A family Reunion is a great way to strengthen relationships and build trust. Whether you’re the patriarch of an extensive clan or simply the youngest child, taking the time to plan and carry out an unforgettable reunion brings everyone closer as it creates new shared memories in the future.
However, planning family reunions can seem like a daunting task at first. You have to consider different people’s needs in terms of diet and location, among many other things.
Keeping track of extended family members is also a challenge in itself. As you get older, it’s harder to see your relatives. If you live in a different city or state, keeping in touch is even more difficult. You’re likely to only see them during one special event, like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
But things don’t have to be that way. With some thorough preparation, family gatherings can be a fun experience for all involved.
Read on if you want to familiarize yourself with different ways how you can bring your loved ones together again and strengthen the bond between you all.
Pick a Family Reunion Catering Service
When planning the menu for family members, try to select foods that can be enjoyed by everyone. But if it’s a very large group of people attending, there may be dietary restrictions to consider as well as specific tastes or allergies; all of which can get out of hand really quickly.
A good solution in such a scenario is to hire a catering service that will best serve your needs and bellies.
Consider the number of guests you are expecting, their dietary requirements, and the amount of space you have available. If you decide to host the family reunion at your home, make sure to think about the space needed for tables, chairs, and a kitchen that can accommodate the number of attendees.
Give each family member an opportunity to contribute to the menu to make it extra special and remember to include fresh fruit! If you have any food allergies in your family, it’s always a good idea to notify the catering service ahead of time as well.
Set a Date and Time
The date and time of your family reunion are just as important as the menu.
When deciding on a date, you’ll want to take into account work schedules, school calendars, and family vacations. You’ll also have to think about the seasons in your area and try to avoid major holidays and events.
Try and avoid having your reunion during colder months, if you may want to plan outdoor activities and activities that take place during the night.
By selecting a date that is convenient for the majority of people involved; once you choose a date, you don’t want to have to change it!
Choose Where You’ll Have Your Reunion
Once you’ve decided on a date and menu, you’ll need to decide on a location that is easily accessible to the majority of your family members.
You will want to consider the distance traveled by each family member, if they have young children, or if they are elderly.
Depending on the size of your family, you can choose to host your event at a restaurant, hotel, or banquet hall. If you’re hosting a smaller reunion, you can also consider hosting it at a park, your backyard, or even a community center if you want to keep it affordable.
Decide on a Theme
While not all family reunions require a theme, they can help to set the tone for the event.
So, if you have a certain family member you’d like to celebrate, you can plan around them; for example, if a birthday is coming up, you can choose to celebrate that person. If you have athletic members of the family, you can host a sports-themed event.
A good theme for a family reunion is something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and that can be incorporated into your planned activities (which brings us to our next point).
Plan Activities for Your Big Event
While food can always bring an event together, the truth is it’s just not enough on its own to make a successful family reunion. While there are many options to choose from, it’s important to select different activities so all members of the family can enjoy themselves.
Here are a few ideas for activities:
- A family quiz – Perfect for testing knowledge and bringing everyone together!
- Board games – Great for connecting over silly prizes and friendly competition!
- Celebratory ceremonies – If you’re welcoming a new family member into the fold, a baptism or naming ceremony is a beautiful way to honour the occasion.
Confirm Who Will Stay Where and When They’ll Arrive
When it comes to family reunions, there are always more people involved than you might expect!
You’ll want to make sure that everybody has adequate accommodations as well as a way to get to the event. Make sure that you have a full headcount for every event, including carpooling, arrival and departure times, and who will be staying where.
Make sure you have the phone numbers and addresses of all the members of your family to avoid confusion and make the best use of your time.
Don’t Forget To Include the Children in the Fun!
The best family reunions aren’t just for the adults, they’re for the children too! Whether you are hosting a birthday party or family reunion, you should include children in the planning process. This not only gives them a voice in the event planning, but it also allows them to feel involved in the process and invested in the success of the event.
You can also include the kids in the activities; try to select age-appropriate activities so they can enjoy themselves while still keeping safe and occupied.
In Conclusion
Family reunions are a great way to celebrate your family and create new memories. Whether your family is large or small, hosting a family reunion is an excellent way to strengthen the relationships between all members.
If you want to make sure your event is successful, you should let Corky’s Catering worry about what’s on your plate so you can focus on other aspects of the reunion.
We are experienced in catering to weddings, social events, and even corporate events such as company picnics.
