10 Things You Should Do To Ensure A Successful
Family Reunion
Author: Marie Christianson

For the next grand family reunion, you have been unanimously
voted to organize the event. What do you do? Yes, organizing a
family reunion is a big responsibility, but you need not be
intimidated even if it has been a long time since your family
last got together. With some thought and careful planning, you
can prepare for a wonderful family affair everyone would always
remember with fondness.

Be sure to include the 10 things in in your family reunion
planning "To Do" list:

1. Create and Finalize Your Family Reunion Guest List

As in any social gathering, you need to create the guest list
for your family reunion and finalize it. This will ensure a
more manageable crowd size. Decide which side of the family you
are inviting and how far the reunion will branch out -- are you
including second and third cousins or are you inviting
immediate relatives or direct filial lines only?

2. Choose the Venue for the Family Reunion

The venue for the family reunion is one important aspect that
you cannot completely decide unilaterally even if you are the
designated planner and organizer. Choose a venue accessible to
those who will attend the affair. Ask family members for venue
suggestions and make a survey if needed before picking the site
for the family reunion. Make sure that the venue is acceptable
and satisfactory to everyone. Think of the convenience of all
those who will be present. Make sure to give due consideration
to the older members of the family as well as those who will be
traveling with children.

3. Set the Date for the Family Reunion

After finalizing the guest list and identifying the venue for
the family reunion, the next thing you need to do is set the
specific date for the affair. Consult with family members as to
when they think it is best to hold the family reunion. This is
one phase of the planning process where you need to have your
guest list ready. It is possible to have conflicts in the
schedules of those who plan to come. As the organizer, you have
to choose the date that is most convenient for the majority, if
not for everyone. It is also your responsibility to inform
everyone about changes and to update them on developments.

4. Confirm Guest Attendance to the Family Reunion

Once your guest list is finalized, your next step is to send
out the invitations. Depending on your budget, you can have a
formal invitation printed. Otherwise, you can simply invite
your guests by phone or send e-mail invitations. If you have
relatives in your guest list whom you do not have a way of
contacting, you can course your invitation to them via other
relatives who can contact them.

You will have to receive the confirmations and regrets since
you are the person in-charge of the planning the family reunion
and finalizing the guest list. Encourage your relatives to
confirm their attendance or absence at the family reunion so
you can determine the expected head count for planning
purposes. By having a definite head count for the family
reunion, you can set a budget for the venue, food and even the
souvenirs.

5. Draw a Budget for the Family Reunion

As the organizer, you have to determine the funding sources for
the family reunion. You can ask the other members of the family
to chip in. They can contribute cash, take care of the food,
provide the venue, including decorating the place and come up
with the souvenirs. Work out all arrangements according to the
budget and make sure that it does not hold you back in
providing everyone with a great time at the family reunion.

6. Unify the Family Reunion with a Theme

It is very common for family gatherings to follow a theme. A
theme unifies the various elements of an affair: invitations,
music, decoration, food and attire. Ask what everyone has to
say and listen to their suggestions. You can try a "Retro"
theme or the "Return to the 60s" (or 70s or 80s or whatever
decade you feel is relevant to the occasion). A theme can bring
out the quirky side of the more serious and stern members of the
family. It would also be fun for the younger generations to
sport the fashion of yesteryears.

7. Plan the Menu

Before planning the menu for the family reunion, review your
guest list. Make provisions for family members with special
dietary requirements like diabetics and those with other
afflictions. Prepare healthy food for them; ask their immediate
family or those in the know for particulars. Likewise, be
considerate to vegan relatives if there are any and arrange to
serve vegan dishes such as tofu burgers at the family reunion.
Serve the usual macaroni and cheese or spaghetti to the kids.

8. Develop a  Program of Activities

Once you finalize the theme for the family reunion, you can
develop a program of activities that will entertain everybody
at the affair. Prepare fun games for the kids and teenagers.
Charades is a popular party game that both young and old will
enjoy participating in. Are there any singers or dancers in the
family? If so, ask them to do special intermissions to show
their talents. Produce a show similar to those presentations in
school with your family starring in all the numbers.

9. Snap Pictures and Videotape the Family Reunion

Cameras and video cams are necessities during the family
reunion. Ask your guests to bring their gadgets and make sure
that your own equipment is available during the event. You can
never have enough pictures. Encourage swapping of pictures and
tapes/CDs after the party. If it's in your budget, you can hire
a professional videographer to film the affair.

10.  Aim for Non-Stop Fun

Aim for a family reunion filled with fun and excitement. The
trick for non-stop fun is to let everybody participate in the
affair. Expect endless chatter and updating. Your own warmth,
hospitality and sincere concern for everyone will be enough to
send them home cherishing the memories of one of the best
family reunions they have attended.


About The Author: Marie Christianson is a senior business
analyst at http://www.FamilyDetails.com. Visit the
http://FamilyDetails.com Family Reunion Resource Center for
guides, activities, games, invitations and checklists for
planning a family reunion.