by Lori
30. July 2010 04:46
Family reunions are a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones we often haven't seen for months or years. This special festivity is a time of remembrance, memory making, and family bonding. While most people love to attend family reunions, few people enjoy planning the event.
A family reunion does not have to be a stressful or expensive endeavor if it is well planned. Party planners should consider the following points to ensure a memorable experience - for the right reasons!
1. Decide a time of the year that works for busy schedules, weather, and offers the maximum opportunity for activity.
Depending on your geographical location, it is best to consider a time of year when there will be less of a chance of inclement weather like snowstorms or heavy rains, or even excessive heat. During the winter, travel plans can be easily thwarted with an impending blizzard. Conversely, outdoor reunions can fizzle in sweltering heat.
2. Create invitations that have all the information needed.
It is important that invitations list every detail so that people know what is expected of them. First include all of the basic information - what family is the reunion celebrating? location? date and time? RSVP required? Additionally, cost to attend, driving directions, hotel information, items requested to bring, and other information may be a factor when creating an invitation. If there are numerous people coming from out of town, including travel information about the area in the invitation is a nice touch.
3. Consider free or minimal cost locations.
For an inexpensive family reunion, planning the party at a family house, park, church, or community center is a frugal way to keep the cost down. Also, reserving a room at a restaurant may not require a location fee as long as food is purchased on location.
4. Accommodate out of town guests.
Out of town guests have to make extra arrangements to attend the reunion, so it is best to provide any information or guidance that will help them feel comfortable during their stay. Providing hotel information or even making arrangements with a hotel to block off a group of rooms, will help guests with their travel arrangements. Also, if there are many traveling guests coming to the reunion, having a potluck might not be the best type of reunion since it could be difficult for these guests to contribute.
5. Potluck or catered in?
Asking families to provide a covered dish or their own meat for a barbecue is perfectly acceptable as long as it is decided ahead of time and people are able to do so. Potlucks are the most frugal approach in party planning and takes the financial burden off the planner. Organizers can also consider having the event catered in and charging each person or family based upon the overall costs of the catering service.
6. A singular event or a weekend of activity?
Are you looking for an afternoon barbecue or a weekend of festivities? Depending on the number of people attending, their location, and financial commitment, some family reunions can stretch over several days with multiple activities planned - a boat trip, golf, amusement park outing, etc. Making these additional events an option will allow families to choose what they are interested in attending and paying for individually.
7. Who's who?
Sometimes it is difficult to track every family member down! Consider asking immediate family to help find relatives' addresses and phone numbers. Even setting up an event in Facebook, is a great way to help connect loved ones to the big day. In addition, there is nothing like walking around a family reunion not knowing half the people! Consider asking guests to wear name tags or encourage individual families to come with their own special tee-shirts with their names or family logo.
8. Plan slideshow, collage, or other memorial of passed loved ones.
Remembering loved ones long passed is an important part of bonding with generations of family members. Prior to the event, ask family members to send copies of pictures and create a slideshow or collage of those special memories.
9. Entertainment considerations.
Planning activities that will stimulate conversation and keep people entertained is important. Having various games available like family trivia, poker, or even a water balloon toss will create laughs. For indoor events, setting up a dance floor with music will keep people staying longer and enjoying themselves long into the night.
10. Planning the next reunion.
After a fun and frugal family reunion, the organizer should give the reins to another family member. It makes the process far more enjoyable if the responsibility can be shared over the years. With a new party planner, comes new ideas and families will always have fresh new experiences.
Resources:
http://family-reunion.com/
