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You’re planning a family reunion, but don’t want to break the bank. You’re longing for a memorable get-together, yet you’re on a tight budget. Don’t fret; we’ve got you covered! Here are 25 inexpensive family reunion ideas that’ll help you make the most of your gathering without emptying your wallet.
- Yussif
- How to Save Money on The Event
- How to Save Money on Travel
- How to Save Money on Lodging
- How to Save Money on Food
- How to Save Money on Entertainment
1. Start early.
“Plan reunions at least a year in advance,” says Edith Wagner, editor of Reunions Magazinein Milwaukee. “This will give everyone enough time to ask for vacation leave and save the money necessary to attend. And it gives the planners time to carefully choose a site and negotiate discounts and special amenities.”
2. Set your budget; don’t let it set you.
Determine how much everyone can spend far in advance, and stay within those parameters. “The reunion should not cost more than any individual can afford,” Wagner says. “Make your best educated guess, and don’t underestimate, or you’ll find yourself hogged down with reunion hills and no way to pay them. Work cooperatively; gather and assemble the reunion budget puzzle together.”
3. Take advantage of the off-season.
If you don’t mind visiting hot-weather venues in the summer (Arizona, Hawaii and Florida) and cold ones in the winter (Colorado, Minnesota and Oregon), you can find some real bargains. Nearly every industry experiences a slow season; theme parks, for example, are begging for visitors in their “down” months, January and February. Most resorts reduce their rates and offer special incentives during the off-season. “Resort hotels cut their prices by 50 percent or more during the off-season, and t...
17. Drive.
“Attendees of family reunions drive more than they fly, and for good reasons, two of which are savings and autonomy,” Wagner says. And if several families will be driving from a particular region, consider renting a bus. “The bus driver is usually part of the package — and it’s a good deal,” Wagner says. “If you have a large group, you can really save. We’re talking $25 or $30 round trip, per individual — that’s it! You can’t beat that kind of price, even if you drive your own car.”
18. Drive a bargain.
“Avis and some other rental car companies move cars from place to place to meet seasonal demand,” Wall says. “To accomplish that, they offer combination rentals and one-way plane tickets at a discount price.”
19. If you do fly, don’t underestimate your group advantage.
“Airlines have traditionally had difficulty providing discounted fares for reunions because the passengers are not technically traveling as a group to and from a common destination,” Richards says. “But with the growth of the reunion industry, some airlines are beginning to investigate group plans.”
24. Stay local.
“Chances are your community offers free or inexpensive ways to entertain your family, such as outdoor concerts, theaters and summer festivals,” Wall says. The home-court advantage also means some family members can help make the arrangements, create a do-it-themselves airport shuttle for incoming attendees and host some get-togethers in their homes.
25. Think central.
To accommodate attendees from both coasts, pick a central location that makes the traveling distance relatively equal for most families. “And if family members are spread all over the country, select an affordable retreat to enable attendees to focus their financial resources on travel,” Hoffman says. Wagner knows a coast-to-coast family that used to meet in the center of the country, but eventually changed the meeting place after the younger generation on the East Coast had kids, which made...
26. Plan for modest attendance.
“Don’t assume that everyone will come. One big mistake that first-time reunion planners make is they block too many rooms,” Wagner says, “It’s better to underestimate because it’s a happier scenario for vendors to upsize than to downsize.”
34. Take advantage of off-night rates.
“There are slower times of the week for caterers: afternoons and weeknights,” says Michael Pecora, a 25-year veteran caterer and consultant in Weston, Fla. “Saturday night is the most requested time slot, so even in slow seasonal months, you should avoid Saturday nights if you’re looking for a bargain rate.”
35. Skip the frills.
“If your objective is to keep the food costs as cheap as possible, there are many alternatives,” Pecora says. “You should first be aware of the main components that drive up the cost of the altering: food, beverages, labor, equipment and location. Other main — but less essential — components include music, entertainment, flowers, decorations and photography.” So go the minimalist route with the catering extras. “Use all disposables and don’t rent rents or other infrastructure ire ins if you’r...
36. Support the local grocer.
“Even if you’re staying in a city where no one from the family lives, you can still save on food costs,” Wall says. “Restaurants and grocery stores with deli counters may be willing to put together buffet services and deliver them to your meeting site — and that’s a lot less expensive than having an event be fully catered or going out to eat in restaurants.”
42. Get the group rate on all attractions.
“This is where your numbers should really pay off,” Wagner says. “Always call ahead and make sure the group rates are available.”
43. Plan your reunion around a cultural festival or fair.
Festivals and fairs typically have affordable food, activities for kids and built-in entertainment for adults. And they’re often reasonably priced — even cheap. Don’t forget the local freebie or low-cost attractions, which may include historical attractions, zoos, museums, casinos and other cultural events.
44. Don’t go overboard with the agenda.
Remember: You don’t have to plan out every single hour of the day. Downtime is good. “When attendees look back at your reunion, what they’ll cherish most is the quality time spent with family members,” Richards says. “A reunion crammed with a frenzy of activities leaves little time for visiting and re-establishing those family ties that give us a sense of roots and permanence in this otherwise fast-paced, disposable and transient society.”
With a few simple ideas, however, you can make it a pleasant experience. If family resorts, reunion cruises, city bus tours and Broadway shows are out of your league, here are some tips for a more down-to-earth, inexpensive family reunion that will be memorable and affordable for the entire family.
- Cindy Christiansen
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How do you dress up for a family reunion?
- Dress-Up Party. Choose a theme and dress up for your next family reunion. You could choose 60s nostalgia or even the 2000s. Imagine your grandparents dressed as Britney Spears or the Backstreet Boys!
- Stand-Up Comedy Show. Have you always dreamt of being a comedian? Prepare some skits – you can have fun with costumes and wigs and ask your relatives to join you – and entertain them in short shows.
- Karaoke Night. Look up and line up videos with suitable karaoke lyrics on YouTube and enjoy. This is one of those family reunions that’s guaranteed to have everyone laughing, especially if no member of the family has a real talent for singing!
- Recreate Film Scenes. Pick a supporting actor and recreate a scene of your choice from a famous film. Use your surroundings as props and improvised costumes, and let your imagination go wild.
- Hamburgers and hot dogs. Is there anything more American than burgers and hot dogs? Add a few firecrackers and sparklers, and you have a perfect menu for the Fourth of July.
- Sandwiches. It can be difficult to come up with food ideas that appeal to a wide variety of people. If you have a lot of picky family members, you might want to provide traditional sandwich fixings and allow your family members to prepare their own sandwiches to their tastes.
- Foil packet meals. If your family is made up of avid campers, you probably have made foil packet meals over the campfire. These meals take little skill to create, but they take a special knack to cook well.
- Waffle bar. Waffles are the easiest things in the world to make. Purchase several easy-to-use waffle irons, similar to what you would see in a hotel breakfast bar.
Apr 22, 2019 · 1 / 94. Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home. If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana. Go to Recipe. 2 / 94.
We’ve got you. Here are seven tips for planning a fun, memorable family reunion on a budget. Get started early. Chances are your family members are spread far and wide. Between the distance, work commitments, and family schedules, pulling something together at the last minute is unlikely.
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related to: inexpensive family reunion ideasExplore activities in your own backyard this summer. Plan your itinerary today. Make lasting memories with your friends or family in Columbus this summer.
Plan Your Special Event Or Wedding At Sawmill Creek & Create Memories That Last A Lifetime. Inspire Your Guests & Make Your Event An Unforgettable Experience At Sawmill Creek Resort.
Unleash Team Unity: Host Unique Corporate Events At Capital Axe Throwing. Call Today! Fun Atmosphere For Your Work Event. Ask About Our Additional Catering Options.
