When you want to stay connected to your family and create new memories, a reunion is the perfect event to get everyone together. You can host a reunion over a specific weekend or for a week in a beautiful destination that is easy for everyone to access. If you’re planning each detail of the event, there are a few important tips to follow to make this hosting job a little easier to do on your own.
Send Invites and Reminders
Avoid confusion before and during the event by sending reminders to your relatives to ensure they have all the details correct. Draft an itinerary, send photos, and confirm who is coming to get an idea of the amount of food and supplies you will need to purchase. Postcards and evites are affordable and will make it easy to send out multiple reminders. Online invitations and RSVPs will also help you count and keep track of everyone who’s coming in one place.
Hire Caterers
Food is one of the most tedious parts of any event and can be extremely time-consuming when serving a large group of people. Consider finding a local caterer to serve the main meals or brunch to make for an easy and stress-free process where you aren’t slaving away in the kitchen. You can also do a BYOF notice and have each family be in charge of their own main dish, or have a pot-luck type sign in so everyone contributes a dish.
Transport Everyone in a Group
There are often a few common problems that can occur with getting all your family members to the destination where you’re hosting the reunion. From delayed flights to vehicles that break down, some issues can occur that lead to further complications. Instead, you can avoid these problems and stay safer by having everyone travel on the same bus or plane rather than carpool. Meet in one area and have the same rental car or bus service take you all out to the destination at once. This works especially well if your destination is a building, amusement park, or other venue. If everyone wants to do their own thing or leave at different times, having a personal car might be a better option. This might be the case with camping, a park, or just a family home gathering.
Find a Photographer
You’ll want to capture the special moments you share, making it a good option to hire a professional photographer that can show up for a few hours each day. Upload all the images and send them to your loved ones or put albums together as gifts later on in the year. Having a pro do the work for you means you’ll have more time to socialize rather than pose pictures, and you’ll get some great candids of everyone who attends.
Plan Fun Activities
The amount of fun your family members have will determine how much they enjoy the reunion and may decide whether or not you continue the tradition. Plan fun activities for small children that include coloring or art projects to keep them occupied. Adults can race in potato sacks towards the finish line, or participate in a water balloon fight during the summer season. Have older generations prepare stories of family ancestors or days gone by, and create a collection of their tales. This will be a great way to get everyone contributing and create keepsakes for years to come.
When you want to plan a smooth and successful reunion, it’s important to stay organized and help your family understand all the details up front. With the right steps taken, you can create a memorable gathering that strengthens the bond your whole family shares.
