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Parenting

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Original poster

Birthday Parties

7 replies

BirthdayPartyTraditions · 20/12/2023 16:48

Hi everyone, I'm not English and just wanted to ask about something I've noticed at children's parties I've been to: the presents are just received and placed on a table - never to be looked at, mentioned or even noticed really until the kid whose birthday it is goes home after the party and unwraps them all in the private comforts of home. I really like the idea of this myself, and think I'll adopt it, but I just wondered: is this the norm in the UK or is it just the parties I've been to? Where I'm from the opening of the presents is the highlight of the party... Thanks for any insight 🙏

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Cheeesus · 20/12/2023 16:49

The norm here.

Original poster

BirthdayPartyTraditions · 20/12/2023 16:54

That's great, I really like it! No embarrassing moments for anyone and also takes the attention away from gifts in an already overflowing society.

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gentlemum · 20/12/2023 21:47

Yep it's the norm. And then if you're really lucky you'll get a generic thank you text in my experience.

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Original poster

BirthdayPartyTraditions · 21/12/2023 00:01

Hmm yes, I suppose the whole tradition is a bit ungrateful in a way. You receive lots of gifts but basically just ignore it... Living here I'll have to adopt the British ways, but I think I'll at least get some proper thank you cards!

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gentlemum · 21/12/2023 08:39

It's just a bit sad gifts are just expected, piled on a table and ignored with minimal or no appreciation. I couldn't imagine receiving a gift and not being very thankful for it and giving thank you cards!

MrsWidgerysLodger · 21/12/2023 08:43

It's normal. Although we do make a list of who gifted what when she opens them at home and make sure we send a personalised thank you.

pitterpatteroftinyfeet · 21/12/2023 09:50

Yes I agree! On that note we actually haven't received any thank you cards from the parties we've been to, but we'll definitely do them our end. It seems to me that British people tend to hire a hall somewhere, which adds to the cost of hosting, so I suppose birthday presents are expected almost as a trade off? Where I'm from I've never (in my almost 50 years of life) experienced anything other than birthday parties that were in the home of the birthday child.

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