Taking Advantage of Family Reunion Planning Month

It's still November the remainder of the month. And that means it's still Annual Family Reunion Planning Month.  Take advantage of early reunion planning tips at its best.  Here are a few tips shared by experienced reunion planners to help you make your event planning experience a sure success. 

Take Advantage of Seasonal Travel Discounts

During the Months of November through January many family events are observed. Federal holidays and long holiday weekends make for the perfect season for family gatherings. Take advantage of readily available seasonal family travel discounts. Avoid Last-minute flight deals by booking early. Take advantage of off-season hotel deals across the US. Plan on dining out? During the fall and winter season there are fantastic deals on group dining, shows and clubs. Families with teenage children save big at theme, amusement and adventure park entertainment. 

Take Advantage of The Season for Support and Bonding

The Fall and Winter season focuses on visiting and supporting the elders of the family. During this time we tend to focus on how we can show our parents and grandparents we love and cherish them. We enjoy eating their comfort food, getting cozy,  and listening to their stories as they open up a colorful world of family history to us. Take advantage of this time to build closer bonds, document your family history and get the family involved in planning for the next big event - the family reunion. 

Take Advantage of Early Event Planning Money Savers

There are endless money saving advantages when starting your family reunion planning in November. Make plans to take advantage of Black Friday and other seasonal sales. Plan on doing a load of cooking? November is the ideal season to reserve your home appliance purchases including indoor and outdoor ovens, indoor gaming and outdoor game equipment as well as cookware and coolers. 

Having your reunion at the ol' homestead? Need to make some home improvements first? November is the ideal month to get started. Take advantage of seasonal discounts on electric and manual tools, ladders and toolboxes.  Now is the time to create a list of all items needed for your home and upcoming special events including your family reunion.

Get the family reunion planning checklist found in the book, Fimark's Family Reunion Planner.

A Season To Stand United

There is a saying, "There is no better time than the present." And another saying, "Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today?" But I think the one resonates most with me is the age old adage... "There is an appointed time for everything, a time for every activity under the heavens." 

Those wise words always makes me stop, ponder and ask,  "What activity is most needed by my family right now?"

Let All Things Take Place In It's Season

I've learned decades ago that all things are best accomplished in their appointed time and season. With life's many challenges you can easily miss the ideal opportunity to celebrate life's transitions with the family. And when that time is missed you can't get it back as much as you wish you could. 

A Season To Stand United

With all that's going on in the world today, this is a season to stand united as a family and community. Opportunities to make up for lost time pass by too quickly. All we can do is plan ahead and do our best make something positive, meaningful and empowering happen, especially when it's most needed. So what time is it? 

This favorite inspired maxim continues...

"There is a time to plant, a time to heal, a time to build up.

There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. a time to gather and a time to dance.

A time to search and a time embrace. A time to sew together.

A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time for peace and a time to love."

- Excerpts from The book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 

This Is That Time!

Our families need to be closer now than ever before. There can be no better time to bring the family together. To laugh and cry together, and most of all give assurance of your love and support. And when the time is right, plan a family reunion and widen your circle of love.

Tips For Your Next Family Reunion

"There is a time to plant." Plant a family garden or tree. Plant seeds of truth in the heart of your loved ones.

"There is a time to heal." Express your love for those who are gone but not forgotten. 

"  "There is a time to build up." Build a family tree. Take the time to plan family activities that leave everyone refreshed, hopeful, loved, and in good spirits.

"There is a time to gather, a time to laugh and a time to dance." Songs, dance and laughter build family bonds and a strong house.

"A time to search and a time embrace." Find and extend your family roots and branches. 

"A time to sew together." Make a family history quilt.

"A time to be silent, and a time to speak." Make a family documentary video filled interviews, photos, music, poetry and take a look back on previous family gathers and milestones.

A time for peace and a time to love." Give the kind of honor that builds bridges,  heals old wounds, and renews friendships.

It's a bit nippy out there these days. The entire world could use one big fat family reunion right now.  May you and yours fair well, stay safe and keep the home fires burning.

Mark Askew

Blog Author, Editor, Family Reunion Planner

How To Fulfill Your 2018 Goals List

After a beautiful autumn in 2017, here we are in the middle of February 2018. 

This is the time of year I consider how close I've gotten to my goals and the productive

results of those I've reached. How did I do and what have I learned from the process?

I have managed to balance family, secular work, community volunteer service, and business. I must admit, 
much was accomplished this past year as the following reveals.
1. I wrote three books. 
2. Planned, organized and managed two social events. 
3. Engaged 5 entertainment gigs.
4. Hosted several dinners with extended family and friends.
5. Restructured my financial plan.
6. Acquired a beautiful Kia SUV. 
7. Sold my old faithful silver sedan.
8. Made many new true friends.
9. Got even closer to my wife.
10. Learned new things about myself, my family and ancestry.

I must admit, though, there were a number of items on my goals list I would have loved to have fulfilled in 2017, but there are only
12 months in a year. So what outstanding goals are on my list? 

1. Plan an outdoor BBQ style family reunion this summer.
2. Put on a bubble show at my relative's kids graduation party
3. Throw a family reunion talent show
4. Enjoy a black tie 39th wedding anniversary party
5. Write a children's book in rhyme with illustrations and audio.

I'm happy to say I'm making wonderful memories while planning each event.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

What are your New Years resolutions? How close are you to meeting your goal? Here's are some tips that help make your resolutions a reality.

1. Don't pretend to be or have what you want in life. Experience life at it's best, in the raw. Be what you are while learning to be your best self.

2.  Give yourself permission to be truly happy and content with who you are, what you have, and those you have to share it with. 

2. Discover who and what you really are. That means looking past the mistakes, looking over the slip-ups, looking beyond the impositions of history, and accepting that there are things you have no control over. Focus on discovering your gifts, see your potential and hone your empowering traits and endearing qualities.

3. Focus on living in the moment while planning for the future. 

4. Plan the big stuff. Enjoy the little things. Let the rest of life play out. Don't overthink it.

5. Life is short, so keep your camera on. You never know when a priceless picture of your life happen and then quickly pass by.

6. You cannot do it all on your own. Sincere prayer for wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance helps profoundly.

WE WROTE THE BOOK

Brenda and I wrote the book on family reunion planning. This event planning journal, recipe compiler, with genealogy research forms, makes a great keepsake to pass on to the next generation. Get your copy of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guide and Keepsake and start creating memories, drinking up life and living in the moment.

GET FREE STUFF

Like this blog but haven't signed up? When you sign up you're entitled to discounts and freebies to make your event planning even more enjoyable. And who doesn't love getting freebies in the mail! Sign up on this page.

Happy Reunion Planning Everyone!

21 Ideas To Give Back This Season

Want to do something special this season? Many are considering how to give back to the community.  Often they consider donating to a worthy cause. Here are 21 gift giving ideas that keep giving back.

Neighborhood Outreach Dinners for the Homeless
Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring
Online Fund Raising
Health Awareness Seminars
Farmers Market Outings with Seniors
Group Canning
Bake Sales For Fund Raising
Winter Wonderland Outings
Winter Fest Activities
Fall Fest Activities
Autumn Crafts
Fall Festivals
Charitable Organizing
Government Aid for Education
Scholastic Achievement Awards
Bible Travel Tours and Creation Sight Seeing
Crafts For Gift Giving
Group Bible Study by Skype
Door to Door Bible Ministry
Motivational Speaking
Bible Drama Movie Events

Check the items you've considered, share it with someone you know has experience participating or planning such an event.  Take action! Get the ball rolling and discover a 2000 year old truth. "There is more happiness in giving then in receiving."

My Gift to you. Brenda and I are active in Group Bible Study, Door to Door Bible Study, Motivational Public Speaking, Fall and Winter Fest Activities, Online Fund Raising, Crafts for Gift Giving, Bible Travel Tours and Creation Sight Seeing, Bible Drama Movie Events.  If you would like to support our work feel free to send us a modest donation.

Early Family Reunion Planning Strategy

They say the best laid plans do not always work out. Why? Experts say timing can be a contributor to a plans success or failure. Often because these plans require several hands on deck, getting full support is often the key to getting any idea off the ground, up and running.

So you talked to your family over dinner this past November and presented your ideas for the next family reunion. They liked what they heard and you've heard nothing more from them about it sense. Not to worry. That's typical. Likely they're both preoccupied with the everyday task of survival or they're just waiting to hear what your next move will be.

So what is the next move? Now would be the time to have a handy family reunion planning guide to lay out the course.  Why an event guide? These guides often are written based on an experienced reunion planners tried and proven event planning strategy.  A strategy that will get everyone inspired and motivated to pitch in and get the reunion event planning wheels turning full speed ahead. That said, enter Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. This app presents a step by step method of planning your reunion event and via it's ebook feature it outlines how to get all in the family involved.

Best of all you don't have to download it and install it to your device or PC. Just go to the URL and sign-in. Next follow the steps one by one and you'll have your reunion plans up and running in no time.