Our first adoptions were done through the foster-to-adopt program, so we weren’t able to celebrate when our children first came to us. When our oldest daughter’s adoption finalized more than 4 years after she came to live with us, a group of my friends threw me a surprise shower at a restaurant with gifts and the most lovely cards.

Then when we got her birth sister as a baby, friends threw her and I a pink themed adoption shower. It was such a special time for me to be able to publicly acknowledge this huge event in our family!

Over the years, I had held baby showers for numerous friends and relatives. All babies deserve to be celebrated, but I had missed being able to have this event for my babies. It was all the more special to be able to commemorate my new baby’s induction into our family at her adoption shower.

Years later when we brought home two children from Ethiopia, we waited until they had adjusted before we held a welcome party for them at our home.

These events are important commemorations and being able to share them with friends and family make them all the more meaningful.

Adoption Shower themes and ideas:

Happy Home Fairy shares a shower for a Russian adoption including martyroshkas (Russian Nesting Dolls) as decor and many personal touches.

The Sweetest Occasion shares ideas for an older child adoption shower or celebration.

These Three Remain has ideas for decorations and food for a Chinese adoption shower.

The Pleated Poppy has cute ideas for a globe themed adoption shower that could be used for any international adoption.

This surprise Chinese adoption shower featured on Party Wagon has beautiful decorations and all sorts of special details.

Globes and paper airplanes are the theme of this shower which would be perfect for any international adoption.

Even a simple idea like these Africa shaped cookies adds a special touch to an adoption shower.

I love the fingerprint tree in this adoption shower for an older child, indicating everyone’s support and love.

Hostess with the Mostess shares a Precious Cargo Vintage Travel shower that is just adorable!

Sweet Designs has a travel inspired party with just the most delicious little details.

This Ethiopian adoption shower has the most amazing cake and some very clever and meaningful ideas.

Joel and Kitty share about their amazing adoption baby shower before their daughter arrived.

Invitations:

Tiny Prints offers several styles of Adoption Shower invitations.

They also offer adoption announcements.

Adoption Shower gift ideas:

Books are my favourite gift for new babies, birthdays, graduations and holidays. Books make a perfect for an adoption shower.

You could choose one of the many great children’s books available about adoption or choose a book for the new parents such as The Connected Child: Bringing Hope and Healing to your Adoptive Family (especially good for a toddler or older child adoption) or Loved by Choice (my favourite treasury of heartwarming adoption stories).

Personalized gifts such as this Chosen Heart Adoption Frame, an adoption Christmas ornament, a quilt or blanket, or a special wall hanging or work of art.

I love this “Missing Piece” adoption ornament.

Cafepress and Etsy are both great places to find personalized gifts such as jewelry, handmade items, artwork and clothing.

Another thing that is nice to consider is a donation to the orphanage the child came from or to a clean water project in the community they were born if it is an international adoption.

The family may request donations be made to an adoption grant organization. There are also ways to give a gift and contribute to an adoption fundraiser as there are many families selling items to fundraise for their adoptions.

Adoption Gift Ideas:

Missing Piece Adoption Christmas OrnamentAlways an Angel Adoption Chosen Child OrnamentForever Family Porcelain OrnamentOur First Christmas as a Family OrnamentAdoption Swarovski OrnamentLove You to the Moon Celebrate Adoption OrnamentAdoption Christmas OrnamentAdoption Triad Heart Symbol Many Hearts One FamilyBorn In Our Hearts (Adoption) Keepsake OrnamentSelf-Care for Foster and Adoptive FamiliesThe Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive FamilyLoved By Choice: True Stories That Celebrate AdoptionHappy Adoption Day!Tell Me Again About the Night I Was BornWe Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and FamiliesWillow Tree hand-painted sculpted figure, Our GiftWillow Tree hand-painted sculpted figure, Child of my HeartAdoption Gotcha Gift Pillow for New BabyAdoption Gift – Personalized Wooden Block Child Keepsake Gift Custom EngravedEvery Family Has a Story, Welcome to Ours Vintage KeychainAdoption Gift Born In My Heart Adoption Bracelet For Adoptive Mom Foster MomAdoption necklaceAdoption Triad Symbol Pendant Necklace for Adoptive MomAdoption Frame, Personalized

Additional ideas:

It is always a nice tribute to the child if you can incorporate their country or culture in some way in the celebration whether that be in the food you choose to serve, the music you play, the decorations or colour scheme, or the gifts.

There are situations where it is also appropriate to honour the child’s first family in some way at the shower as well. It is best to ask the adoptive parents if they would like the invite members of their child’s first family to attend.

Write advice or well wishes on puzzle pieces for a You’re the Missing Piece themed adoption shower.

Have a Casserole Shower where you collect freezer meals to set the family up with suppers for the coming months. This is especially appreciated by families that have more than one child.

However you decide to celebrate the new addition to the family, congratulations!