[Acolo]

Hi everyone, Just looking for some ideas/help. We got to be at the hospital for our son's birth & he's been with us since.. So, we've had showers, etc. Our finalization is coming up next month & we wanted to throw a big party - we were thinking of doing it at a park. Anyone do something like this? Did you have a theme? Did you give out anything? I want to go all out, but am unsure of what to do, so any personal experiences would be a huge help.Thanks!!

[HBV]

We did a family and close friends party at my parents' house, just appetizers and wine for the grownups, finger food and soft drinks for kids. We made little party favors----our nanny, who's an artist, helped us with them. She dipped H's hand in watercolor paint and made handprints on parchment, and each parchment had a different quote about families on it. I sent announcements out (we'd sent birth announcements when he was placed with us) to other friends who knew about the issues in the adoption to let them know we'd finalized. I can try to pm one to you if you'd like.

[nawlinsmom]

First of all congratulations, how exciting, I did a huge party when I finalized my son's adoption. However it was also his 3rd birthday and after waiting so long to finalize I could not wait to celebrate so we had a combination party. I rented a small hall at the park here, which had a wave pool right outside the door. I went with a water theme giving each child a sand bucket as they entered with their name on it, had games like picking plastic ducks out of water, a dophin toss, etc set up around the room, where they won those paper tickets (which they all love), and at the end had boxes filled with prices and shreaded paper which they dug into with their shovels and filled their buckets with prices and candy. I did a chicken finger dinner with dirty rice and potato salad, also had blue punch, and finger foods for the children, it was a great day and everyone just loved it. I also gave out the "Adoption = Love" bracelets as favors to the adults. We had cake at the end and just enjoyed the rest of the time listening to music and watching the children play. It was a great celebration. Have fun and good luck.

[court5505]

We had a big party at our house. We sent out invitations and requested no gifts, however we still got a few. We didn't give anything out, but I did buy one of those autograph mats and put DD's picture in the middle and had everyone at the party either sign it or write a little message to her.

[StorkWatcher]

Court - where do you get an autograph mat like that? (PM me if needed)

[Leigh131313]

Stork, I got mine at Michaels...but i've seen them in tons of crafty places (even walmart)

[SanInUtah]

[quote=Acolo]Hi everyone, Just looking for some ideas/help. We got to be at the hospital for our son's birth & he's been with us since.. So, we've had showers, etc. Our finalization is coming up next month & we wanted to throw a big party - we were thinking of doing it at a park.

I never had a shower, since I fost adopted and used the occasion to introduce my 8yo son to his new extended family. Also, it was a time to thank everyone who'd held my hand during that time.

Anyone do something like this?

I rented a pavillion at a city park and had about 100 people in for it. We did hamburgers, bought potato salad/coleslaw and had a huge cake. (No, we didn't tint the salads!).

Did you have a theme?

We called it The Blue Party and every thing in it was blue. There were beachballs everywhere and i think a volleyball game started up. This park has a huge play area that was close enough we could see the kids and still be adults. It was a fantastic memory for my son and family.

Did you give out anything? I want to go all out, but am unsure of what to do, so any personal experiences would be a huge help.Thanks!!

The oriental trading company is your best friend tonight! LOL I bought a bunch of tissue confetti (eco friendlier), sport ball erasers, lai necklaces, mardi gras beads, anythng that wouldn't break and filled a couple of pinatas. The invitations went out in his adoption announcements and included a portrait of us, so that's as close as I got to a party favor. We sent kids home with balloons I think. I went back to the park the next week and there were still about 50 tiny erasers on the ground. LOL

There are several online sources for adoption announcements. I paid the $25 and had them personalized. Ours had an adoption poem. I think they came off a link from this website. Maybe someone here can share better info there.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JC10]

This is a great idea & what better cause to celebrate! Our daughter was a big surprise, literally. We got a call the morning of her birth (which happened to be in our city).... from the hospital social worker who told us the ** had delivered a little girl and asked the hospital to contact a family in the local area!!! Not quite believing any of what had just happened, my husband & I went to the hospital nursery where a nurse was awaiting our arrival to take home our daughter. The only problem? Through the shock we failed to pick up clothes or a car seat to take her home! It was quite amazing. The hospital staff was very supportive. So, with no showers and no prep time, when we finalized, many of our friends & family met our daughter for the first time.

Party ideas??? Just have a great time!

[court5505]

I also got my autograph mat at Michaels.