I didn't come up with the idea for this particular tradition. In fact, Munchkin's Mom surprised me on Nick's first birthday (and simultaneously left me in tears!). This idea works for any open adoption family that loves books and works especially well when there are children of close age proximity on both sides of the adult triad.

Each year, whether you choose a birthday, holiday or random event, pick out a book to send to your placed child. Your child can also pick a book to send to either you, if you have no parented children, or to your parented child(ren). If you have parented children, they can pick out a book or, if they are either too young or you don't have any parented children, you get to do all of the picking! Before you assume that this is just some random book-giving opportunity, read on!

To clarify: the book picked should be your current favorite. In the case of a child doing the picking, it should be their current favorite. In the case of you picking one of your favorites for the child, it should be an age appropriate favorite from your own childhood.

An example: Munchkin's favorite book last year was Go, Dog, Go by Dr. Seuss. She gave it to Nicholas for his first birthday.

There are a few variations of how to proceed once the book has been picked. You can choose to buy a new book or send the one that you have lovingly read. For those who are picking a book from their childhood favorites, it might mean something extra special for your placed child to read a book that you actually spent time pouring over during your younger years. For kids who can't part with their favorite book, buying a new one is just fine. Why? Read on.

The next step is to write a special note inside the front or back cover of the book. (For younger children, you will have to do the writing and explaining.) Explain why this book is a favorite, pick out a favorite page and, most importantly, don't forget the date! Years down the road, it will be nice to look back and see what year that book ranked as a favorite. For placed children sending books to their birth parents who don't have kids, it could be a nice, nostalgic collection of books that they can read together during visits.

The note, of course, is what makes the gift memorable. (Though books are great gifts in general!) Munchkin's book gift to Nicholas had a note, written by her Mom, that, as I said, brought tears to my eyes. Imagine how pleased I was just a few months ago when he decided that it was one of his favorite books! (Though, I can now recite the book. Verbatim.) I'm not sure whether we'll pick one of Nick's favorites to send to the Munchkin this year (as he's two years younger but enjoys lots of "older" books) or if I'll sort through my stash and pick one of my own favorites. Either way, this tradition has a special place in all of our family member's hearts: we're book worms, through and through!!

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For more on Creating Traditions, read:

1. Family Tree Fun.

2. Special Day Plate.

3. Handprint Project.

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Photo Credit.