Holiday Gift-Giving Guide: Ways to Give Back to Your Child's Birth Mother

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Birth mothers play a crucial role in the adoption process and the holiday season is one of the best times of year to connect with your child’s birth mother and to show your appreciation for their brave decision and invaluable contribution to your family. Many adoptive parents also enjoy choosing just the right meaningful and thoughtful gift.

In case you are looking for where to start, check out this useful list we’ve compiled!

  1. Thank you letter

    A heartfelt thank you letter can be one of the best ways to show your child’s birth mother that she is valued and has a special place in your heart.

  2. Flowers

    Especially during this season, a nice bouquet of flowers can certainly brighten a cold winter day.

  3. Baked goods

    Whether you bake them yourself or buy them from a gourmet baker, yummy baked treats will almost always bring a smile.

  4. Jewelry

    A nice keepsake piece to commemorate her special role in your family’s life is a perfect idea.

  5. Books

    It is always a nice time to cozy up with a good book when the weather is frightful. A good suggestion is a book written for birth parents, such as Heart of a Birthmom by Terri Gake or Revealing You: A Journal for Birthmothers by Michelle Thorne. 

  6. A little pampering

    Who doesn’t love a good spa day, massage, or manicure/pedicure, maybe with adoptive mom (or dad)?

  7. Gift cards

    If you think they would prefer to do something solo, a gift card for any of the previous ideas or to their favorite store would be equally nice!

  8. Subscriptions

    Here are just a few ideas… a subscription to a streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu, Audible (access to unlimited audiobooks), Calm (a sleep and meditation app), Scentbird (perfume), Adult and Craft (crafting box), Book of the Month, Coffee Club, Mouth (gourmet treats), and so on. 

We hope this list is helpful! Remember, showing our children’s birth mothers that we care and cherish their presence in our lives can go a long way this time of year, which can be especially challenging for birth parents. 

We wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Disclaimer: It should be noted that, under Wisconsin law, before the termination of parental rights, potential adoptive parents may not give a birth mother a gift exceeding $100 of value. See Wis. Stat. sec. 48.913(1)(m).