Grandma Henke

Isn’t it amazing how relatives like to swarm once a year to eat, play, and reminisce … and little cousins who don’t get to see each other very often divide up into little groups and play their hearts out as if they were every day buddies.      I love to watch the interaction of cousins of all ages and all “removed’s” finding what they have in common and rekindling the family love.

This next weekend I am in charge of our family reunion … the one for my parents and all of their posterity.      I’ve got a few pointers that I might pass along:

Pre:   The first thing you should do is talk to the heads of families (grandparents) and have them get a general idea of a date most convenient to their families.

1.   Choose the date way at least six months in advance if not longer. so people can get time off work.

2.    Make reservations at parks as early as humanly possible.   Some parks are booked a year in advance.   Don’t announce the date without getting the reservation!

3.    Get the word out as early as you can and follow up as the date gets closer with a more detailed agenda that includes location, what they need to bring, what you will be doing there.

4.    We opted to furnish breakfast at 10:00 am to get people there early.    We are making it easy with bagels and toppings, fruit, and milk & juice.

5.     We also opted that each family plan their own picnic and drinks for later in the day and we will furnish dessert.   

6.     A short … and I emphasize “short” business meeting can be held just prior to the picnic when everyone naturally gathers.

7.    Carnival games for the kids:   fish pond, cake walk, ring toss, hoola hoop game, chair soccer, etc.   Small prizes are given to participants.      Also provide frisbees, balls and bats, soccer balls etc.

8.    To fund our reunions we are holding a Family Store and an Auction.    At the store items are donated with prices that are set.    For larger items we are holding a silent auction where a sheet of paper is set out with a minimum bid and all bids must be at least $1.00 higher than the previous one.    There will be an announcement when there is 5 minutes left to bed and everyone will scramble, I guarantee.

9.    We are taking at least 5 big jugs of ice water.

10.   We are taking big fans to move the air.

11.   Take lots of pictures and post them on all the family sites to remind everyone how much fun it was!

Post:  Keep records of expenses and what worked and didn’t work to pass on to the person who plans the next reunion.

Some have reservations at the KOA near the park and will be staying three nights.   Others have to get home the same day.