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Insurance |
Travel - Planning Family Reunions
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Planning a family reunion can be a huge task. When that many
people are coming together having a plan of action smoothes out some
of the potential problems that a large number of people create. This
page specifically addresses a 15 - 20 member gathering where all of
the people are staying under one roof. Our family reunion occurs
every other summer on the Atlantic Ocean in South
Carolina. |
Meals
The driving force behind every gathering tends to be the
food. What, when and where we will eat next can be a cause of frustration
or a seamless issue.
- Make a meal plan. Prior to the vacation solicit meal
ideas from each of the families and compile a list.
- Plot out a meal list for the week. Example: Monday -
hamburgers, Tuesday - Spaghetti, �.
- Once everyone has agreed to the list, you can make a
master grocery list.
- Plan to eat out the first night or first day. Give
yourself time to get to the grocery store.
- Determine in advance how the food will be paid for.
When someone buys food for the kitchen, have them place their receipt
with their name on in it an envelope in a designated spot in the
kitchen. At the end of the trip, divide the amount among paying
parties.
- If one of the families lives close enough to drive,
have them bring staples, cokes, snacks, paper products, chips, etc. As
above, have them place receipts in the envelope. You will save money not
shopping right off the beach.
- Consider having each family be responsible for one
nights meal. That means getting all their ingredients on the grocery
list, food prep, serving and cleanup. That way it can be a real vacation
for you on the other nights - you just show up and eat.
- A family could also elect to taking everyone out to eat
one night.
- Remember to over buy the snacks. You are at the ocean
swimming all day and people get hungry!!! If you end up with leftovers
they can be taken home. The driving family can add it to the total they
owe and the others deduct it.
- The main idea is to have a plan that everyone
understands and agrees with.
Outings
Want to do some sightseeing while you are there? Put one
person in charge of researching all of the things there are to do close
by. Email this list out to all of the families to see what the interest is
in each activity.
-
Pick the top two or three and decide what
day each is going to be visited.
-
Put a sign up sheet and time by the phone
at the vacation house so that you can plan for the number of cars
needed, etc.
-
Not every person needs to go to each event.
Uncle Joe may want to spend everyday at the beach and that is just
fine.
-
At dinner discuss and confirm the next
day�s plans.
-
Have a backup or rain plan
available.
Accommodations
A large group needs a large space. Remember this is
supposed to be a vacation. One room per family should be the minimum, but
do your research and see if you can get as much space as your dollar will
afford. Here are some things to consider when booking your rental
house:
- Is there enough chairs or bar top counter space for
each of your family members to have a seat?
- Make sure there is a large great room or family room
that will accommodate the whole group.
- Be sure of the check in time
- Be sure of the check out time
- Understand the cleaning procedures
- Understand your responsibility for damages that may
occur
- What items can you leave in the
refrigerator
- Are the pictures you are looking at online or in the
catalog updated?
- Distance to the beach
- Access to the beach - public walkway or
private
- How do you get the keys to your rental
- Where do you return the keys
- Is the kitchen well stocked with pots, pans, plates,
silverware, etc.
- Are there homeowners rules concerning the parking of
cars etc.
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