Family Reunions are an opportunity to strengthen family bonds, recount family memories and create new ones. They are a wonderful way to introduce new family members and celebrate family heritage. Reunions serve up a perfect way for our grandkids to see how they fit into the network of this group of people we call family. They also call for serving up a lot of family reunion food! When planning food for a Family Reunion there are quite a few things to consider and we’re sharing them with you right here.
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Guest Count
You most likely have some type of signup. Remind people to let you know ahead of time if they will be adding someone to their family. Set a realistic RSVP timeline to help in the planning of your family reunion food.
Set your Budget
- How will the cost be divided?
- Have different family groups in charge of different meals.
- Send out a signup sheet. Members can volunteer to cover an item/area.
- Determine an average per person cost and have attendees transfer funds to the ‘treasurer’.
- Have a ‘bring your own’ category, such as snacks and drinks to cut down on the cost of main meals.
- Read: 14 Multigenerational Travel Tips to Use on Your Next Trip
Dietary Restrictions and Preferences
As people indicate they will be attending, make sure there is a way for them to indicate any allergies, sensitivities and preferences they may have. And we know these days that can be a long list!
For allergies, create a list with specifics and have it readily available anywhere snacks and meals are served. Consider having children with severe allergies wear something (like a special wristband) that will be an indicator to those serving food to check the list for specifics.
For preferences, check to see if there are a lot of similar requests. This can help guide your decision for a main or side dish.
Consider a ‘build your own’ main meal such as tacos, sandwiches/wraps, baked potatoes and the like. It’s an easy way to accomodate individual dietary needs.
Once you establish a menu, send it out to everyone attending, and let them know they are free to bring or make something in addition that will accomodate their individual needs.
Have a Variety of family reunion Food
- Main Courses: Offer a mix of meat and vegetarian
- Sides: This is a great area to mix in dishes that will be appreciated by those with food restrictions. Consider sides with whole grains. They would be great for those who are vegetarians. Make sure to label those food items.
- Desserts: Your family is sure to have favorites. This is a great place for people to bring their top contenders.
- Beverages: Lots and lots of water, plus some ‘fun’ drinks such as sparkling and flavored waters, and a selection of sodas. As for alcohol, make sure everyone is on board about it being served, and designate when and where it will be consumed.
Cultural or Family Favorites
This is the event to celebrate family favorites. If your monster cookies are the grandkids favorites, offer to bring them. If you love a certain salad that your aunt makes, ask her to provide it, or at least share the recipe! It’s a really fun way to share some family history. Talk to your grandkids about when you first tasted that dish, and tell them about the person who makes it too!
Efficiency and Ease of Preparation
This is a big one for me! Choose recipes that can be at least partially prepared in advance.
- Use a buffet style type of serving for efficiency.
- Use disposable plates, utensils and cups (there are so many recyclable options these days!) The reunion is about time with family. And while yes, memories can be made while washing dishes and cleaning up, it’s certainly not how I want to spend my time!
- Make sure you have plenty of trash bags and recycling bins.
Dinner with the Kids – it can be fun!
- Let them help with the prep and the cleanup. They’ll feel invested and have ownership in the meal.
- Cover tables with craft paper, and add crayons or markers. They can draw whatever they want, or play Pictionary with their dining neighbors.
- Play Kid Trivia
- Play I Spy or Would You Rather
- Share family stories around a certain theme.
- Create a family reunion story. Someone begins with “Once upon a Family Reunion….” And the person next to them adds a line. On and on the story will go. Make sure to have someone writing it down!
- Read: Family Reunion Games: Unleash the Fun in Your Family
Some additional ideas to get you planning
If you are looking for recipes that feed a really big crowd, check out these Insitutional Recipes. Apple Crisp for 200? You’ll find it here!
Pulled Pork – a great option to make ahead. This can be prepared several days ahead, or frozen for several months. Pulled pork is easy to reheat and maintains it’s flavor and moisture better than other reheated meats.
I’m a big fan of Six Sisters recipes and they have this pulled pork one to feed a crowd
Taco Bar – did you know there’s a Taco Bar Calculator?
We didn’t either! Just head to The Taco Bar Calculator and input the number of guests, type of meat and cheese plus all the other delicious toppings and you’ll be rewarded with the proper amount of food to purchase. I am definitely using this!
Breakfast
- A breakfast casserole buffet is a delicious way to start the day if you have access to enough oven space. Several people can volunteer to mix up a couple casseroles the night before, and they can be baked in the morning.
- Build your own breakfast burrito. Have a selection of ingredients – eggs, meats, veggies, and cheeses. Then allow people to fill their own tortillas. A great way to cater to a lot of different dietary preferences.
- Sweet Rolls, Bagels, Cold Cereal and fruit – need quick and simple? Can’t beat a cereal bar!
A cookout
Will you be near a firepit? Have access to barbecues? Take full advantage of the opportunity to roast hotdogs and s’mores. Lots of great conversations happen around a campfire.
Read: 30 Family Reunion Shirt Ideas that Suit Every Generation
Costco – the family reunion “no cook” place to shop!
Is there a Costco near your reunion venue? Just hop in the car.. You’ll be able to load a cart with all the sandwich fixings, fruit and veggies, dessert and drinks you’ll need in one simple trip. Now that’s efficient!
The dinner table is a key area of family bonding and memory making. Our hope is that as we expand the seating for extended family, and serve up some delicious family reunion food, that the opportunity to learn about them, celebrate their unique contributions to the family, and learn how we can encourage and support them, that it will prove to be an incredible experience – one that will become part of the legacy we will endeavor to leave for grandkids and future generations.
