Family Events & Ceremonies

There aren't set rules for what to do with funeral flowers after the funeral. Their fate largely depends on the family of the deceased. Beyond displaying the flowers at the gravesite, consider...

The death of a loved one is an emotional, trying time. So if you have not sent thank you notes for memorial gifts several weeks after the funeral, do not be too hard on yourself. Your friends and...

A funeral announcement is a summary detailing the service times and location of a funeral and a/or a memorial service. It also often includes details of the life and death of a loved one. These...

Losing a son is an unnatural and heartbreaking occurrence. The emotional decision of what to write on his gravestone marker or memorial stone may be overwhelming, but the words or comments put...

Whether it's your child's first ballet recital, your student's big graduation music performance, or your very own first public performance as a professional artist, recitals are joyous and proud...

When searching out family genealogy, death certificates provide a plethora of information: the cause of death, the full name of the deceased's mother, the address of where the deceased lived, the...

Gift hampers, commonly known in some areas as gift baskets, are a very personal gift given to friends and family for many different occasions. Gift hampers can be customized especially for the...

When considering announcing the gender of your baby, there is only one hard and fast rule: either everybody knows or nobody knows. There's no middle ground. If some people know and others don't...

Soon you and your sweetheart will be celebrating 50 years of happiness together. Announce it to the world in style. You don't have to be a writer to help turn a standard anniversary announcement...

No one likes to think about planning the funeral of a loved one. As our family members age, however, it's important to talk with them about their funeral wishes. Some may want a traditional...

After being baptized into the Roman Catholic Church and participating in their first reconciliation or confession, each member of the congregation participates in the sacrament of First Holy...

Arabian horses are majestic creatures, and they offer the perfect inspiration for an original costume. Arabian horses are distinguished by their elegant "dish" face, with a curved, inward profile...

Mothers love handmade gifts from their little angels, so help create a scrapbook dedicated to planning her next birthday party. Take candid photos of the children as they shop, bake, wrap and...

When mourning a loved one, planning the funeral can seem overwhelming. However, practical decisions do need to be made at this time, and there are a variety of ways to locate information about...

Family reunion activities should encourage bonding and provide entertainment for all age groups. Activities encourage people to socialize with family members they may not know. Use name tags to...

Purchasing gifts to commemorate a family reunion can be expensive when you have a lot of family members. Make homemade gifts to fit your budget. Not only will it help keep costs down, but these...

If you have an anniversary coming up, no doubt you want to give your man a thoughtful gift that he'll truly appreciate. The gift you give your man should be in line with his personality and style,...

A family reunion is the perfect time to get reacquainted with family members you haven't seen in a while, to celebrate a year of changes and accomplishments and to remember family members who have...

When welcoming a new baby into the family, make sure your other children feel secure and loved. Have a gift ready for the big brother at the hospital to make sure he does not feel left out. These...

Without family reunions, families tend to lose touch or unravel altogether. Today's technology helps maintain family ties. All plans for a family reunion can be easily shared online.

Are you nervous about planning a family reunion? You just want everything to run smoothly and for people to get along. Games are a great way to bring people together, but it is raining and you...

A birthday party doesn't have to be limited to having cake and ice cream at someone's house. There are a number of ways to celebrate a birthday, ranging from traveling to trying a new activity to...

Being a new grandparent is an exciting time. It is the beginning of a new generation, a special time that friends and family are proud to witness. Whether they live near or far away, grandparents...

Once the picture frames, coffee cups and grandparent-slogan T-shirts have reached critical mass, grandparents of a new baby are likely to appreciate more creative gifts that actively contribute to...

Parents' anniversaries are special occasions, and although gifts aren't necessary, they're always welcome. But how do you decide upon an anniversary present that will please both parents, be...

Homemade gifts are appreciated because someone took the time to plan and make something special. They also can be personalized. Commercial gift baskets might not contain that favorite body spray...

The christening of a child is a momentous occasion. The religious ceremony often acts as their official introduction to society, and for many families, acts as the child's religious...

Family reunions are important business. A Reunions magazine survey of 4,000 readers found 16 percent of respondents reported they were holding their first reunion, 84 percent were having at least...

Pregnancies are a joyous occasion in most instances, and sending announcements to break the news to extended family and friends can be a fun way to alert them of the little one on the way....

It's never a bad time to give a gift to mom and dad. A gift can be for a special occasion, such as an anniversary or birthday, or a gift can be given just because you are thinking about what...

Because of increasing global mobility, family members often move farther and farther away from the communities they grew up in. The practice of holding family reunions helps assemble branches and...

The death of a loved one is one the hardest experiences to endure. Planning a funeral in the midst of a very deep grieving period is an incredibly emotional experience. Catholics have specific...

When someone gives you a gift or does something for you that you truly appreciate, it is always a nice gesture to send a thank you card. The most meaningful thank you cards are hand written and...

There are many occasions when you may want to send a letter or invitation to a family, such as birthdays, weddings and graduations. Addressing those announcements to an entire family is an easy...

There are many options for facilities at which to have a 50th birthday party. You can host the party at a restaurant, possibly with a private banquet room. Lodges and meeting halls have private...

Create a booklet to commemorate your next family reunion. Print it out and give it to family members at the reunion. Or save the document file on a CD for family members to print themselves. This...

Hosting extended family is fun when you are prepared and have realistic expectations. Because you already know most of the people, you can cater to their likes and needs, eliminate the guesswork...

Make space for small tokens of affection in your day by creating simple experiences that make us all feel closer. Like a family toast--a tradition perfect for reconnecting after a day away from...

Family reunions can be exciting for families who do not get to see each other often. It is fun to catch up and celebrate all of the reasons why it is great to be related. Laughter, tears and...

It's always difficult for a family to be separated during the holidays and on special occasions. Whether you can't afford to fly during the season or being in the military or college, or illness...

Getting kids to open up and talk about feelings or something that is bothering them can be difficult. The key is to help them feel comfortable--little distraction won't hurt either. Here's what I...

Holidays test our patience in many ways: waiting like a taxi for your family to climb into the car as you head to the airport, or later as you round up all your children to eat a fancy meal at a...

A baby shower is often held during the last month before the day when the baby is expected to be born. if you decide to throw a baby shower, it’s a good idea to register gifts. First of...

If you are seeking a baby you can legally adopt and raise as your own, private adoption is a good avenue to explore. There are many private agencies in the United States today that help match up...

If you want to expand your family, you might want to consider adopting a child who was born in another country. Just keep in mind that international adoptions can also be very complicated, so if...

Planning your wedding day to be one of the most memorable days of your life is easy, but it does require some time and consideration. A properly planned wedding day will ensure that your big day...

When you've reached 20 years together, observe your anniversary in a way that not only commemorates the future but also helps you look forward to the future. Consider these ideas to help you...