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Plan Family Reunion

December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

11310568073_familyreunionsandfun.jpgMost likely you are one of those family reunion aficionados if you are reading this. You probably have some great memories of reunions that you have attended. However, what would you do if you were asked to plan family reunion functions?
Where would you begin? When would you start to get things rolling? Would you want to hire someone to help you plan it?
Here are some great suggestions to help you plan family reunion fun:
1. Make sure to ask for help early in the planning stages. It is a good idea to create a committee. Depending on how many people you are planning on attending, there should be one committee member per 25 people that plan on attending.
2. Delegate, delegate, delegate. If you are the one called to do all the planning, then you should make sure that everyone in your committee has a job. You should end up only being the one to delegate.
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Whenever we have a family reunion in our family the best way to celebrate is by sharing the love and concern among the family members .Create family reunion photo DVD slideshows gifts are wonderful wa Planning Healthy Family Recipes

You might think that healthy family recipes are going to be hard to make and expensive. With the current economic climate meaning that many families are increasingly feeling the pinch you will learn how you can feed your family with healthy food, without breaking the bank. God’s Plan For Your Family

God has a plan for every family including yours. His plans for your family are good and intended to bring happiness, joy and fulfillment to your life. Peace is part of God’s good plan for your family. Few families enjoy harmony because of the many troubles of this life. God’s desire for your family is that you may serve Him faithfully. Creating Family Goals

Does your family have goals? Do you spend time dreaming about your family’s future? Creating goals as a family for your family unit is just as important as creating personal goals. Setting family goals is a super easy way to connect with each family member and learn more about how each person envisions your family and how you can work together towards common goals.You job is to stay organized and follow up with your committee members to make sure they are getting their job done right. And, if they need any help.
3. Proper communication. To ensure that your reunion is well-attended you will want to make sure that it is properly advertised. Invitations are a good thing to send out. Or with the advent of email, you can send out your invitations cost-free. It is also a good idea to send out notifications early enough so that your family can make travel arrangements if needed.
4. Plenty of Time. Not only do you want plenty of time to plan family reunion get-togethers, you will also want sufficient time for making everyone aware of a date. You don’t necessarily need to send out all of the details at that point in time, they can come later. As a rule of thumb, it is good to give your family members at least a year to work around the date of the reunion.
To make sure that you are able to complete tasks, or those who were delegated tasks to complete them, you should have a schedule to work around.
It is a good idea to use an action list and planning tools.
For example, if you plan on having your reunion at a specific location, you will need to know who will be making the calls and who will follow up. As long as you are organized, to plan family reunion gatherings doesn’t have to be all that difficult.

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Family Reunion

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

01310683653_img-0860.jpgFamily reunions are a growing trend.
Gone are the days when families live close to one another, carrying out the family tradition, looking after the business, the farm or other ventures. Family gatherings are held on special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries.
We live in a highly mobile society. Families can be spread out all over the globe, literally. Technology has made communication so much easier between families. But nothing can replace the personal contact that comes with a family reunion. That once a year get together leaves precious memories for all to cherish.
But, there is more to a family reunion than just getting together. It is important to plan to the minute detail to ensure a successful get together. It is a great help to communicate these details to those who are expected to attend.
FAMILY REUNION PLANNING:
It can be simple, it can be complicated.
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You probably have some great memories of reunions that you have attended. However, what would you do if you were asked to plan the next family reunion? What would you need to get the ball rolling? Learn 4 essential tips in this article. How a Family Reunion Should Be Planned

There is a certain way to conduct a family reunion in order to have great success. If you’re going to do it, do it correctly and in a way that justifies the effort. Good planning will result in a great time being had by all and you’ll have no shortage of relatives willing to attend again. Have happy campers to come back the following year. 5 Tips For Surviving a Family Reunion

The day arrives to attend a family reunion. You travel the distance and see aunts, uncles, and cousins last seen at your grandparent’s funeral five years ago. And now you wonder, “How am I going to survive this?” Here are five tips to help reduce the stress of the event.It is your choice.
WHO IS ATTENDING
It is a family reunion- but which family? Parents, grandparents, siblings and their children, grandchildren, in-laws, cousins- the list can go on. Some of us have extended families that can include very close friends, no blood relation but still considered family. It is important that attendees try to be compatible, congenial and pleasant. No one wants an atmosphere suffused with tension. It is neither the time nor the place to carry excess emotional baggage. Anyone who can not feel comfortable in such gatherings should give this event careful consideration. Families are genetically linked, but at times, that’s the only common thread. Family reunions give families a chance to feel out one another, and be accepting, accommodating and understanding.
There is no room for nit picking and pettiness. Discover what makes your ‘coz Tippy tick! Be sure to circulate around and get to know everyone.
DATE and PLACE
Set a date ahead of time, so everyone who wants to attend can make plans accordingly. Choose a location that is accessible, acceptable and comfortable.
ACCOMMODATION
For those who have to travel a distance, book accommodation ahead of time especially during peak tourist season.
BUDGET
Unless money is no problem, everyone who wants to attend the reunion can budget for this event to include travel, accommodation, food and fuel and allow extra mad money. Don’t forget an emergency fund- just in case.
ACTIVITIES
How do you plan to spend the time with the rest of the family? Some of them you may not have seen in ages. Children especially need to be kept entertained. If possible, leave technology behind. If the reunion is to be at a place surrounded by Nature, like a park or a lake, this is a great time to introduce the little ones to Mother Nature. Take this opportunity for everyone to bond. Fill the time with quality, real quality. Play together, swim together, have fun together. Bring your own gear like fishing rod and bait, life jackets, and other paraphernalia.
For adults, it is not the time for binge drinking. Excessive alcohol intake can be disastrous. No one wants to attend to a drunken relative. It is not fair to the rest of the group, neither is it a good example for the younger ones. Some activities can be spontaneous- guided by the elements that surround you. What do you do if you are rained out?
What games are appropriate for the occasion? Bring your board games and other toys. Unless you are in an isolated area, be courteous to the neighbors. Keep the noise like music down.
FOOD PREPARATION, MENU PLANNING:
Is it a one-meal get together? Is it a full day or a few days? Do you plan a dine out, a take out, a cookout or catered? If you are renting a place, check out the cooking facilities. You may consider bringing a barbecue grill. Anyone with specific food requirements, like vegetarians, diabetics et al must come prepared. Communicate to all the food allergies of anyone in the group.
Should everyone decide to make a dish- make sure there is a variety, communicate so there is no duplication. What food would your young ones prefer? What is your budget for the food?
KEEPSAKES/ MEMENTOS/ DECORATIONS
What keepsakes are good and for whom? How much are you willing to spend? A family reunion is not about splurging. It is about sharing precious moments.
THEME
Do you have a theme in mind to make the event memorable? Theme T-shirts are popular. In our family, we had flags nailed on the balcony to represent the different nationalities that have become part of our family through marriage.
MEDICATIONS / FIRST AID KIT
Always be prepared, especially if there are children, elderly and sick ones.
PICTURES – LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
Most important are those pictures- they say it all. Bring your camera, make sure you carry enough batteries or chargers.
With proper planning, a family reunion can be a most memorable event.

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Making Holiday Family Reunions Memorable

November 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21310683670_img-9620.jpgChristmas season is the perfect time for family members to get together.  Life may keep us busy most of the year but the sound of Christmas carols, smell of ginger bread in the air and the sight of colorful Christmas decorations remind us that it’s time to set aside work to give way to merry-making.  Holidays become more meaningful when we spend quality time with the people closest to our hearts.
Planning a family reunion takes time and considerable effort especially if family members live in different parts of the country. The task may seem daunting at first but careful planning and organization can help you achieve a successful family event.
Here are some guidelines that might help you in planning your upcoming holiday family reunion:
Making the List of Attendees
It’s a good idea to keep a file of names, addresses and contact numbers of relatives.  This way you don’t have to make a new list every year.  You can update the list whenever there are new additions in the family.

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Family reunions are a great way of reuniting with the long lost members of your extended family. When you are planning such an event, make sure that you know about the basics so that you make the best out of it, and get to have a memorable time. Make Family Reunions More Memorable With Customizable Clothing

Organizing a reunion or any event involves making vital decisions and considering several factors. Whether it is for the family or for former classmates, it is your target to ensure that majority of the class or family would attend the event. In reality, you do not have to apply a considerable amount of money just to promote your upcoming reunion. With a nominal investment, you can inform the possible attendees about the reunion by presenting promotional apparel. Family Reunion

Family reunions are a growing trend. Gone are the days when families live close to one another, carrying out the family tradition, looking after the business, the farm or other ventures. Family gatherings are held on special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays or anniversaries. We live in a highly mobile society. Families can be spread out all over the globe, literally. Technology has made communication so much easier between families. But nothing can replace the personal contact that comes with a family reunion. That once a year get together leaves precious memories for all to cherish. Make Sure Everybody Attends Your Family Reunion With Family Reunion Invitations

Everybody loves having the family around. Especially when there is a large family, invitations need to be sent out for a family reunion.Add a tick box on each name so you can easily check who can make it to the reunion and who cannot.
Decide if your reunion is going to be exclusive for family members or open to other people like friends. Make sure everyone agrees to the arrangement.
Deciding on the Date
Set a common date that will suit everyone’s schedule.  Once the date is decided, you can start sending invites (with RSVP) to the people on your list. Follow up on people who do not send confirmation.
Preparing the Menu
A family reunion is not complete without food and drinks.  Take time to plan the menu.  A delicious holiday feast will surely make the reunion memorable.
Great food and wonderful company always go hand in hand.  If you are planning a potluck reunion, make sure you coordinate food assignments to avoid ending up with a redundant menu.
Planning the Program
Make reunions fun and exciting by coming up with fun games for both adults and kids.  Provide prizes for the winners.  Some relatives can also sponsor prizes for raffles.
Treasuring the moments
 
Capture memorable moments on your camera. Take candid shots of the family having fun. It’s also a good idea to have a group photo before the reunion ends.
 
It’s wonderful to take photos of the kids. You can look back at past reunion photos to see how much they have grown. For a lovely photo turnout, you can ask the parents to dress their kids nicely for the reunion photo taking. You can ask the girls to come in their best girls holiday dresses and the boys in their smart looking ensembles.

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