Wrapped presents?

[Antoniacaenis]

I probably am BU but just wondering what the norm in mumsnet world?
One of the DCs has a birthday next week and we have a lovely family who have been getting in touch to ask what DC wants. All good. Now in my family, this is strictly ideas and suggestions - basic guidelines if you will. They then buy whatever, wrap and post/ give it to us when we see them.

But DHs family now exclusively use a well known mail order company. They ask us to put together a gift list and buy from that. The stuff is sent straight to us. But of course it isn't wrapped. The parcels are addressed to DC but I open them and wrap them up myself. Is this ok? Part of me feels guilty opening packages for DC but then I feel it is an important part of birthday presents that they are wrapped up (not even sure about the current trend for gift bags if I'm honest but that's another thread...)

What do you think? (Yes I know it's a really trivial one but It bugs me every time and DH can't understand what I'm on about!

Yes it's reasonable to open and giftwrap.

I don't think you're unreasonable, but equally I don't think there's anything wrong with sending presents in Amazon boxes or whatever. My DCs certainly don't mind. They actually quite like pulling the cardboard tab thingy and they still get something to unwrap.

I open and wrap presents straight from amazon, my kids are quite small so enjoy unwrapping them!

I think parcels through the post are exciting for the kids . Only my opinion though and there is nowt wrong with what you do my dear

Could you maybe just wrap the box as it comes?
Then they get to open it themself, but its also wrapped?
Might even save you wrapping awkward shaped stuff directly.

We have done it both ways - sometimes DD opened it direct from the box, other times Ive wrapped them for her - when coming from the people. She was never bothered when growing up whichever way, and definitely isn't now as a teen.

We use the gift lift via Amazon, as do many of our family and friends. Means the person gets something they want, but not necessarily what. Mostly people seem to add to it from time to time throughout the year, not just at birthday/Christmas. And unless we are seeing them around the celebration day we have it sent direct. If buying just one item I do pay for gift wrap option, and fill in the gift note bit too. However, when buying 2 or more items I don't tend to ask for gift wrap as you have to pay per item, and it adds up..

I live in the USA. Postage costs to the UK (and vice versa) are enormous so my friends and family often order the DC things from US websites and post me completed gift tags to attach for them.

And I do the same in reverse.

Although, depending on the age of the child, WickedUncle.com is very good and has an excellent and reasonably priced gift wrapping service.

No. Don't open. Part of the fun of birthdays used to be getting cards thru the post. If gifts arrive this way put them to one side and bring them out on the day. If possible ask the sender to use a gift wrap option but don't open your child's post.

The extra cost would be crazy and also having them shipped to them, wrapped and then reposted would also be crazy.. Yes it's a little annoying but you can change how you feel about it more easily than you can change their behaviour!!

I pay for amazon to wrap things. It's expensive really but I feel bad not sending stuff to kids wrapped!