Bridal Shower question- Need some advice!

green795

My bridal shower is a few weeks away. In my family, the average size bridal shower is between 50 and 100 people, although I've been to some as small as 40 and as large as 350 people. The hosts are expecting around 75 people for mine. I've always been bored when the bride takes her sweet time to open up every single present- with such large guests lists it can take up over two hours' worth of time. I personally would rather not open gifts at the shower so my guests don't get bored and we can spend time doing other things. 

I might get some slack for this- I know it's "proper" to open your gifts at the shower or else "what's the point?" But is ok to bypass opening when there's a large guest list? For me the point of a shower is, yes, of course, to help us with things we need to our married life, but more importantly to spend time with and enjoy the company of important people in your life. Sorry it's so long, but I need some advice. And my mom's "You don't have to if you don't want to" doesn't help reassure me. TIA! 

DanielleD7782

I'm torn on this one. I do agree that sitting and watching the bride open gifts for 2 hours can be painful, but so are the games that they play. The whole point of a shower is to "shower the bride with gifts". I always enjoy personally watching the bride open my present at showers.

BCsGal

I think most people who go to a bridal shower expect that most of the shower will be watching the bride open gifts, but because of the large number of people you are inviting, it will take awhile.  Maybe you could open the gifts in 2 different shifts.  Open about 1/2 in the beginning, then play some games, cut the cake, etc. and then open the rest at the end of the shower.  That way it won't seem as long.  I also enjoy seeing the bride open my gift, so I would definitely try to still keep that element. 

DIYsophisticate

I also enjoy watching the Bride open my gift at the shower, however, I've never been to a shower with more than 40 people.  Seems like it would take forever for that.  

You know what you could do? Stick with tradition, but make sure it runs flawlessly.  

• Have a huge trash can with a bag fastened to it (so it doesn't fall in) for you to toss the paper in.  
• Have a woman on your left writing down all the gifts (preferably your mom or sister or SIL, so she is familiar with your family), 
• And a woman on your right collecting your bows (if you are doing the bow bouquet for your rehearsal).  
• And most important tip, don't be all slow and nice and "oh I don't want to rip the paper, lets fold it before I open the box, lets be all lady-like".  Just rip into them.  
• And if you want to make it really fun, make it a game, let someone time you to see if you get can faster at opening them.  

But of course, be sure to pause in between to graciously thank the gift giver.

 

lindseylu288

I recently went to a shower where we played bridal shower bingo. Basically you give everyone a blank bingo sheet with nothing filled in and everyone writes down things they think you will receive. For example, I put the gift I bought in the center as a free space then filled in other usual gift items (lamp, skillet, blanket, etc) in all of the other boxes. People cross off things as you open them and the first person to have 5 in a row wins a prize. It makes the gift opening section less monotonous for sure!

green795

Thank you ladies for your advice. I ended up opening all of the gifts at the shower yesterday. But I opened them as dessert was being served so it gave the guests something to do. It took a while because there were so many people- and some guests brought gifts from people who couldn't be there! But it was worth it. Thanks for your advice.