The Joy and Challenge of Extended Family Gatherings
Maintaining bonds with cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws is important, but it can sometimes feel like a struggle. Families are often spread far apart, with some members living in other countries and continents far away from the UK.
The good news is that simple ways to organise virtual and in-person get-togethers get everyone involved and take the stress out of family time. Keep scrolling for our tips for fun family gatherings.
Plan a Group Holiday
Organising a group holiday that combines adventure with bonding is a great way to reunite family living abroad. The shared experience of going on scenic hikes or sailing on a lake gets your family exercising in the fresh air and gives them something to discuss when they return to the hotel.
Ski resorts often offer packages that cater to large groups, making them ideal for extended family gatherings. The packages can include accommodation, meals, and activities suitable for all ages, like skiing and snowboarding lessons on gentle slopes. Many companies can organise whole group ski holidays for you, taking the stress out of booking for multiple parties.
Host a Themed Buffet or Meal
You can also get your extended family bonding over a shared dining experience. Pick a theme for a buffet and assign each family unit a specific cuisine or dish to prepare. This will reduce the host’s workload while adding variety to the meal and easing the stress of catering to a large group. Alternatively, you could split the cost of rented accommodation for a weekend to meet people in the middle if you live far apart.
Creating an inviting environment with enough places to sit, stand and mingle can spark conversation and reunions. Family members will want to swap recipes, ask for cooking tips, and learn new facts about the themed food culture.
Utilise Technology for Virtual Reunions
If your family is so spread out that getting them all together at once is practically impossible, virtual reunions are a lifeline to maintain relationships and stay connected. Send a message in family group chats or an email to organise a time that suits everyone.
Google Meet, Skype, Zoom, and other video conferencing platforms will facilitate virtual family gatherings for special occasions. Incorporate activities like quizzes and games to make the virtual gathering more fun and engaging. Rotating host duties among family members can also keep things fresh and provide new roles to play.
Plan Outdoor Activities
Outdoor activities provide ample space for socialising and are often less stressful to arrange than indoor events at someone’s house or a rented venue. Planning beach outings or picnics can build excitement and create unique photo opportunities.
Ensure you don’t leave invitations to the last minute. Planning a few months ahead will give everyone time to organise their calendar and avoid stressful last-minute travel.
Choose Family-Friendly Accommodations
When planning overnight and multi-day gatherings, opt for accommodations catering to large family groups. You’ll want amenities like communal spaces to meet before going out for the day.
Remember that child-friendly facilities will be essential to younger families, so look for places with features like playgrounds that will keep the kids happy. Also, look for group rates to get the best deals possible.
Incorporate Interactive Activities
Consider engaging your family with storytelling sessions, talent shows, and DIY crafts. Unique activities will be more memorable and involve people of all ages. If you’re struggling for inspiration, Pinterest is a helpful tool for collecting great ideas.
You don’t have to wait until the invitations are sent to look for activity ideas. Collecting ideas to have on hand and sharing them with family members will be a lifesaver when you do have an event.
Embracing Togetherness
Use these tactics to strengthen family bonds and create memorable experiences without the dreaded stress of planning large gatherings, whether you meet in person, at someone’s home, on holiday, or simply virtually.
