Is it good manners to open gifts privately?

Dear Polite One,

My sister and I have an ongoing battle regarding gift opening. I think it is good manners when I give my nieces’ a gift for their birthday (or any occasion) they should open it in front of me and convey their thanks.

My sister believes the opposite and says that the gift etiquette is to open the present later. This usually results in me having to ask later if they liked their gift. Sometimes, they might ring up and say "thanks for the present" but then I feel no real enjoyment in the giving.

I would appreciate some clarity on this subject, please.

Thanks

Sydney, Australia

Dear Visitor from Sydney, Australia,

There is no clear answer for this. If the gift is given in private, with just you, the recipient, and perhaps her family, then she should open it. If there are others visiting, then she should wait for a private time. The reason for this is that we wouldn’t want to make others feel as if they should have given a gift.

Sincerely,

The Polite One

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