Summer is a great time for bringing the family together. With barbecues, neighborhood picnics and campouts, many of us spend a lot of quality time with loved ones and friends between May and September. For thousands of Americans, these family gatherings might be a much larger event this year. According to a 2014 survey by HomeAway, 63 percent of respondents reported having attended a family reunion, including 29 percent saying they have attended one in the past two years. With the tradition of family reunions alive and well, we talked to metro parents to gather their best tips on how to plan a fun family event that will build memories for multiple generations. Here are five easy steps to ensure your reunion planning success!
Step 1. Set a guest list. You may think the guest list is pretty obvious: Invite the family to the family reunion. But, like most things, reunions come in all shapes and sizes. Decisions need to be made on the reach and size of the event. Are you inviting all immediate family? First and second cousins? Or do you want to invite all descendants of Great-Grandma Jane? Decide which part of the family tree will be included and put together your list. Depending on how far you want to reach, it may take some time to gather names and contact information.
Step 2. Set a date and a timeframe. Set the date as early as possible. “When it is a big event, like a family reunion, it really helps to have the dates set way in advance. That way, we can budget and plan around things like school breaks,” says dad Kevin Thomas, Kansas City, KS. It is also important to decide on the timeframe for your event. If your family meets annually, a weekend event should meet your needs. However, if this reunion is 10 years in the making, you may want to set aside an entire week.
Step 3. Select a style. Planning the style of the reunion is a crucial step. “You need to set the stage for the event, and that is what everything else builds from,” says Tamara Keller, Shawnee mom. “I have planned three reunions and I know what works for my family. If you don’t know, think about what your family’s idea of fun is.” A few of the most common reunion styles are:
- Home sweet home. If your family lives in the same geographic region, you may want to pick a family member to host a party at his or her home.
- All-inclusive. If your family doesn’t like to worry about budgets and are all coming from different areas, you may want to consider an all-inclusive package with a resort or hotel.
- Dream vacation. For families who enjoy travel, choosing a vacation destination could be a winning idea.
Step 4. Communicate. After the basic decisions are made, the timeline is set and the style is selected, be sure to communicate the details to the invitees! Set up a website, a blog, or create an email chain where people can post questions or offer updates. “It is really helpful to have all the information online,” says Cindy Woods, Overland Park mom. “When I was planning my reunion, there were a million questions, and the website helped so much.”
Step 5. Party planning. To ensure your event is one to remember, be sure to focus on the details. Plan events for the family that offer fun for multiple age groups, create t-shirts or hats for the entire family to mark the occasion and plan a way for the family to capture the memories. Creating an online photo album to share pictures is a great way to keep the fun going long after the reunion has ended!
Thinking of planning a reunion? Here are a few more tips from the HomeAway survey!
- The most cherished reunion memories are simply made of “spending time together,” according to 81 percent of families.
- Group meals were the favorite memory of 60 percent of families.
- More than half of respondents said “cooking great food” is the best way to impress your guests.
- The top way to offend your family members is by drinking too much, according to 28 percent of families.
- Stay off your cell phone or tablet and engage with your guests if you don’t want your family to feel offended, advised 26 percent of respondents.
- And 15 percent said that when other family members were “being cheapskates,” it was their biggest annoyance at their reunion.
Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, journalist and mom of two living in Overland Park.