How to Plan Memorable Family Reunions

Family reunions, when they happen are a joy to have - time tends to fly, kids grow up, adults grow older and we all tend to lose touch. A well planned family reunion can provide cherished memories and a sense of belonging that keeps family bonds strong in the years to come. Use the following steps as a guide to plan family reunions that are fun, organized and that people talk about fondly for years.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start Planning the Reunion At Least 3 Months in Advance
   
   Give yourself at least 3 months to plan the reunion. This will give people who live out of town the chance to book their flights, and make hotel reservations if necessary. It will also give you time to organize activities and the actual event.

2. Set a Date and Send Out Family Reunion Invitations
   
   Call all your family members and let them know that you are planning on having a reunion. You may want to confer with them on the time frame so you can set a date that works best for the majority of the family. Once you have set a date, send out invitations with the details and the times for the reunion. Make sure you ask for definitive RSVPs so you know how many people will be coming.

3. Allocate a Budget for the Reunion
   
   If you are planning on hosting the reunion you need to sit down and allocate a specific budget for food, activities, trips to the airport, and any sightseeing activities. If you are planning on sharing the costs with members of the family make sure that everyone is clear on the exact amount they are responsible for. Dealing with any financial issues up front will prevent bad feelings down the line.

4. Pick a Venue for the Reunion
   
   Are you planning to host the reunion at your home? Or does it make more sense to have a sit down dinner at a restaurant or hotel along with some pre-planned activities? Decide what works best for you and your family. You may decide to cater the event in your home. Price out all the different options. Some hotels and restaurants offer discounts for large groups so make sure that you ask for group discounts. If you have a number of people coming from out of town, you can reserve a block of rooms at a hotel at a group discount rate for everyone to take advantage of.

5. Plan Child and Family Friendly Activities
   
   Plan some sightseeing activities and kid friendly options so your guests can take in your locale before and after the event. Have a children's talent competition at the reunion where the kids can dance, sing, tell jokes or do anything creative and fun together. Have some small prizes on hand that you can award to all the children for participating.

6. Designate an Official Reunion Photographer
   
   Pick someone in the group that loves to take pictures and make them the designated photographer. Make sure that the person is comfortable with being the photographer and will remember to upload the pictures to a designated website. Family reunions are full of the unexpected so having pictures will keep those memories alive.

7. Designate a Reunion "Driver"
   
   One of the most important tasks in planning successful family reunions is logistics. You will need someone to provide directions and information, to pick up people from the airport or to give rides when necessary. Pick someone in the family who can keep track of everyone's schedules and provide rides or rental car information to anyone coming from out of town. Make this person the point person for any logistical information about the reunion.

8. Relax and Enjoy the Event
   
   Family reunions can be stressful to plan but it is essential to let go of all the stress and enjoy the event once everyone has arrived. Take the time to catch up with everyone. Make sure that the children have opportunities to play with one another. Relax and enjoy the event.

[cherry67]

on 8/11/2009 very nice!

[gahazeleyes]

on 8/5/2009 Really like this article. Family reunions are nice and well needed, you can find out more about your history from relatives at a family reunion. 5*****

[oxymora]

on 7/31/2009 Great tips. It's a lot of work to plan a family reunion.

[jamaclassics]

on 7/30/2009 This is excellent. I may have to attend one of these things, again. The last time my x-brother in law called me a filthy name and a dog humped my leg.

[somuchtodo]

on 7/30/2009 Great plan- to have an 'official' photographer at the family reunion! 5*