Well two very good friends of our are officially in the waiting period for the adoption of 2 children under 3 from Kenya. We would like to get them a really nice gift but I am not sure what. For Christmas we got them a basket from Kenya and some tea from Kenya but I would like to give them a more traditional gift. Any ideas would be great.

We don't know the names, sex or ages of the children one will be under 3 years old and the other will be under 12 months.

I think we want to spend about $200ish. We are also thinking about giving them cash for the plane tickets to Kenya. Do you think that would be tacky? I know they had to take a loan out for the adoption so we would like to help them as much as we can but at the same time we don't wan to insult them.

__________________

Laura - That is really sweet of you and congrats to your friends!!

I think helping with the plane ticket is a great idea. And if you don't want to just hand them cash, a lot of the airlines do gift cards now.

And if it was me, I wouldn't be insulted at all. I'd be excited and happy that I have friends that care that much.

Laura ~ I don't think the cash idea is tacky at all...perhaps pick out an airplane card or a little toy airplane with a short note about "wanting to send our love with you on your trip, and help you pick up your new little ones" or something like that. I think it's lovely!

__________________

Laura, what a great friend you are! I think you could do money or a double stroller to take on the trip to help tranport the kids home!

__________________

I guess I should find out if they are registered anywhere. A stroller would be a great idea, I just don't think I could pick it out for someone else.

__________________

I think cash or a stroller or a Visa giftcard would be a great idea. And checking for a registry. Do they have to buy furniture for the kids rooms? Maybe send an email asking if they have a registry or a wish list and what they still need. Or if there is a particular store they would like a giftcard to? I guess clothes won't really work since you don't know the genders.

__________________

Are they having some sort of a shower before or after they get their kids? You may want to offer to throw one for them, if not already.

In regards to giving them cash, I think that would be wonderful. Maybe even give them a letter that says you'd like to purchase a savings bond (or something) for each child once they arrive. You could mention how you want to contribute to the wonderful future they are giving their children.

__________________

We are spending the weekend with them so I will talk about a shower for them. They live about 2.5 hours away from us in Canada so I am hoping another one of her friends will host the shower but I would be willing to help out with things.

__________________