I recently wrote a post titled, “Everything You Need to Know about Gotcha Day.”  If you’ve read it, you know that after researching everything about Gotcha Day, I am still uncertain about whether or not I wanted to start celebrating it with our boys.

To be totally honest, I really do love any reason to have a party.  But especially since having kids join the family!  It is just amazing + wonderful + heartwarming to see their faces light up for special occasions and festive events.  I’m not above making up “holidays” to do something special and fun for/with my boys! You have all heard of “National go with your Mom to a Movie Day” + “It’s Super Hot, so Let’s get Ice Cream Day” + “Family Snuggle Day” right?

 

Photo by @jwolfphotography

 

But adoption is so very special to me.  Maybe even sacred.  Without it, we wouldn’t have our boys. We would never have had any children.  It has allowed us to have a family.  Family + Is + Everything! So adoption truly is a miracle in our lives.  So if we ever do celebrate Gotcha Day, I would want it to be very meaningful for our family, not just an excuse to party.

With that in mind, I wanted to come up with some different ways to commemorate such a special day.  I came up with nearly 20 ideas before deciding to narrow it down.  I have chosen my Top 3 Big Celebration Ideas along with my favorite Top 3 Small Celebration ideas.

I know – some of the ideas are kinda obvious, but I hope I have come up with some that are unique as well as thoughtful and meaningful.

 

Photo by @jwolfphotography

 

Top 3 Go Big Gotcha Day Ideas

So these big ideas will take some planning and preparation long before the day you celebrate Gotcha Day!

1.) Pay it Forward Day

What better way to celebrate than to help someone else get one step closer to their own Adoption Day.  I made this my #1 on the list because it is combining 2 things that I am passionate about : Adoption + Service.  There are lots of big ways to help others.  The first example I thought of was to choose a family who is trying to adopt.  And then host a fund raiser or awareness event in their honor.  All proceeds will go toward funding their adoption.

2.) Big Time Bash

This is your more traditional celebration. Throw a special party to celebrate! Invite the whole family to come.  Have themed decorations and cake, balloons, games and party favors! No idea is too big.  This is the perfect idea for you if you love to party!

3.) A Journey Through Time

Plan a trip back to where your child was born or where you first met them.  For international adoptions this can a big undertaking, and might not be something you can do every year.  But it can be so special for you and for your child! Even if you don’t choose to do this for an Adoption Day celebration, I urge everyone to make this trip at least once with their child.

 

Photo by @jwolfphotography

 

Top 3 Small Gotcha Day Ideas

Even though these are my small ideas, they can be a big success! Sometimes even the smallest actions are the most meaningful.  And that really is what I was trying to carry out with this list.  These ideas don’t need much planning ahead, so if you procrastinate, no big deal!

1.) Birth Story Bonanza

Set aside some time on Adoption Day to sit down with your child, or the whole family, and look over their baby book.  Tell them about their birth story, how you met their birth mom, what it was like to look at them for the first time.  Just tell them about everything that led to them joining your family!  I do this regularly with Jonathan, and it is incredibly meaningful.  He loves looking at his baby pictures, seeing pictures of his birth family, touching his hospital bracelet.  Even though he is only 4, it is very special for him.

2.) Remember Your Birth Parents

Plan to do something during the day to remember his birth parents.  If you have an open adoption, it might be a good day to plan a visit or take them out to dinner.  You could take some time and help your child write a letter/card to their birth parents.  If you have a closed adoption you can just talk to your child about how grateful you are for their birth parents.  That you are glad they made you and placed them with you.

3.) “A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes” Day

Let your child make a wish and fulfill it together as a family.  After all, your wish was fulfilled the day your baby was placed in your arms!  It can be a simple as letting them chose what they want for dinner, going to the zoo, or seeing a movie of their choosing.  As they grow, their interests will change, but you will still be able to grant a wish on Adoption Day!

I hope you like some of these ideas.  You’ll have to let me know if you decide to use any of them. I would love to hear how you celebrate Gotcha Day.

Thank you my lovely friends!