Help me revive my family reunion!

[auntpolly]

I'm the organizer this year and I have a few new ideas but the thing is, my biggest problem is that none of the young people come anymore.

Is that because they just don't go to reunions, or do I just need something to get them to come (beer is out of the question, unfortunately for a variety of reasons, or that would have been my first thought!!!)

Any ideas on how to put the life back into our family reunion???

 

[clarabelle]

I read an article somewhere about a family who did an auction.
People bring in stuff to auction (homemade like a cake or gag gifts) and the proceeds went to expenses for the reunion.

 

[MAKmom]

Maybe you could put a learn about your family roots spin on it. You could call some of the young ones & ask why or what would get them to attend.

 

[auntpolly]

I read an article somewhere about a family who did an auction.
People bring in stuff to auction (homemade like a cake or gag gifts) and the proceeds went to expenses for the reunion.

We've tried that -- I think it's kind of fun but 1/2 the people don't bring stuff and it never works right -- I think we're just a dud family!!!!

 

[auntpolly]

Maybe you could put a learn about your family roots spin on it. You could call some of the young ones & ask why or what would get them to attend.

Now there's an idea! I've sent out really colorful invitations but maybe I'll call them and put them on the spot!!!! I love it - thanks!

 

[Maleficent13]

When you say "young people", do you mean young single people between 20-30?

If so, then it is my belief that they'll start coming back when they've married and had children. Until then, alot of people don't really think of family as "important". They have much better things to do, in their opinion. I'm not sure there is anything you can do to accelerate that process.

If you just mean the younger generation families, well, maybe if you have it somewhere with activities like mini-golf, or batting cages, or a pool. Something to occupy the kids. Oh - and maybe if you hire a "nanny" type person to watch the kids so the parents could enjoy themselves too...that might be a big draw.

Just off the top of my head.

 

[auntpolly]

When you say "young people", do you mean young single people between 20-30?


.

I wish that's all I meant! We have no young families anymore -- no little kids!

At this point I feel like I'm just doing it for the old people. I am so sentimental about the family, our roots -- we were farmers and there are just some amazing stories -- that no one seems interested in anymore.

I love being around the old folks and want to get every last story out of them before they go -- doesn't seem like anyone will be wanting to hear them from me, though!

 

[disneymom3]

Aunt polly--what have you done in the past? That would help to know what to do instead.

 

[Maleficent13]

Not to be flip, but don't you know it's easier to google "old farming stories" than it is to acrually gather them first hand?

Seriously, I do believe you have to make some effort to get the attention of the "younger generation" these days (btw, I AM the "younger generation" but apparently I'm an old soul? ). There is a lot competing for the attention. Plus, everyone is scheduled out the wazoo months in advance. I do miss the summers when I was little, when the only thing on the agenda was going to the grocery once or twice a month.

 

[auntpolly]

Aunt polly--what have you done in the past? That would help to know what to do instead.

Picnic -- auction -- prizes for "person who came farthest", "oldest", etc etc, we've tried (lame) games (IMO).

This is my first year to be in charge -- I'm having a pie making contest and a potato salad competition (with judges and prizes) and I'm trying some new games that I think will be more fun and get people involved.

 

[auntpolly]

Not to be flip, but don't you know it's easier to google "old farming stories" than it is to acrually gather them first hand?

.

Oh, obviously you've never heard our old farm stories!
No, seriously, some are so fascinating that they'd make a great A&E documentary! Sometimes I think -- that was my family??/ What happened to us????

 

[powellrj]

not sure if this is what you want, but I know that many years ago my family was having problems getting the men to go to family events, so they started a poker tourn. It was really a big deal and people started planning all year for it.

 

[auntpolly]

not sure if this is what you want, but I know that many years ago my family was having problems getting the men to go to family events, so they started a poker tourn. It was really a big deal and people started planning all year for it.

You know, that's a really good idea!!!! Everyone is so into poker!!! Thanks!

 

[disneymom3]

Do you have this every year? Do people all live close by? Is it the same date if you do have it every year?

I like both the auction idea and the look into family history idea. Maybe you could start sending out a monthly newsletter to get people excited. Could you set up an online planning site so people can easily log in and see what is up? Maybe that could include pictures and memories from past reunions to remind people how much fun they had in the past.

How aobut a talent show? Or have everyone bring a potato in costume and award prizes.

And yeah, I would call the people who never come and ask them why.

 

[auntpolly]

How aobut a talent show?

Oh, I'm liking this!!!!!

You know, I have a karaoke machine -- do you think that would be any fun???

 

[lovemygoofy]

Do you have a matron/matriarch of the family?? I think the best thing we ever did,and it took almost the whole weekend, is that every family that came that weekend was video taped AND audio taped(before cd's ) about sharing a special story about the matron/matriarch of the family. Everyone paid a specific amount of money and received an audio tape and video tape from the story telling event.

Our family loves story telling and I could have sit there all day listeing even as a child but it became so much better when you listen the "newer" generation's memories from being in the family. They might have stories you've never heard before.

Two Christmases ago dh's grandpa gave each of us an cd of his favorite stories on them. Personally I think he is full of blarney but they are hilarious. This past Christmas each grandchild(or the ones that could talk) shared a story about the grandparents and that was their present. It really is wonderful keepsake.

 

[auntpolly]

Do you have a matron/matriarch of the family?? I think the best thing we ever did,and it took almost the whole weekend, is that every family that came that weekend was video taped AND audio taped(before cd's ) about sharing a special story about the matron/matriarch of the family. Everyone paid a specific amount of money and received an audio tape and video tape from the story telling event.

. It really is wonderful keepsake.

Oh, I'm so glad I asked you guys! I'm doing this, if only for myself!!!
Thanks!

 

[disneymom3]

Tina--I love that idea. I made a tape when I was in highschool of an interview with my grandma. I soooo wish that we had something like that of my mom and dad. LIterally a priceless keepsake.

As far as karoake--maybe.....for instance, DH has an awesome voice but no WAY would he do karoake at a family event, whereas he might do something else for a talent show like juggling or something silly. Depends on the personalities involved.

 

[golfgal]

Personally, most of the suggestions given would not be something that would entice me to attend a function I wasn't going to attend in the first place. I know a lot of people like karaoke, etc. but that would be a turn off for me. What about making it more of a mini-vacation and having the reunion at a resort or hotel? I know in central Minnesota there are a ton of great places to hold a family reunion that would offer many different things for people to do for a couple days (golf, shopping, lake activities, etc). Is there anything like that near you or in a central location for everyone?

 

[auntpolly]

What about making it more of a mini-vacation and having the reunion at a resort or hotel? ?

Unfortunately, we're too cheap -- I wanted to change it to a nicer park that required a payment for the picnic shelter and people didn't like the idea. (It was $40 -- I paid it myself).