Personalize Your Family Reunion

Family Reunions are an opportunity to dive into nostalgia and bring the rest of the family with you. The wonderful thing about a reunion is that all the guests are connected by a common thread. In this case it’s by the family tree.  Creating new memories and reliving memories sustain and nourish the family tree. I have found family photographs to be a wonderful tool in recalling family stories which can be shared with younger generations by the more “established” generations. 

Here are a few ideas for incorporating the family photographs into your next family reunion.

1. On the invites, ask guests to email family photographs across the generations, you’re looking for history here. Also, ask another family member who enjoys organizing photos and is good on the computer to create a slideshow that can be shown at the family reunion. Have a copy of the slideshow burned onto CDs for each family to take home as a remembrance from the reunion.
2. T-shirts are a fun way to show unity. Have each family’s group photo (you can really have some fun with this – it doesn’t have to be a recent picture) printed on their t-shirt with their family name on the back. You can do all the t-shirts in one color or if there is going to be any competition (games), assign each family a color. Note: ask each family on the invite to submit a group photo by a deadline, give yourself enough time to collect the photos and have t-shirts printed.
3. Create a family photo tree. Have an 8” x 10’ photo made of each “family” reaching as far back as you can. Dig out those black and white photos of the great-grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Use a banner such as this wish flag to mount each picture chronologically and then string it as a decoration and conversation piece.  When selecting a place to string it, make sure all can view it clearly.
4. Family trivia – divide up into teams. Place a selection of 4” x 6” family photographs (individuals only) face down. Like in charades, each team will have a member pick a photo, the member is to keep the photo face down until he/she is seated in front of teammates and then place the photo on their forehead so the picture is facing the team. Now the team members must give clues about this family member until their teammate guesses correctly or time runs out.
5. Don’t forget to document this event as it will become part of your family’s history. Assign a photographer or two to take candids, capture all the day’s events, and of course, get a group shot.