Family Affair – Plan a Reunion with the Clan
Is it time to make good on that goal of spending more time with extended family?
Facebook photos prove that years pass way too quickly. The gift of building deeper relationships with extended family can benefit every generation. Maybe this is the year for a family reunion.
Here are suggestions to get the ball rolling:
STARTING FROM SCRATCH — Begin with a survey or poll
Consider
Family budgets: Daylong, weekend, weeklong
Audience: How many adults, kids and teens?
What has the larger appeal to your family age group?
- Cruise
- Resort
- Renting a house
- Park, campground, private home
What activities are popular with the majority?
- Snow activities: skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding or hot tubs
- Warm-weather activities: beach, ocean, swimming or spa time
- Other outdoor activities: hiking, biking, team sports or picnics
What’s next
- Begin with a budget and request donations from the families for early expenses.
- Choose a firm date.
- Decide the theme. Go to Pinterest (pinterest.com) to get ideas.
- Create a website/blog or private Facebook page to communicate as plans are made.
- Create a timeline with deadlines.
- Email sign-up sheets with task assignments and list all members’ contact information. Find out skill sets of family members; don’t give a creative task to someone with an analytical personality, for example.
RESOURCES
Here’s what local travel experts say about streamlining the learning curve for successful reunions:
Choose a Cruise
Adrienne Greben, franchise owner of Cruise Planners/American Express in Concord Township:
“Groups are complex. It’s important to use the services of a good travel professional who will remember your family’s details and can guide you through every step — at no cost to you. The pricing is the same, but travel pros can often offer extra amenities for your family.
“Book your cruise early — even more than a year in advance. Multi-generational cruising is very popular. Cruising is an overall good value, with something for everyone. You will be amazed at the food, service, accommodations, shipboard activities and entertainment options — all included and at your beck and call. ”
The Resort Option
Susan Pacheco, travel consultant, Westlake, [email protected]
“Places like Punta Cana, Cancun and Riviera Maya are popular destinations for all-inclusive resorts. They work well for families scattered across the country because they are centrally located and provide a great value.”
- No one person bears the whole burden of organizing everything.
- Your group is not going to have to decide about where to eat, what to do for fun and who’s in charge.
- All the financial awkwardness is removed because each family pays up front for everything through a booking agent.
- There are loads of activity options, like children’s programs where the younger family members can hang out together, get to know their cousins and allow adults time to reconnect.
- All-inclusive resorts tend to keep add-ons to a minimum — except for an excursion, if you want to leave the resort.
- All food and drinks are included. Typically, three to eight different specialty dining venues are available, depending on the size of the resort.
- You can arrange group activities or a private cocktail reception for your reunion.
House Rental | Home Hosted | National Park | Camping
These are a great option for those families who prefer driving and bringing everything they need, or don’t mind packing coolers, planning meals, cooking and cleaning up.
Early on, create a schedule for who will be cooking meals. Many times each family will plan, purchase, cook and clean on their designated day. Just be sure to sort out those details and expectations early in the process. Some meals might be at local restaurants with each family paying their own way. Just be sure to contact local places that can accommodate your group size.
The pluses:
- Twice the space at half the cost of hotel room
- Amenities to spend quality time to cook, eat and play
- Activities such as hikes, team sports and picnics
- Budget-friendly
AVOID THESE OFFENSES:
- Giving too much attention to phones or tablets.
- Being a cheapskate.
- Drinking too much.
- Dressing inappropriately. Pack tasteful pajamas and bathing suits.
TIPS:
- Create a private Facebook page or family website to communicate and plan.
- Take photos to enjoy the afterglow long after the event.
- Hire a local photographer for a whole family photo.
- Chip in for swag: family T-shirts, water bottles, hats with a fun theme unique to the location and year.
- Get a volunteer to create a digital photo album.
- At the end take the “temperature” for the next reunion and decide who will get the ball rolling.
