Organizing a Family Reunion

Whatever differences or problems you have with your family, a family reunion can bring everyone back to a peaceful place of harmony. Or at least you'll have a good time for a few hours with people that look like you and have the same backgrounds.

The first thing to decide is where do you want to have the reunion - what town is centrally-located for the majority of those that would come? Or if you and a few relatives from one particular area are planning the event, then decide to have it in your town so it easy for you to get to, decorate and will be affordable for everyone.

Sometimes, families choose to have the event or activities in a large convention center and hotel complex. This allows a lot of flexibility, a caterer if needed, nearby restaurants, activities, shuttle service to malls and other amenities. This could be a big weekend rendezvous for people of all ages. No one has to sleep on the bunk beds at Aunt Martha's house or share a bathroom with scruffy Cousin Bob.

But if a nearby park with a shelter would suffice for everyone, then do it that way. Everyone can bring their own table service, lawn chairs, drinks and two dishes to pass. Make sure you pick a time that is convenient to everyone and make it easy for the older people to drive there. If you don't start the party till 6 p.m., older people might hesitate to come if the sun sets too early. Also be prepared for the heat of the day with lots of cool water, shade and possibly an air-conditioned building.

You know your family best. If you know they all have a problem with parting with their money, then don't expect them to pay out $200 a night for a hotel.
And don't forget to delegate the work. Someone should be in charge of food, games, entertainment, family photos, tracking down long-lost relatives, babysitting for the little ones, and activities outside of the reunion such as boat rides or water park amusements.

If there are family members you'd like to contact but can't find their addresses, then go online. Plenty of websites now help out with missing persons and phone numbers. Also, websites help with actually finding family members through genealogy information.

Some families even go as far as having a family talent show or family skits. You never know what talents lay deep within your ancestry. Tell them to bring along their musical instruments or whatever other equipment it takes to show their talent.

To raise money, besides donations, to cover the cost of the reunion, you can create a cookbook from family recipes and sell the book in advance, hold a raffle of items that family members have donated, or organize a bake sale or other type of sale before or during the reunion.

Just remember to plan far ahead, keep cool and calm (because families can also give us headaches besides hugs), and enjoy your heritage.