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We believe reunions have the power to nourish and strengthen families of all races and ethnicities. Reunions can encourage healthy extended family relationships, provide a sense of belonging, restore family pride, nurture and respect all generations, and impart wisdom, knowledge and a shared purpose. Our goal is to strengthen, inspire and support family reunion planning; share useful information and resources; and advocate for the teaching of family and reunion history, values and experiences.
- Dr. Ione Vargus
For many of us, December is when all our hard work regarding family, reunions and enjoying life come together. There are trees to be trimmed, lights to be hung, cakes to be baked, food to be cooked and carols to be sung. Gifts to be chosen for family and friends, stories to be read, children to be nestled and put into bed. Toys to assemble, gifts to unwrap, holiday concerts and movies to listen to, attend and watch. Parties to plan, celebrations to enjoy, activities to engage and explore. Calls to be made, familiar faces to see, plenty of catching up for you and for me. The celebration of culture and pride, the counting down of Father Time, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Through it all we cherish memories old and new, remember loved ones lost and new loves gained, while savoring great holiday time.
December is a great month for honoring our heritage and legacy. In December we celebrate, eat, drink and enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, National Roots Day, Write to a Friend Month, Go Caroling Day, Make a Gift Day, Rosa Parks Day, U.S. National Guard Birthday, Bake Cookies Day, Comfort Food Day, Gingerbread House Day, Egg Nog Month, Peppermint Latte Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, New Year’s Eve and so much more. Check out our list of 60+ FAMILY TIME holidays and observances to celebrate.
This December let’s bring the family and reunion planning together by communicating and bringing everyone up-to-date (see the REUNION TIP OF THE MONTH), and saluting tradition (see WORTH REPEATING and a Christmas POEM). And, let’s not forget the real reason for the season by providing much peace, love, hope, joy and encouragement to everyone around us. Let’s enjoy what’s left of 2024 remembering to celebrate responsibly with family and friends. Don’t Drink and Drive. Don’t Drug and Drive. Don’t Text and Drive. Don’t Zoom and Drive. And don’t let your friends. Don’t forget that covid, flu, colds, and RSV are still hanging around so get vaxxed and boosted if needed. Wear a mask. Stay safely distanced. Wash your hands. And don’t do anything that may risk your health or others.
This holiday season we wish you and your family a great time shopping, cooking, baking and unofficial reunions and planning. We wish you love, peace, hope and joy. And we hope 2025 is one of your best, happiest, and most fruitful year—and reunion—yet.
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NEW NOW::
- Family Time
- Reunion Tip of the Month
- Worth Repeating
- Christmas Poem
NEW LATER:
- Sticky Reunion Situation
- Practical Family Reunion Planning
Planning a family reunion? Click below for tips on:
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ALSO check out our FAMILY FEATURES, interviews of families discussing their journey towards a successful reunion. Click the links below to meet the families and read their stories.
- https://nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net/meet-the-hancock-family
- https://nationalfamilyreunioninstitute.net/meet-the-mitchell-family
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NEED HELP with a Sticky Reunion Situation?
- Check the SRS Archives (CLICK HERE) -OR-
- Contact us (CLICK HERE).
This month's Reunion Tip of the Month is not only a repeat from last year, but also quick and easy (leaving lots of time to spend with family and friends). Use end of year family gatherings to talk up, hype, or get ideas for an upcoming reunion; or to secure those last minute (or late) reunion RSVPs.
December is a great time for spending time with family, counting our blessings and honoring heritage with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and National Roots Day. And, there’s lots to do, celebrate, eat, drink and enjoy including Write to a Friend Month, Go Caroling Day, Make a Gift Day, shopping, cooking, baking, Rosa Parks Day, U.S. National Guard Birthday, Bake Cookies Day, Comfort Food Day, Gingerbread House Day, French Fried Shrimp Day, Egg Nog Month, Peppermint Latte Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, New Year’s Eve, setting goals for the coming year (including your next family reunion). And don't forget your family members birthdays, anniversaries, special celebrations and occasions. Check out the full list of 60+ December observances by clicking below.
YEAR ROUND JOY... by Joanna Fuchs
Christmas is full of shiny things,
That sparkle, gleam and glow,
These holiday pleasures dazzle us,
And yet, deep down we know...
That Christmas has its special gifts,
But our year-round joy depends,
On the cherished people in our lives,
Our family and our friends.
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. – Hamilton Wright Mabie
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family. - Burton Hillis
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. - Andy Rooney
We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power. - William Gladstone
The one reunion issue that came up over and over again this summer was getting young people involved in the planning. In this month's Sticky Reunion Situation we revisit this issue with words of wisdom from Dr. Vargus.
The Situation: WHO WILL LEAD OUR FUTURE REUNIONS
We'd love to see our family reunion continue well into the future. Our problem is not being able to get younger family members interested in the planning. They like coming to the reunion, but when it comes to taking any kind of lead with the planning, they're nowhere to be found. What can we do to turn this around?
REUNION FEEDBACK
Have you ever planned events and activities for your family reunion that did not turn out as well as you thought they would, and the planning team is having a hard time understanding why? The best way to find out what happened is to ask your family members. You can provide a survey that can be completed online (and anonymously if needed). Or you can call and speak with family members directly. Whichever way you go, ask straightforward questions in a caring way so that you get the direct answers you need to make the next event or activity successful.
If reunion attendance was low ask those who did not attend if the absence was due to any of the following: Day, Date or Time; Location; Cost of Reunion; Number of Days; Activities Planned; Travel Expenses; Family Emergency or Illness; or something else.
If an event was not well attended ask those who did not attend what about the event did not appeal to them. Ask if there is an alternative event that they would like to see the family have.
Don’t be afraid to approach family members about reunion-related events and activities. Doing so is the only way to plan something good, great and wonderful that most (if not all) of the family will enjoy.
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