Adoption Gift Ideas

Adoption gifts can be a great way for all members of the adoption triad to show love and appreciation for one another. Whether it’s for the holidays, birthdays, or an adoption day, here are some adoption gift ideas to help you find the perfect present for the people involved in your adoption journey.

General Adoption-Themed Gifts

Some vendors have adoption-related merchandise, often in the form of clothing or decorations, which can be a great option for anyone who has been touched by adoption. Whether you or someone you know is part of an adoption triad, these gift ideas can work for anyone.
Here are just a few examples of the kinds of adoption gifts you can find:

• Wall art
• Adoption jewelry
• Clothes
• Ornaments
• Plaques
• Adoption baby books
• Adoption movies

For more ideas about gifts specifically related to adoption, you can visit websites such as Many Hearts One Beat or AdoptShoppe.

For Birth Parents from Adoptive Families

If you are an adoptive parent, then the birth parents in your life have given you a gift beyond measure; how do you give them a gift in return? Everyone has different likes, hobbies, and tastes, so these suggestions should be treated as a springboard for ideas.
These are just a few ideas for items that you can give to a birth mother:

• Items from or about your child – You can give your child’s birth mother a photo album or a mold with the baby’s handprint or footprint. If your child is old enough, you can sit down with him or her and hand-make a gift for the birth mother together.
• Jewelry and birthstones – A locket, ring, or trinket with your child’s birthstone can be a subtle but beautiful memento for a birth mother to carry with her.
• Matching toy or stuffed animal – You can buy two identical stuffed animals; give one to the birth mother and the other to your child.
• Hobby or interest-related gifts – Even if it is just a small token or a food they like, personalized gifts let birth mothers know that you are listening and that you care.

For Adopted Children from Birth Parents

Whether you’re looking for birthday, holiday, or adoption day gifts, you want your child to know that he or she is always in your heart.
These suggestions can give you generalized gift ideas, which you can personalize to your child’s tastes:

• Token or keepsake important to you – A gift that has sentimental value to you can be a great gift for your child to have as he or she grows.
• Message or note – Write a message for your child and put it in a frame, or engrave a short inscription on a token or piece of jewelry that you child can carry anywhere.
• Framed photo of you and your child – A photo of the two of you together can serve as a valuable reminder that you are always there for your child, even if you live far apart.
• Trips or quality time – Sometimes, your time and company can be the best gift your child could ask for. Find an activity that your child likes, or think of a new one that can be special to the two of you.
• Gift cards – A gift card can be a good option when you don’t know what kind of presents your child will be getting; that way, you child can pick out his or her own gift, and you don’t have to worry about giving a duplicate.

Adoption Shower Gifts for Families

After a family has adopted, they will usually throw an adoption shower. Sometimes families will have a shower before an adoption, but this is not usually recommended. Whenever they have their big bash, gift-givers should think of it like any other baby shower.

• Child care items – For parents of newborns, diapers and clothes are always in demand. If the family has adopted an older child, consider the needs of that particular child.
• Scrapbook – You can find a decorative scrapbook that adoptive parents can fill with pictures and memories of the new addition to their family.
• Gift certificates – A gift card to a babies’ or children’s retailer will allow a family to pick out exactly what they need or want for their child.
• Child nursery/bedroom décor – Decorating the nursery is a big event for all new parents. Wall decals, framed art, or mobiles can all add to a new nursery.

If you are involved in an adoption, consult your adoption specialist to be sure that your gift is appropriate for the recipient and your particular situation. No matter the occasion, there are endless gift possibilities for the adoptive parent, birth parent, or adoptee in your life.