. This post wasnt about the number of people, I just mentioned it.. not for it to be commented on… its about the wrapping 🙂 But thank you for your input.