Ten Tips for Planning a Family Reunion

How can families stay current and close, even across long distances?

For centuries, extended families lived in multi-generational quarters, staying in close contact with one another. Every day was a family reunion, as folks resided together!

However, all that has changed. Relatives may be spread out across entire countries or even worldwide. In our highly mobile society, many nuclear families relocate frequently. Maintaining solid extended family relationships can be challenging!

Quite possibly, these transitory trends have led to the increase in family reunions. In fact, family reunion planning has become an art in itself!

Gathering long-lost kin can be exciting, but it can also be tricky. How can you all your troops and incite them to set aside their busy daily lives to attend a family reunion? Several strategies can help you to organize a multi-generational family event that no one will want to miss.

1. Make a Fine Family Reunion Plan.

Well-organized family reunions take time! Many months of planning will be required, if you want to get your ducks (er, relatives) in a row without stress! Don't wait till it's too late to make reservations and arrangements.

2. Set a Fine Family Reunion Date.

Get the family reunion on your clan calendars at least a year ahead. Full participation is essential for a successful family reunion!

3. Select a Fine Family Reunion Location.

Try to pick a family reunion location that is accessible to the entire clan, both young and old. Use a map to plot out each household's home location, and try to select a spot that all can reach. Reserve accommodations early, and arrange for amenities and activities.

4. Organize a Fine Family Reunion Team.

Planning a family reunion can be a huge job, unless you share the work. Ask various households to handle food, games, travel, and other responsibilities.

As family reunion coordinator, however, you will want to stay in touch with these committees to keep up with their progress and cooperation.

5. Create a Fine Family Reunion Album.

Here's a super family reunion idea. Six months before your actual event, send questionnaires to everyone. Ask about employment, education, hobbies, interests and more. Request a photograph. Then publish a family directory. Give this out at the beginning of your reunion.

Or create a family reunion website (with password access), and publish your family album there, along with updates and reminders, as the family reunion date approaches.

After your family reunion, you could ask the whole family to send their photographs from the event, and create an online photo album for sharing too!

6. Send Fine Family Reunion Invitations.

Gather emails and addresses from all your kin. Particularly in a complex or blended family, it is essential to invite individuals specifically, by name, so no one feels left out. State clearly whether pets are included.

Create printed family reunion invitations (including maps), or send invitations by email. Personalized postage is available online, if you choose to order family photo stamps or design your own family reunion logo stamp.

Insist on RSVPs, and give a deadline.

7. Choose a Fine Family Reunion Theme.

A themed family event can be fun! Does your clan share a common interest? Will the family reunion date mark an important birthday or anniversary?

Certain locations lend themselves naturally to themes. A tropical luau, desert oasis, wild West or Southern hospitality family reunion might be just the ticket to rally the troops.

8. Plan Fine Family Reunion Recreation.

Choose sports and activities to draw family members together. Team games are great icebreakers and conversation starters. Family trivia contests, scavenger hunts and family karaoke can be fun. Be sure to include all ages in your family reunion games!

Whatever you do for fun together, don't forget to record the event on film. Ask a photographer to snap a few group pictures.

Why not videotape each attendee and your activities as well? (You might want to have DVDs made and sent to everyone later.)

9. Make Fine Family Reunion Mementoes.

Family reunion souvenirs are super! Create a clever clan logo or slogan. Or look up your family crest, and put that on merchandise that suits your event.

A seaside family reunion might include screen-printed beach towels. Logo-embossed sports bottles, commuter coffee mugs or folding camp chairs might fit a clan-wide camping trip. Cowboy hats or printed bandannas would be ideal for a rodeo event. Embroidered golf hats, baseball caps or polo shirts also make excellent family reunion mementoes.

10. Print Up Fine Family Reunion Tee Shirts.

Of course, a family reunion tee shirt is a must! You might even offer a family-wide tee shirt design contest before the reunion. Put the winning design on tee shirts for everyone!

Some families choose to put each generation in its own tee shirt color. Others select colors reflecting their national heritage. Use your imagination!

Keep in touch!

After the family reunion, relatives will likely want to stay in touch and possibly plan another event.

Family reunions do require a fair amount of effort and persistence, but they are certainly worth it. Once you plan your first event, you will want to keep a file of receipts, notes and plans.

Who knows? Your family may decide to reconvene for a reunion every two or three years, like we do!