ADOPTION GIFTS (AND IDEAS)
Buying for an adoptive family and their ‘new’ child(ren) can be very different and it’s often hard to know what is an appropriate present. We’ve give you a few ideas below and we’ll also be posting other ideas regularly in our What we’ve learnt section as we continue our own journey as a Forever Family.
Placement Day gift ideas
Placement day will be the first time you’ll likely be able to give gifts to the adoptive family and their new child(ren). We’ve selected a few little items that we greatly received. Some of the items may look a little young, however even a school age child can present with a much younger emotional age and there are certain developmental steps that they may have missed, so going back to basics is often a good step.
-
Melissa & Doug See-Inside Alphabet Wooden Peg Puzzle
Buy on AmazonA great little pre-school gift for adopters of younger children. Many adopted children may have missed out on early days learning, this can help them catch up. -
Nursery Rhymes and Finger Puppets
Buy on AmazonWe had a huge amount of fun with these nursery rhymes and finger puppets, the kids would want them read a few times a day, picking the puppet for the rhyme they wanted to hear. -
The Gruffalo 7 inch soft toy
Buy on AmazonBoth our children have Gruffalo soft toys and both the books, they were absolute favourites for cuddles with the stories night after night after night after night... he he! -
Tidlo Musical Instrument Set (14 Pieces)
Buy on AmazonMusic Therapy became a big part of our early attachment to our children. Sometimes making noise together and bonding over sound is just the perfect thing to do. -
Touch and Feel books – the Gruffalo
Buy at AmazonA much loved Julia Donaldson book in our house (we had all of her books in the end). This one is especially good for younger children and helps with sensory development. -
Your time
Absolutely FREE!Quite honestly, the greatest gift you can give an adoptive parent who's partner has returned to work, is your time. Just pop round for a chat and a coffee, it'll help.
Naming Day gift ideas
The final step in an adoption placement is the Naming Day! The day you as a family go to court and change the child’s birth last name to yours! It is an exciting day for all adoptive families as it marks the end of a long journey for all parties, and the end of the direct involvement of Social Services in all your lives!
Here are some really lovely gifts we have seen given to other Forever Families.
-
Handprint family tree in frame
Buy at Not On The HighstreetAn opportunity to capture the hand prints of the immediate family. As we don’t get to capture their baby foot or hand prints this is a great memory that involves all of the family. -
Melissa & Doug See-Inside Alphabet Wooden Peg Puzzle
Buy on AmazonA great little pre-school gift for adopters of younger children. Many adopted children may have missed out on early days learning, this can help them catch up. -
Papercut names family tree
Buy at Not On The HighstreetNot on the Highstreet have a range of unique gifts. This beautiful and elegant take on a family tree uses paper cutouts of the names of the new Forever Family! -
Photo book
Buy at PhotoBoxWe produce a book every year for our kids, showing what we've done in the last year since we became a family. Memories are much better on paper than on a screen. -
Plant a tree
Buy at Not On The HighstreetPlanting a tree is a great way for a family to celebrate their togetherness. As their love grows so does the tree! What a wonderful way to celebrate a naming day. -
Tidlo Musical Instrument Set (14 Pieces)
Buy on AmazonMusic Therapy became a big part of our early attachment to our children. Sometimes making noise together and bonding over sound is just the perfect thing to do.