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.
- A Dedicated Cleanup Crew
Don't expect everyone to pitch in organically at the end of the night. Assign a rotation or specific family cleanup committee so the venue is left in good condition and deposits are refunded. - The Official Photographer (and a photo plan)
If you don't hire a professional, it's easy for the planner to end up with no photos of themselves. Appoint specific relatives as "event photographers" or set up a shared digital folder (like a Google Drive or an app) where everyone can upload their pictures. - A First Aid Kit and Emergency Info
Small accidents, scrapes, or sudden allergies always happen. Pack a well-stocked first aid kit, a list of nearby urgent care centers, and local hospital locations. - Quiet Zones for Young Kids
Tents or indoor rooms filled with board games, puzzles, and charging stations allow younger kids or introverted teens to step away from the crowd and recharge without leaving the event. - Genealogy and Contact Updates
Family reunions are prime opportunities to update the family tree. Have a sign-in sheet or digital form that collects current addresses, phone numbers, emails, and notes new births or marriages.
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.
All around the world family reunions will be celebrated from May to September. Family reunions are a haven for nurturing children, mothers seeking mutual support, fathers seeking camaraderie, teens seeking identity and genealogist and family historians.
While family reunions are vital to the survival of this basic unit of society many career minded people and domestic workers just can't seem to find the time to pull it off. Do not despair. I've been there! And what have I learned? The fact is you can plan a successful and memorable family reunion just 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Here are a few tips to make your reunion event a most memorable one.
Speed Plan Your July Family Reunion in just 20 minutes.
What You'll Need.
1. A Mobile Phone (with texting capability and a stopwatch app.)
2. A Note Taking App
3. Family reunion planning checklist (like Fimark's Family Reunion Planner.)
4. A family contact with a large backyard (call them and establish best date and time) or...
5. An all you can eat banquet restaurant (with a private room)
6. Family History Video/ Slideshow (Consult the family genealogist for content of history video or show pictures or video of all special events provided by each family.)
7. Some no cost entertainment ideas (see Fimark's Family Reunion Planner.)
Now create a group text message to be forwarded to all family contacts.
"We're speed planning a family reunion this summer
Date - Location - Time."
If your holding the event in the back yard include the following message. "Bring a dish and drinks to share and also a chair"
Make sure the person on the grill supplies charcoal, foil, meat, bread and condiments. Bring extra drinks early.
Entertainment and Activity Ideas
Create your own outside entertainment with games and perhaps a talent show. (See Fimark's Family Reunion Planner for inspiring ideas.)
Read Set Go!
Synchronize your stopwatch app and hit the start button
Make the phone calls and send a group text message. Those who reply within the next 5 minutes with doable ideas will be considered.
Put the suggested date, location and activities, down in your notes. Ask the family to vote on their favorites within the next 5 minutes.
The first three or four to respond can be considered as members of the family reunion committee. The date, location and activities most favored are written in stone. Now send out the invitation
Calculate the Cost
A wise man once said, "Who would build a tower without first sitting down and calculating the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?" If your reunion is at a restaurant consider how much to charge each family member. Consider an all-you-can-eat food bar to cut down on menu and ordering complications. Within the next 5 minutes send them a menu complete with costs and have them bring the funds to the restaurant to keep things simple.
Want 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.
