I can’t believe it, but next year I will have graduated from Hoisington High School 20 years ago. I remember when I thought 20 years was so long. Now, it is time for a reunion of my old friends. I graduated in a class of 42 from a small town in Kansas. I rarely go back since my parents moved and I almost never get to see those people who were a part of my most formative years, but I hold a special place for them. I am excited to be a part of the planning committee, even though I live halfway across the country. With the internet, it is possible to do a lot of the planning without having to be there.
Whether it is a class reunion, a family reunion, a church reunion, or a reunion of a group of friends, planning takes a lot of thought and preparation – and lists. Members to ListPlanIt will find the lists they need in Holidays & Occasions to plan for their next reunion. Not yet a member? Join today and get organized for your next family or friend get-together.
- photo by theletterkae
- Dates – Choosing a good date and time for a large gathering is extremely important and almost impossible to get perfect. There will always be those who are not able to make it during that time. The best advice is to talk to as many participants as possible and then choose the most open time for a reunion. Then be sure to notify as many people as possible of the dates so they can be added immediately to calendars.
- Invitations/Fundraising – Putting together a list of names and addresses of the guests is going to be one of the first things to tackle. Put out a call to other classmates/family members for the names and addresses that they have. You’ll need a list of those that plan on attending so you can know how to divide up costs. It is customary for each person to pay a set fee in order to participate in the festivities. Ask if any classmates who own their own business or have some connections to business owners if they would like to help sponsor the reunion to either lower the cost or increase the fun.
- Location – In my hometown, nearly every class has their reunion over Labor Day weekend, which means that in a town of 3,000 people, there are few places for meeting. It is important to nail down the location of the reunion as soon as possible. Maybe you are planning to have multiple activities the weekend of the reunion involving an informal gathering, a more formal gathering, a family gathering, or other. Be sure to plan out each location and put down deposits if necessary.
- Food – Potluck may be difficult for a reunion unless everyone involved is from the same town. Otherwise, plan to either cater food or meet in a restaurant. People always tend to relax over good food and a beverage. This is usually the biggest cost of the reunion.
- Entertainment/Activities – As nice as it is to see old friends, it is helpful to have something to do during the party. Booking a band, watching a slideshow, or organizing a fun activity are good ways to get people to interact and enjoy getting reacquainted.
- Details – Throwing a large party for numerous people takes a lot of preparation and even more work. Some things to keep in mind and to help things go more smoothly: name badges, old photos, accommodations (a block of rooms), have souvenirs made (screen printed t-shirts, cups, or other item), etc.
- Help – Don’t try to do this alone. Form a committee. Put someone in charge of each of the areas of planning. Establish a Facebook page where participants can communicate and make suggestions. Many hands make light work.
Have you ever planned a reunion of family or friends? What advice do you think is most beneficial to those planning now?
