Decisions, Decisions!

Many family reunions never happen because of failure to make basic decisions. That's where relatives who have expressed an interest in holding the event can help.

Making decisions with others lets you spark each other's imaginations. Together, you can decide:

• What will be the theme?

• When will your reunion be held?

• Where will it be held?

Creating a Theme

A theme can serve as a rallying cry. Use it in all communications about the reunion to create synergy and a sense that participants belong to an exclusive group.

Themes are limited only by your imagination. They can be tied to an event — someone's birthday or graduation, for example — or to a season — from a Sizzlin' Summer Shindig to a Wishing-for-Spring Winterlude.

Give your theme visual impact by incorporating it into a logo and creating T-shirts for all who attend. For more ideas, see Party Themes,  Let's Make a Logo, and Making T-shirts sections.

Picking a Date

Summertime is traditionally the time of the year for family gatherings. The weather is generally good, and children are out of school.

But gatherings can be held any time of year — especially if you'd rather go tobogganing instead of water skiing.

• The gathering can celebrate a special day on the calendar for a family member. That might include a wedding, anniversary, birthday, graduation, christening, baptism or retirement.

• Three-day weekends can be ideal if you expect participants from out of town. Long weekends give attendees time to both travel and enjoy the gathering.

• It's best to avoid the coldest time of winter and the rainy part of spring. The spirit of togetherness can only do so much to overcome nasty weather.

• Lodging rates may be lower for out-of-town relatives during the off season.

• No one has a crystal ball for weather prediction. Contingency plans must be made in case Mother Nature doesn't cooperate.

• Keep in mind that no date will satisfy everyone.

Picking the ideal site

Click here to go to Location Ideas.

Of course, how food will be served also affects the kind of site you select. Do you want a potluck meal, food that you and family members prepare at the site or catered food?

The easiest answer, but most expensive, is to turn all food preparation, serving and cleanup duties over to someone else. If that's the case, a banquet room in a restaurant might be what you want.

Here's a checklist when considering sites:

		When is it available? At what cost?
		How many people can the facility accommodate?
		When are off-season rates in effect?
		What services are available (dining, housekeeping, activities, entertainment, etc.)?
		During what hours	Insurance Calculator Learn how much insurance you need to secure your family's future.

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