[Shadowfaerie]

Well, very soon our son's adoption will be finalized (I know he's nearly 2yrs, this has been crazy). We are thinking of throwing a finalization party but not really sure what to do for it. Did anyone have one, and did you do anything but have a get-together?

[Fran27]

We had a get-together. Two of dh's brothers flew over and came to the courthouse with us, and we all met for dinner afterwards at the other brother who lives close.

[jalapeno]

We had a big party for each finalization. Both times we made it an open house because we wanted to have it on the actual day of finalization (which was during the week). We invited lots of people. Had lots of food and cake. And just hung out and enjoyed the day with all our friends and family. Each time I made a special hat for the child who's finalization we were celebrating. We took photos in the morning at the court house and used one of those to make announcement cards to hand out. I made everyone who attended put their handprint on a canvas to commemorate the occasion.

Enjoy your celebration!!!

[c.a]

We had three days of parties. Finalization was on Friday - National Adoption Day 2007. After Court we took 20 friends and family to lunch/ On Saturday we took six of our son's friends and their families to a water park. On Sunday we celebrated his Church Dedication and then held a brunch for about 60 people at the Church. For the centerpieces on the tables we had ballon bouquets tied to Dump Trucks and filled with Hershey's Kisses and Hugs.

Have a party! Congratulations.

[chrisandaaron]

We had an open house type party. It was at the same time as the football game with lots of food and cake

[loveajax]

I don't know if you are going to court or not, but we invited our family and close friends to the ceremony (the court officer said, "one family at a time," because there were so many of us! and we said, "we are all the same family!"). Afterwards, we went to a nice hotel that had a fabulous brunch. It was really a special day!!

If I was a better cook, I think a home party would be great too.

CONGRATS!!!! Enjoy the day!! It was one of the best days of my life (short of DD's birth and my wedding!).

[OakShannon]

Congratulations! After nearly 2 years, you must feel so good to be getting to this point!

Our finalization party is actually coming up this Sunday. We are only having grandparents and godparents come with us to the court on Friday for the actual finalization. On Sunday, we are having a party with friends and family (about 70 people in all) to celebrate. Just tons of food and desserts and champagne for the grownups to toast with.

[jp4ga]

We are in the process of planning our party. We finalize in mid-Feb. We are planning an open house type thing starting around noon. Finger foods and such. We are not going to court due to distance, so we will finalize over the phone. Several close friends and family members will be there when the event takes place.

[finallyamom0310]

We invited family to court with us but since it was out of state only a few came. Then we did an open house gathering for those who wanted to come to the house. I also did potluck style to keep the cost down.

[millie58]

I'm having an adoption party in June. My first finalization was June 2, 2007; my next one was National Adoption Day, Nov, 15, 2007. I have one this Friday. I'm having one big outside party where I'll introduce my kids.

[Yash]

My sister cooked cause she's so great at it. We had spaghetti and little bbq wings. We had a cake. I sent out Evites to family and friends. I didn't mention anything about presents, some people brought some, some didn't. My friend who is a photographer took pictures. And a nice time was had by all.

I was going to do another one for my daughter, but my sister isn't here to cook so instead we're going on a trip.

Jory's adoption was finalized 19 months and 2 days after he came home at 5 days.

[Singlemom619]

I went WAY TOO far with ours...

On adoption day I surprised everyone and had a limo show up and it was waiting for us as we were walking outside to get into the cars...

Limo took us to McDonalds (his favorite place back then - and a place we NEVER eat at) and then to the court house. On the way home we had sparkling apple cider in the car and the radio station congratulated him on his big day.

A little while after (that same day) we went to a special restaurant.

This day my grandmother, cousin, aunt, and two others were with us.

A few days later was his birthday and we had an adoption/birthday party and had a bunch of people over. The cake said congratulations and happy birthday.

Last month he asked me if we were going to get a limo when 3YO's adoption goes through and he was excited. When I explained that this state doesn't do the court thing and they just send a letter to you saying "BTW your adoption finalized on XX date" he was disappointed.

I will get a limo and and we'll have a little party for my little one - but it will be harder since I won't have a specific date to be celebrating. We'll have fun regardless.

[adoptionauthor]

We had a big finalization party and definitely plan to do it for our next baby's adoption.

My parents went with us to court and then that Saturday we had a big bonfire/hot dog roast. We invited everyone we knew and roasted hot dogs, ate smores and celebrated our forever family.

I just decked out the yard and made picnic food, it was inexpensive and a blast! Good luck and congrats!

[Yash]

Originally Posted by Singlemom619

I went WAY TOO far with ours...

On adoption day I surprised everyone and had a limo show up and it was waiting for us as we were walking outside to get into the cars...

Limo took us to McDonalds (his favorite place back then - and a place we NEVER eat at) and then to the court house. On the way home we had sparkling apple cider in the car and the radio station congratulated him on his big day.

A little while after (that same day) we went to a special restaurant.

This day my grandmother, cousin, aunt, and two others were with us.

A few days later was his birthday and we had an adoption/birthday party and had a bunch of people over. The cake said congratulations and happy birthday.

Wow! Can you adopt me? McD's is still my favorite place.

[nee18]

Well, now I'm feeling really lame because we didn't have a party at all. We just finalized over the phone at our agency, ate out breakfast together just the three of us, and hung out at home the rest of the day relaxing. My in-laws came over and dropped off a gift, but we just didn't make too big a deal of it (even though it's, of course, a huge deal). We just felt like we had already done A LOT of celebrating since we first brought him home and just wanted that day to be about our little family.