A family reunion is a great time to gather for fun, food and fellowship. It’s also an excellent time to strengthen family ties, create traditions and pass on legacies. Whether it’s celebrating new life or honoring the loss of loved ones, reunions are a chance to connect on a deeper level.

The best way to make the most of a family reunion is to plan ahead. A few months to a year before the event is ideal. This allows families to coordinate work and vacation schedules. It also gives families enough time to save money, purchase plane tickets and book accommodations.

Choose a location that offers a wide variety of amenities and activities to suit everyone’s interests. Often, resorts and vacation rentals offer family-friendly amenities that include pools, sports fields, restaurants, shopping centers and more. Choosing a destination that is easy to reach by car or public transportation reduces costs and provides an opportunity to see more of the area.

Designate a family history person to be in charge of documenting and displaying the family’s legacy throughout the reunion. This could be as simple as creating a photo album or creating a video. It’s also a good idea to encourage families to bring old photos. Designate someone to scan them for familySearch, and invite guests to share cool heirlooms (an old hat, a cookbook or even a kitchen tool) and take pictures of them.

Encourage family members to keep in touch after the reunion. Periodic Zoom or FaceTime meetings, a private group chat and/or social media sites like Flickr are good options.