June Family Reunion Reminders Checklist

And Handy Reunion Planning Checklists

Whether you're the family reunion planner, member of an event planning committee, the family genealogist or historian... The fact is you're running out of time, and you needed to wrap up this summer's family reunion event plans yesterday. Here are some vital, quick, and easy reunion planning reminders you don't want to forget.

Important tasks you may need to complete before the event:

1. Accessibility and Mobility Needs
   Planners sometimes forget to account for elderly relatives or young children. Ensure your venue has ADA-compliant ramps, elevators, and close parking. 
2. Ask guests explicitly about dietary needs, walker/wheelchair requirements, and sensory accommodations well in advance. 
3. Unplanned "Nothing" Time
   It is tempting to schedule every hour, but over-programming leads to exhaustion. Leave ample open time simply for catching up, relaxing, and organic memory-making. 
4. Designated "Family HQ" Space
   For large gatherings, set up a central home base with a shaded seating area, coolers, and extra snacks. It gives relatives a designated spot to chat away from high-energy activities. 
5. Rain-Day (or Heat) Contingencies
   Always secure an indoor alternative or large tents if hosting outdoors. If the weather is sweltering, have water stations, shade, and fans readily available. 
6. Dietary Restrictions & Leftover Prep
   Gather lists of food allergies (e.g., nut, gluten, dairy) or strict preferences. Additionally, bring coolers, Ziploc bags, and containers to manage leftover food so it doesn't go to waste. 

Happy family reunion planning!

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For more practical money saving reunion planning tips get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner complete with checklists, themes,  activity ideas, itinerary and more. Everything you need to plan a memorable family reunion.

Outdoor Family Reunion Event Ideas

There is nothing like the great outdoors. State parks, beaches, road trips to homesteads and tours. Good music, a breezy day and fun in the sun can set a restful and refreshing mood for a great reunion event.

Having an outdoor family reunion is probably the most economical approach for those entertaining large gatherings with many siblings. Why? Outdoor venues are 50-60% less expensive when compared to indoor venues such as a reception hall. Outdoor events are usually one-day events. 

Outdoor gatherings lend themselves to more creative activities. The sky's the limit when you consider all that you can do. Here are a few great ideas

1. TV Game Show Style Outdoor Games
2. Quilting Under The Wisdom Tree
3. 'Back In The Day' Family Interviews 
4. Family History Storytelling
5. Arts and Craft presentations
6. Genealogy Presentations
7. 'My Family's Got Talent' Show
8. Fantastic Bubble Show
9. Family Recipe BBQ Cook Off
10. Poetry Club

More more details consult the Book Fimark's Family Reunion Planner.

Fimark's Family Reunion Planner

Managing the kids is a whole lot easier.  Just direct them to the nearest baseball diamond, playset or basketball hoop. Other great activities for kids include horseback riding and more. Best of all there's no indoor furniture or decor to break, mend and refurbish during and after the event.

The ideal season for an outdoor event is mid to late Spring when the weather is milder. Early Autumn can be ideal. But Summer is the time most often chosen for a family reunion. Why? The kids are off from school. It's the ideal vacation time, and there are long weekends to take advantage of. 

Looking for inspiring themes, activities, and ideas to make your reunion something memorable? Get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guide and Keepsake. It's everything you need to plan, organize and manage a fantastic reunion. 


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Free Fundraising Ideas

Fundraisers are the ideal way to get that family reunion funded and enjoy the moment without worrying about the cost. But raising funds can be a challenge and costly without the right tools and fundraising ideas. Let's talk about how to raise funds without having to spend a dime.  

 
Free Online Fundraising Ideas

One of the most time-efficient and cost-effective ways to raise funds is to promote a fundraiser to all family members via your Google+ or Facebook page. Just send a family-wide message to contribute $20 to the reunion treasury. Need some incentives? To those who contribute, send a link to a list of freebies and prizes like free books, website builders, and product samples.  

Fundraising Web Apps Another way to raise funds without spending upfront money is by using a standalone fundraising application. MyEvent.com has been online for over 12 years and offers a free, fully functional fundraising web app that messages all family members and invites them to fund your event with a credit or debit card. 

Fundraising T-shirts

Another great way to raise funds is by selling family reunion t-shirts.  When priced right, they encourage people to contribute to the cause. It's amazing how easy it is to design and promote t-shirt sales online.  A great place to do this is  Zazzle. Check out these pre-designed family reunion shirts ideal for fundraisers.

Just select the design. Add family reunion event info and send it to your family members via text or email. 

Food Fundraiser

Finally, there is that food thing that is always a great fundraising success. Do a potluck bake sale that features wholesome home-made goodness. Contact all the best cooks in the family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. And while you're at it, have a bake sale on one side of the yard and a yard sale on the other.

Heirloom Fundraisers

Have a few family heirlooms. Why not offer them for lease so they can circulate to the highest bidders over a set period of time? Don't have a family heirloom or keepsake? Make one using Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Keepsake and Guidebook.

It comes complete with a signature page, journal, family recipe compiler, family tree, and other genealogy presentation worksheets. Just complete the book and put it up for circulation during the fundraiser. The highest bidder gets to keep and use the book for the year, allowing other family members to add to its keepsake content each year.

Looking for more fundraising ideas, family reunion activities, and creative family reunion themes? We wrote the book on family reunion planning. Get Fimark's Family Reunion Planner book and be inspired! 

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Funny Family Reunion Jokes Quotes and Rhymes

Some say laughter is good for the heart. One thing's for sure, when it comes to family, there's a lot to laugh about. Enjoy and share these hilarious jokes about family life while preparing your next family reunion.

What has 100 eyes, grows into a big bunch, and keeps saying CHEESE? A family reunion photo shoot. 

You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're still down there.

Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts.

“I’m here to talk about our family, but you know what they say, 'If you can't say something nice...' so I'll just say this, thank you all for coming!"

When your kids' grandparents tell you to go easy on the kids like they were easy on you -it's not wisdom, age, or experience. It's senility.

What do you call it when you have to run around with one foot in a sack, carrying an egg on a spoon, and an apple in your mouth? A family reunion relay race.

My family is like trail mix. You got your raisins, dates and a variety of nuts.

The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.

The real reason grandparents like to stop to admire the flowers, gaze at the sky, and chat with the neighbors while taking a walk is not because they are sweet, kind and love nature. It's because if they didn't stop now and then they would run out of breath trying to keep up with their grandchildren.

My grandfather walked for miles when he was 60... Now he's 97 years old and we still haven't found him yet.

I overheard my father say to my mother... "I like YOUR mother-in-law better than I like mine.” 

Grandparents can do amazing tricks their children cannot do. They can make their teeth  disappear. They can make things look ten times bigger than they are. They can tell you things about your parents no one else knows. They can read your mind and tell you just what you are thinking before you go and do something really stupid. 

There goes another apple falling from the family tree.

My parents finally confessed that I was adopted. They said, "But the adoption didn't work out, They brought you back."

The real reason grandparents move to Florida is to escape babysitting.

Having family over for dinner this weekend? This is the ideal time of year to start planning your next family reunion. Swap photos, recipes, make a memory booklet, collect poems about family, plan a talent show, start writing and videoing your family history documentary. 

Get great family reunion event themes, slogans, booklet template, printables, game ideas, and activities from Fimark's Reunion Planning Keepsake Guidebook. 

Family Reunion Activity Ideas

When the subject of planning a family reunion comes up among family members, many find it hard to agree on the location or activities. Does this dilemma often delay the planning process? Don't be dismayed. When the well runs dry of good ideas for your next family reunion, here are a few suggestions that will get your planning off and running straight to the finish line.

1. Choose a Theme
2. Choose Theme-Related Activities
3. Choose the Ideal Location
4. Create your Itinerary and Luncheon/Dinner Program
5. Event Planning Software

Choose a Family Reunion Theme

The first step in planning the event is choosing a theme. Your theme will help you determine activities, location, and the items in your Itinerary and dinner program. There are several themes common to annual family gatherings. Themes are often centered on the family name, homestead, and heritage. Other themes may be closely tied to the activities of the event, such as the following:

Traditional Themed Gathering
Genealogy Homestead Tour
Family Fest
Family Reunion Cruise
Living Legends Ball

Theme-Based Event Planners

Some event planning applications feature theme-based planning. Each theme comes with a pre-written itinerary, dinner program, and activities.

Choose Family Reunion Theme Related Activities

Now that your theme is established, you can better consider activities that would be appropriate for this special occasion. Typical activities may include a visit to the old homestead, a luncheon program on the premises, a family history recital, story time, a presentation of a family quilt or other heirloom, and honoring of family elders. Some of these activities may be incorporated into a dinner program. If you're throwing an outdoor event, consider having a talent show, sing-a-thon, food fest, outdoor games, or a bubble show.

Choose The Ideal location

Having established the theme and an outline of activities, choosing an ideal location should be much easier. The locations considered should allow for the enjoyment of most, if not all, activities listed.

Create Your Itinerary

Once the location is selected, it is time to start putting together an itinerary for the event. Create a simple list of activities and include the day and time each activity is scheduled.

Event Planning Apps

As mentioned earlier, reunion planning software makes theme selection and associated activities much easier. When looking for such an app, choose one that provides a theme selector. Theme selectors guide you through the initial planning process by providing theme-related activities, a pre-written itinerary, and luncheon/dinner programs. Other important features would include a timeline planner and an attendee roster. Even better, select reunion planning guides that include a supplies and services list. 

So if you're struggling to come up with some fresh and creative ideas for your next reunion, start by selecting a family reunion theme and associated activities. That said, a reliable theme-based reunion event planner may be all that's needed to jump-start your next fun-filled family reunion event. 

Event planners like Fimark's Family Reunion Planner feature all the above suggestions along with detailed planning, organizing, and management tips, as well as printable templates, tools, and guides.

Need Help Planning Your Family Reunion?

We wrote the book on family reunion planning, literally! 

Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guide

Celebrate Family - Part 3: Tips for a Successful Event

Now that you have a good idea of the activities for your next family reunion it's time to think about how you going to pull it off. The key to a successful family reunion event is making sure arrangements are uncomplicated and practical. Consider the following helpful tips. 

Tips for a Successful Event:

• 1. Keep it Balanced: Avoid packing the schedule too tightly; leave room for unplanned conversations and relaxation.
• 2. Organize by Generation: Have specific families take charge of different aspects of the reunion (e.g., decorating, food) to share the workload.
• 3. Focus on Connection: Use the time to simply sit, talk, and enjoy, strengthening bonds face-to-face.

• 4. Delegate Responsibilities: Avoid burnout by assigning different families to lead specific meals or activities.
• 5. Budgeting: Discuss and agree on a budget early to ensure the event is inclusive and accessible for everyone.
• 6. Venue Choice: Match the location to your family's size and interests. Options range from casual public parks and campgrounds to more formal resorts or hotels.

Find more creative family history & heritage activity ideas in our popular family reunion planning keepsake: "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Heirloom Edition." Find out why this book makes the ideal heirloom for your family reunion event.

Celebrate Family - Part 2: Fun and Engaging Reunion Activities

With good planning a family reunion can easily become the highlight of the year. Include activities all will enjoy remembering for years to come. Here are some exciting activity ideas that will keep everyone smiling.

Fun & Engaging Family Reunion Activities: 

1. Family Talent Show: Allow family members to showcase talents like singing, dancing, or comedy.
2. Family Trivia Game: Test knowledge of family history and fun facts about relatives.
3. Group Service Project: Collaborate on a service project, such as clearing a family cabin or volunteering locally.
4. Time Capsule: Create a time capsule with letters, photos, and items from the reunion to be opened at a future date.
5. Outdoor Games: Organize a competitive, fun, and easy-to-manage game, such as cornhole, croquet, or a "family golf tournament."
6. Backyard Movie Night: Set up a projector for a family-friendly film under the stars.
7. Themed Costume Party: Add excitement with a themed dress-up event.
8. Family Reunion Quilt: Create or display a family quilt, which can represent generations of family history.

Enjoy Part 3 in this "Celebrate Family" article series: "Tips for a Successful Event."

Find more fun family reunion activity ideas in our popular family reunion planning keepsake guide: "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Heirloom Edition." Find out why this attractive event planning guide makes the ideal family heirloom.