My family on my mother's side is getting older and both of my parent's have passed. I would like to re-open the connections with that side of my family. But, and it is a big but, when I discussed it with the only remaining member of that generation he suggested I hold the reunion at my house and invite everyone! Like 50 people! Currently, DH and I are both unemployed. While we both expect to go back to work soon, we don't have guarantees so we're being really cautious with our funds.
Even if I ask everyone to bring stuff there is still alot of expenses involved in being the host of such a large party. We're available time-wise, but I have real reservations about taking this on. I am not a natural born party giver, so I don't have that knack to just throw together a party for 50! What do I do?
Start a family group on facebook. My family has started doing this. Everyone gets up to date on everyone without having to host anything. Then you can feel it out and suggest a get together.
Have a potluck picnic at a park. We do that. Bring lunch and it all gets spread out on picnic tables and everyone just helps themselves. you will have the older generation who make all kinds of yummy desserts and salads. and then the younger ones who have hotdogs and chips lol. but everyone gets fed and everyone loves to visit. no mess for anyone to clean up for a party. do it and have a good time.
Parks are great for this.
Tell everyone that you want to get together to see everyone, so everyone bring a dish, and a "toy" balls, games, etc and come have a picnic. Keep it simple and focus on the fun and reaquainting. It might start out small, but if you do it every so often, you will get to see more people.
We do it twice a year. Spring and fall, although we use our back yard, I have done it at parks with no trouble. If you have out of towners, include a list of campgrounds and motels in the area for their conveinience.
Back when my parent's generation was around we often had our family reunions in a park and they were always potluck. Each family brought their own table service as well. There would be little to no expense for you if you were the one to organize it.
It would be more fun for you if you know someone in the family who would work with you on it. Together decide on things such as where to have it. Check on whether or not you can reserve a space at the park. Many have covered areas that can be reserved and which helps a lot if it rains that day. Make a list of everyone in the family. You'll probably need help from several family members to get everyone's addresses. Facebook could be a way to do that but I'm not familiar enough with Facebook to know how it would work. Decide on a date and invite everyone.
I'd talk with people from your generation. They will know better what will work for those of you left.
Doing this may sound overwhelming but once you get started it will move along. You'll talk to people who will talk to people who will talk with people. Tell the ones you talk with to get back to you with ideas for dates, locations and then you take it from there. That's the way it has worked with my family. There will be other people who are natural born party givers and will volunteer to do things. You job will be to give assignments based on other's ideas. It'll work out just fine. One great thing about family is that they will be glad to get together and thankful you started the ball rolling.
My dad's side is at about 200 now. We have been having it at a park since i was tiny. Everyone brings food for their own family and a little extra to share :) It should not have to be all on you. I wish you luck, life is short... have a reunion!!!
Hi, S.:
Have the event at a church shelter or park.
Get a team of family and friends together to do the planning. If you can't get a team together to help.
Take your family out to the back yard and celebrate your family in your own way.
First Principle in life: Don't do it alone.
Good luck. You are a very caring person to think of getting the family together. D.
Can you wait until you find a job? If your garden is big enough have a BBQ/potluck it'll reduce the time and $ spent...or find a restaurant that will let you use the space for free. I also like Megan's idea about Facebook...that is if they use the computer. Do stress out too much these are fun times and 50 is doable if everyone participates :)
Reserve a picnic spot at a park. That's what our family does. I think the "rental" or "reservation" or whatever you want to call it (guarantees the covered/screened in/electricity facility with multiple picnic tables) usually runs around $15 or so...
Everyone brings a dish (or two) and a few bring a cooler with drinks and a few bring paper plates/cups... and that its. Bring a folding chair and some horseshoes or bocce set and it's a party!
Does this relative know you're unemployed? If so, he should know that you are not in a position to be throwing a party for such a large crowd!
If you are feeling really pressured and want to reconnect desperately, try the potluck idea. But try to make it as clear as possible that you have EXTREMELY limited funds. Tell the guests you'll provide the plates and cups, but that is all.
And most important! If you really think you can't do it, then don't! Try to find another way to foster a relationship with the family.
I agree with everyone on the picnic at a park idea. That is by far the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Everyone can split the cost of the rental, bring a dish, their own cooler with drinks, etc. Maybe a few people could be in charge of coordinating some games, maybe a volleyball net or something else. I don't think anyone could object to that. It is very fair and hopefully it will become an annual tradition that everyone will lokk forward to!
Could you do it at your house? I mean, is there enough room?
If so I like the idea that you will provide the place, the plates and cups and maybe some cold drinks, but be clear that everyone needs to bring enough of a main dish/salad/dessert (pick O.) for about 10 people.
You could even do a menu with suggested items (hot dogs/buns/pasta salad/fruit salad and as they rsvp, first come, first served with their choice of "duties"......If your house/yard isn't large enough, perhaps you could also cover the cost of a picnic grove at a local park plus the plates & cups?
Life IS short--have the reunion! There may never be a "really" good time!
Do you have room at your house? Or a big yard? If so, you could host a potluck. You can spend time getting things ready (then cleaning things up) but you'd be in a good position to plan this without having to spend much (if any) $.
