The adoption of a baby or child deserves a celebration! The parents will need everything that a pregnant couple would need for the new baby. Here are a few thoughts about adoption baby showers:
Timing of the party:
When the baby shower should take place is really a personal preference of the parents-to-be. You, as the host, should check with the parents-to-be as to when they expect the child to arrive home. You can either have the party before the child arrives or after.
Games for the party:
There are two differences between an adoptive baby shower and a "normal" baby shower. One is that the mom-to-be is not pregnant. So, the games that you decide to play should not reflect a pregnant mom. Do not play "how big around is mom" and any maternity related game.
The second difference may be the age of the child. They may be adopting a three year old as opposed to a newborn. So, a game such as "guess the birth date/ weight of baby" wouldn't be appropriate for an older child adoption.
Parties After the Child Arrives:
Please be conscious of the adjustment period a new family will have once their child comes home. You may want to give them some time before the celebration to get to know each other. This is especially true of an older child adoption.
Theme of the Party:
The theme of the adoption baby shower should be the same as any other baby shower.
If the party, however, is after the adoption and is for an older child, then maybe consider creating a theme that includes the child's likes. For example: if the child likes "Pooh and Tigger", then use that for your theme. He/she will then have a sense of inclusion and involvement in the party.
Froggy themes have become very popular adoption baby shower themes. Marcus will be "hopping" home very soon! It is a really cute theme!
Overall:
The adoption baby shower should be run like any other party. Every situation is different and you will need to take into account the circumstances surrounding your particular adoption. Timing, age of child, the parent's wants, etc.. If you are not sure, then ask.
Another great resource is Adoption.org
