Baby Shower Gift Etiquette

Vintage birth announcement card from 1957

DEAR DOROTHY DIX: It seems the new trend at bridal showers. is not to open the gifts. They are merely accepted and put aside. I think is is poor etiquette. Don't you? — Edith

DEAR EDITH: I could imagine nothing more tense than an evening spent glaring at a pile of beautifully wrapped gifts which the guests are not permitted to see opened I adore showers almost more than any other type party, but would certainly lose my enthusiasm after one of these. Personally, I've never heard of the fad, or trend, and certainly hope it passes very quickly. 

The whole object of a shower has always been the expressions of joy when the honored guest opened her gifts. This is the highlight of the party. Do your best to discourage the unopened-gifts trend. I'll back you up. – Dorothy Dix, Dorothy Dix is a Trademark registered in the U. S. Patent Office by The Bell Syndicate, Inc., 1956

 🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia