Wha are some gift ideas for a newly adopted young child?

Question

My best friend is bringing her 4-year-old daughter home from Guatemala. This has been an extremely long adoption process for them, and I wanted to bring a gift to the little girl to welcome her home. I'm meeting them at the airport, and I would like to have something special there. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Check out this site:

http://www.adoptshoppe.com/

Bottom line...you need to make her feel welcomed and that this is a special time and she is loved!  How adorable is that!

Answer 2

How about a book...

The Usborne Book of Everyday Words

Guess How Much I love You  by Sam McBratney

How Do I Love You  by P.K. Hallinan

Answer 3

A doll, or a plush toy that can be dressed up.  I would vote for something from Built-a-Bear.  Get the toy and a several outfits, or the toy and a gift card so they can choose the clothes themself.  

You should also consider getting some clothes for her as a gift for her and her new parents.  When you have natural children, you collect clothes over months and years in preparation, but when you adopt you don't know what to buy until you know the s*x and size of the child.  So, you go from having nothing to needing everything in a very short time.

Answer 4

the poem that read NOT BLOOD OF MY BLOOD NOR FLESH OF MY FLESH YOU WERE NOT BORN UNDER MY HEART BUT in it!!!!!!!

Answer 5

See if you can find someone who can translate for you, and say something very simple, like welcome to your forever family and new home, not so much welcome to America, stress the positive of her Forever Family.

She may be curious about "new" things, maybe a really soft blanket or stuffed animal, or go to a local Kmart, they carry the Bereguer dolls that are so cute, and specific to caucasian, hispanic and african american decents.  Remember, at 4, she will be more than likely terrified.  Keep things simple, and I would suggest to your friend to NOT have everyone at the airport, The little girl needs time to attach to them, and not be handled by too many family members and friends right away. That can be done in a couple of weeks, once the little girl starts to trust her new mom and dad and feels secure. Just my opinion.

Answer 6

you need to get her something that you would get any other 4 year old. i was adopted i know that i wanted to feel like i was the same as everyone else. make her feel the same as any other kid.

Answer 7

Here's a crash course in Spanish:

Bienvenidos (bee-en-vay-NEE-dos) means welcome

Chica (CHEE-cah) means girl

Bonita (bow-NEE-tah) means pretty

Bienvenidos a Los Estados Unidos.  Somos muy felizes que estas aqui. (bee-en-vay-NEE-dos ah los es-TAH-dos you-NEE-dos.  SO-mos Moo-ey fuh-LEES-es kay es-TAHS ah-KEY).  Means welcome to the United States.  We are very happy you are here.

Felicitades y Buen Suerte!

Answer 8

Congrats to your friend.  We just had friends who brought their daughter home from Guatemala last week.  What an exciting time!

I like the doll idea.  She will be so thrilled with having a new toy.  I also agree that it can be anything you would get another 4 yr old child.  Just remember that this is a "welcoming" gift for the little girl so you should be okay.

If you are looking for something special for her to put away or that might have meaning for her later in life, I would recommend a butterfly charm or a butterfly necklace.  I have always felt that the butterfly is a beautiful way to signify the adoption "story".  

Good luck to you and Congrats to your friend again!

Answer 9

blanket

leapfrog

stuffed animal

barbies

Answer 10

Honestly I would just go to the toy store and get her something appropriate for that age. A doll could be nice or a stuffed animal. A necklace or bracelet would be nice. But I’d really go with a doll or stuffed animal since most little girls like them.

I agree it might be nice if you looked up a few Spanish words What Adoptive Father posted I think was a good idea. So you can welcome her.

Answer 11

by her a doll. I remember getting gifts when i got adopted. I was also 4 too when i got adopted. anyway, i think i got some dolls and a little doll kitchen.

Answer 12

Some sort of toy...maybe a stuffed animal?

Answer 13

You should get her anything you would get a girl her age for a gift.  Dolls, dress up clothes, etc.  Maybe learn how to say a few welcoming and loving sentences in Spanish.  Learning Spanish to help with her transition will help a lot while she is learning English.

Answer 14

awwwww thats nice  that you want  her to feel so welcome.

I agree with  the bulid a bear idea they are such a personal  gift because of all the choosing  you have to do and the involment that comes into .There is not just bears there anmials  as well . If you choose a bear and one outfit maybe down  the track you could take her to the store and she could choose another outfit. Or depending  on how much money you want to spend not  including the outfit on it buy couple of outfits and because  of buying the bear you get a free carboard wardrobe or just ask for it. and you can put them in it and that and the bear would be oh so cute to and hand over to a little 4 year old. what a special family there going to be and they are lucky to have a friend like you.

Answer 15

i would say get her a stuffed animal, a bear or a dog or something or even a doll. something for when she's home the first few nights to snuggle with and feel safe with.

=)

Answer 16

i would say give her the same type of gift you would give a non-adopted toddler... dolls, coloring books, elmo, dora....

her adoption status shouldn't be a variable.

Answer 17

Give her something that she will  always remember and that comes from the heart. Like a soft bear or doll. Since it's Christmas time maybe give her a the 12.5-inch stockings say "My First Christmas" on the front and can be embroidered with her name!

Answer 18

I think a cabbage patch kid would be perfect in this situation.  They're lovable and long lasting, and are also adopted.  It's also an easy gift to understand and doesn't require any major communication.

Answer 19

I agree with what some of the others have suggested, like Healing Adoptee said, (dolls, etc...).  Just like you would buy for any other child.  Something that pertains to her age group.  You said that she only speaks Spanish.  My children LOVE Dora!  She speaks English AND Spanish.  That would probably wonderful for her since I am sure that she will be learning English as well.