Family Reunions

[CW]

Okay folks this topic has been on my mind a lot the past few weeks, simply because I am going to attend the annual family reunion for my dad's side of my tree this year for the first time in 5 years. ( this function has been on-going for 22 years now ) As I understand it there will be about 80 - 90 folks there,,, GOOD LORD !!! I really consider that a crowd.

And yep, I'm just a wee bit anxious about this event. Cousins that I've never met, folks that I can't remember the names of, reprimands for having been absent for so long,,,, SHEESH !!!!

But what I am wondering today is,,, does anyone here attend their family reunions ? Do they still exist anywhere other than the south/mid- Atlantic USA ?

Ours tend to be all day affairs,,, lots of food, games for the younger folks, every picture that you wish would get lost will be on display on the album table.

I know that this is a silly thread,,, but I was just wondering about the rest of the world in regards to family reunions.

 

[Lajo]

My family still has them...usually about once a year. There are people I remember, people I don't. And people I don't have a clue who they are. But, it is usually a wonderful time. Haven't been in a while...(I live too far away)...but would attend to (almost) all of them if I could.

 

[Silverlily]

My husband's family has them every year without fail. They have a committee that meets throughout the year planning this event and to not go is sacrilege. The whole thing is a three day event with banquets, day trips, picnics, and mixer-type functions.

If you haven't guessed by now, I go, but I don't really like it. I don't know most of the people there and they like to refer to those of us that married into the family as outlaws. Don't get me wrong, I like my husbands immediate family, even his cousins and grandparents. I guess I'm just not into large groups.

One thing I can tell you is to relax. More often than not, you'll have more in common with family than you think, even distant members. There will be some joke or story that everyone knows that will serve as a bond. Good luck!

 

[teresafannin]

My mother comes from a family of 15 kids & their reunions are something to see. I haven't been able to go in a few years as I live too far away & they always occur during the busiest time of the year at work. The last one I went to was a blast. I think you shoud go, have fun & wear a nametag. That is the only way to keep up. At the last reunion my mom went to, there were around 400 people, she came home exhausted, but had the best time.

 

[GuyJD]

NOT A BAD IDEA!!!

WHAT ALL AMERICA NEEDS IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY REUNION. THE BEST LOCATION WOULD BE ON THE "JERRY SPRINGER SHOW".

 

[CW]

WHAT ALL AMERICA NEEDS IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY REUNION.

Ain't that the truth !!! <<Laughing like a manicial fool >>

Not sure about the Springer Show part though,,, never watched it, though from what I've heard it may well be apporiate. << still chuckling >>

 

[Gil]

Be careful, family reunions can spawn "kissing cousins" as well as other tawdry fantasies.

 

[GuyJD]

Hey Gil........I'm a former Apple Valley follie.

Howard Stern holds annual Dysfunctioal Family Picnic. Maybe he can assist in this one.

 

[dusk2dawn]

Whats a family reunion?

Family reunion....never been to one.
Our family is fairly small. There is only about 15 of us in Canada on my mothers side, and I really don't know my fathers side since he has only ever been an ocasional problem in my life.
I think it would be so much fun to goto a family reunion though. My friend are always talking about what goes one at theirs and think it would be a blast.

 

[forgetunome]

Use to go....

My mom's side of the family use to have huge family reunions every year. I use to go when they all pretty much lived in Seattle but, now that they have all retired over in Eastern Washington I've only been a couple of times. My mom is from a family of 14 kids, so our reunions are HUGE. In fact we wear name tags stating our name and who we belong to. They are usually alot of fun even though I don't know them all that well. Everyone talks at once and noone is listening. I know my husband worried the first time he ever went as to what he would say and I told him not to worry just nod his head up and down a few times and he wouldn't be required to talk 'cause my uncles run off at the mouth! LOL! The one part I don't like is when the "patriarchs" stand there and discuss with each other who they think you look like in the family while you stand there feeling like you are on exhibition.

Go and give it a shot what's the worst that can happen? You might have fun or you will know that definitely the next time that you don't want to go!

Good luck!

 

[CreamyLady]

My mother's family -- particularly HER mother's family -- used to have all day affairs. Lots of food and drink, especially drink, and lots of people sacked out overnight. No one even thought of a designated driver, probably because the person who would be the DD was blitzed as well.

They died out as her generation got older and died out. It was more fun for the adults than the kids. None of us knew each other very well, and those we DID know were impossible. The adults were too busy talking and drinking to organize anything for the kids.

Everyone is so scattered now, I can't see it happening again. It's a pity. Now that I'm a grown-up, they might be fun.

 

[Roll-One]

Gosh, some of you are very lucky.. I have no family left living to have a reunion...

 

[CreamyLady]

Tell you what, Roll-One. One of these days let's organize a No-Family Reunion, for all those who don't have family, or don't have family that cares to socialize.

We can go to a huge campground with a lake or pool (so someone has to keep an eye on the kamikaze kids); have all kinds of drinks, and lots and lots of food.

No organized games, but we can talk about people who aren't there, just like family.

Definitely a campground. If we do it right, there will be no in-shape designated drivers.

Does this sound like fun?

 

[Cheri]

Does this sound like fun?

Actually this sounds like endless fun as compared to my family's reunions. Other than the deviled eggs and brownies, they are a series of boring conversations with people I haven't seen or spoken with in a year. And I hate the attempts at showing the slightest shread of interest in your life as you talk. I mean geesh, if you don't want to know, don't ask! Ok, got that off my chest and feeling much better!
So yeah, Lit nonfamily family reunion with name tags, t-shirts and all the trimmings! Oh yeah....sign me up!

 

[Roll-One]

Does this sound like fun?

Omg...Yes Lady, thats sounds great, we would have alot of fun....

I would enjoy that very much...

Thank you Lady..