Get ’em talking Conversation starters for your family reunion

Flipping through old photo albums is a great way to spark memories for a family gathering. From family portraits to candid shots, photos take us straight back to special moments in time. This article will outline specific ways to use photographs as conversation starters before and during your reunion.

Start with scanning

If you have already planned a scanning party for your reunion, this is a good way to engage family members from the start. If it is not yet on your agenda, consider investing in a Vivid-Pix®, Memory Station bundle which includes the ScanSnap scanner and Vivid-Pix ®, Restore software. If you have a reunion fund, check to see if you can build the cost into to your budget, or consider asking for donations to offset the cost.

Take a trip down Memory Lane

From first arrival, your reunion should be a welcoming experience for everyone. Ideas should be simple and inexpensive to implement. The goal is to get people interacting and talking.

v Family vacation photos

By Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

Bring out photos from past family vacations and travels and talk about places visited, experiences shared, and memories made.

v Family pet photos

Share photos of pets, past and present, and talk about the joy and companionship they brought to the family.

Name tags

A name tag is a visual cue to help you identify that cousin you’ve not yet met or haven’t seen in 15 years. Using childhood photos or one taken at a previous reunion of yourself or other family members as children offers a fun way to reminisce about the memories from those times. These photos can be used as name tags. Include an old photo with your reunion email blast or invitations and encourage folks to create their own name tag with the attachment or another old/past photo.

Decorations and displays

Use Vivid-Pix prints to create fun photo-themed decorations and displays.

v Family tree photos

Display photos of ancestors and extended family members, and share stories about their lives and legacies.

v Family heirloom photos

Bring out old family heirlooms such as jewelry, furniture and art, and share photos and stories of their history and significance.

v Wedding photos

Display photos from family members’ weddings, and talk about the planning process, the ceremony, and the reception.

Activities

Design and schedule reunion activities around photographs. The activities you choose can involve all ages and generations. Try pairing more senior family members with younger members to provide opportunities for learning about family history and traditions. Here are four photo categories that fit naturally with reunion games or celebratory moments.

v Family milestones photos

Show photos of births, graduations, anniversaries, and other significant milestones. Discuss the achievements and milestones of family members. Set up a special presentation event while everyone is gathered after lunch or dinner.

v Family sports photos

Share photos of family members participating in sports or athletic events, and talk about their accomplishments, challenges, and passions. Perhaps you can incorporate a basketball, volleyball, or softball game into the reunion day and present a plaque or trophy to the winner(s).

v Family cooking photos

Display photos of family members cooking, baking, and enjoying meals together. Talk about the recipes, traditions, and shared experiences. If there is a special dish you have every year (potato salad, special dessert, or cookies), print out and bring recipe cards to share.

v Family do-it-yourself photos

Show photos of family members engaging in DIY projects or hobbies, such as woodworking, gardening, or crafting, and discuss the creative process and achievements. Set up a craft station to make a special reunion souvenir (rock painting, jewelry making, origami, etc.).

The possibilities for creating meaningful conversations at your reunion can be endless if you use your imagination. Planning in advance by scanning old photographs and giving them the Vivid-Pix fix will provide many opportunities to get everyone talking before they even arrive and engage them during the reunion.

Don’t forget to schedule time for a group photo before the day ends to use it as a future conversation starter!

About The Author

Lisa Alzo has been surrounded by family at their 55+ year running reunion and walks in her ancestors’ footsteps, literally and figuratively, as a genealogist, lecturer and writer. Author of 11 books and countless newspaper and magazine article, Lisa earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Creative Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She works as a writing coach and online educator through her website Research Write Connect.