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Family Reunion Souvenirs

DIY Family Reunion T-shirt Ideas

Throwing a family reunion almost always means t-shirts for the family!  Wearing family reunion t-shirts is a great way to involve everyone in the reunion and make them feel like a part of your bg group.  You’re having a family reunion, and the world should know!

Matching t-shirts with silly sayings on them is a given for family reunion t-shirt ideas.  Here, I will focus on giving you a few creative and unique family reunion t-shirt ideas!

  1. Puffy paints:  Set up a table with various shirt sizes and many colors of puffy paint and let everyone make their own creation!
  2. Iron-on letters and pictures:  Setting up a table with various types of iron-ons can really make for some fun and funky t-shirts!
  3. Tie-dye:  Whether you tie-dye the shirts or have everyone do their own, this is great for a 60’s themed family reunion!
  4. Mystery maker:  Everyone draws a name out of a hat and has to make a shirt for that person.
  5. All kids:  Kids make the shirts for themselves and for everyone else!  That should keep them busy for a bit.
  6. Men vs. Woman:  Woman make shirts for the men and men make shirts for the women.  Keep it nice!
  7. Kids vs. Adults:  Adults make shirts for the kids and kids make shirts for the adults.  Definitely makes for super cute pictures!
  8. Squirt paints:  Typically for kids, but adults can have fun, too!  This is basically a paint-filled water gun fight with white family reunion t-shirts!
  9. Handprints:  Each family’s shirts should have the handprint of each family member on it.  Get creative and make the handprints into other pictures!
  10. Nature prints:  Perfect for camping family reunions, go on a nature hike with everyone to find things that will make cool prints with paint!
  11. Buttons, pompoms, and other fun things:  Turn t-shirt making into a hot glue project using anything and everything that can be glued to a shirt!
  12. Yarn:  You can make some really cool pictures by gluing yarn down in whatever way possible.
  13. “Code of Arms” prints:  Each family should draw up a code of arms on a piece of cardboard, glue yarn along the lines of the pencil, then paint the yarn and make prints onto shirts by pressing the cardboard to the shirt.  Make sure words are backward on the cardboard!
  14. Negative images:  Place letters and shapes on the shirt, spray all empty areas with paint, remove the objects and you just creative negative prints!
  15. Make ‘em at home:  Each family member makes their own shirt at home (specific criteria is up to the planner) and these shirts will be worn at the reunion!

The process of making and wearing the shirts should be a fun one, so avoid anything that you feel will cause undue stress on anyone involved.  Remember that not everyone is creative or crafty and some may not wish to participate in making their own shirt, so be sure to have a backup plan for this scenario!  You know your family well, so I’m sure you will come up with something that is sure to suit the group (literally)!

25+ Things For Your Family Reunion Gift Bags

Every party needs party favors, and a family reunion is not just any party! When it comes to partying, nobody does it better than family. Such a great time should be met family reunion gift bags containing something that will spark amazing memories for a lifetime.

Here is a list of 25+ perfect family reunion gift bag ideas!

Gift for Mom & Dad

Keepsakes

Family reunion poem scroll

Write an original poem about your family, print it on nice paper and roll them up into little scrolls, tying them off with a nice ribbon.

Mini photo albums

There will be so many pictures taken and not enough places to put them, mini photo albums are cheap and easy to personalize!

Photo frames

Photo frames in family reunion gift bags will definitely be used for that perfect picture snapped at the reunion!

Food Related

Canned family recipe

Have a family-famous recipe? Can it up and stick some labels on it because it’s going in the family reunion gift bags!

Coffee mugs

These are an easy favor to have personalized, also. Don’t forget to include little samples of coffee, tea or hot cocoa!

Family reunion cookbook

Having a potluck? That’s even more perfect! Collect all of the recipes, make copies on nice paper, bind them and you have a family cookbook!

Odds and Ends

Candles

These are easy to personalize and don’t cost too much. Pair that up with the lovely scents available and candles are a very nice, general gift that anyone can use. Consider choosing a candle that fits your reunion theme, or perhaps a family joke.

Fan

If it’s going to be a hot day, make some fans out of large popsicle sticks and heavy cardstock. Print fun messages on them!

Luggage tags

Chances are, a lot of your family traveled to go to the reunion, so they obviously need some luggage tags, right?

Scratch offs or lotto

Okay, not exactly personal, but if you have quite a lucky family (because they’re related to you and everything), then add one of these in their bags! Make sure you get the most time consuming ones that way you get the most for the dollar. Who knows, maybe someone will win and have a very fond memory!

Gift for the Kids

Outdoor Fun

Bubbles

You can buy any bubbles and print labels to stick on, that say whatever you wish!

Frisbees

Everyone can appreciate a frisbee, even the family dog!

Kites

Forecasted to be a breezy day? Who doesn’t enjoy flying kites, seriously?

Tubs of chalk

Put chalk mason jars if you can’t find little tubs of chalk, spray the lid with chalkboard paint and write each person’s name on the lids!

S’mores kits

If the family reunion will be going into the evening hours, or if it’s a camping family reunion, make individual kits with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers so everyone is prepared.

Indoor Activities

Coloring kit

A.K.A. crayons and a coloring book! It will give the kids something to do to keep them busy!

Inexpensive Games

Technology has changed, but that doesn’t mean that kids still don’t appreciate the traditional games we grew up with. You can find inexpensive card games in the toy aisle or even at the dollar store. Games like Old Maid are great because the kids don’t know them, so they are eager to learn the rules and beat their siblings and peers. You can also get “travel” versions of classic games cheaply like travel chess and travel checkers.

Stickers

Some things are just timeless. My kids adore stickers. Sure, they don’t last long, but they love covering themselves in them. Give a group of kids some stickers and they’ll start decorating each other in no time.

Odds and Ends

Amazing Books

This might sound boring at first, but give me a chance here. When I was a child, my favorite book was a book of amazing facts. I’m not saying you should get the kids pocket encyclopedia’s, but kids love knowing stuff their parents don’t know. Did you know scientists no longer consider Pluto a “planet?” Get little “amazing facts” books and the kids will be glued!

Figurines

When my husband was a child, he collected dinosaur figurines. Now, with my own children, they too love dinosaur figurines and are very inexpensive. Of course, you don’t have to force dinosaurs onto all of the kids. You can find figurines for just about anything such as farm animals, horses and other wildlife.

Noisemakers

Everyone should know you’re a big, happy family and proud to show it! If you give a kid a noisemaker, participation isn’t a question. The kids will lead the way.

Gifts for Everyone

T-shirts

If you have t-shirts made, a cute idea is to make ones that say “Survivor of 20xx family reunion!” There are so many different things you can do with family reunion t-shirts that it really is one of my favorite. Visit Custom Ink to get your custom t-shirts made or look at these family reunion t-shirt ideas on Zazzle for more inspiration.

Hats

If you have the event outdoors, these will certainly come in handy! Who doesn’t love a practical keepsake? Additionally, if you give them out early and you have a particularly large family reunion, then this will help identify participants of the reunion from strangers who have wandered in.

Koozies

They’re great for keeping drinks colder longer and what’s better on a hot day? These are very inexpensive and they are also an available, easily customized item as many businesses customize these for promotional purposes.

Photo Key Chains

Everyone will be delighted to always have a piece of the reunion with them. I have this hilarious photo key chain from a theme park where my family are all doing funny things. It’s really nice to have with me.

Reusable shopping bags

These will likely end up being the gift bag itself, rather than a favor inside of a gift bag, but it is something practical and will give everyone a great, green favor! I’ve started doing this for gifts on holidays too. Not only can you get these cheaper than paper gift bags from the store (how crazy is that?), but your family members will actually have a use for them!

Sweets

Brownies, cookies, rice crispy treats and candy are all family reunion favorites. Share the recipe with the already-prepared treat, or provide directions on a dressed up mason jar with the ingredients layered neatly inside.

Water bottles

You can have plastic water bottles customized for a reasonable price, or do it yourself with decals.

Water bottle tags

Nobody will be losing their water at this family reunion! The days of looking at a water bottle and wondering “is that mine?” will be a thing of the past!

So while you think of ideas, be sure to keep your family in mind, their ages and personalities, and you will find the perfect favors!

12 Homemade Family Reunion Favor Ideas

Nothing is better than the memories created at a family reunion, but sending a favor home with all of the family members is a great way to say “thank you for coming” and gives them something to have that will help bring back the memories. And who doesn’t like to receive a little gift now and again?

Types of Favors

Favors are pretty much a must for any type of get together, and family reunions are no different!

Not sure what kind of favors would be appropriate? That’s okay! When it comes to family reunion favors, we’ve got your back!

Favors generally fall under three categories: Edible, keepsake, and do-it-yourself. We will give some great family reunion favor ideas under each category and leave the deciding up to you!

Edible Family Reunion Favors

Family reunions call for something that can be saved no matter what, so even though you plan on handing out something edible, do so in a nice tin or inside of something that can be saved. Here’s some yummy edible ideas:

  • Mini mason jar anything: This is especially great if your family makes something such as homemade barbeque sauce, syrup, honey, jelly, and so on. Jar it up and stick a label on it that will forever remind the recipient where and when they received it!
  • Cookies, cupcakes and other sweets: We all get a sweet tooth from time to time, so even if it won’t get eaten right away, it surely will eventually!
  • Home-brewed beer: Okay, this is obviously not suitable for children, but the adults will appreciate receiving this hand-bottled gift! Pair it up with customized bottle openers and you have terrific family reunion favors!
  • Family recipe: If there is a family-famous recipe, whether it be homemade chips or some type of casserole, send some home in a nice basket or personalized plates!

Keepsake

Everyone loves keepsakes, whether it is something they can use, or just something to sit on their shelf. Try some of these keepsake ideas for your family reunion:

  • Keychains: Have keychains personalized with the place and date of the reunion and everyone will have a little piece of this family reunion wherever they go! You can also make your own with photos of family.
  • Coffee mugs: You can have an old family portrait printed on mugs, or even just the name of the event and year. This is a great one s it will get lots of use! See your local art store for DIY coffee mug decorating kits.
  • Picture frame: Everyone will definitely be taking pictures at the reunion so they will need place to put it. Picture frames are cheap to buy, easy to decorate, and are a wonderful favor to be considered!
  • Candles: Who doesn’t love the smell and relaxing effect of candles? Homemade candles are even better. Make sure to pick out nice jars for the candles, or have a nice plate to go underneath them.

Do-it-yourself

If you have a pretty crafty family, then setup a DIY crafting table to make their own favors. What’s great about this idea is that they are making memories while they are making something to remember the day by! Try one of these creative favor ideas:

  • Sand art: Each family member can make one on their own, or make it more special by making the favors with the help of other family members. Each one turns out beautiful and unique!
  • Ornaments: Many people collect ornaments for their Christmas tree, or even for a ficus tree! Making ornaments together is a great way for family to bond, and it’s always fun to see how everyones ornaments came out!
  • Stepping stones: Cement, pie tins, and whatever you want to put in them such as marbles, beads, glass gems, scrabble letters, and so on. These make a beautiful addition to any garden!
  • Mini scrapbooks or photo albums: Everyone will be needing a place to store pictures that will be taken, so decorating up little albums is a total win!

As you can see, there is a lot of family reunion favors to choose from! Your family is sure to appreciate anything that they receive, so as long as it comes from the heart.

Family Reunion Favors

Your family reunion event deserves to be immortalized forever and relived again and again in your family members’ memories, and one of the best ways to achieve this is through family reunion favors. Reunion favors or gifts make your event more personal and memorable to all the participants, and can also be a way to bring your family closer together.

Different ideas for family reunion favors can be gleaned from various resources on the Web, especially from retailers offering personalized clothing, accessories, and other items that can be customized for your particular reunion event.

Family Reunion Favor Ideas

Here are some popular suggestions for family reunion favors:

T-shirts:

Family Reunion T-Shirt Favors

Family reunion t-shirts are among the most cost-effective and easily customizable gift ideas.

If you are travelling as a group to a certain destination, you can use reunion t-shirts as a form of solidarity as well as to easily spot your family members in the venue. Customizing the shirts for various family units and links within the larger group is also a good idea. Just remember to ask the whole family for their shirt sizes when you send out invitations and ask for RSVPs!

Other clothing and apparel:

If t-shirts seem too bland or you’ve done that before, other apparel items and accessories can also be given away as family reunion favors. Hats, baseball caps, or sun visors are also quite affordable, and are perfect if your reunion is being held outdoors or in sun-intensive destinations.

Hoodies, sweaters, and jackets are great gift ideas if your reunion would be held around fall or winter. Camping out during the reunion? Sleepwear, pajama sets for the young ones, and customized pillows go well with the theme.

Mugs, glasses, and other beverage containers:

Coffee mugs are actually quite easy to make on your own. If you have artistic or creative family members, plenty of time to prepare, and not too overwhelming of a guest list, you can buy different colors and styles of coffee mugs and design personalized mugs to give away.

Otherwise, mugs, glasses, tumblers, water bottlers, and other beverage containers are also good ideas for reunion favors; they are budget-friendly and something that everyone would find useful.

Personalized totes and travel bags:

Bags and travel accessories are very useful and can be stylish and decorative as well. Because these items are used every day, they will also be a constant reminder of your family reunion events in the future especially if you intend to do this every year, or on a regular basis.

Photo albums, collages, wall portraits:

Family photos and group portraits can be customized into your other reunion favors (for instance, printed on t-shirts).

But stand-alone display photos or picture collections are also excellent gift ideas. Aside from printed-out photos, you can opt to collate photos in professionally-designed CDs (most people prefer digital photos these days anyway) and then your family members can choose which photos they would want to print out.