Family Reunion

What better way to celebrate who you are and where you came from than with an old-fashioned family reunion? Here are some menu ideas featuring top-rated recipes.

Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers

• Herman Reunion Cheese Ball: Herman Reunion Cheese Ball
• Bacon Wrapped Smokies: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Salads on the Side

• Old-Fashioned Potato Salad: Old-Fashioned Potato Salad
• Awesome Pasta Salad: Awesome Pasta Salad

Grilling Greats

• Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs: Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs
• BBQ Chuck Roast: BBQ Chuck Roast

Easy Beverages

• Easy Raspberry Lemonade: Easy Raspberry Lemonade
• Sangria! Sangria!: Sangria! Sangria!

Sweet Endings

• Strawberry Trifle: Strawberry Trifle
• Triple Berry Crisp: Triple Berry Crisp

Planning Tips

• Summer might be the only time available for families with kids.
• Form a planning committee to iron out details. Decide the specifics: reunion theme, location, time, and budget.
• Key questions: How many people might attend? Will the event be catered or will family members prepare food? Are you talking about one afternoon or a weekend event?
• Once the basic details are decided, send out invitations. Ask for volunteers to organize food, entertainment, and extras like keepsakes.

Reunions for Every Budget

• No-Cost: Choose a free location -- try a picnic shelter area in the park, gather at the beach, or have a backyard get-together. Make it a potluck and ask everyone to bring games.
• Low-Cost: Reserve a campsite or other community space. Hire entertainment for the kids. Rent a karaoke set up or a DJ.
• Splurge: Pick a travel destination (amusement park, big city, secluded getaway, spa, or resort) that appeals to family members and book a group package for a weekend stay.

Invitations, Keepsakes, and Activities

• Check online and local printers for creative invitations.
• Or, design your own invitations. The more fun and personalized the invitation, the better the response.
• Have special T-shirts or key chains made to celebrate the day.
• Ask family members to mail photos for a commemorative album.
• Assign a few family members to take pictures with a digital camera. Place photos on a free exchange website or create your own family website.
• Bring games to get families playing together.

Ready to start planning your family reunion?

• potluck recipes: Find tasty potluck recipes.
• cooking for a crowd: Get smart tips for cooking for a crowd.