Unwrapped gifts???
 

I recieved an invitation in the mail to a shower for a lovely young women.

After all the usual stuff of where and when, where the couple is registered, and who is hosting, at the end of the invitation it says, "unwrapped gifts". I have never heard of asking for your gift to be left unwrapped. Is that really what it means, bring your gift without wrapping it?

Is this a new thing? a green thing? Have you heard of this? I know I'm not in her generation, but I've never heard of this before. I'm not too sure just how I feel about leaving my gift sitting on the gift table for everyone to see.

Why would they want the gifts left unwrapped? How would you feel about it?

That's kind of funny. I always give home made gift bags and tell the recipient to pass it on as a re-gift-bag and keep it going.

Never heard of it either! Maybe they dont want to dispose of the bags and paper tissue?

I just heard of this also, but in this case, the mother-to be said she hated having to open everything, and just wanted the presents unwrapped so she could skip that part of the shower!!

But that's the fun part.

to me, the most fun at a shower is to anticipate the gift and share the oooohs and aaaaahs with the reveal. that being said, i've always thought what a waste it was to see all that crumpled up paper in a trash bag. i vote for green wrappings.

Yes I have heard of this for wedding and baby showers. It is so the mother to be (bride) can visit with the guest. The gifts are put on a table for all to see. I prefer to wrap my gifts in something that can be used like a blanket, towels etc. Go with the flow and enjoy your self.

Maybe they wont pass around the envelopes for the guests to address themselves to save time for the recipient...thus saving paper by not sending a written thank you . New mothers and brides are too busy to deal with the time consuming details of collecting presents. Just drop off a small gift and head home for some sewing. Too many directions for attending what is supposed to be a celebration . Yawn.

I'm glad some other have heard about this practice before me... I have always thought that it was a shame to waste all that beautiful paper. and of course beautiful paper and bows are so expensive these days, so perhaps it's a great idea who's time has finally come.

Thanks for some good suggestions. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

This is new to me! I would wrap in something she can use that could be fun! Gift bastket or something like that.

I guess I would prefer to believe that she is trying to save the world for her children, not being lazy.

I had never heard of this either but after reading all the posts, I'd think a quick gift bag or tote bag would be perfect to hold the gift and then for recipient to reuse. For someone who sews and has a bit of extra fabric around (don't we all :-) this would be a much cheaper alternative to gift wrap and ribbon. I also like the idea of a blanket or pillow case being used. In fact, you could make your own pillowcase to hold the gift.

Maybe an unwrapped gift is a subtle way of saying "give cash"?

Gee, Mrs.f.. I hadn't thought of that. Money is always good. Guess I could ask one of the hosts.

As I thought about this more, I think it's a fine idea to save all that expense of paper and bows.. I'd much rather spend the money on the gift. I may be getting old, but it urks me to spend $$$ on a gift, and then have to add another $15 for appropriate paper, ribbon and card. I'd rather spend the extra on a nicer gift or just give it to them.

I was thinking about monograming a nice set of sheets or towels for them.. Towels stack up very nicely.. Tie them together with a nice ribbon and it would look just fine.. Or if sheets, I would put the set inside one of the pillowcases and tie it with a pretty ribbon.

I also make baskets, I could put something in one of those.. all good ideas.. I feeling more comfortable about the whole thing now.. Just took me completely off guard.

My good friend is 'adopting' a pot belly pig! That said, she is sooo excited!! A group of friends are going to have a 'Piggy Shower' for her! We have treats, food, toys, blanket, collars,bed. mobile, etc...ALL WRAPPED!! That's part of the fun at ANY shower!! UnWrAppIng ! Although some may saw , WE are a bit unwrapped for doing this!! : )

I'm with Sandygirl.

This is a new one for me too. I must finally be old. I am sick of weddings where we put the envelope in the "bird cage" or whatever, never to speak to the bride and groom at the reception. Can't tell you how many thank you notes we haven't received for gifts we have given. These are the same people who have time to sign the back of the checks
though!

I guess good manners, taste, and simple courtesy have become obsolete in many people's up bringing. Sigh!

You have probably guessed that this is a sore point for me. Thanks for letting me vent.

I'd put the gift in a gift bag. Doesn't need to be opened and can be re-used. Things have changed so much. Rules are tiring and take all the fun out of everything.

We had a shower for a new mom at our church and brought unwrapped gifts for a "Clothesline shower" The unwrapped gifts were hung on a clothesline around the room, or placed in a laundry basket if too large or bulky to hang

I agree, times and what we used to consider good manners are changing.. but so is nearly everything else many of us thought of as standards everyone held. I also remember my grandma getting on hat and gloves to go to the doctor or grocery shopping, and my dad driving her in his suit. Some ideas need to change.

This was new to me, but not nearly as shocking as lots of other things I've had to adjust to. I just needed to make sure I was understanding this correctly.

and... sadly, I must confess, I was one of those that never did get thank-you's sent out after we got married.. I still have the cards with what the people gave us written on the back.. We will have our 43 anniversary on the 22nd of this month... do you think I should still send them?? We were working full time, I was working 10 hour shifts, and we were both in college.. It just didn't get done, even though I knew it should. sigh... more guilt to deal with...

All that wrapping paper never went to waste with me. I took the paper home after it was folded at the shower. I used it to line the bottom of dresser drawers, and it reminded me of the wonderful shower. I often reused other paper to wrap other gifts, or for packing things instead of packing peanuts, or to wrap and insulate a hot dish take to a friend. I would miss the unwrapping of the gifts.

If you still have them, I think it would be a hoot!! Personally, I would love to get one, even late!!

I've been to a shower where the gifts were to be wrapped in a diaper, if possible. The parents to be were very 'green' and making a conscious effort to save the environment. I used a pretty receivng blanket.

I think it would be a great idea, I think the ones still alive would enjoy the thought and knowing that you still think of them. I was one of my daughter's showers and one of the guests and I were talking about our showers, the things we were given and the ones who gave them to us. People like to know that you are thinking of them

Times are definitely changing. Gifts are now loot - don't spend time presenting in a beautiful package showing how much you cared to make it special - don't write a thank you to show how much you appreciate the thoughtfulness- just leave the loot so you can compare how you compete with the others. Will anyone wear anything remotely dressed up to show that a shower for this new mother is a special event or perhaps they are just stopping off before they go buy groceries or after they have been to the gym? I think I would decline and just send a check after the event, or perhaps just send a coupon good for some babysitting. I would enjoy the babysitting more than comparing the loot and if the coupon was used, I would probably get thanked.

It's probably just a good idea for not creating extra waste, but it may also be that the host has to pay extra for trash pick-up, as one of my friends does in a rural area. A "green" wrap, such as a receiving blanket or reusable fabric bag is an idea whose time has come (except for companies like Hallmark!). For several years now I have added a few more Christmas bags to our collection: just pretty seasonal fabric, sewn like a pillowcase with a pinked edge on top and tied with re-usable ribbon. My family loves it. They arrive with their gifts unwrapped and use the "Santa bags" - quick, easy and cheaper in the long run (while they stay in the family). Also, I figure if I need any of that fabric for a quilt, I wouldn't hesitate to raid the supply, since it's all from my stash.

Judie, Send out those Thank you notes. Everyone will get a chuckle and be very happy you are still married. However, the postage will cost you 10 times as much as it would have 43 years ago. Hmm- I think I still have one to send that I didn't know the address and it will be 44 years for me this summer. She is now in the nursing home and one of her daughters is now a very good friend.

I might ask why the no wrapping request is made. Some people are very shy and would be mortified by sitting in front of so many people. Sometimes there is a major discrepancy bw the families' (in laws) incomes and opening in front of others would highlight this. There may be a cultural reason or they just may be environmentally concerned. I find that asking works better than pondering. I also prefer to assume good motives. Maybe the recipient wants to focus more on the people and less on the gifts.

I actually wrap all birthday gifts in newspaper and skip the card. I write directly on the paper. Shredded paper works well instead of tissue paper when I reuse the gift bags I receive.

I only wrap with fabric and fabric bows now because I can't stand to see paper tossed into the trash. Not everyone recycles. As for the fabric, no one I know sews so they always give the fabric back to me. Some think I'm cheap and eccentric (I am and proud of it.)

In this "Gimme" day and age, at least they are not requesting CASH instead of gifts. I agree, wrapping paper is mostly wasted and they may be environmentally aware in requesting it not be used.

This has been fun and informative, as I knew it would be. The people on this board are always full of great ideas and information.

This is a very wonderful young women that is getting married.. I've known her since she was born... graduating this spring as a nurse. Her soon-to-be husband is also a very fine young man that's grown up right here among us.. Sings at church, is helpful and sweet to anyone who crosses his path. They are going to be a couple that all us can look at and still rejoice that there are such people still growing up in our world.

Going 'unwrapped' is a fine idea.. saves money, and is good for everyone and everything except the merchant who would love to sell us those things. I just had to make sure I wasn't misreading what I read!

Not only do I have my cards, but I also still have the paper from my wedding.. I think when I find them again (we're in the process of moving into our new home after the May 2011 tornado here)... Oh, just reminded me, I did have them.. who knows if I still have them???.. I may have waited too long to send those thank-you's and use my paper.. I had intended to use the paper by rolling it in small very tight rolls, gluing the rolls side by side, to the side of a large ice cream container, like the one they use commerically, trimming the top and bottom.. spraying on some sealer.. Making a trash container out of the trash! I thought it would be wonderful to use all that beautiful paper for something other than filling the landfill even back 43 years ago. If I do still have those cards, I will send a few thank you's to those I can still find and still remember. Good idea, thanks for suggesting it. I think that would be one of the funniest things I've done in a long time.

Thank you for all the input. I am going to give something that I've made, wrapped in either a part of the gift, or in a nice big (homemade) dish towel. I know them well enough to know they will love it. These two young people should pose for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post with the caption reading, "America's Next Generation" "not going to hell in a handbasket as we thought!"

Did any of you do something with all that wedding paper that came on your gifts? I, too, save paper and bows to re-use.. Our whole family lives here and some of that stuff has seen several rewraps! we have fun with re-wrap.

What a nice post about a lovely couple. I would guess it's environmental with them, too. Is lead still used in producing shiny colored paper? I hope not.

My reuse of my wedding and baby shower baby wasn't very inventive - just lined the drawers in the dressers with it. Probably used some for gifts. I no longer save paper unless it's special, large and unwrinkled, but I am fanatic about saving bows and bags. I won't buy bags, but I don't mind reusing ones that come my way.

I haven't heard of this, but maybe it is a green thing. I haven't been to a shower in years so I don't know what is in at the moment.

Several years ago I started making fabric gift bags. (I hate spending all that time wrapping and then have it torn off and thrown away in seconds.) They get passed around from year to year. I think there are some Christmas gift bags that have been around for abour 12 years now. My grown kids have even called and requested a certain size. I just need height, width, and depth to figure out how big to make them. I've done birthday gift bags that have then been used for marbles, hot wheels, and pj's for overnighters. One daughter loves using the pretty paper, anyway. But mine always comes in a bag. I purchase Christmas fabrics at the after Christmas sales.

I always reuse anything I can.. gift wrap, tissue paper, and especially ribbon and bows.. I'm way too thrifty not to reuse it. I hate to throw away anything. That's why I have just about anything anyone needs.. Well.... I did have before the tornado.. I was just in the process of trying to clean out and downsize my 'stuff'.. I guess God knew I had good intentions, but would never actually accomplish it, so He took care of that for me.

Thank you everyone for your input.. I think it will all be fine.. I headed out of town tomorrow.. so hubby will be on his own for some days while I help with kids.. He'll enjoy the time, and so will I..

Have a good week.. I'll try to check back in when I get back home.. Thank you for your help and encouragement.

I never heard of not wrapping gifts, the fun of it IS opening them. My 6 year old grandson loves to be at the showers or a family members birthday because everyone lets him open the presents

Oh, yes send out thank-yous now. Stat with "Sorry this might be a little late." If I got card like that I would think it was the greatest laugh.

The idea may be not so new. Back in 1973 when I was getting married my husband-to-be's church held what they called a "Display Shower". The gifts were not wrapped. Most were delivered to the church building's fellowship hall by the stores where they were purchased. They were displayed on tables with little cards by each one so you could see who had given it. Even the kitchen stool I was given was placed on top of a table with a card by it. The purpose - as someone has mentioned - so that I was not trapped in the gift-opening chair, but could mingle with the guests. I was miserable! I was 19, knew none of these lovely people and was expected to walk around and talk to them! Oh dear - one of the most uncomfortable evenings of my life. I appreciated the idea, but ... I was SOOO shy! This was in Cordell, OK.

I have hosted two display showers at the school where I teach. Our assistant principal was going to be a new dad, but this would be child number 3. He had not been with us for the arrival of the other two children so we wanted to welcome the little one, but didn't want it to be a big deal. I set up tables in the teacher's lounge for people to display their gifts - many were packs of diapers. As people wandered through during the day they delighted over the gifts - or just read through the gift cards - those who wanted to visit with him could just step in his office. It worked. The other display shower was for the mom of premie twins. We held off hoping she could come back to school for a shower, but that didn't work out and the end of the school year was approaching so ... we had the shower without her! Put things in the library for that one and people oohed and ahhed all day. Then we packed things up and her dear friend delivered them to her. Worked for us. The asst principal new dad sent out a group email thank you. Don't know that that's much better than none at all. The premie mom sent precious thank yous to each of us - including a really sweet one to me for organizing the unusual shower.

Different strokes!

It is rather a tradition in my family, either that or wrapping in the Sunday funny papers. for us, it comes from the older generation's Depression era mind set: don't waste money on anything that will be thrown away. I suspect this is a new "green" awareness.