When shopping online for the perfect gift for an adoptive family, Canadians have some great places and products to choose from. Even though most adoption products available online are from U.S. retailers, Canadian companies offer unique ideas that fit any budget.
Donate to a Canadian Adoption Charity
One of the most thoughtful Christmas gifts for an adoptive family who has everything is to make a donation on their behalf to an adoption organization close to their heart. Here are some organizations that receive both individual and corporate donations.
- Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
- Adoption Council of Canada
- Provincial organizations such as the Adoption Council of Ontario or Adoptive Families Association of BC
- Unicef or Plan and specify that the donation is for a project in the child’s country of origin
If the adoption agency or Family and Children’s Services that the family adopted their child through is known, a donation to this organization in the name of the adoptive family would be a great gift idea as well.
Buy Canadian Adoption Related Products
For Christmas gifts that are practical yet unique, two Canadian companies offer several gift ideas that would be appreciated by adoptive families.
- Labours of Love Designs was created by Labours of Love (Dundurn Press, 2008) author and adoptive parent Deborah Brennan. The website offers cards, keepsakes, blankets and jewelry with an adoption theme, as well as personalized adoption Christmas tree ornaments.
- Shuruba focuses on Black and Biracial hair and skin products as well as accessories. Started by an adoptive mom of four children from Ethiopia, the website features a wide range of specialty products and hair accessories perfect for stocking stuffers.
In addition to products from Canadian companies, books by Canadian authors are wonderful gifts. Two highly reviewed adoption-themed books by Canadian authors are Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somay Gowda (William Morrow, 2010) for adults and Emma’s Yucky Brother by Jean Little (HarperCollins 2001), a great read for six- to 10-year-olds.
Give the Gift of Adoption Workshops
Often seen as another hoop to jump through in order to have a family, workshops are not usually on an adoptive parents’ wish list. However, for waiting parents who are looking for ways to continue their adoption education or ideas for adoption-related projects, family members might want to give them a gift that will benefit the whole adoptive family.
For families interested in scrapbooking their adoption story, Lorraine Franco-Sham in Mississauga, Ontario offers workshops in making lifebooks as well as adoption invitations and announcements. She offers the sessions in the evenings and has one specifically for adopted kids and their families.
Susan Crawford of BLEND Education and Training offers Transracial Parenting Initiative training specifically for adoptive parents who have adopted transculturally or transracially. Her course focuses on the issues faced by children being raised by parents of a different race and are held in Burlington, Ontario.
By choosing Canadian adoption-themed Christmas gifts, friends and family are giving more than just a holiday gift for an adoptive family – they are celebrating the unique way the family was formed. For more gift-giving ideas related to adoption, read Homemade Gift for Birth Families and Adoption Gifts for Adopted Kids.
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
