Christmas 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. 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.