How To Have A Fun Family Reunion

My Dad's family has a reunion every other year and it is always a fun event.  Let's face it though, some of the family reunions I've attended in the long past were pretty boring, but my dad's siblings have been doing this for a long time and they have gotten really good at it.

First, don't be afraid to spend time with the older folks.  They usually have great stories to tell. This is my aunt, shes' 92 years old and is so fun to visit with. Do you know she grew up before TV was invented?  What did she do for fun?

Take special note of the family history chart above and to the right. This was made by one of my other aunts.  She has traced our family clear back to the 1500's and beyond. I know for some, family history can be pretty boring, but just imagine what was going on in the 1500's!  Interested in starting your own family history?  It doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. Click HERE to learn how to get started.

Next add some fun! This is a water balloon toss.  Great way to cool off without getting drenched.


Food can be a big project at family reunions, but once again my aunts and uncle have discovered that letting everyone bring their own meal is the simplest way to go.  This year the kids and I did Subway Sandwiches. 


Now for the funnest event at the reunion.  Every reunion costs $$$. To help with the cost of paying for the pavilion and other misc., we organize and hold an auction.  People bring unwanted items still in good condition or handmade items to be auctioned off.  


The auction is handled in an easy way.  Everyone spreads their stuff out on the tables and a zip bag is attached to each item.  Then we buy tickets at .25 each, put our name on the back of the tickets and slip them into the zip bags attached to the items we want to win. 

 Some of my relatives go crazy with the tickets and spend $20 or more. It's great fun to see which items get the most tickets.  This year, my 16 year old daughter and her cousin were competing with 2 other teenage cousins for a set of matching sweaters.  It turned into quite a comedy watching them beg for more $ to buy more tickets to put in the zip bags next to the sweaters.  I think that they pretty much paid for the pavilion rental...lol


Here are some of the handmade items I bid for. 

After all the tickets are placed, a team of relatives empty each zip bag of all the tickets but one. The remaining ticket is the winner for that item.  Once all the winners have been chosen, we go around and collect our winnings. This is what I won...I ♥ these kind of wash rags.

 ...just remember, even though there's lots of noise and commotion, it is possible to catch a bit of a nap at family reunions!

This reunion all my living siblings were there...we're quite the crew! To think that I grew up with these kids and we still love each other...ha! (My sister in the yellow shirt is going on an 18 month mission with her husband pretty soon, so I'll be posting about our annual sister party in the near future!)

As you can see reunions don't have to be a lot of work or boring if you get the right ingredients together and just let the fun flow!


Do you have family reunions?  I'd really like to hear what has worked or not worked for you, because next year I'm in charge of the reunion for my siblings and their families...