[davisgaskin]

Our Son's adoption was final two weeks ago & we are planning an adoption party for him. His party will be in one month. He is ten years old. We are looking for ideas for his party. We are planing to serve cake and finger foods. What we are looking for is any ideas for anything extra like games, memory books , or any other ideas you might have. We are also wanting any ideas you may have for invitations. Thanks so much for your ideas and thoughts.

[roche]

Hm.....maybe this isn't exactly a "party" idea, but my hubby and I decided that if we are ever able to adopt a child, then we would take our bio kids and new adopted child out to eat to celebrate and then go to Build A Bear and let each kid make their own stuffed animal.

HTH. Roche

[riley6]

They have these photo frames that have a huge mat with an 8 x 10 cut out in the middle for a picture. How about having everyone sign the mat as they come in and put a picture of either your son's adoption or a family portrait in the middle.

We had a cake with finger foods. The cake said "forever family" with our kids' names on it. We made a scrap book of all the cards and emails we got. Annually we will go for ice cream, give a card of love to the kids, and give them balloons (they LOVE balloons!).

[dcline]

With my oldest one (who was 2 when he was adopted) we had a large backyard party with pinatas, barbeque, etc. with both family and friends. I asked for no gifts, but layed out various colored papers and pens and asked family and friends to write amemory of the first time they saw Ryley. I then used these as backgrounds of pictures taken that day on scrapbook entries.

With my second (who was 1) , her adoption fell during the Christmas holidays, so the backyard party wasn't as convenient. Instead, we invited family and friends to the hearing and then to the Local Mr. Gatti's for fun and food. I did the same paper and pen activity.

On the anniversary of their adoptions, I do something special with each child. For instance, Ryley and I are going to the Zoo on Sunday to celebrate our 2nd anniversary of his adoption. I call it "Ryley day" and mark it on the calendar, etc.

[Ktates]

I have seen this done for wedding showers and was thinking of it for adoption - sending a page from a scapbook to everyone you are inviting to write down thoughts on welcoming your child into the family - and maybe a spot for a picture to be taken to put in with the comments...I think that would be a cool momento to have growing up. Kinda like a lifebook from friends and family.

There was a link somewhere on the board for announcements that had some really great ideas - you could probably use some of those for your invitations.

Congratulations! It's much more fun to plan parties than fill out paperwork!