If there is one thing I didn’t do that I wish I had when we adopted, I wish I had let someone throw me a baby shower. With all that goes into adoption, I guess a baby shower didn’t stand out as a high priority. We had a lot of adoption issues to deal with including funding our adoption, home-study, fingerprinting, background checks, NICU visits, post-adoption depression, bonding issues, etc.
So, when my sister in law asked, I told her not to worry about it…
But, now, I wish I had taken the time to look through different baby shower theme ideas until I found one I was excited about. It would have been fun to play those cute baby shower games and get some gifts I probably didn’t need. You know, like a wipe warmer, diaper genie, infant shoes, and, a baby robe. But, mainly, it would have been special to take the time to celebrate that I was about to become a mom.
Why have a shower?
The point I want to make is if you know a prospective adoptive family that is heavy in the adoption process, or if you are a hopeful adoptive mom, or even if you’ve adopted recently, and have not had a baby shower, look through these baby shower ideas. See if anything gets you excited to have a baby shower. I feel strongly that this is one area that shouldn’t be treated differently whether a woman has a child biologically or through adoption.
Since adoption is unpredictable and often, you don’t know when your child will come home, you can decide if you want to have the shower while you’re in the waiting period. Or, you can wait until your child is home. This is a personal preference. Either is completely fine!
Regardless of when you have the shower, the point is the recognition that you are becoming a mom…in every meaningful sense of the word. This should not be minimized because the family is being built through adoption.
Also, consider if a couple’s shower might be a good option. Adoption is a long journey that a couple embarks on and it makes sense to consider if a couple’s shower fits.
So, let’s look at some baby shower theme ideas perfect for adoptive moms. I’m not going to dive too deep into all the different activities and decorations you can do around a particular theme. Because let’s be honest… Pinterest & Etsy are great for that! But, I’ll make a few decorations and gift suggestions that could be a great addition. If you like any of them, just click on the image to be taken straight to the link to order.
Once you find a theme you love you can have some fun looking at more decoration and food ideas that fit.
(Note: This post contains affiliate links to help keep this website running. We will be compensated a small amount when you make a purchase by clicking through our links. This does not result in you paying any more for the products. Read our disclaimer policy here.)
1. Missing Piece
This is a popular theme for an adoption shower and for good reason. Many adopting couples feel their puzzle is complete once they adopt. I know we did.
There are so many ways to have fun with this theme. One idea is to get a puzzle and have everyone write a special message on it to the family or the child. This would be a keepsake to enjoy for years to come.
You could also make a family tree decoration where the leaves are puzzle pieces.
And, here’s a cute gift idea for the missing piece theme!
2. Globes
This can be an especially great theme for international adoption.
You can incorporate globes in many ways but one idea is to have a globe that everyone can write a message on to the parents-to-be or the child if you will use it in their nursery. You can even have a globe made with a special quote like “You mean the world to us” or “You are our greatest adventure.” Check out Etsy for some great customization options!
And, here are some balloons that would be perfect for a globe themed baby shower.
3. Spa
I must admit that as cute as some other baby shower theme ideas are, I would have been thrilled to enjoy a spa themed baby shower.
You can throw a spa day baby shower and pamper the mom-to-be. Most women I know would love this! And, what guests wouldn’t love coming to a spa shower? This one leaves plenty of room for creativity. There are so many ways to get pampered.
Here’s one party favor I think would be perfect for gift baskets if you go with this baby shower theme idea.
4. Baby’s Birth Place
This works great if the shower is being thrown after the baby is home or at least once the birthplace is known. To use this idea, you connect the theme of the adoption shower to the baby’s birthplace. For example, if a baby comes from Virginia, you could use the beach and mountains in various aspects of the shower. This is a fun baby shower theme idea that leaves a lot of room for creativity.
Here’s a cute book that would be a great addition if the child is being adopted as an infant.
5. Sibling Adoption
I think this idea is as cute as can be! If you’re adding another child to your family, why not have a shower hosted by the siblings for the new baby. You could wait until your new baby is home and your older child could invite over their friends to introduce the new addition.
My son and daughter are just 18 months apart and it would have been so cute to have used this baby shower theme idea when we adopted our son. Even if your child is small, it’s an adorable baby shower theme idea that could be so much fun. Here’s a cute decoration idea that could also be fun for the kiddos.
6. Bible Verses
As a woman of faith that knows fully that our children are a gift from God, I think a bible verse adoption shower is an amazing idea.
Here are just a few verses you could use:
Psalms 68:5-6a
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…”
Matthew 18:5
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,”
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Ephesians 1:5
“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will . . . “
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
And, this would be a perfect swaddle blanket for someone using this baby shower theme idea.
7. Adoption Quotes
Here’s another baby shower theme idea that would be perfect for a soon to be adoptive couple.
Here are some perfect quotes to use:
“Adoptive Mom? I am a Mom. I need no other label or prefix.”
~Joanne Greco
“However motherhood comes to you, it’s a miracle.”
~Valerie Harper
“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.”
~Oprah Winfrey
“I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two.”
~Bob Constantine
“The adoption was challenging – the LOVE arrived instantly.”
~Unknown
For more quote ideas, check out this post: Encouraging Adoption Quotes
Here is an amazing gender neutral baby book that would be perfect for the mom to be. And, the best part is it’s set up in a way that works for an adopted child. You wouldn’t believe how hard that is to find!
8. Sip & See
Here’s an idea that could be perfect if you are waiting until after the baby/ child is home to have your shower
Many baby showers occur before the baby comes. However, a Sip and See occurs afterward. Also, if you skipped having a shower this could be a great way to celebrate your child coming home. The Sip and See allow everyone to celebrate with you. It’s typically more casual than a shower. You can set it up in an open house format, rather than a party with everyone present at the same time. While baby showers are many times for women only, entire families, including men and children may attend a sip and see.
Here’s a cute balloon decoration that could be perfect if you decide on this baby shower theme idea.
9. Forever Family
Throughout an adoption journey, you will likely hear the term “forever family” a lot. After all, your child is making their way to their forever family. When adding to your family through adoption, this could be a perfect baby shower theme idea.
Here are a couple of books that could be excellent gift ideas for an adoptive mom to be.
10. Birth Mom & Adoptive Mom Shower
In the case of open adoption, here is a baby shower theme idea that could include the birth mom and adoptive mom. Depending on the situation, an expectant mother who has made an adoption plan might be thrilled to be included in the baby shower.
For the birth mom, self-care and pampering items are wonderful. Inspirational and uplifting gifts such as books, hand- and footprint keepsakes, or gift cards to her favorite places are all appropriate and thoughtful gifts. One of the first gifts we gave to our children’s birth mom was a handprint of our daughter’s hand like this:
For the adoptive mom to be, you could give her any number of gifts such as baby gear.
Here is a very reasonably priced baby carrier that I loved using for our daughter.
The awesome thing about this idea is that the baby is celebrated, the birth mom is supported, and the hopeful adoptive mother gets to be loved on, too. If you are pursuing an open adoption and the birth mom would enjoy this, I would consider it.
Whether you choose one of these baby shower theme ideas or something completely different, the important thing is you are taking the time to celebrate becoming a new mom or adding to your family through adoption.
If you are still in the initial stages of considering adoption, here is some very helpful information on types of adoption and their associated costs.
