Family reunions are a time-honored tradition, and for a good reason! There’s nothing quite like getting together with your loved ones and sharing memories (and making new ones!) of times past. If you’re planning your first family reunion, or even if you’ve done it before, follow these steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
1) Set a Date:
The first step to planning your family reunion is to select an appropriate date. Opt for a weekend or holiday in the summertime when temperatures are typically more pleasant and most people have time off from their jobs.
2) Prepare your home:
If you’re planning to host the reunion at your home, make sure it’s prepared for the occasion. Clear out any clutter and do a deep clean of all the rooms that will be used. Get a Lawn Care expert to mow your grass and trim the hedges to make it look inviting.
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3) Send out invitations:
Make sure to send out invitations at least a few weeks in advance so that everyone has sufficient time to plan their trip. Make sure to clearly state the date, time, address, and other pertinent information on the invite. If you can include a nice graphic or family photo – even better!
4) Prepare activities:
If you want your reunion to be more than just sitting around talking, prepare some fun activities for everyone to enjoy! Have a barbecue in the backyard, set up an outdoor movie night, or organize some lawn games such as cornhole or badminton. Depending on how many people will be attending, you may need to rent out a venue or space to accommodate everyone.
5) Get your food ready:
Cooking for your family reunion can be a lot of work, so make sure to plan ahead. Delegate which dishes should be brought by each family, and provide simple recipes for those who are inexperienced in the kitchen. If you’re hosting an outdoor event, prepare some food items (such as hamburgers or hotdogs) that can be freshly cooked on the spot.
6) Make sure there’s entertainment:
No reunion would be complete without some form of entertainment! Have someone in charge of music – whether that be an iPod with pre-loaded playlists or a live band – and make sure there are plenty of activities for the kids to do. Consider renting out a bounce house or hiring face painters if you really want to go all out.
7) Have a souvenir table:
Set up a table with souvenirs from the reunion, such as t-shirts, hats, keychains, mugs, etc. This is an awesome way to commemorate the event and also give everyone something to take home with them after it’s done.
8) Take lots of pictures:
Make sure you capture all these special moments on camera! Have someone designated as the official photographer, so no one gets left out of any group shots or pictures throughout the day.
9) Plan for an after-party:
If you want the fun to keep going, have a plan in place for an after-party. This can be as simple as just gathering at one of the family member’s houses, or it can involve renting out a club or bar. Make sure everyone is on board before making any commitments!
10) Send thank-you notes afterward:
Show your appreciation to everyone who attended by sending thank-you notes afterward. Even if they weren’t able to make it to the reunion, sending them a note with pictures and stories from the event will let them know that they were missed and are still part of the celebration.
Family reunions are a time to come together and celebrate not only the family, but also the memories that have been made throughout the years. Planning for one may seem daunting, but with these steps, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a successful and memorable event!