Gift-Giving 101
Of all the shower customs passed down through the generations, opening the presents is perhaps the most anticipated. At all-women showers, the chorus of ooohs and aaahs over tiny baby booties, frilly gowns, and luxuriously soft receiving blankets is a sweet reminder of the rite of passage into motherhood.
The underpinnings that support this tradition are almost as important as the gifts themselves. As the hostess, you have to set the stage for the moment and assist the guest of honor in graciously receiving her shower of presents.
Give the Presents Presence
Guests have put thought, time, effort, and expense into their gift selection. The new mother really needs the items she will receive, and everybody enjoys seeing what’s new for baby. This is a party highlight and should be scheduled accordingly.
Fact
As each gift is unwrapped and admired, trash piles up! Have several large, handle-tie trash bags available to keep trash out of the way and gifts out of the trash. Recycle beautiful bows and ribbon by forming a “bow-kay” on a paper plate to store and use again.
It is best to open presents either before or after the food is served, but not during. Most hostesses arrange gift opening after the food and games or activity but before the cake or dessert. Most guests assume that once the gifts are opened and a cake is served, they may leave the shower.
Tracking
Alert
In the chaos of gift opening and packing up to go home, gift certificates, money, and the gift list can get lost in the shuffle. Have a large 10" x 13" manila envelope for cards, receipts, certificates, and such. Then seal and mark the envelope and hand it to Mom, put it in her purse, or give it to her significant other.
Etiquette demands a thank-you note. As the hostess, you will need to set up a system to record who gave what, so that Mommy can do her job later on. A responsible person with legible handwriting should keep track of the gift and the giver for the busily unwrapping mother-to-be so that she can delight in the gift she has received.
The scribe also needs to check for gift receipts and gift certificates. Make sure there is a pad of paper and a pen for the scribe and a large envelope to put cards, receipts, gift certificates, and the gift list in; then seal it and send it home with the mom.
