First Birthday after adoption

[CompletelyUnknown]

This is my first post so please be gentle.

My DH and I have recently adopted our DD we've had her for a month. I could fish on about how amazing she is but I won't. Anyway it's her first birthday next month and we've been so lucky with gifts from friends and family for her arrival that she doesn't really need anything for her birthday.

Are there any suggestions on what we/they could get her?

We're having a family day out to celebrate no big party or anything. I know she won't have a clue but it's for us as a family. Don't want us or them to spend money for the sake of buying her a gift.

What about a personalised wooden toy? I got both my dd and ds one for there 1st birthday and it's always been a treasured toy.

A story book with her name and family members in it? I've still got mine from when I was small and both my dc have a personalised book

Gift vouchers for activities? Swimming lessons or yoga or the like? Books? You can never have too many!

What about a bank account, savings for things she needs or activities over the coming year.

Or think of something that will come in handy over the next year if you've got space to store. What about garden toys such as paddling pool, Wendy house, climbing frame. Or train set, play kitchen

What about your/partners/families favourite books? Each of you could pick one and write a message inside the cover

Big congratulations OP. She sounds lovely. I'd go for a keep-sake and a toy. Musical instruments (see 'Melissa & Doug' for excellent quality toys) were popular with my DS at that age... anything he could bash...

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Eeeeek2 Unfortunately we can't start a bank account yet as the final paperwork will take a few months.

Pinkheart50211 I like the idea of personalised books/signed favourite family member books and personalised wooden toys.

Where would I get the Your story sort of personalised book?

Pommes I'll look into those soft toys, something a bit special.

PotteringAlong our family are constantly doing wee day trips here and there but I do live a gift voucher!

We've basically already been given everything we could need/want for the next including clothes. Very lucky to have generous friends and family. I just don't want to feel like there's nothing special to mark this occasion never mind the fact.. whispers... Christmas is around the corner.

I suppose there are worse things to be struggling with.

Congratulations!

Did you know there is an Adoption board under 'Becoming a Parent'? Lots of valuable insight on adoption specific stuff there.

Anyway, I would go for money towards membership for your local activity farm / zoo / whatever?

I'm not too knowledgeable on 1st B-days as mine were older when they came to us.

How about everyone gives the book that was their favourite from their child hood. I love this idea but have failed to use it the three years I have had a child! You could ask people to write a little message in each one :)

Firstly, congratulations

I agree with something personalised. Maybe if you can't open a bank account yet, perhaps a money box that she can use as she grows up (if you plan on going down the pocket money route or putting a part of any future birthday/Christmas money in).

Maybe personalised story books (there's a huge selection out there - The little girl who lost her name springs to mind.). I'm sure there's loads more things but my mind has gone blank. Sorry if any of these have been mentioned, just had a quick look at the OP.

I hope she has a wonderful day

I'm guessing you will also have the legal adoption / court celebration process within the next 6 months too? Your house will be bursting at the seams!

NB I would be wary of putting too much money into a child's name, especially if they are adopted. They get access to it at 18, and you really have no idea how they will be at that age. We have purposely not done that for our DDs, and it is a big relief as DD1 (now 18) has been having big emotional wobbles over the last couple of years and if she had access to 5-10k now it could be disastrous for her.
You can of course put it into a savings account that you are mentally using for her, but that is different.

UnderTheNameOfSanders my DH has already a substantial amount in savings for my DSS and we contribute to it monthly therefore I would feel like I was being unfair if I didn't do the same for her. I understand where your coming from with regard to when they "come of age". It's in a savers account which we have control over so they won't get access to it. Adopted children here have access to information from 16 so and we're going to be as open an honest as appropriate and work with SW in an attempt to diffuse wobbles. Never know, might work.

We are trying to ensure there is no difference between DSS (who is a natural child of DH and his ex) and DD who is adopted.

I'm not sure if we'll have a big hurrah when she officially becomes ours. The way I see it the date we got her, which is marked in our calendar as our "forever family day", will be our celebration day. But your right the house is already busting at the seams with DSS and DD stuff never mind my ever so spoiled cat!!

We celebrate moving in day and court day. It took us 15 months to get to court so it seemed well worth celebrating when we finally got there!

Hopefully she will more settled coming to you so young. My DD1 was 8 when she arrived so obviously has had a very different kind of background to yours.

Agree that if you already have a DS(S) then you have to do the same for both and fingers crossed.

Consumables such as finger paints and craft paper might be good. Or a ride car this sort of thing

UnderTheNameOfSanders yes we're extremely lucky we got her at 10 months. It was right at the time where she was forming attachments so we've immediately become mummy and daddy. We feel so fortunate.

We're going to Smyths tomorrow and I'll look online for the personalised books and wooden toys. I fancy the ride on toys like the one attached. Maybe one of the push walkers as she started climbing things. Absolutely fearless!

Congratulations on your DD! Come over to the Adoption Board and say hi

Books are always good, especially as the giver can write a special message in the front cover.

Congratulations! I like the idea of something personalised - what about a large wooden toys box for all her lovely toys? You can get them upholstered and with her name on so can double as a bench.
Enjoy the day when it comes!

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll give the adoption board a look.