5 Tips for a Successful Family Reunion

A family reunion serves as the emotional glue that binds generations together. It offers hope and meaning for older family members while giving younger ones cherished memories they will carry with them into adulthood. Research shows strong family relationships contribute to lifelong well-being.

Plan Your Reunion Early

Start with a thorough family list and survey your relatives for their preferences, interests and availability. This will help you plan your event more precisely and ensure that you have a solid attendance number to work with.

Select a Venue That Works for Everyone

Choose a location that minimizes travel time for the majority of your attendees. This will help you secure better pricing for lodging, entertainment and other amenities. Some resorts and vacation spots offer special family reunion packages that can make your planning process a lot easier.

Create a Family Photo Booth: Set up a backdrop, bins of props and a sign for easy selfies. Assign several family members as photographers so that they can capture a variety of perspectives and prevent one person from taking up all the camera space. A photo booth is a fun, low-cost family reunion idea that makes for great Instagram content.

In a recent study, family members ranked sharing photos and stories of the past as the top activities they enjoyed most at reunions. In addition, a few months before your reunion, publish family recipes in a newsletter and host a family-friendly bake-off or cooking competition. Set aside time for older relatives to tell family stories, and provide prompts if necessary.