How hard is it to throw a "Family Reunion"?
357769
IT IS REALLY EASY!\n\nFIRST OF ALL FIND THE PLACE TO HAVE IT AND DECIDE WHAT DAY TO HAVE IT. A PARK WITH A PAVILION IS WHAT MY FAMILY ALL WAYS DOES. BUT YOU COULD DO SOMETHING MORE EXPENSIVE IF YOU WANTED, LIKE A COUNTRY CLUB OR SOMETHING. AND GO AHEAD AND RESERVE THAT.\n\nTHEN JUST DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO EAT. WE ALL WAYS JUST DO HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS, OR STEAKS. AND JUST HAVE EVERYONE BRING THE FIXINGS. BUT YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU LIKE AND JUST GET THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO ALL BRING A DISH AND A DESERT. OR YOU COULD HAVE IT CATERED.\n\nGOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!
535953
Take lots of photographs, plan to speak regularly on th phone, plan to mail them things from the new country as surprises so they can find the "fun" side of your being gone, and remember, when you get back, it will be such a glorious reunion!\nPlan to write REAL letters with storie sof what you are seeing---think of yourself as 19th century Englishman\noff to a new place--India or Africa, all you write of will be new to them, newsy to the children, and they will invariably re-read the letters over and over again, \nfor this is what we did in WWII when my Dad was away.\nHe loved our letters and we his.\nThat special bond never diminished.\nYOU can make this a great experience for everyone!\nGood Luck!
707635
Dude i couldnt agree with you more.  No offence but for their own good put them in a looney bin and do it fast.  Thisnk about all the things peopl will say about you and your family when they see them.  Is that in itself worth it?
981784
"Married the longest" may reveal someone had to get married as a junior, so make "competing" for prizes optional. If you are old enough and know an ostrich farmer, an empty ostrich egg shell for the baldest man. ("Bald as an egg".) Again stressing "OPTIONAL", a can of diet soda for the man / woman who has gained th emost weight since graduation.\n\n\nOn another note:\n\nThe most important thing you can do to insure a good time is had by ALL is talk to the band/DJ beforehand. The kids who never left town and see each other every week at PTA, soccer practice and poker night are going to want to dance. The ones who did leave town and flew 1,500 miles to attend are going to want to talk, and they are not going to want to shout over the music.\n\nThe ideal solution, if you can afford it, is to hire two rooms, one for dancing, one for eating and talking. Unless you are from Beverly Hills High, you won't be able to afford it. Having the music "on" for 30 minutes, the off for 30 would be a reasonable compromise. \n\nHaving it off entirely before and during dinner is common sense, but some DJ's don't have common sense, so spell that out in big letters. If necessary, tattoo it on his forehead backwards and give him a mirror. Promise to pay the band/DJ the same amount of money as if they played all night. Impress upon them the desire of half the audience to talk. Reunions are not the same as dances or concerts. People (some people) want quiet time, to talk. Keep hammering that home to the Band/DJ.
1074288
if you want your family to be there then yes, that is lovely.  If you want it to be private, you can always tell them what is going on and invite them to come after--tell them to be there at a specific time--that way you and your significant other can celebrate alone first!
218871
It is really difficult to understand exactly what you are asking.  Do you mean the cousins won't talk to each other?  And how do you fit in?  Sounds like something you should just stay out of.
778047
1st thing:  Breathe!  You'll get through this & have some great memories in a few years.\n\nNext, don't be embarressed for your in-laws.  It's not YOUR fault they are the way they are.  Your parents/family KNOW this. \n\nRegarding the kids, plan on doing a children's table.  2 reasons:  keep them seperate from the adults so you can have "grown up conversations" and you can use that same table for activities such as puzzles, games, crafts, etc. \n\nFor the menu:  Tell them that you had planned on traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  If they would like to make & bring barbeque, that would be great!  Then both families can share what they consider traditional.\n\nHave fun!  Remember this won't be the only time the families get together.  Make the best of it!
35064
Offer your sympathies to the family and offer to do anything that they need. Then follow through since some people have a hard time asking for help. Making sandwiches, snacks, or a casserole is also nice.
313359
Friends aren't too hard - you just mentally prepare yourself for the possibility that they may reject you.  Family is harder.  Make sure you're all financially set and have a place to stay and everything if they reject you...and make sure you're emotionally prepared for that possibility.  Then you just tell them.  You might want to have some support information to hand them if they stick around but don't take it too well - like the number to PFLAG or a book on how family and friends can cope with their loved one's choice.
850447
Family members' opinions but I'm trying! :)
7680
reunite with my family to meet my brothers and sisters
470940
borrow it from some family
12069
you have to find or make a family tree.  You may have to trace your roots pretty far back.  It can be done.  My uncle did it for my family.
408566
Um, if they're living in the same household, then it's only courdial to invite everyone.  Yes, it is your day and it should be planned out to your specifications, but think about the "bad-blood" that could be created or spared based or your decision to just let someone show up and hey....maybe give you an extra gift.  It's worth it to me to suck it up.  Besides, there will be so many other people there, it isn't like you have to sit and hold hands with him/her the entire time and be like "look who I invited, right here, uh huh, see who came, blah blah blah."
3487
if you have time (i dont know if ur doing anything later) you could try making them on powerpoint or sumthing...por maybe you can send their family and ecard on bluemountain.com
93017
Turn it into a big family and friends event. Get both guys and girls involved. Have a cookout. That is what I did.
642642
I just went to a "surprise" housewarming party.  The couple with the new house were taken out for a few hours by other friends and we all met there in time for there return.  We all brought a gift-food dish and beverage all to share.  The couple was ecstatic--everything was great and with all of us chipping in there were plenty of food gifts and drinks.  The couples family set up a treasure hunt for them too--it was fun to watch.  Also if you can get into the house without your sister you can plan a trivia for the guest. Ask quesions like "how many  electrical outlets are in the house?" or " What brand refrigerator do they have?".  Maybe supply little gifts like candles and suchfo the winners.  Don't stress too much chances are pelple will enjoy being in eachothers company and making new memories in the new home.  (Note: Disposable cameras!!)