Partyology Family Reunion

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Family Reunion

Theme:
Your family country of origin, location of the event or the founder of the family assembled.

Images and inspiration:
Family, trees, cousins, family photos, tradition, country flag, map, statue of liberty, Ellis island, passport, citizenship, time periods and locations that relate to your heritage.

Date and time:
You may want to see how much interest there is in a reunion, when, where and how long it should be. What are others interested in helping with and their suggestions.

Budget:
You could spend several hundred dollars on equipment or several thousand if you go to a facility. Then you could spend another few hundred on refreshments, invitations, decorations, activity items and prizes. Or you could spend less if you have the equipment and ask everyone to bring refreshments, and activities and supplies.

Location:
A park, favorite vacation destination, in conjunction with a local festival, or volunteer for a charity. Investigate local lodging options: some colleges rent unused dorm rooms, so check with them. You may also want to point out local point of interest.

Layout:
Rent a tent, tables and chairs if necessary. Place a large family tree on a wall and have everyone find and highlight their name. Set-up food service tables, a table for nametags and one for old family photos and heirlooms. Games and activities should be set-up nearby. Think about parking, arrival paths, garbage cans and restrooms facilities.

Record event:
Create a web site for the event. Take photographs of activities and especially an official group photo. Place disposable cameras on the tables for candid shots.

Transportation:
You should investigate the locations and schedules of the local airport, train, bus station and car rental and taxi services. Include this information on your invitation.

Costumes:
If your event coincides with a local event or family history, period costumes may be appropriate. You could turn these costumes into a contest.

Invitations:
When designing the invitation be sincere, tell family what you are planning, their lodging options, when to respond, where to send any fees and include directions. By all means, send them early!

Decorations:
Use flags from your family heritage, genealogy information about relatives from the past. Balloons are a quick way to add color and excitement.

Food:
After considering all the diet restrictions of the family, serve foods that reflect your heritage. Simple foods like; vegetarian corn dogs, macaroni and cheese and salad for children. Adult fare could include; soup served in a crock pot, large trays of pasta, casseroles, bar-b-q, quiche, vegetable trays and lots to drink. Arrange for leftover food to be taken to your local homeless shelter.

Activities:
Keep arriving children busy with sidewalk chalk, bubbles and other crafts and games.
Have an opening ceremony introducing families and pointing out where they are on the family tree. Recognize any accomplishments or milestones; graduations, new jobs, travels.
Autograph Mixer - Get the signatures of the person or people who; was born in a foreign country, plays soccer, has a pet bird, has a tattoo, collects stamps, is a veteran, has lived in 3 or more states, is a genealogist, was born on a holiday, is an only child etc..
Which Family - Families write what they like, an unusual thing, hobbies, best thing that happened etc., then everyone try to guess which family it is.
Gift Trade - Families bring a wrapped inexpensive item, then trade them, or auction them off and give the money to charity.
Have adults tell the story of their life or about other relatives, or share their interests with demonstrations.
Other activities could include a family trivia contest or a talent show.
You could rent inflatable rides, they are always fun for the little ones.
Make t-shirts, tablecloths, pillowcases with the family photo.

Gifts:
Photo album, bottle of wine, specialty beers, food, heritage items.

Favors and prizes:
Award prizes to activity winners and the oldest, youngest, family that traveled farthest, birthday closest to event, person with the most change in their pocket etc.. Prizes can be; toys, lottery tickets, certificates, framed version of family tree, items used to play games, or any related items found at yard sales, people love a good laugh.

Follow-up:
Turn the official family photo into a t-shirt or other memento of the event. Write a newsletter and send it out to the whole family, so those who couldn't attend, know what they missed.

Check out items available at YoreAuctions on eBay.

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