I received an invitation to a wedding shower (the parents are childhood friends of DH, but we’re not super close). On the printed invitation, along with the usual information concerning registries, was the note: “Gifts wrapped in clear”. What does that mean…that gifts should be wrapped in clear plastic? Why would someone want this? I haven’t been to a bridal shower in more than a decade and, as I recall, part of the celebration was the opening of presents. Coincidentally, I’ve been tasked with throwing a shower a few weeks later for my niece. Is this something people will expect?
I think it is up the hostess and guest of honor. It is so people can see what was given and you can spend the time doing other things. I personally would rather wrap the gift normally and not do the clear.
I personally would rather not wrap it if it’s supposed to be evident. Just slap a bow on the object, and you’re done.
Go to the Dollar Store/Tree and buy one of those clear cellophane bags to put Easter baskets into.
Stuff it in the bag artistically slap a big $1 bow and you are done.
You can even buy a baby card there 50 cents.
Doesn’t it seem lazy that people can’t even unwrap shower presents? Maybe it’s a thing, idk
My favorite memory of my DIL’s shower was her 2 young cousins and their utter delight in their cousin opening presents! They were so excited, they couldn’t stop dancing and exclaiming ohhs and awws! It was so cute!
I like exclaiming my delight in the things they received
I’ve never heard of this, but I’d probably be ok with it, except if the present is going to be evident, I don’t even want the hassle of finding clear covering. I’ve always thought fancy wrapping paper was a waste of time, energy, and money. Not to mention excess for the landfill, unless you were my grandma, in which case every piece was saved.
I wouldn’t be all that adverse not having to watch all the unwrapping and to ohhh and ahhh at every little thing. Not too many games, either. Yeah…I’m mainly there to see the bride or expectant mom’s excitement, eat snacks, and visit with friends and relatives.
Clear wrap is just as wasteful, unfortunately.
My understanding is that this allows the bride to see the gifts without having to to physically unwrap and open each box.
Honestly? No. It seems much more polite and tasteful. Same with birthday parties. For every person that likes to oooh and aw over the gifts there are just as many who think publicly opening gifts is vulgar.
I’ve never been to a “clear wrap” shower. If I were, I’d just make a bow and attach it. I wouldn’t wrap in anything clear. That seems very unnecessary and wasteful.
At this type shower, does the honoree still hold up the gift and thank the giver to oohs and aahs?
Or are they just placed on a table for viewing?
I’m having difficulty imagining what happens.
I’ve never heard of this either.
I get that both wraps are wasteful. I get that opening presents takes a lot of time that not everyone wants to sit through. (I personally don’t mind…)
But somehow walking in and just plopping an unwrapped toaster on a gift table feels really awkward - awkward that everyone sees you walking in with your actual gift, awkward that some gifts you still won’t know what they are (gifts that might be in plain boxes).
Why even bother bringing them? Just drop them off at the bride/groom’s home!
I’m fine with no games…but geez, no games, no gift wrap…pretty soon we’ll just be going through a drive through, depositing a gift and picking up a shower sandwich to go!!! 
Times change - I get that. A few years ago when I gave a shower for a neighbor, her mother asked me to have guests address the back of a postcard as they arrived, so honoree could write her thank yous on the cards. I asked, “Don’t you have their addresses? You gave them to me for the invitations.” It took me by surprise. I should have just done what they wanted.
She’s going to need the boxes if she wants to return things.
Gosh OP, I’d feel like I’m just suppose to give a gift, if I’m not at all close to the family. Can you make a donation to a charity, or are umplanning to attednd?
I’ve never heard of this. It makes me sad. What’s a shower without silly games and seeing all the gifts revealed one by one?
Whew! Thanks all. I thought I was just behind the times. Re: fancy vs clear wrap…isn’t part of the shower making a goofy hat from all bows and wrapping? I guess I’m showing my age. Thanks too for the tip on the dollar store and clear bags. I had no clue about where to buy clear wrap. I would have sat in my kitchen unspooling the saran wrap to comply with “clear wrap” directions. That would have definitely been a faux pas!
I do think part of the reason for clear wrapping is so that gifts can be admired… without focus on who gave big gift vs small. Some families just have easier means to splurge.
I get the “can be admired without the whole unwrapping thing,” though the intent of showers is presents. But then why clear wrap? Why wrap at all? If wrapping isn’t going to perform its intended purpose, then invisible wrap seems like a huge waste of resources.
Though I’m fine without games.
we’re not super close<<<<<<<<<<<
Great reason to miss another awful social obligation LOL. Venmo for the win (again). Stay home and drink some nice wine.