Types Of Family Reunions

Types of Family Reunion and Choosing the One that Fits Yours

No two individuals are exactly the same. However, families are made up of individuals who are unique in their own ways. The individuals that make up a family are the reason that no two families are alike. Families come in different shapes, sizes, personalities and collective culture. Just look at your own family. You are born into a family that is entirely different from the family you married into.

If you have just been voted to plan the next family reunion, you should consider the kind and type of family you have because knowing so can greatly help you in the planning process.

For instance, your family generally loves food and the outdoors. With this in mind, a family reunion picnic may just be the perfect type of family reunion to plan. If you are operating on a low budget, this type of family reunion can be relatively inexpensive. You can ask everyone coming to bring the food and drinks. Another type of family reunion is one you can hold in your or another family member's backyard and holding a barbecue and poolside party. Again, this type of family reunion is inexpensive as you won't have to pay for the venue, arrange transportation and make hotel accommodations.

If your budget, however, is quite substantial, you can hold a grand family reunion celebration by tying it up with a specific family event such as your grandparents' silver wedding anniversary or a new baby's christening. Or you can simply hold the family reunion in a five-star restaurant and spend an evening of fine dining with your family.

Food may not be only thing that your family likes. If your family loves adventure and are open to taking risks, you can hold a family reunion that involves outdoor activities. You can invite everyone on a camping trip or a day at a national or state park. You can also engage family members on a road trip. Decide on your final destination and then map out the different stops you'll make along the way. You can travel on a convoy, stopping at for the night at inns and motels.

Is your family spiritual? If so, why not plan for a family reunion with this interest in mind? In fact, you can enlist the help of a spiritual counselor or even a minister in planning the various activities. In this regard, the family reunion doubles as a retreat, an opportunity for all attending to become spiritually renewed.

To bring out the quirky and funny side of your family members, plan a family reunion that revolves around a theme, one that's sure to bring out humor. Have family members come all dressed up based on the theme.

There are occasions when family reunions are held after a family member dies. Although losing a loved one is a sad event, many take this opportunity to get the entire family together. If the family member who dies is one of the older ones, this can move the other members to go to the wake or memorial service, and this becomes an opportunity for those who are still living to become reacquainted, on top of celebrating the deceased family member's life.

Whichever type of family reunion you decided to go with, make sure that those you plan on inviting are notified well ahead of time so they can schedule the event into their schedules. Also, come up with a rough estimate of the number of people you think will come to the family reunion. If you think that there will be more than 50 people coming, holding the family reunion in a restaurant may not be the best thing to do.

Also consider the age of those who are attending the reunion. Will there be many older family members? If so, a camping trip may not be appropriate type of family reunion to hold. A road trip sounds all right, but you need to make sure that the older family members are sold on this idea and their health can take it.

Family reunions are a wonderful event that allows you and your family members get to know each other better. If your family is scattered across different states, a family reunion is perfect to get everyone together. So decide what kind or type of family reunion will work with your family, and plan well for it. A family reunion is a great way to exchange stories and be in the company of people who share your blood.

About the Author:

Marie Christianson is a senior business analyst at http://www.FamilyDetails.com. Looking for Family Reunion Games, ideas, or planning tips?