What kind of gift to give to parents adopting a six year old child?

Question

I have friends who are adopting a child who they have been foster parents to for 2 years. I have seen many gifts for couples adopting a baby, but none for older adoptions. Is it appropriate to give a gift to the child, the parent, both or a gift for the whole family? And what to give? I want to be thoughtful but not inappropritate. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Give them a gift card  to get a family picture taken together.  Or a pass for a family outing.... zoo, park.... museum.

Answer 2

In my experience I have seen people give each of the family members a separate gift, and also do a family gift (since it’s about celebrating becoming/being a family). The last adoption I was part of was that of 2 sisters that were 7 & 9 one of the gifts they were given (each their own) was a family tree picture frame that included their birth and adoptive families. If the birth family is not involved I would try to find/include/or at least leave some space for pictures of the child prior to the adoption. As you well know these kids are starting new but they are still of their past and need to embrace all of who they are and where they come from. I thought that was just darling and thoughtful. Also you could go to one of those keepsake shops and get something with an engraving on it for each or the whole family. Passes to water and amusement parks and other family friendly places are always good too. You could name a star after the child or family. The family portrait is a good idea too. The savings bonds and things are good but are never really appreciated, and are impersonal; and you never know what the child is gonna do or be like when they are old enough to cash it in. Gift certificates get used for little insignificant things, and again not very personable.

I guess my feeling is that a gift that everyone enjoys and can endure over time to reflect the memory is most appropriate, since it is truly a family celebration. Although I bet if you threw in a coupon for a night of babysitting the parents would really like that as well. (There’s likely to be no more respite care after adoption.) Best wishes to your friend’s new family. You made me smile; love hearing about permanent placements that that have happy endings.:-)

Answer 3

i think any token will do, but the most important of all is your moral support, love, appreciation, and the idea of "being there" in this kind of situation

Answer 4

When I was adopted many moons ago, they had just come out with a scrapbook type thing called My Adoption. It was very unique for that time because it was the EARLY 1970's and adoption was still very "hush hush".

Get one for them. It's great because Mom and Dad can record literally EVERYTHING in there. I'm pretty certain you can get them a book stores, card shops, scrapbook stores, etc.

I still have mine. It has EVERYTHING from who was there when I came home, what I wore, what my home looked like, and even a "reception sign in" from fellow family's and friends.

Answer 5

GET SOMETHING THAT A 6 YEAR OLD LIKES.

AND IF YOU WHAT TO GET SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY DO THAT TOO. YOU CAN GIVE A GIFT CARD FOR THE FAMILY TO USE AS THEY NEED IT. IF THE 6 YRS OLD IS A BOY YOU CAN GET HIM CARS,ARMY MAN,WRESTING FIGURES.BUT IF IT IS A GIRL.THEN GET DOLLS,CLOTHES,OR JUST TAKE  THEM SHOPPING WITH YOU TO PICK SOMETHING OUT.

Answer 6

What about a book about parenting? Or if the boy is interested in sports you could give him some sports equipment suitable for his age.

Answer 7

If you are looking for a gift idea for the family, I do agree with the other responders about something for the family to do together or a professional portrait gift card.  One of the favorite gifts we received for our adoption was a Precious Moments Adoption figurine because the child is shown as a "child" and not a baby.  

If you are looking for a gift for the parents, how about a gift certificate for dinner and an offer to babysit?!?!  The stress of adoption is very great and it will be such a huge relief once the adoption is final.  It might be a nice treat to give them a night to themselves also.

Good luck to you.

Answer 8

I have found that a tactful gift choice is a gift certificate from an appropriate store. Maybe you know a child's clothing store that they go to, or perhaps they're Walmart junkies. Try to think of something personalized that will really be useful to them.

A great option for parents who are environmentally conscious or conservation minded is to make a donation in their name to a charity (there's a great one that gives farming animals to poor families), or to buy an acre of rainforest in the child's name. Always be sure to include a thoughtful card. Try a specialty stationary store instead of just getting one at the pharmacy - you can find really nice customized cards at specialty stores that will really show that you made the extra effort. Good luck!

Answer 9

Gift card to Toys R Us or a clothing store.....Old Navy, Gap.....kids go through clothes and shoes like nobody's business.....and you can never have enough toys!!

Answer 10

A nice scrapbook for them to record many more family memories to come.

Answer 11

I would think the best way to go, would be a gift for the family. Something fun like movie passes or a gift certificate for dinner.

Answer 12

something sentimental,such as

a visit to a professional photographer

a scrapbook of "momentos" from the last 2 years

a poem written by yourself?!

a pet?!

Answer 13

You could buy for both the family and the child.  Maybe a family gift could be a picture frame with the date of the adoption, you could even include a photo of the happy complete family if you have one.

For the child you could buy what you would buy any other child, clothes, toys, Savings Bonds, etc.  They have actually had adoption baby showers before, but if you wanted to you could get some other friends together and throw the family a adoption/welcome to the family party and have people bring gifts.

Please extend Congratulations to your friends on their newest addition.

Answer 14

Since the child is older maybe a gift certificate or money towards their education like a savings bond or see if they have a savings account for him or her.

Answer 15

So far as I know, there are no limitations, It's really up to you--If in  doubt-give money, that way the family will probably get something for the child.

Answer 16

How about a frame or even a gift certificate to have family pictures made!  Great question though...

Answer 17

what about movie passes or dinner gift cert. that way they can celebrate together as a family.

you could also try certificates to roller skating, amusement parks, campgrounds, water parks or any other place like that in your area. it may be a nice way for them to get out as a family

wish them the best of luck

Answer 18

Maybe a voucher to go to a photographer and have a family portrait done. It could be the centre piece of their home

Answer 19

Something that they can use as a marker for the occasion, you can get trees planted in peoples names, or give them a tree to plan in their garden.

Answer 20

it is definitely appropriate to give a gift and mark the joyous occasion. I am a lover of books and look for any opportunity to give books. A six yr old is definitely old enough for lots of great books -- that he can read to himself shortly if not already and also ones that can be read to him. Picture books and chpater books are appropriate. There are so many really good ones!! Megatooth (about giant sharks from the dinsaur era), One Morning in Maine (about losing a tooth), Charlotte's Web, Little Bear, Frog and Toad.

Answer 21

You have some really good answers already.

Personally, when I have a friend that is having a baby or am invited to a kid's birthday party I buy the kids US Savings Bonds.

For the new parents, you could to a "certificate" for them to have a night out alone, a house cleaning, a dinner made for them.  Just something nice that will give them somewhat of a break from their daily routine.

Answer 22

Sarcastic answer--tranquilizers

Serious answer--a gift card to Blockbuster and a gift basket with popcorn and snacks, or a gift card to the local movie theater.  Stuff they can do as a family.

Answer 23

the gift of the child alone is the best gift anyone could ever recieve...

Answer 24

Books! DVD's, gift certificates for sure.  One of the best gift certificates is one to Target. The store has so many items that mom and dad can choose what they really need for him and get more bang for the buck.  One of the best gifts of all for an adoptee and their family is the loving support of friends and family. Educate yourself on adoption.  There is an "adoption language" that most are not prepared for.  The do's and don'ts, on what to say and "how" to say it.  If you have children, educate them as well.

Answer 25

I guess any gift would be appreciated. But I think a family gift would be nice. Perhaps a gift certificate to a restaurant for all to enjoy. Or for movie rentals or circus tickets or some other family event.

Answer 26

a statue of david...i dont know