When should we give wedding party/parent gifts?

OopsOreo04

Good (late) evening everyone! Hopefully you all are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

My FI and I were attempting to plan when to give our bridal party and parent gifts to the recipient. I have heard typically it is done at the rehearsal dinner but frankly, I do not feel comfortable doing it this way. When i told my mom i was thinking about doing it at the final DIY session with my BP, which is about a week prior to he wedding, she said no I have to do it at the rehearsal dinner. Is this true? I would feel more comfortable doing it in a more intimate setting. My BP is staying in a villa together I was thinking about going over after the dinner gifts in hand and sharing a moment with them before the crazy next day began. For my parents I was considering leaving it at the front desk of the hotel they are staying at so when they check-in they recieve their gift. Is this acceptable or should it be done at the dinner? 
FI is giving his parents their gift after the wedding and I do not want his parents to feel slighted, and I know the gift he is purchasing is more for his dad who is helping us out, rather than his mom who has been a bit of a pain in the rear! I am trying to avoid creating an awkward situation over dinner. Any advice?

Beachy730

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_should-give-wedding-partyparent-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:e30aa6bc-3be3-458c-96e1-303095d29207Post:16c10614-861d-44b1-802b-47f5992bbaef">When should we give wedding party/parent gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]Good (late) evening everyone! Hopefully you all are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! My FI and I were attempting to plan when to give our bridal party and parent gifts to the recipient. I have heard typically it is done at the rehearsal dinner but frankly, I do not feel comfortable doing it this way. When i told my mom i was thinking about doing it at the final DIY session with my BP, which is about a week prior to he wedding, she said no I have to do it at the rehearsal dinner. Is this true? I would feel more comfortable doing it in a more intimate setting. My BP is staying in a villa together I was thinking about going over after the dinner gifts in hand and sharing a moment with them before the crazy next day began. For my parents I was considering leaving it at the front desk of the hotel they are staying at so when they check-in they recieve their gift. Is this acceptable or should it be done at the dinner?  FI is giving his parents their gift after the wedding and I do not want his parents to feel slighted, and I know the gift he is purchasing is more for his dad who is helping us out, rather than his mom who has been a bit of a pain in the rear! I am trying to avoid creating an awkward situation over dinner. Any advice?
Posted by OopsOreo04[/QUOTE]

<div>I've always seen it done at the RD, but it doesn't have to be.  Do it whenever you want.  </div>

SirJuliusVonHaast

You don't have to do it at the RD, but if you aren't, I think you should give them before, rather than after dinner. Because they are often given at the RD, people my think they aren't getting anything at all if the RD passes and you haven't given their gifts yet. 

Also, I would hand them over in person, rather than the hotel desk. That just seems kind of impersonal to me. 

futurepivko

we did it at the RD, and it was a lot of fun, but you certainly dont have to do that.

as far as the hotel desk, that is not always the most reliable method. we learned that with our OOT bags.

Allycat11

I am also considering not doing ours at the RD due to just weird family relationships and feeling awkward with who gets gifts and who doesn't.  I would definitely say to give people gifts in person though because it is more personal.