Spring’s wrapped up, the kids are out of school, the weather’s cooperating and it’s time to start planning summer’s biggest get-together: the family reunion. Check out our family reunion tips to make this year’s event one for the books.
Family reunion travel tips
The hardest part of any family reunion is the travel logistics. Our advice? Ditch the unruly, never-ending group chat and leave the planning to a purpose-built app like Troupe, TripIt or Reunly, where the details live in one place and don’t require endless scrolling to find.
And for those who can’t attend the party, a quick video call or a livestream means distance doesn’t have to equal missing out.
Family reunion kid activities
Youngsters fare better with plenty of toys and activities. Ensure there are crafts, movies, games and other things that’ll keep them occupied during the reunion.
Family reunion packing
Deciding what to bring is easy … or is it?
Make a list of what to pack. Write everything down before you pack to avoid leaving out essentials or overpacking. Our best tip? Leave the “maybes” at home.
Go small. A smaller bag forces you to prioritize. Most reunion trips are brief, so a small suitcase or backpack with a few changes of clothes (don’t forget your swimsuit), a charger and a toothbrush might be all you need.
Flying? Travel-size toiletries make it easier to get through the airport and fit neatly in a spill-proof bag.
Tuck Scent Paks in bag pockets to keep the travel funk at bay. Add Scent Circles and Room Sprays, and you’ll be covered from driveway to destination.
Family reunion theme ideas
Building your reunion around the perfect theme can make for some serious fun — choose an era, a color or an inside family joke. Carry that theme through the food, playlist, activities and clothing. It doesn’t need to be elaborate to make the whole reunion feel like a special occasion. For example, revisit the 1980s, revel in mid-mod avocado green or break out Grandma’s over-the-top wedding hat.
And remember to take pictures. Capture the kids covered in sticky popsicle juice, your dad “just resting his eyes” while snoring, and the whole family gathered as a chaotic but loving group.
Family reunion food
Next up is the food: potluck, catered or everyone brings their own. Whatever you decide, double-check allergies and dietary restrictions. After all, no one wants a reunion remembered for a great shellfish debacle.
- Divvy up appetizers, salads, main dishes, desserts, drinks, etc., and feed everyone potluck style. This option lets the out-of-towners pitch in by picking up chips or cookies at the local supermarket.
- Have everyone budget to eat meals at a restaurant. But do expect to pay a mandatory gratuity for serving large groups.
- Have the weekend catered. It’s less expensive than eating every meal at restaurants because food is prepared in bulk and can be customized for your family’s tastes and needs.
Family reunion activities
Lean into family traditions and start new ones.
- A family trivia night is always a hit. Create teams and see if anyone remembers the year Uncle Steve “borrowed” the neighbor’s golf cart or how they got Cousin Jennifer out of that tree!
- Badminton, a water balloon battle, a talent show, or a scavenger hunt can turn an afternoon into the story everyone retells for years.
- One trend worth adopting is a memory station. Set out a table with old photos, letters or family heirlooms, and let people linger. Choose a simple prompt like, “Who can name everyone in this picture?” Before long you’ve got generations huddled around one photo, untangling who’s who.
- If your family runs deep on stories, carve out fifteen minutes for a storytelling circle, one memory at a time.
Family reunion fragrances
Use fragrance to engage everyone’s emotional core. Morning Herb Garden might evoke Grandpa’s green thumb. Vanilla Bean Buttercream might have you reminiscing about Aunt Margaret’s kitchen. Bonfire Beach could bring back memories of family summers spent on the coast.
What’s a tradition your family always comes back to? Share in the comments and we might just steal it for our next list of family reunion tips.
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