Make a reunion even more special with gifts.
Family reunions offer a rare opportunity for extended family to gather, sharing old memories and making new ones. Although the chance to spend quality time with each other is a gift in and of itself, sharing family reunion gifts is a tradition that adds to the celebratory nature of the reunion. Choose gifts that will reflect and commemorate the joy of family togetherness.
Entertainment Gifts
Some of the best gifts are ones that create togetherness and memories. Ask every family member to chip in for a shared gift that will provide entertainment during the reunion. Try equipment for an outdoor activity, such as badminton, tennis, baseball, or relay race equipment. For an indoor reunion, purchase a variety of interesting board games. Let a designated member of the family open the gift at the beginning of the reunion. Ask one family to keep the gift until the next gathering, at which point families can swap. Or ask each family to bring a single entertainment gift, such as a DVD, board game or card game. Everyone can share the gifts during the reunion, and at the end each family takes home one gift of their choice.
Attire Gifts
Personal shirts make a great gift for a family reunion.
A personalized T-shirt, hat or tote bag is a gift that will last for years to come. For simple and cost-effective gift giving, order wholesale T-shirts or other items in a variety of sizes, featuring the same design. Hold a contest before the reunion for the best design; some ideas include a family photo or signatures of all the different family members. For more personalization, offer each family member a T-shirt, hat or tote bag with his name.
Memory Gifts
A family reunion offers the chance to acknowledge the family's shared history. Each nuclear family has its own memories, as well as the larger story that involves everyone. Before the reunion, contact family members and arrange for them to send photos, videos and other memorabilia that relates to the family history. Elderly relatives may have especially significant and nostalgic items. Once you've collected the memories, create CDs, DVDs or USB sticks that hold a compilation of all the scanned images and videos. Or create small personalized scrapbooks for each nuclear family.
Collaborative Gifts
A family cookbook will keep everybody connected.
Pool your resources by involving the whole extended family. For instance, compile an illustrated cookbook. Ask each family to send one or more favorite recipes, and include a photo or drawing for an illustration. Have the cookbooks professionally published or compile a copy for each family using a binder. Or look into self-publishing options, for a convenient and attractive way to print a variety of cookbooks.
Ask each family member to take a card and write down a particular skill and amount of time they'd be willing to donate. For instance, someone might offer babysitting or helping repair a computer. Have each person draw another family member's card. Gift recipients can swap cards with one another.
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