Are you ready to turn your family reunion dreams into reality? Whether you’re a seasoned reunion planner or embarking on your inaugural journey, this guide for planning a family reunion is your roadmap to orchestrating a family gathering that will be talked about for years to come.
Getting Started
Every great reunion starts with a spark of inspiration. Inject some creativity into your event with these family reunion ideas that cater to all ages and interests:
🎉 Themed Extravaganza: Transform your reunion into a themed extravaganza! Whether it’s a retro 80s bash, a Hawaiian luau, or a roaring 20s soirée, a themed reunion adds an extra layer of fun and excitement.
🏔️ Outdoor Adventure: Embrace the great outdoors with a camping trip, beach bonfire, or a day filled with exciting outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, or even a friendly family Olympics.
🍝 Culinary Delights: Host a potluck with a twist by assigning each family member a beloved family recipe to share. From Grandma’s secret pie to Aunt Sally’s famous barbecue ribs, let the flavors of your family’s culinary heritage take center stage.
🌳 Heritage Exploration: Dive into your family’s history with a heritage-themed reunion. Set up a family tree display and share family photos and stories of ancestors. Perhaps even organize a visit to significant family landmarks or historical sites.
🛠️ DIY Workshops: Get hands-on with DIY workshops tailored to all ages. From craft stations for the little ones to cooking classes for the adults, let everyone unleash their inner creativity.
Family Reunion Basics
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when thinking about the things you have to do to start planning your family reunion. However, there are a few basic steps that can help you stay organized and efficient while preparing for the big event.
Choose a date
Like any other kind of event, you can’t guarantee the date you choose will work for everyone. But, since the goal of a reunion is to get as many people together as possible, it’s wise to try and choose a date that works for as many people as possible.
Use email, social media, or other RSVP methods to survey your family about which dates work or do not work for them. Once you have your responses back, it will be much easier to select a date! It’s ideal to begin planning your reunion an entire year in advance to ensure that everyone can make arrangements to attend.
Form committees & delegate
This step is crucial. Once you’ve figured out who is attending, you can see who is interested in helping plan the reunion. If you haven’t already decided on specific details of your event, do so as a team.
Break into groups to make each task easier. Some committees you might consider having include Entertainment, Food/Drink, Venue, Party Favors, and Games/Presentations. Once you’ve divided into committees, allocate funds to each committee as your budget permits and get to planning!
Finalize venue and setup
Outdoor venues like parks, lakes, or backyards are popular options for summer family reunions. However, it’s not unheard of to hold your family reunion indoors in ballrooms, conference centers, or other adequate spaces.
Whether you opt for inside or out, you’ll want to make sure that your venue can accommodate your guest list (double-check the RSVP count), entertainment (do you need outlets? a stage?), tables and chairs, and catering/bar space if you decide to go that route. You’ll want to lock down the venue as early as possible so that you can include the date, time, and location on your invitations.
If you’re renting a ballroom, you can probably rent tables and chairs from the venue if they aren’t already included. But for most outdoor spaces, you’ll need to reach out to a table & chair rental company. They’ll be able to provide enough seating for all of your guests, and many companies will offer other rentals as well, such as tents, dinnerware, and staging. If possible, rent everything you need through one company. Most companies will offer a discount for package deals.
Family Reunion Menu
From savory dishes passed down through generations to refreshing beverages that will keep spirits high, this section is a celebration of the flavors that bring families together. So sit back, relax, and get ready to savor every bite and sip as we delve into the delicious food and drink at your family reunion.
Family-Friendly Fare
Large portions and simple recipes are the way to go when planning your family reunion feast. Ranch and spinach pasta salad, chicken noodle casserole, and cherry pie bars are sure to be crowd favorites.
Delicious Drinks
There’s no shame in needing a drink when you’re around family. So include some large-batch cocktails like gin, grapefruit, and hibiscus punch or pink lemonade vodka punch in your drink menu. Of course, you can’t forget to include something yummy for the young folks, like a peach Arnold Palmer.
Family Reunion Entertainment
From lively games to fun activities to captivating performances, we have all sorts of family reunion ideas. This section is all about creating moments of joy and laughter that will be cherished for years to come. So let the entertainment begin as we explore the endless possibilities for keeping guests of all ages engaged at your family reunion.
Interactive Entertainment
From family trivia to board games to scavenger hunts, we have interactive entertainment ideas that will have everyone involved and enjoying themselves!
❔ Trivia: Hire an emcee or a comedian to host a family trivia or game night (Family Feud, anyone?) and enjoy some laughs with a little friendly competition.
🎤 Talent Show: A family talent show is a great way to bring out everyone’s creative side! Hire a drag queen or a DJ to host and blow every other family reunion out of the water.
🔎 Scavenger Hunt: When it comes to family reunion games, a scavenger hunt is top-notch. hire a professional scavenger hunt company to make sure it runs smoothly!
🕵️ Murder Mystery: Help everyone find their inner detective by hosting a murder mystery party! Murder, mystery, and intrigue will make it a reunion to remember.
📸 Photo Booth: Hire a professional photo booth to help create memories that will last a lifetime. They will bring props and ensure plenty of smiles.
Performance Entertainment
If you are looking for a fun family reunion activity that everyone can enjoy without the spotlight, hiring a performer may be the way to go!
🎸 Solo Musician: Depending on the size of your reunion, hiring a singing guitarist may be the perfect way to entertain your family. If your reunion is extra large, consider hiring a cover or party band!
🪄 Magician: Bring some magic to your family reunion by hiring a magician to wow all of your attendees!
🔥 Fire Performer: Add some sizzle to your celebration by hiring a fire performer to perform once the sun goes down!
👑 Costumed Character: Is your family full of kiddos? Surprise them with a special appearance from their favorite princess or superhero!
🍿 Movie Night: Rent a portable outdoor movie screen and host a movie party under the stars!
Family Reunion Party Favors
Get ready to spread smiles and create lasting mementos as we delve into the delightful world of party favors at your family reunion! From personalized keepsakes to thoughtful tokens of appreciation, this section is all about adding an extra touch of magic to your gathering.
Keepsake Party Favors
Family reunions don’t happen every year, or maybe they do, but either way, taking home a sweet keepsake is always a plus. A personalized mini-notebook to take contact information, an engraved magnet, or a family tree cup is a perfect way to keep memories alive.
Fun Party Favors
Show off your family’s fun side with favors that will let people know you had a good time long after the reunion is over. A personalized deck of cards, a yummy treat, or family reunion hats will be the talk of the party!
When figuring out how to plan a family reunion your whole family will enjoy, remember that the true essence of these gatherings lies not just in the logistics but in the love, laughter, and connections shared among family members. So when you’re planning your next family reunion, remember that the memories created will be priceless treasures for years to come. Cheers to the bonds that unite us, the memories that sustain us, and the family reunions that make life truly extraordinary! 💚
Sonia is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad and uses the knowledge she’s gained from helping both the vendor and client through the booking process to give her best event planning advice. When she’s not at work she enjoys the outdoors, a good book, trying new recipes, and spending quality time with her husband and their furbabies.