Family Reunion Planning Inspiration

Want to plan a family reunion gathering late summer or early fall? Considering the idea of having a family reunion with all the traditional amenities like the family reunion keepsake memory book, the award ceremony, genealogy presentations and a visit to the old homestead of town tour. The big family feast and outdoor games make it all enjoyable. But getting those ideas out of the head, on the page and off the ground is quite another thing. I understand. Getting our first family reunion plans underway was a major challenge. But as we continued to plan each event year to year we learned volumes and documented each and every move.

The key to making your reunion ideas a reality is in two simple words - inspiration and guidance. That's all you need and that's where Fimark comes in. Fimark's event planning tutorials mission is to provide the event planning steps to help as many families around the world to unite, empower and adopt strong family values. To aspire to inspire you to envision a family reunion event that will never be forgotten and forge unbreakable bonds. The good news is, it's not too late to start planning your next family reunion this summer season. Just follow the steps in the timeline checklist planner. 

Written by Family Reunion Planners group director Mark Askew and co-Author/Editor Brenda Askew, Fimark's family reunion planning guides comes in a variety of packages. Fimark's Family Reunion Planning book found at Google Shopping and Amazon.com. The Family Reunion Planner book and ebook also found on Amazon.com and Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. 

Angie Hawkins, a long-time family reunion planner says. "Hi Mark, I just want to say thank you so much.  The Reunion Planner is awesome.  I know it has been 7 years and it's still a wonderful package.  Sincerely, Angie Hawkins"

We aspire to inspire. Find out the possibilities for your next family reunion event.

Mark Angelo and Brenda Marie Askew

Access Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app here.

Top Reunion Planning Tools and Apps

So what's up next? Graduation party, anniversary party, retirement party, engagement party, baby shower or family reunion? Planning, organizing and managing your upcoming family event or any other event can be a challenge especially when it comes to streamlining needed tools and apps so that everything you need to is at your fingertips. This list will help you get better organized by adding the top event planning tools and apps to your devices reunion planning page.

Reunion Fees Payment Apps

Getting the word out about fees can be a challenge. Collecting the fees can be even more challenging. But it doesn't have to be. After listing activities mention fees according to household and ages. Make it easy for members to forward fees by setting up ticket payments on your family reunion website.

Donation Payment App

It's never too early or too late to mention the donation arrangement and set up a donation
submission form on your family reunion website

Registration App

All households making up the clan should register for a number of reasons. First and foremost to make sure no one is overlooked. Third, to document all contact information and get the facts as to the total number of family members per household.

Invitation and Event Details App

Sending invitations and keeping up with responses can be a tedious task. Information regarding the details of the event can motivate greater participate and build anticipation. But how do you get all that out to invitees? Make use of online invitation apps. Apps that allow you to provide details of the event are essential. This will also enable family members to do better planning and pack exactly what will be needed to enjoy the occasion.

All communications including invitations should include contact us information. This provisional link should be easily accessed when sending emails or add the url on post mail. When designing a family reunion website put the contact us link in a prominent location on the side panel or across the running head of the page.

Message Boards

Message boards have been a prominent online feature for decades. Millions of professionals are still using them to relay information to specialized groups. Family reunion members find them an invaluable tool to keep all progressively informed from one stage to the next.

Making a message board available from your family reunion website can be a great way of bringing family back together. It's an effective forum for discussing event planning issues, making periodic announcements, keeping folks up-to-date and documenting event activity ideas and details.

Guest Book

Guest books or registration books and forms should be provided on location. Online guestbooks featured on the family reunion website give members an opportunity to post a greeting on behalf of the household and make a statement.

Family Directory

A family directory is a great way to list contact information along with any special service, business or profession that would be of value to the family community.

FAQ Feature

Take the time to answer questions family members have about the event and post it so all can benefit from the answers. This can be featured on the family reunion website as well.

Family Photo Albums

Everyone likes looking at photos. Every loves looking at family photos. It's a great way to watch the family grow and fondly look back at good times. Reserve a space for photos in your newsletter, the family reunion keepsake memory booklet and as a permanent feature on the family website. Folks will keep coming back for more.

News Feeds

New feeds provide a meaning of posting the latest news about special events as they happen.
Post news clips in the family newsletter. Provide news feed on the family reunion website.

Calendars

Calendars are a perfect way to post upcoming events such as wedding, engagement parties, showers, graduation parties and more.

In Memoriam Pages

This feature can be provided in newsletters, the family reunion keepsake memory book and be a permanent fixture on the family reunion website.

Family Survey App

Use the survey feature  to keep track of preferences regarding the dates, locations and activities of the reunion event. Use the family reunion event planning app to post surveys via your social network page. Remember to provide a survey module on your reunion website.

Family Poll App

Family polls are both fun to take and very informative to committee event planners. Take polls to determine favorite activities, locations and events. Review poll results at committee meetings before making final decisions. Post more interesting poll results in the family newsletter and on the family reunion website.
.

Business Page

Feature family businesses and empower the financial stability of the family. Reserve a space in the family newsletter, family reunion keepsake booklet and the family reunion website.

Online Auction App

Hold online auctions to raise ,money for causes related to the family and the reunion event.

A great way to access templates and apps for all your family event planning needs is Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. It has everything you need including the apps and tools mentioned above to plan, organize and manage a memorable family reunion.

How To Stop The Madness!

Have you've ever gotten so bogged down with work that you seemed trapped in an occupational maze? Slaving for the man and unforeseen occurrences can easily result in early burnout.  Often family bonds go neglected. Getting back on track may be difficult and even when you put forth some effort to get closer to sons and daughters, mom and dad a perfunctory routine may not do much to keep family bonds strong and meaningful.

Just stop the madness. Get out of the rat race. The days are getting longer and warmer. The sky is bluer. The air is fresher. The birds are chirping and the flowers are in bloom. It's time to think about sharing in some cool activities for spring.

This season plan to get out of the house and do something fun with your family. Steer in the direction of rediscovering and celebrating good old reliable family values. Start by gathering the family at the dinner table. Fix and serve their favorite healthy meal. Now sit down and chow down.  Ask them to brain storm some exciting activities they would like to do this spring and summer. Make definite plans to make it happen. Before you know it they will be back in your arms again.

- - - - -

Family reunions are not just a one time event experience. the planning process involves planning several events that often engage the family for months at a time and that's the genius behind reunions.
Why not plan your next family reunion now.  To get inspired check out my family reunion planning app. You'll be amazed at the possibilities.

We Aspire To Inspire

As we have said so many times, we aspire to inspire you. We appreciate hearing the many positive reviews from satisfied family reunion planner web app users like Angie Hawkins.

"Hi Mark,

 

I just want to say thank you so much.  The Reunion Planner is awesome.  I know it has been 7 years and it's still a wonderful package.  Sincerely, Angie Hawkins"

Thank you Angie. We hope you continue to get the most out of Fimark's Family Reunion Planner web app, ebook and paperback book for years to come.

Thanks to you we will continue to aspire to inspire you to plan the most memorable family reunion planner ever.

Mark Angelo and Brenda Marie Askew

Access the family reunion planner web app here.

What Goodness Looks Like

Goodness: A quality or act inspiring joy, comforting and putting at ease, rightness of heart. A helpful service rendered on behalf of others.

Ever wondered what goodness looks, feels, tastes and smells like? A child once said it's like freshly baked bread. Perhaps she meant the aroma of browned and buttered bread pulled straight from the oven. Or when it's served up with a warm smile and that bubbly joy you feel when family gather to feast at the same table?

Nothing comes close to that warm, lighthearted feeling you get when the moms are baking and cooking in the kitchen using recipes from their grandmother's mother. The guys are arguing sports stats in the living room and the kids are cackling and laughing while at play just outside the front door. You smile at it all. Put your feet up on the recliner and sip lemonade from a tall icy glass. A cool breeze blows through an open window and tickles your face. "This", you blithely sigh... "This is good."  This is family. How much goodness is in your life? Your parents? Your children? 

There was a study conducted over a 40 year time span by various social science study groups. The study centered on whether giving makes the giver happier. The evidence was overwhelmingly conclusive. It does. There is a certain happiness in giving and a deeply abiding joy when the giver sees the good results that meaningful practical gifts have on the receiver over an extended period of time. In fact such giving can actually cure deep emotional ills and improve health and the wellbeing of both giver and receiver. Who knew?

Somewhere along the way someone in our past decided to start what became an age old tradition. To impart goodness in the lives and hearts of those they loved most. Their motivation? An ancient promise... "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

The past has passed. But we can learn a lot from it. There is the present, and with that the ability to deeply impact the future for good once again.  This privilege falls on us. Why not make the most of it?  The question now is how? Keep searching and you will find.
- - - - -
Isn't it about time for a family reunion? Find inspiring family reunion planning instructions, event organizing checklists and fun, meaningful activity ideas go here.

Saying I Love You In Meaningful Ways

Love is the most often searched word on Google with 3 billion results.
"I Love You" is said to be one of the most sought after expressions in a relationship.

What Love Is

Love is said to be a feeling of strong constant affection for a person. Other say love is not a feeling but an ability. A popular belief is that when a persons forehead is often kissed it indicates that they are truly loved. Others say when you have an overwhelming urge to shout it out from the housetops you're most likely deeply in love.

Family is about love and love is about family. It's no wonder the procreative power center is triggered based on expressions of affection and love. When the welfare. affections and protection of a close friend is important to you they often become the initial part of the making of a new family.  That said, knowing how to say I love you may be the most important lesson of one's life.

Saying I Love You

The fact is true love is a deep and active concern for the lasting welfare of others. Such a concern is expressed every day in various ways. Take to time to convey your love for all your loved ones and most of all don't miss it when someone expresses that love without the spoken word.

"If you're wondering how to say 'I love you'... Just show it each and every day."

Family reunions, a time to express love and honor to those that matter most. Get inspired. Get Fimark' Family Reunion Planner and find out how to plan your next most memorable and meaningful family reunion.

Keywords: how to say I love you, I love you
Tags; #ILoveYou,#HowToSayILoveYou,

How To Plan A Party Checklist

The key to successfully throwing a well planned party or special event has to do with good planning, organizing and management.

To start, write down the theme of your gathering and focus on fun and meaningful theme related activities. Next consider your budget. Write a shopping list with budgeted items. 

Create a Party Supplies Shopping List
Create a Decor Shopping List
Create a Perishable Foods Shopping List
Create a Stationery Shopping List

You find sample Budget and Shopping Lists using Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app. 

Take the time to compare prices online. You'll find a great place to start at www.fimark.net. Buy non-perishable goods out of season. January - March is a great time to buy bulk party goods.

Put together a timeline checklist with all the action items required to plan, organize and manage your event using the following format:

9 WEEKS BEFORE

Put together your guest list and gather addresses and phone numbers.
Order or make invitations. You'll find lovely free printables here.

4 WEEK BEFORE
Plan Your Menu
Finalize the space layout and decorations.
Using Party Supplies Shopping List purchase decorations, paper goods, and other supplies, non-perishable foods and drinks.
Contact those who will help with the party.
Address and mail your invitations.
Write a list of your background and dance music (stick with the theme of yourparty). Remember to include the song title, artist, band and year of release

THREE WEEKS BEFORE

Confirm RSVP's
Confirm attendees and telephone, text or email guests who have not responded to your invitations so you can get an accurate count of attendees for food and space requirements.

Music
Put together a music CD of background, mood or dance music

Accommodations
Make needed preparations for out of town guests such as guest rooms, hotel reservations.

Wardrobe
Pick out what you plan to wear at the party and have it cleaned.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

Party Linens, Dinnerware, Servingware and Flatware
See that table linens are clean and ready to go. Put the linens under a bright light for inspection. Remove all stains. Decide on flatware and serving items

Security
Get locks put on your bedroom closet or lock the bedroom door itself. Don’t hesitate to secure all valuables.

ONE WEEK BEFORE

Contact your decorating team to confirm dates.
Contact vendors and other event services.

THREE DAYS BEFORE

Clean your house thoroughly especially if the party with be held there.  
Prepare for out-of-town guests to stop by before or after the party.

Make sure all appliances that you’ll be using work properly.
Touch base with contracted services.
Assign specific tasks to your committee members/volunteers.
Make preparations for cleaning up, returning equipment, etc.


TWO DAYS AHEAD

There is plenty of time to get those items you may have forgotten.
Shop for any last-minute food items  and supplies.
Begin decorating your home or party facility.
Make some party foods and freeze them.

ONE DAY AHEAD

Using your perishables shopping add last minute items and purchase them early in the day.

Food Preparation
Make cold desserts and dishes that can be refrigerated overnight.

Decor
Decorate at planned. Move furniture and put away delicate items that could suffer damage.

Set up serving tables.

DAY OF PARTY

Lock up all your breakable and valuable possessions
Finalize the decorations and place settings.

Call all help together and give motivational instructions
Set up an area in or near the kitchen for returning used dishes and waste.
Clear dishwasher for use as needed.
Chill all cold beverages.
3-4 hours before event start cooking.

TWO HOURS BEFORE EVENT

Turn on relaxing upbeat music
Light a candle and take a relaxing bath or hand shower. 
Enjoy the moment.
Put out your clothes and shoes.
Fill the home or facility with natural scented fragrances if desired.

ONE HOUR BEFORE

Mix the punch and put out the punch bowl, drinking glasses and napkins.
Set out cheeses and non-perishable appetizers and snacks.
Prepare to greet your guests as each arrives.
Point out the areas of your home or facilities they can help themselves to such as the coat room, closets, guest room, bathroom or restroom, finished basement, etc.

Serving
Serve drinks on the top of the hour that your party is scheduled to begin.
Serve dinner at scheduled hour.

Happy Party Planning!