| We all hear about baby showers for expecting | | | | lasts about two hours, so look at playing two to |
| parents, but what about for adopting parents? An | | | | three party games. If the new parents are adopting |
| adoption baby shower is more than acceptable - it's | | | | an older child, make sure your games reflect that as |
| encouraged! Adopting parents have the same needs | | | | well. One great adoption party activity is to organize |
| as any other new parents would, but with a few | | | | a Welcome Book for the new child. Ask guests to |
| minor considerations. | | | | bring pictures of themselves and their families to |
| You should steer clear of planning a surprise | | | | assemble into a scrapbook page they will create at |
| celebration on the day the family brings their child | | | | the shower. |
| home. This can be a very emotional time - the new | | | | All of your shower decorations will naturally depend |
| parents and child (especially if the child is older) will | | | | on the style, theme, and number of people attending. |
| need a period of adjustment. It is very important to | | | | Balloons and streamers are standard, but there are a |
| be sensitive to their needs. In this case, delivering | | | | lot of creative and fun ideas to make the party |
| care packages and planning your celebration for a | | | | extra-special. You're truly only limited by your |
| later date would be acceptable and appreciated. Be | | | | imagination here. |
| sure to talk with the new parents and find out what | | | | If the adoption is an international one, you could use |
| their wants and needs are before you set a shower | | | | decorations that reflect the child's place of birth, and |
| date. | | | | include recipes from his or her home country. For |
| Your shower invitations should be sent out three to | | | | guests, it will be a learning experience. |
| four weeks in advance, and should include the time, | | | | As with decorations, party favors should match your |
| date, and location of the shower. Don't forget to set | | | | shower theme and party size. Your favors can be |
| an RSVP date with your telephone number and | | | | used as place settings, prizes, or they can be handed |
| address. If it is at all possible, include the child's birth | | | | out at the end of the party. A very popular idea for |
| date, as well as when he or she was officially | | | | adoption showers is a special program for guests to |
| adopted or welcomed into the home of his or her | | | | keep. Written inside should be commitments to the |
| new parents. This will help your guests to pick age | | | | child from his or her new parents, poems about love, |
| appropriate gifts. In the case of foreign adoptions, | | | | family, and adoption, and prayers for the future. |
| you could also add information about the birth | | | | When labeling your favor, keep in mind that your |
| country to inform your guests. | | | | party is, again, in honor of an adoption, not a birth. |
| As with other baby showers, the theme for an | | | | Your wording on gift tags should reflect that. |
| adoption baby shower should be the same. However, | | | | Adoption is a very exciting time for the new parents. |
| if the child that was adopted is older, you should | | | | A baby shower or welcome party allows friends and |
| tailor your party to suit their age and favorite things. | | | | family members to share in on the family's joy. When |
| For example, a small girl might love everything that | | | | you host or even attend such a party, it is very |
| involves the Disney princesses and may go absolutely | | | | important to know the needs and wants of the |
| crazy over the color pink. In turn, an older boy may | | | | parents. Be sure to know ahead of time how old the |
| be fascinated by soccer and anything green. Don't be | | | | child is. Find out if the parents have registered |
| afraid to be a little creative to help make the party a | | | | anywhere. Parents who are adopting should be |
| special celebration to welcome the new child into | | | | reminded that they can actually register for older |
| your circle of family and friends! | | | | children as well as newborns. |
| Baby shower games are important too! However, | | | | By planning and hosting an adoption party, you are |
| stay away from games that are maternity-related. | | | | helping the new family formalize the acceptance of |
| It's very important that you keep in mind that you | | | | their child into their circle. You will be creating an |
| are celebrating the gift of adoption. Your games help | | | | occasion that will be documented for the child to look |
| set the tone of the party, and should be mixed in | | | | at in the future and remind them how much they |
| with any other activity going on. An average shower | | | | were welcomed and loved from the start. |