family reunion ideas

16 years ago

I'm guessing/assuming many of you go to family reunions. My family(parent/siblings) host each year because of location. This year, instead of a door prize (idea is worn out), we want to do "awards". And have no idea where to start the categories.

15 yr ago for the first one, I/we came up with them, but I can NOT remember what they were except for the one who traveled the fartherest & who had the most grandkids. If we do the grandkids again, my mom would "win". If the most kids present, my sister. We do not want that.

Another forum it was suggested we have everyone try to put those in attendance in age order. And/or fill out a family tree. The 3 of us who do genealogy research would sit out on the latter simply because we'd be at an advantage.

Having said all that - I'd appreciate any/all suggestions as to what we could use for categories. Family ages run from 6 mo to just shy of 87 yrs. The largest group is 55-75.

Reunion is a week away ... HELP! :-)

Thanks for any help you can give.

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Comments (14)

jannie
16 years ago
Have each adult bring a baby picture of him/herself. Tape or glue the photos to a craft board and number them. Give everyone a chance to study the pictures and guess their current identity. You'll need paper and pen for everyone. But it's great fun!
azzalea
16 years ago
Not sure how your family feels, but I really detest being forced to play goofy games at a get-together. This is a group that all knows each other, for the most part, right? So you don't really need an ice breaker. And there's really no point in having some people feel like they 'lost' or weren't as good/talented as the others, is there? Some people really take that to heart.

If I were hosting, I'd spend any available funds on making sure there were plenty of activities--lawn games, board games, craft supplies, so that everyone could enjoy relaxing and socializing over an activity of their choice, mingling at their own speed. That is, of course, just one person's opinion--but I'm sure there are others who feel as I do, and I offer it just as an example, and something to think about.
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linda_in_iowa
16 years ago
When I go to my family reunions, I just like to visit with people. We don't play games or give prizes.
lydia1959
16 years ago
We always do a prize for the youngest and the oldest attending. For other prizes names are just drawn out of a hat.

Sorry, I'm not much help. :-)
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
My family has never had reunions...we call family get-togethers "Weddings" and "Funerals".

Games would not be appropriate :)
But, we do drink.
nola_anne
16 years ago
Journal Jar type questions are fun since it's a family reunion...you can print some off from the internet.

See how much ya know about each other or let people know about yourself!

nola anne
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Our crowd of something just over a hundred has some running, throwing games for various age groups which tends to foster interest among the young.

How about a jar with gum balls, buttons, etc. and have folks guess how many in there, with a paper going with the jar for people to write their names and the number that they choose. Closest gets a tiny prize: I won last year, it was gum balls, the jar still sits on my counter, as chewing gum with three teeth is not thrilling.

I could have given it away to someone with teeth ... or jocular Christmas present, etc.

A couple of years ago one of the contests was choosing groups of three or four, then having people wrap one of the group with toilet paper, to make like a mummy, with applause and a bit of a prize for the best effort.

Late in the afternoon, I saw a fairly large plastic bag sitting regally atop one of the garbage barrels, filled with the discarded toilet paper ...

... so ole frugal joyful not only figured that some use could be found for that, and took it home, to carry on using til near when snow flew (from mid-June) ...

... but also came and told a story here about a research project to find reuses for toilet paper that appeared to bring a ray of sunshine into quite a few people's days: some of you old-timers may remember that one.

ole joyful
lynn_d
16 years ago
We do a host of games...from a 50/50, and adult booze basket and kids fun basket that we sell raffle tickets for at the reunion. The money goes to pay for the reunion expenses, buying the meat, gifts for the prizes, etc. We have games for the kids (toss water balloon, 3-legged races, pool games....) We also do a white elephant sale, bring old photo albums from all the other reunions....and we usually have a moment of silence for those we have lost, last year we told fun stories about them.
irishdancersgram
16 years ago
Usually at our's, everyone brings old photos and the stories that go with them....One year, I did take quilt squares and had everyone take a block and put names, births, any information they wanted...They returned the block to me and I had the quilt completed for the next reunion...It was given to the oldest member to be passed along on their passing....(If you need info on the blocks, just send me a message).....
For the little ones, we do have games but mostly it's just a big Irish get together.....
bulldinkie
16 years ago
I had one every year till I started dialysis.
I had everyone bring a casserole and dessert,I made like barbeque,hotdogs and saurkrauthotdogs,hotwings.We supplied the sandwhiches,drinks.Then we had icecream.
We did everything hay rides,fishing ,swimming,games.I had about 100 people.
maryanntx
16 years ago
One year we each wrote something about ourselves that we thought no one would know. Whoever guessed correctly won a prize.
Last year we played bingo. That was fun as it had been years since I had played. And it was something the kids could enjoy too. We usually have a piÃ±ata for the kids.
gazania_gw
16 years ago
We have a Chinese auction. The items for this years auction are bought with whatever money is left over from last years auction after all those expenses are met. Each year a different person is appointed to do the shopping and set up. Many family members donate items for the auction also. A sister-in-law's basket of home made jams is very popular as is an aunts afghan, etc. I always contribute several toys and games geared to the ages of the kids that attend.

Last year for the first time, a niece handed out to everyone a "find-word-puzzle" that she had ordered from one of those puzzle books. It was made with words to find that were common to our family. A time limit was set and prizes given for first, second and third place.
hgl_gaylemarie
16 years ago
Everyone brings a donation for a Silent Auction. We have a kids table and an adult table.

Years ago I went to one with a BF that was so regemented you couldn't visit anyone. Very boring. Plus, the food sucked. LOL!
cynic
16 years ago
Not much help here either for several reasons. I don't like the forced games and stuff either. And usually there's enough competition between family members that you don't need more contests promoting it.

If it's a pot luck, you could have a vote for the favorite dish of the day. Funniest story told that day? Best reminiscence? I suppose you would rather have it planned ahead of time but this is about all I can come up with.

Things like best dressed, ugliest car, projectile vomited the greatest distance, volume, fluidity and stickiness and those things are usually fuel for fires. Same thing with giving trophies for the games. And a most-inbred award would be a slam dunk if you had Paula Deen as a relative. :) OK, not many ideas here.

I'd be more inclined to have a bunch of little prizes and pull the names out of a jar or something. Once you win once, you don't get another chance. Could have separate drawings for adults & kids and could be something as small as a candy bar or whatever. People could bring stuff, even a white elephant giveaway if not too obnoxious. Extra jug of laundry detergent? Extra pair of gloves you didn't like? Oil change gift certificate? Depends on the group I guess.

With the bulk being 55-75 I guess I'd look in a different direction but it sounds like you know what you want. Sorry I couldn't be more help! Good luck. And hey, don't lose a lot of sleep over it. Don't spoil it for yourself worrying about something that probably doesn't make a difference. Sounds like the group enjoys the get-together and the awards or something would be minor.

family reunion ideas

Comments (14)

jannie

azzalea

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