If the family reunion is a destination one, map out group activities for everyone like an evening cruise or a sightseeing tour, but leave some time for families to enjoy on their own. No one appreciates being overbooked on a vacation. Like things to do, the menu is important. All-inclusive resort family reunions will have more food flexibility, but try to reserve times for the family to share at least one breakfast, lunch and dinner together.
Reunion tees are a nice touch, but adding names can be a practical way of assisting all the reunion party members in remembering names. Name tags are another way of ensuring all the participants remember names. Prior to the reunion, make sure all is well by having the designated volunteers and family representatives confirm all the details.
If the reunion is in a park or outdoor venue, it might be a good idea to have an alternative plan if Mother Nature decides to rain on the parade. Holding a family reunion, whether annually or to mark special milestones like a th birthday celebration, is a wonderful way to honor the importance of families. Choose a date Once the relatives are on board for a fun family reunion, get the calendars out and pick a target date.
Budget Money is typically an uncomfortable family conversation. Pick a destination Having one family host a large reunion is asking a lot unless they have a compound on Cape Cod like the Kennedys.
Send out the invites Once the family representatives have locked in the date and destination for the family reunion and set the budget, get those invitations mailed or emailed as soon as possible. Menu Like things to do, the menu is important. Remembering names Reunion tees are a nice touch, but adding names can be a practical way of assisting all the reunion party members in remembering names.
Confirm Prior to the reunion, make sure all is well by having the designated volunteers and family representatives confirm all the details. Send invitations as soon as the date has been decided and the venue reserved. If you are not sure when to send the invitations out, consider how far people will have to travel for the reunion, the overall cost of travel and lodging and the time of year the reunion is.
For example, autumn reunions will require more planning for school-age kids, while summers may not. You can send traditional paper or digital invitations. Consider creating a social media event to provide live updates and conduct polls for your family throughout the remainder of the planning process.
Even if your reunion is held on the same date every year, be sure to send reminder invitations a few months before the event. With these considerations in mind, it is time to plan your menu. Some popular family reunion foods are:. When you send out invitations, encourage family members to let you know about any existing allergies or food preferences.
You may want to include a few vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free dishes just in case. The key to a successful family reunion is to offer activities that suit everyone. Keep in mind, your venue might have some fun amenities to incorporate into your entertainment plans. Some ideas include:. If you choose to have a destination or vacation reunion, look into local tours, sightseeing opportunities, amusement parks and other attractions.
Once you have a game plan created, it is time to delegate responsibilities. Make a list of family members willing to help prepare and those willing to help you during the event. A lot of work goes into planning a family reunion, especially for large families.
If there is not already one in place, create a family reunion planning committee. Recruit volunteers and assign each person a different task, including:. When you are planning a large-scale event — especially when planning it a year or more in advance — anything can happen.
Have a back-up venue, entertainer or lodging in place. If your venue is outdoors, you need a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. You should also have a back-up organizer in place in case you are unable to complete your duties due to sickness or other personal obligations. Make your family history present throughout the event.
Let it inspire your decorations and your menu. Ensure a perfect family reunion by taking time to confirm essentials. A few weeks before the reunion, call and confirm your venue, caterer and lodging. Touch base with family members who have agreed to help during the reunion. Let them know what time to show up and remind them to bring any necessary items with them.
By confirming these details, you are leaving yourself with enough room to make alternative arrangements if necessary. This is the part where working with a reunion planning committee or recruiting volunteers is beneficial. Make a list of all details — and the contact information of the person responsible for handling them — that need to be taken care of for the big event, including the following:. Before guests leave the reunion — or in the weeks following the event— ask family members to complete a survey.
What did they enjoy about the reunion? What could be improved? Ask them to list any ideas for the next gathering. Honest feedback will be valuable for you to use or pass on to the next planning committee. When the big day finally gets here, remember to relax.
You worked hard to make this family reunion happen — now it is time to enjoy it. Do not let yourself become overwhelmed with the planning process or last-minute hiccups. Instead, remember the reason for the reunion in the first place. Spend time with your loved ones and have fun. Be sure to take plenty of photos throughout the event to mark the occasion! Plan your next family reunion at KOA. KOA Campgrounds are cost-effective and have plenty of room for large groups.
A camping family reunion is an easy way to please everyone in your family. Camping balances peace and relaxation with adventure and the great outdoors. After a day of fun activities, family members can relax by the campfire at their campsite.
Every guest has access to clean restrooms with hot water. Some locations also offer additional amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, trails, game rooms and more. Call ahead for a complete list of available features. Reserve your family reunion site today.
Each month, direct to your email inbox, we'll send the best camping news, tips, recipes and more, to enhance the camping lifestyle you love so much. The Benefits of Planning a Family Reunion Although it is easier for loved ones to stay in touch today using technology and social media, families are often still separated by distance or kept apart by day-to-day responsibilities.
Reconnect With Family Many family members live states — sometimes countries — apart from one another, so family reunions let everyone reconnect. Celebrate an Event Many families use reunions as a time to celebrate milestone anniversaries or birthdays.
Embrace Your Heritage Family reunions are a time when all generations, old and new, come together. Have Fun Together When all is said and done, family reunions can be a lot of fun. How to Plan a Family Reunion Start planning your family reunion as early as you can. Consult the Family Before you begin, consult with your family regarding any special requests or considerations such as preferred dates or venue locations.
Check out these fun family reunion games for some inspiration. Sharing your heritage with your family is one of the best ways to connect with each other and remember where you came from.
Creating a family tree, displaying scrapbooks, and serving dishes passed down through generations can help you connect with your heritage and show respect to your ancestors that came before you. You can even use websites like Ancestry , My Heritage , or 23 and Me to explore your genealogy and family story. You can not have enough pictures on a rare family occasion like this.
You may want to designate a family photographer that is in charge of capturing moments or you can place disposable cameras on each table so that your family members can all help take photos. If the budget permits, you may want to even consider hiring a photographer so everyone can enjoy the event.
After the event, make sure to use a data sharing website like Dropbox to share your amazing photos with your entire family. Family reunion parties may be stressful to plan at times, but they are beyond worth it. Whether you host a reunion annually or every 10 years, gathering your family for a night of fun and memories will help you stay tight-knit no matter how much time has passed.
December 31, Save the Date The first step in planning a family reunion is nailing down a date. Delegate Planning a family reunion all by yourself is nearly impossible.
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