Family reunions are a time for building closer bonds and having lots of fun. But they can also be a great opportunity to share family history. Here are five entertaining ways to pass along and preserve your heritage.
1. Family Recipe Book – Food is usually a big part of all celebrations and get-togethers. The scent of cookies baking can inspire memories of childhood. A taste of apple pie can send you back in your mind to Grandma’s house. Don’t lose those old recipes. Instead, pass them on to future generations.
Gather old family recipes from your relatives. Ask them to also send or email you their new favorites. Include stories about the dish and photos of the food or chef. Put it all together and print. You could make copies, punch holes in the sides and put them in a binder for each family member. That way, you can always add new recipes in coming years. Or, you could take it to a printer. There are even online businesses that specialize in producing bound books for such occasions.
2. The Story Of Us – Compile an account of your family stories to share with relatives. This project involves asking a lot of questions, listening to details and taking notes. Start by interviewing the oldest members of your family. Ask about their childhood, their parents and grandparents.. Jot down even minor details. Then talk to other relatives who may have insight or memories of your collective heritage.
You don’t have to be good at writing to make this interesting. You can make lists, such as “Top Five Things Great-Grandpa Loved About Being A Ferry Boat Captain”. You could include an outline of chronological family events. Ask Grandma about early family financial struggles. Then write a sentence about that and add researched average prices from her childhood. It doesn’t have to be suitable for publication. It only needs to keep the narrative alive
3. Family Tree – There are family tree templates available online that are free to print. All you have to do is fill them out. If you have any gaps in your information, ask for assistance from relatives. You can also research your genealogy. This will help everyone see how they are connected.
4. Family Trivia Contest – A great reunion ice-breaker is to play a game that involves discovering things about your relatives. This trivia contest involves providing everyone with a list of twenty-five or more questions. Don’t make it easy. It should contain little known-information. For example:
* which family member met Marilyn Monroe and got her autograph?
* which person taught math in a foreign country?
* how many people at the reunion were in the military at some time in their life?
* what is Uncle Bud’s real name?
* which relative went skydiving for their 65th birthday?
Set a time for people to mingle and ask questions to track down the clues. Award a prize to the person who gets the most correct. Of course, then give everyone the answers at the end of the game. It’s an entertaining way to find out more about each other.
5. Family History Tour – This activity takes everyone back to places that are meaningful to your family. Visit old neighborhoods, houses, businesses, schools, churches, restaurants and cemeteries. Ask a few relatives to share stories and point out other locations of interest.
If you are having your reunion outside the area of your hometown, you can still do this. Ask family members that live nearby to take photos of all the old hot spots. You can put them into a presentation showcasing those pictures and stories.
So share those traditions. Pass along those old recipes and unique family facts. Provide a family tree. Connect to the past by visiting the places where it all began. And make this reunion one of both celebration and discovery.
