Financing a Family Reunion

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

20 May 2006 11:44 AM

There are a number of ways that a family reunion can be financed. You will want to choose the finance method based upon the size and type of reunion that you are planning.

Set Fee Based upon the activities that you are going to do, the location chosen, and the amount of people that are going to attend you can determine a set fee that each family will have to pay. It is better to estimate high than end up without enough money, unless you are willing to fund the difference. Any money that is not used can be put in a fund for the next reunion.

Family Auction Some families have each member bring something to auction off - baked goods, crafts, wood items, plants, quilts, purchased items etc. Then at the reunion an auction is held and family members buy each other's items. The money that is raised at the auction is used to fund the family reunion for that year or the next year. The nice thing is that besides a great family reunion you get to take something else home.

Potluck If you are having a simple family reunion such as a picnic or barbeque you can assign each family to bring something for the meal. In my mother's family my grandparents paid for the meat and then each family provided the other items for the meal. Or you can split the cost for the meat.

Actual Cost With the actual cost method whoever is in charge of the reunion pays for the necessary food and other costs. The actual cost of the reunion is divided between families. Then at the reunion family members can reimburse. I recommend this method only if your reunion is small. The downside to this method is if family members do not come you are stuck with a lot of extra food and costs that you had to pay for.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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