What possessions do the children come with? Gift advice needed for new family member

[FrogsGoWhat]

We are very excited that someone in our family will soon be having a new son placed with them.

I would like to get a "baby shower" or happy adoption type present, but am unsure what would be most useful!

I presume they will Come from foster care with a full wardrobe? Or would new winter coat etc be useful! Will they need new toys or will they have their own already?

Sorry if I am asking stupid questions - I what the present to be a surprise, bt useful.

The things our adopted DC liked (and still do) were DVDs that we could watch together. We push the sofas together like a big bed, get pillows and my king size duvet and all sit together with the curtains drawn and candles lit. We used to do it perhaps once a fortnight when they were little and it became a treat and a ritual. They remember this and even in their teenage years, there are films that, on a Sunday when we have no sporting fixtures, they delight in DVD, duvet and popcorn, all snuggled up with us.

All the meaningful stuff like cards, books and plaques are in a memory chest, but they won't let us put that handful of special DVDs away, even though they're now 13 and 14.

I sew and for my friends who just had a 2yo placed I made a blouse in a 2-3 year old size, so it's not like they'll have too many of those. I asked if they'd like a coat and specified colour, and I've just made one in the next size up, so that will do for the future.

The bubble machine is my suggestion to everyone.

What do I buy for a 1 yo who has too many toys?
What do I buy for a 3mo first Xmas?
Gender neutral toys?
Shared present for twins?

It was a first Xmas present for my dd and kids as old as 8 want to have a bath when visiting.
Also great distraction for toilet training

StopDoingThat, Lagoonhaze - I am very sorry if my earlier post annoyed you it was not my intention. Yes I am the founder of the book/website which I created when I adopted my second child.

I created the book to help other adopted parents explain to their children about their start in life. My children were 8 months and 12 months when they came home and the binder full of information supplied by Social Services wasn't age appropriate to start showing them. It still isn't even though they are now 5 and 3. It is there however for when it is age appropriate and they require more information.

Yes I do know that the books have been well received by the parents and the children whether they have bought it for their own child or received it as a gift.

I am a stay at home mum who developed the book to help parents and adopted children not to annoy them on mumsnet, I had only just joined and I realise my error.

Once again I am very sorry.

Jo

Tilly /Jo - key rule on MN is be honest if you are plugging something and go through the proper channels to advertise (note - I didn't see your original post which got deleted, but assume from context that is what the problem was)

Welcome to MN

I would think books would one of the most useful gifts, unless the DC is going to a house with children's books already in it (ie where there are siblings).

duchesse - we had a house full of books already, as we had an older DS when DD came along, but it was still really nice for her to have things of her very own.

StopDoingThat - yes, that would be good!

I would say its very dependant on each child what they have. My children are in fc and if they were coming to you for adoption they wouldn't need anything . Our fc has actually banned anymore toys coz we have bought them so so much . Although she always welcomes clothes as children grow so quick. My kids are moving carers next week and it will be quite a few car loads to move them so in some cases I would suggest maybe wait til they arrive to see what the child has already .