Need to Know What to Get as a Gift for an Adoption

I think Katrina has a great idea...but they will also need clothes and school supplies too. A gift certificate to office depot for school supplies...or a children's store for clothes is a great idea too.

My first thought was a membership to the zoo, childrens museum, science center...something like that. My family really enjoys those things!
Blessings, K.

I have two adopted nephews whom we met at age 3 and 4 respectively. It's a HUGE deal, adoption and think of it as receiving a new member into your family, just like someone having a baby only older. Put some thought into it with some info from your cousin - cousin should have a pretty good profile of what the kids are into - and get them something THEY like to show that you're equally into them just as they are. Clothes for a girl that are nice and music or sports equipment is good for a boy. Think of it as a birthday - most adoptive families celebrate their "gotcha day" the same as they celebrate their birthdays - just make it personal so the kids know and feel you thought about it and are now a memeber of their family whom they can count on and think of as forever.

I would get gifts for the kids, wrapped in paper, with bows, and a card. A gift card is kind of impersonal, and doesn't scream "I'm so happy for you!" quite the way wrapping paper and bows do. If you are worried that the kids already have a lot of stuff, keep in mind, most foster children have almost nothing (they often don't even have a suitcase to carry their clothes in). Just ask your cousin what she would like/needs, just as you would ask any new mother. When I adopted my daughter (she was one), I was thrilled that people were excited enough to go to really celebrate her arrival. I would also get a card for the parents congratulating them, but I would send that before the children arrive.

I would get in touch and ask what the kids need or would like. I agree with the previous poster who said they may have very little if they have been through the foster care system. Also a wrapped gift is nicer than than a giftcard, but if you are unable to attend I'd say Toys R Us giftcards would be very welcome by any elementary age kids and are much easier to send than most toys. That way they could go have a shopping "spree", what fun too.

How about a gift card to a family-friendly restaurant, a membership to the Zoo, or a gift card to a large bookstore?

How exciting! Think of it as a "birthday" for the family. When our son came home (from Russia) we actually had a shower, but he was a baby. Now we celebrate our family anniversary. All that being said, I would say gifts for the children.

Too bad you can't make it!

S.

One of the best presents we recieved was a photo frame. It was a stand and had many different windows for us to put snapshots or professional pictures in. It sits out and is seen by all who come in the house. Some of the other things were nice, but are not used.

Thanks for being thoughtful!!

I think gift cards for new clothes would be kinda nice. Also, maybe a gift card for something they could do as a family, like the movies, or Craigs Cruisers.

I'm not TOO much help here -- perhaps they'll need clothes? But I would suggest adding one book with your gift. I sell Barefoot Books -- it's an independent children's book publisher. There is a book called "Motherbridge of Love" about adoption. It's quite a beautiful story -- talking about being a mother, although the child has a biological mother, too. Especially if the adoption is from overseas -- the illustrations are of a Chinese girl. Gorgeous book. You can search for it on my website at www.mybarefootbooks.com/LoriHachenski
Good luck! And congratulations to your cousin!

There are some great books out there regarding joining families/adoption. See if you could find one as a keepsake/memory. Or how about a nice picture frame for them to put a family photo in. Or a gift certificate to get a family portrait taken. There are adoption or memory scrap type books the family could add to.

Any of your ideas are good. I like to send edible arrangements. They're delicious and pretty. If you want to get something for the kids I'd wait until you can be with them to give it.

I just gave two plants to a lady from church who adopted two children and also gave the two kids a little gift. Hope this helps,
B.

I would give a gift card. That way the family can use it as they need and with what they need.

Hi S.,
I'm an adoptive mom and we adopted 3 older kids (ages 3, 7 & 10) and we had an adoption shower so I think I'm a good judge at what would be a good gift. We registered at Target which helped our family & friends plus the kids registered for things that they wanted so they really looked forward to the shower. We registered for things like bedding, a rug, artwork, & storage bins for their new rooms in our home, outdoor toys like baseball mits, a sprinkler, balls, a badmitten set, beach towels, & beach toys. All of these are great. If you don't know what they's like, a gift card to Target is always good. Who wouldn't like that? Or, talk to your cousin and have her have the kids help her register there. My kids thought they were hot stuff with the little scanner gun and Target getting to pick stuff they wanted. We went from 0 to 3 kids overnight so we needed all the help we could get. The showers were a blessing to help get us started. Another idea that we got that we loved was a wagon & a membership to the zoo. We used them a lot that summer. We packed our stuff in the wagon and off we went. It's the wagon with the cooler drawer in it so we could pack our own drinks.

Good luck, L.

How awesome!!! As an adoptive mom, I would suggest gifts for the kids! Something age appropriate for them. Also, there are beautiful prints out there that focus on adoption, poemes, etc. I received some of those framed. Adoption themed books are wonderful too.

I like the gift cert. to a restaurant too. We celebrate "gotcha day" every year and that would be great for the family to use for that special occasion, if they choose to acknowledge that day!

Best of luck to them! It is a very rewarding journey!

S.,

What about giving a game the entire family can play? Something fun for the kids ages, but fun for the parents too.

Good luck!

-C..

Gift her a visa gift card with an amoutn or you can go get like a lakeside mall gift card or family gift card to blockbust or whereever I think that would be the best.