Family reunions are a wonderful opportunity to see relatives you haven't seen in awhile--many years, in some cases. You want the invitations you send out to be as special as the event itself, and this means taking the time to customize and personalize invitations that invoke the memories that will bring even long-lost relatives to the next family reunion you plan. Does this Spark an idea?
Create a Family Reunion Website
A website is a way to invite family to a reunion regardless of where they are. There are many free web hosting services available (see resources). These free web hosts have tools that make it easy to upload photos and other media. Scan and upload old family photos to create a family photo album online. Include photos from past family reunions as well. Be sure there is an e-mail address for family members to RSVP.
Create a Slideshow CD
With all the graphic slideshow software available today, creating a slideshow and putting it on a disc to send to family members is easy and fun. Some of these programs are even free (see resources). The slideshow can include an array of photos from your family's past as well as an animated invitation to the event.
Create a Invitation
Desktop publishing software makes it easy to design cards of all types. Instead of the standard invitation, consider creating a home-movie themed invitation. Make movie tickets inviting family members to the premier of a movie about your family's history. Promise popcorn and soda during the movie, followed by an after-movie celebration (the family reunion). Simple word processing or desktop publishing software is suitable for creating the tickets. Making the "movie" can be done easily with software such as Microsoft Powerpoint, which allows you to create multimedia slideshows, or a free slideshow maker (see resources).
Tags: family members, family reunion, photos from, publishing software, your family