How long has it been since you've seen your grandmother, favorite uncle,
nieces and nephews, cousins? Months...years? Then it's time to plan for a
family reunion!
Reuniting the entire clan is a great way to celebrate and rekindle family
ties. It's an opportunity to catch up on everyone's lives, meet the newest family
members and simply enjoy one another's company.
If the thought of bringing all of your relatives - whether they number 20
or 200 - together in one place leaves you in a state of panic, relax. Our guide will
help you and your family plan a festive memorable family get-together - whether it's a
weekend extravaganza or a simple family picnic.
Coordinating a Reunion:
Get help! Form a committee of dedicated family members and assign
specific tasks to each to help get things accomplished in a timely manner. The
number of helpers is determined by the size of the reunion and the activities you
planned. Develop a timeline and stick to it. Encourage communication
throughout the process.
Plan ahead - allow 9 - 12 months at least. Reunions can be
as simple as a backyard barbecue or as lavish as a Caribbean cruise. They can last a day,
a weekend, or even a week.
Begin by concentrating on these four questions.
1. What type of reunion do you want? Planning around a theme will ease some of the
coordinating.
2. When will you have the reunion? Most family reunions are held in
July. Consider holding a family reunion to mark a family milestone or special day, such
as: a silver or golden
wedding anniversary,
a Wedding
or graduation, a grandparents birthday, a Christening
or Bar-Bat
Mitzvah a Retirement
party, or ethnic or religious holiday.
3. Where will you have it?
The most popular locations are city or state parks. Contact the following
organizations as a starting point.
Local Chamber of Commerce
Department of Parks and Recreation
State Department of Tourism
Locations For Reunions
Grandma's backyard or a childhood home makes the perfect setting for a
casual and cozy family function. Resorts and large hotels, while they are more
expensive options, offer a wide variety of activities and amenities, including special
kids' programs and babysitting services. Other popular reunion sites are parks, community
centers, churches, restaurants, houseboats, and campgrounds.
Have a back-up plan in place. Consider the following options:
Reserve a tent or shelter
Take it indoors!
Bowling alley
Family home
Community center
Church facility
Hotel convention facility
For reunions lasting several days choose a location that offers a variety
of recreational options.
Amusement park
Miniature golf park
Convention center
Farm/guest ranch
Riverboat cruise
Zoo
Beach
Pool
Sports club
Rafting/camping trip
If your family has camping in their blood, a gathering at a scenic
campsite or state park is likely to generate enthusiasm and attendance. Likewise, a
ski vacation will score big if family members are winter sports enthusiasts.
4. Who will you invite?
Start by browsing through your address book and making a master list of potential
attendees. Enlist the help of other relatives to do the same, compare names,
addresses and phone numbers. Older relatives can be a good resource for contacting
long-lost relatives.
Preparing a budget for a reunion:
A reunion costs money. Make a list of anticipated expenses. Divide
costs equitably among members and request payment upon acceptance of the invitation.
Cut costs by investigating discount group rates for airlines, lodging, and
recreational activities.
Instead of hiring a caterer, plan a potluck meal.
Invitations: Special
Occasion Invitations
Use your invitation to generate excitement, interest and most of all
attendance. Create a theme invitation including family trivia or old family
photographs. Preprinted invitations or post cards will do the job nicely also. Be
sure to include all the pertinent information:
Date, time, location
Lodging & travel information, with map
Activities planned for the day(s)
Costs
Attire
Name, address, phone number of family member to contact for RSVP
Deadline to respond
Special requests, photos, videos, etc.
List of those invited
Potluck dish request
Send invitations at least nine months in advance of the event to allow for
planning and scheduling. This is important for out of state relatives who need to
make travel arrangements.
Potluck
A potluck family reunion is a great way to share many tastes and
traditions and pass along family recipes to younger generations. Whether you are Irish,
German, Italian, Mexican or Hungarian, ask relatives to bring dishes that reflect your
heritage. The idea is to share the food that reflects your customs and culture - an
education for kids.
Keep menu choices simple and fun. Include appetizers, side dishes, main
dishes, desserts and snacks in the lineup. Make sure dishes are appropriate for the
location you've selected. If your reunion is outdoors cold dishes are the best.
Know what your preparation and cooking space will accommodate if you plan to cook
on site or bring heated dishes. You can find recipe ideas at www.culinary.net
Plan for the reunion with these
great
Party Merchants
Carlson
Craft
Giant Party
Store
MakesParties
Decorating Basics by Shindigz
Plum
Party
Find your friends at the Alumni Archive!
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Plan your Family Reunion,
Class Reunion or next family get-away!
Special
Occasions by ShindigZ includes:
Reunion Themes
A Killer Reunion
This is a VERY clean murder mystery game that takes place at a class reunion. The year and/or theme can be determined by the host. This game is suitable for very conservative groups.
Patriotic
'50s, '60s, and '70s
Casino
Fiesta
Sports
General Entertaining
High Seas
International Celebrations
Island Luau
Outer Space
Western Round-Up
Hollywood
Party
Games
Party
Music
KEEPSAKE IDEAS
Create a cookbook of favorite family recipes. Include the origin of
the dish or some family history. Collect and assemble the recipes in a notebook or simple
recipe box. This is a perfect way to keep family traditions alive.
Take a group photo and have copies made for each family.
Create (or update) a family directory. Have a book setting out so
everyone can sign it and ask them to include their current address, phone number, email
address, and names of family members.
Mugs with family logo or motto.
ACTIVITIES
Talent show
Scavenger Hunt
Charades
Croquet
Sports - volleyball, softball, tug-of-war, horseshoes
Karaoke contest
Checkers, chess, dominoes, cards, or board games
Sight-seeing tour
Team Pictionary
Special teen activities - campfire, dances
Family awards ceremony
Break out the family photos or home movies.
Display adults' baby pictures and let children try to match names to
photos.
Ask everyone to share a favorite family memory.
Play a game! Family trivia or croquet are good choices.
Play "Guess Which is a Lie" Each person tells four things about
himself, one of which is an outrageous lie. All other participants try to guess
which "fact" is untrue.
Allow plenty of time for everyone to visit and socialize.
Family Themes
Western
Western
Accessories
Western
Balloons & Pinatas
Western
Décor
Western
Garlands
Western
Table Accessories
Wild
West
Two
Step
Western
Vest
Ranch Hand
Hat
Blinking
Western Beads
Giant
Sheriff's Hat
Red Felt
Cowboy Hat
Western
Decorating Kit
Bandana
Tablecover and Paper goods
Bandana
Invitations
Wild West
Invitations
Western
Tablecover and Paper goods
Western
Boot Candle
Fiesta
Fiesta
Accessories
Fiesta
Balloons & Pinatas
Fiesta
Décor
Fiesta
Table Accessories
Ole
party goods
South
of the Border
Fiesta
Tablecover and Paper goods
Fiesta
Centerpiece
Sombrero
Pinata
Fiesta
Decorating Kit
Blinking
Fiesta Beads
Fiesta
Bandanas
14' Fiesta
Lights
Chili
Pepper Tablecover and Paper goods
Fiesta
Party CD
Fiesta
Invitations
Luau
Tiki
Luau
Luau
Serving Pieces
Luau
Pinatas
Luau
Picks & Straws
Luau
Floral
Luau
Dress
Luau
Décor
Luau
Cups & Stemware
Luau
Balloons & Inflatables
Island
Party
Luau Lights
Luau Flower 14'
Lights
Neon
Beachcomber Hat
Black Fruit Hat
Tropical
Bandanas
Yellow Fruit
Hat
Flower Luau
Hat
Palm Tree
Eyeglasses
Solid Silk
Flower Leis
Silk Flower
Leis
Flowered
Table Skirt
Green
Luau Table Skirt
Large Silk
Flower Leis
Children's
Hula Skirt
Lady's Luau
Outfit
Man's Luau
Outfit
Bamboo
Torch Candle
Luau
Decorama
Tiki Pinata
Luau
Coconut Band
Tiki
Island Centerpiece and Paper goods
Tiki
Invitations
Coconut Cup
with Straw
Luau CD
Aloha Party
CD
Luau Tape
Pineapple
Cooler
Luau Slap
Bracelet
50's -
Rock and Roll or Decade Themes
Fabulous
50s
Club
Casino
Casino
Accessories
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