Making the most of a reunion

Making the most of a reunion

Family reunions can be an absolutely wonderful way to relax and have fun, and, when done right, can contribute effectively to family wellness. When done wrong, however, they can also be absolutely terrible. If you are attempting to organise a get-together in your family, there are some very important tips to bear in mind to make sure that your event falls into the first category!

Bear in mind that organising such an event is a huge challenge, and not something to be undertaken lightly. Getting a large group of very different people together in one place at the same time can be very difficult, especially when you add all the logistics of things such as accommodation and catering. This is not a task for the faint hearted.

Most problems with family reunion arise when there is a breakdown in communication, or when there is insufficient planning. Having a robust plan in place before you start can make the difference between a fantastic event and a nightmare. Don’t feel that you have to do it all on your own, however: consider your own wellbeing and rope in key members of the family, giving them specific jobs that they have to take care of, such as bringing an item of food. Book or organise any entertainment well in advance and make sure someone takes responsibility for the smooth running of this on the day.

In this modern age, technology can also be a vital too in taking the burden off you when planning your event. You can use software packages on most computers to assist with your planning, such as in making spreadsheets, organising a budget or creating a survey to find out what your family would like to do at the reunion. A blog can also be a fun way of documenting the progress of your event, as can a social media page. Finally, don’t forget to record the whole thing using digital cameras or videos so that you can enjoy your successful event time and time again.