Family reunions can be lots of fun but they can also be stressful. It’s a time when the entire family comes together, you get to meet family members you haven’t seen in a long time, or brand new family members in terms of babies. Now while everyone wants a great family reunion, here are a few tips on how you can improve your family reunion.
Family reunions take months of planning, dedicated teamwork, and a lot of creativity. It can be tough knowing how to pull off a family reunion that has something for everyone attending. If you have a family reunion coming up soon, chances are you have the big stuff planned out already. Here are a few suggestions to give your reunion that extra bounce.
Follow a theme
Think of the most fun and exciting parties you’ve ever been to. Chances are many of these parties had unique, elaborate themes. Though you may not want to spend the time doing something too elaborate, it can be a lot of fun for the whole family to have a theme for your reunion. Your theme could include costumes to get everyone into the spirit of the event, or even have an exotic meal to accompany the themed festivities. If you do go with a specific theme, make sure and include it in the invitation so people know what to expect upfront.
Cater to your family’s eating habits
As tricky as it can be to satisfy everyone’s taste at a family reunion meal, going the extra mile to factor in everyone’s eating habits can make a huge difference in making the reunion an enjoyable experience. Find out if everyone has any food allergies, or if there are any vegetarians or vegans in your family that will need alternative meal options. If every single member of the family is well fed, making the rest of the reunion enjoyable will be that much easier.
Or consider going to a restaurant
This alternative meal option may not be feasible for every family, but if you have the means, eating at a restaurant can be a fun, easy way to ensure that everyone eats what they want. If you want to eat somewhere nice, but are worried about the cost, consider having everyone attending the reunion chip in upfront so that the overall expense is paid for without excluding families with varying incomes.
Design cool t-shirts
When you hear “family reunion t-shirt”, you probably think of the horrendous looking designs and colors of family reunions past. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available online so you’ll never have to compromise on style while providing a keepsake that family members will be happy to wear for years to come.
Make a family history book
Find some genealogy software capable of printing books for your family, gather some cherished family pictures, ancestral information, etc., and create a keepsake that will remind everyone what family reunion’s are all about. Get the whole family involved and ask everyone to submit family photos, stories, and information to make it a true family project. Leave space open for updates so that the book can grow over the course of many reunions.
Play trivia games
Family reunions are usually host to a wide variety of games, usually outdoor ones. The next reunion may be the time to mix up the festivities with an elaborate trivia game. Consult with the whole family, learn everyone’s interests, and compile it all together in a trivia game that will challenge and titillate the minds of the entire family.
Have a talent show
While we’re on the subject of the interests of the whole family, a talent show is the perfect way to end a family reunion. It’s a great way to get every family member involved, let everyone get to know each other better, and display the talent and ability that makes your family unique. There may be some shy family members that would prefer to sit back and enjoy the show, so it might be best to send out a sign-up sheet before the reunion so everyone who wants to participate can do so without alienating the others.
Prepare for the unexpected
No matter how much you plan for your family reunion, you’ll inevitably come up against an unexpected road bump or two. If something comes up, don’t sweat it. Chances are, the day is not ruined. Take the unexpected in stride and don’t let it spoil your special family time.
