Nowadays, there are a lot of cultural and family practices that have changed, causing many families members to live apart or move from one place to another. There are also cases where children move out of the family house as soon as they finish college or start their own families.
Despite the distance that sets each family member apart, they should be thankful because of the existence of technology and internet connections, making it easier to communicate with anyone anytime of the day. Many people are always looking forward to a family reunion and take this opportunity to see their favourite relatives personally. So, if you are planning to organise a family reunion here are some essential tips to help you out.
Start sending out invitations in advance
Family reunions take time to organise. If most of your relatives live outside the country, then you need to give yourself six months to a year to plan the event. It would be best if you started making your list in advance so your relatives can find ways to free up their schedules and be able to attend the reunion. You can celebrate family reunions any time of the year, but the most popular dates are held during the summer or holidays. You can start sending the invites via e-mail or through their social media accounts.
Choose the best location
The place where you will have the reunion should be accessible for everyone. Look for a venue where everyone is willing to travel to without experiencing inconvenience.
Decorations and theme
As soon as you have chosen a venue, it is time to prepare decorations for the site. You can have some rollerbanners printed in advance that will serve as welcome signage for all your relatives that are attending the event. Make sure that the venue looks inviting and presentable during the day of the reunion.
Serve good food and drinks
It is important to keep your relatives and other family members happy and full during the reunion. Whether you decide to cook everything from scratch or have the food catered, it is up to you. Make sure to serve good food that both young kids and adults will enjoy. However, before planning your menu, do not forget to ask your relatives if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. The last thing that you want to happen is to send somebody to the hospital because of a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, seafood or other ingredients.
Consider using family shirts
One of the best things about having a family reunion is that everybody gets the chance to wear the same shirt designs and keep it as a souvenir. Wearing custom clothing is vital because it symbolises unity and harmony within your family. Make sure that all family members have their shirt once they arrive at the venue.
Family reunions do not happen very often; that is why you should encourage everyone to attend the celebration.