Family Reunion Time

[jmarie]

We haven't had a Family Reunion for 15+ years. We are starting with my husband's family and are combining Patriarch's and Matriarch's Family. It worked very well at MIL's birthday party...small town, most everyone knows everyone else. Mom's death made me realize that life is just so short.... too short.

This started as a discussion for immediate family and children, grandchildren and great children, a picnic at the Park for the immediate family. In discussing this with MIL, it grew and she (we) are just so excited!

So! I don't want to have to do this alone! I came up with an invitation list, printed the invitation, printed an insert that I found on Pinterest, am providing the stamps and envelopes and a niece has graciously agreed to address/mail the invites.

Something I would like to do, is have a raffle, folks can purchase 1 or more raffle tickets and we will provide raffle items. In the invitation, I did mention this, in the invite, and asked anyone who would like to provide a raffle item for this to please feel free. We will use this money made, towards a next year's reunion.

I am going to hunt a good corn hole game to purchase online, any suggestions on a good one will be appreciated. Not sure about horse shoes. Not sure what the park will allow.

So, what committees do I need? I will get together with SIL's and nieces to ask what committee they would like to head up and left over's can be on said committees. Any ideas on a list of committees that should be compiled? (At the reunion we will ask for volunteers for next year, so no one gets burnt out)

I would really like for this to be a cool event. Ideas for decorations? It will be held at a shelter. So it will be a rain or shine event. I have tons of white table cloths that I purchased, several years ago for events like this, that we will use.

We expect 70 in attendance.

From Pinterest

"SOMETIMES
you will never know
the true value of a moment
until it becomes
A MEMORY " anonymous
The above is the full page insert we are using as a cover page for the reunion letter/invitation.

Looking forward to your ideas! I spoke to one of my husband's uncle on the phone yesterday who is just so excited. we spoke for over 30 minutes. That was so nice and now I am psyched about this!

THANKS!

[EmptyNestMom]

If you have children it would be nice to have games to occupy them...so a committee to arrange that and prizes for the winners

It would be nice to honor the person traveling the farthest, the oldest and the youngest person in attendance...

Probably should have some plates, napkins, cups and disposable silverware...

Ask people to bring family pictures and someone could compile into a book for next year...

If you have younger people in the family set up a "family reunion facebook page where people could post pictures and what they have been up to lately...this will give people something to talk about when they get together...

I have never organized a family reunion, and haven't been able to attend one in a long time...these are just ideas...so hope someone else can come up with other ideas to assist you...

I really like the Coverpage you found on Pinterest...would you keep us updated on the event as it progresses, please?

[JJeannette]

Dh's family has had reunions for 50 years--yes, the family is getting very large and very extended! Over the years, we've run the gamete of committees, elected officers, down to the current version of 2 families being in charge for 2 years at a time. Their duties include securing the site (we rent the local senior room at the community center which has wonderful kitchen space), acquiring tableware and drinks,helping set up the main potluck dinner, planning games for the kids, collecting dues, conducting the business meeting, running the family auction (auction items are donated), and cleaning up the site afterwards. We are lucky in that we are able to rent the local swimming pool (just across the parking lot) for about an hour in the late afternoon. The reunion funds also permit us to serve hotdogs and sloppy joes along with leftovers and a few fresh. potluck dishes after swimming. We, also, have a raffle for a quilt made from a queen or king sized sheet with hand prints from everyone who was at the previous reunion--the prints are done with craft paint--.

The reunion is usually set for the same day each year--in our case, the second Sunday in July--the site is usually reserved for the next one when we pay for the current reunion, or as soon as possible.

And, yes, a family FB group is great--it not only gives you an easy way to post reminders and general info, it can become a place for family members to stay in touch during the rest of the year.

[jmarie]

Great start and love the Facebook idea! I put someone on that tonight! I know she will do a GREAT job! this way we can put a card in the letter to tell invitees to check in often!