A family Adoption Day event is a way to honor the day your adopted child came into your family. This is celebrated on the anniversary of your child’s adoption, which may fall on National Adoption Day (November 20 this year).

Many families have come up with other creative names to mark the anniversary of their child’s adoption: Family Day, Love Day, Arrival Day, or Family Anniversary.

Unlike your child’s birthday party which includes several friends, this celebration is usually done with just the immediate or extended family. You could also invite birth parents, former foster parents, or anyone else who is an important part of your child’s adoption. This celebration is separate from the child’s actual birthday.

Here are a few ideas to help honor and celebrate the way your family came together:

   - Look at scrapbooks or photographs from the time your child was adopted.

   - Tell your child’s adoption story. Kids will want to hear this again and again. You can even create your own book with your child and illustrate it or use photographs.

   - Go out to eat or cook a special dinner, letting your child plan the menu.

   - Have a cake and light one candle for each member of your family.

   - If your child was born in another country, a small gift, food, or decorations from that culture can be a great way to recognize their country of origin. Your child may also want to make a donation to a charitable organization that does work in that country.

   - If you have contact with your child’s birth parents, visit with them or send a thoughtful note from you or your child.

   - Write a note to your child letting him or her know how grateful you are that he or she is part of your family. These notes can be saved in a special envelope year after year.

 Enjoy this special day with your family!