There are many different options available for this aspect of your family reunion. If you’re hosting just a one- or two-day event, it might be easiest to ask each family to bring a few prepared dishes to share. If so, you’ll want to make sure that everyone doesn’t bring repeats of the same dish, and that there are ways to heat up food or keep it cool (as appropriate). One fundraiser idea might be to create a family cookbook from each person’s favorite family recipe. It seems to work best to have just one person in charge of the cookbook project.

If your event is longer, or your family members aren’t much for cooking, then you can make arrangements with restaurants, or bring in a local catering service to provide meals. No matter which option you choose for feeding your reunion participants, this will likely factor into the budget in a significant way.

Step 6: The Memories

Can you picture it? Tender moments shared between great-grandma and the newest family member, just a few months old…All the cousins playing volleyball in the sun…Nana and her sisters laughing right out loud…these are the images that we love to remember and cherish from family gatherings, and what better way to preserve the moments than with a photo montage at the event?

Every family reunion deserves to have a nostalgic journey down memory lane, complete with photos of key events, family members, and memories of days gone by. You can put one of two committee members in charge of creating the video montage, and they it’s easy to arrange for a rental projector to showcase the images at your event.

You can either set your videos to music, or let the band or DJ play throughout the showing.

If you’re feeling extra-creative (or you have a technically savvy person on your planning committee), they can easily create a photo montage from images captured during the reunion itself. Schedule a showing towards the end of the event, and be sure to include candid shots as well as composed images.

If you want to take it a step further, burn the montage to DVD and sell extra copies at cost (or build it into the cost of admission and send each adult home with a copy). It’s a simple way to help the memories last a lifetime.

Ready to rent a projector for your family reunion? It’s as easy as 1-2-3 when you choose Projector123.com for all your rental projector needs. We’ll even ship your LCD projector to the exact place you need it. Just click here to get started now.

Step 3: The Location, Date and Time

This is where it really pays to poll some of your family members before selecting a location. Consider where most of your family members live, how easy it is for them to travel, and be sure to consider the size of your event before selecting a location.

The venue chosen may dictate available times for your event, but when choosing a date, be sure to pick a weekend when the children are off of school (if travel is required). If all of your family members live within fairly close proximity of each other (less than a day’s drive, for example), any weekend should be fine. Keep in mind that major holiday weekends like Labor Day typically mean higher travel expenses for folks (with increased lodging costs and fuel prices), as well as a likelihood of a venue booking up early.

One easy way to poll your family members is by using a free tool called SurveyMonkey.com. Alternatively, your committee co-members can call or email family members directly to gauge interest in the venue as well as the date / time.

Once a firm date is selected and the venue is booked, you can send out a “save the date” announcement, to help your out-of-town family members begin planning their trip and making necessary arrangements for traveling to the reunion. This also helps to build interest, and you may discover that new committee members volunteer themselves once the “save the date” card is received.

Step 4: The Budget

Consider the majority of your family here (not just your own financial situation). Can folks afford to pay for admission to the reunion, and if so, how much? Again, this is a step where it would be important to poll family members rather than making assumptions. Once you have a general idea how much folks are willing and able to pay for their participation, you can begin to form a budget, to ensure that you plan an appropriate event. If it’s going to be a high-ticket event (for example, a family cruise), be sure to give people plenty of time to plan for the added expense, and to begin saving.

Remember that unless you use an email invitation service like evite.com and a free internet calling service like Skype, you will likely have administrative expenses for postage, invitation, save-the-date postcards, nametags, decorations, and long distance fees. Some families hold fundraising events for such expenses, while others simply build it into the cost of participation.

In our next and final installment, we’ll look at two things everyone remembers from any major gathering: the food, and the memories made there.

In the meantime, as soon as you’ve set the time and date for your reunion, be sure to visit Projector123.com to reserve your rental projector for your event. There’s no need to lug it around during travel, because Projector123 can ship your projector rental directly to the location of your event (or even to the home of the closest relative). Click here to get started now.

Step 1: The Guest List

Essentially, this part of the planning process is all about how big you envision the reunion to be. Will you include just 3 generations of a single family (grandparents, parents, children), or will you extend the reach to both sides of the family (grandparents and their siblings, parents and their children and grandchildren; and parents’ siblings, children and grandchildren)?

In planning your guest list, you might consider how often the families get together currently. Has it been awhile since the last wedding (or funeral) where all the cousins got together? Does it seem like the family is “due” for another get-together, with nothing on the books as of yet?

Additionally, consider where the potential attendees are located geographically. Perhaps it would be easier to get one side of the family together in one location, and plan a separate, future gathering for the other side of the family in another location. Alternatively, if people in your family love to travel or in good enough health to make a trip, then the more the merrier.

In planning your guest list, it really comes down to what kind of event you (and your family) would most like to attend.

Step 2: The Committee

Planning a family reunion can be an arduous task, and while it’s sure to be well worth the effort, there’s no reason to think you’ve got to plan it alone. Solicit assistance from cousins and other family members who are willing to help create a successful event. In choosing who to approach for assistance, consider these useful attributes:

• enjoys talking on the phone, connecting with family members
• wields influence in the family, especially among other key family members
• possesses resources like free time, extra funds, excellent cooking skills, savvy organizational skills, event planning experience, etc.
• is easy to work with, is reliable, is well-organized and resourceful

If the family is spread far and wide, consider that it’s not necessary for the committee members to gather for a physical, in-person meeting. Much of the planning and legwork can be done via phone or email, and your role as the event coordinator is to delegate tasks and follow up with committee members to ensure they have what they require (and are completing their assigned tasks successfully). Though it’s your duty to ensure follow-through, remember that planning this event should be fun and lighthearted, so don’t become a taskmaster or you might soon find your committee disintegrating! Keep the mood light and bright and remember to acknowledge and appreciate your co-coordinators’ efforts.

Be sure to join us for part 2 of “How to Coordinate a Family Reunion.” In the meantime, it’s not too early to visit Projector123.com and see what kinds of rental projectors are available for your event. Click here to learn more.

Gather the Images

The first step in creating your montage involves collecting the images you’d like to use. If the images are already in digital format, you’ll be finished in a jiffy. If you’re using physical photos, you’ll need to digitally scan each photo before you can assemble your montage. If you don’t have the time or technical skills to manage this step, there are many services who can do it for you (including the photo centers at most drug store chains, like CVS and Walgreens).

Know Your Platform

Next, you’ll want to choose which software or service you’d like to use to create your montage. If you’re using a PC, Microsoft Publisher or Windows Movie Maker offer a fast and easy tool for creating a montage of photographs. If you’re on a Mac, you can use iMovie or iPhoto to create your slideshow in a snap. If you are already familiar with PowerPoint, you can even create your slideshow using the PowerPoint application (in either the Mac or the PC platform).

Alternatively, you can use an online service like Smilebox.com or FunPhotoBox.com, which allow you to import your photos and create a montage using their pre-loaded templates, music and more.

Set It to Music

The next step involves choosing music for your slideshow. It’s easy to tie music to your montage using any of the above-listed software applications or online services.

Have fun creating your photo montage, and be sure to visit Projector123.com to rent a projector so that everyone can enjoy your slideshow at your upcoming event. Click here to get started now.

Why not rent a DVD projector for a couple of days? The cost is more affordable than you might think, and just take a look at all the ways you could use a rental projector for a summer camp or kids’ activity program:

1. Host a film festival featuring family favorites such as “The Goonies,” “Escape from Witch Mountain” or “Bedtime Stories.” Or you can rent new releases from Netflix – either way, with the cost of the projector and the movie rental, it’s still far less expensive than taking a big group of kids to the movie theater.

2. Teach the children how to use digital cameras, allow them to explore, and showcase a slide show of their best shots at the end of the day.

3. Create a gaming tournament – an LCD projector can easily hook up to your Wii, XBOX 360, or other gaming system.

4. Let the kids create skits, make props and act them out, then film them and display the video with the projector. Or have the counselors act them out and let the kids film. Or use a game show theme. Whichever way you choose, it’s sure to be hilarious!

5. Film a field trip, excursion or outdoor field day and project the video on the next day.

Plus, with a rental from Projector123.com, you’re not limited to just one of these activities – a one-day rental actually lasts for two days, so you can choose multiple activities from this list, or invent your own!  And Projector123.com will ship your rental projector to any location you specify, so there’s no worries about inconvenient pick up or drop off – we take the hassle out of renting a projector.

Click here to reserve an LCD projector rental from Projector123.com today.

More Ways to Celebrate Graduation with a Rental Projector

6. Special Thank-You to Mom & Dad

Let’s face it — your parents have given a lot for you to get to this point! Why not surprise them with a special video thank-you (or a separate photo montage)? They’ll love you even more for your thoughtfulness (and you might just get an even better graduation gift).

7. A Parent’s Wish

Sure, what kid doesn’t want a car or a killer graduation party when they finish high school? But think about what means the most for years to come…your unconditional love and support. Record a video or set images to music in a short “parent’s wish” — say what you’ve always wanted your child to know: you love them, you are proud of them, and you wish them every joy and happiness in life. Sure beats the heck out of a Hallmark card!

8. Thank a Teacher

Got a favorite teacher? One who’s gone the extra mile to help ensure your success? Maybe a certain teacher recognized and encouraged a hidden talent, went to bat for you with school administration or a college board, or invested the extra time and attention needed to ensure the student didn’t give up when the going got tough. Celebrate that teacher in living color with a video thank you or photo montage, displayed at the school graduation, graduation party, or other celebration.

9. Rock Videos

When the big day arrives, some grads don’t want to talk, reminisce or even play video games — they just want to dance, dance, dance. Sure, you could hire a DJ, but wouldn’t it be even more fun to showcase favorite songs in all their rock video glory? All it takes is a rental projector and a huge blank wall to get the party started.

10. Karaoke
Rental projectors from Projector123.com are compatible with karaoke machines and other kinds of karaoke fun. After graduation, everyone deserves to cut loose and have some fun!

Did you know weekend rentals start at just $99 from Projector123.com? Click here to reserve an LCD rental projector for your graduation celebration.

Top 10 Ways to Enhance a Graduation Celebration with a Rental Projector

You can use one, some or all of these ideas to make a graduation celebration truly memorable. If you’re planning a high school graduation party for your teen, be sure to get input from the grad…if you’re planning your own graduation party, share this post with Mom and Dad so they can see all the cool and fun ways you can take advantage of a rental projector.

1. Photo Montage

Showcase the funniest, sweetest, most memorable moments in life with a cool photo montage set to current music. Friends and family will laugh, get teary-eyed and “awww” together as everyone shares this trip down memory lane.

2. Video Montage

Does your family or grad prefer to shoot video over stills? If so, a video montage — peppered with best movie lines and favorite scenes — is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. As an added touch, you might consider burning extra copies of the montage DVD to give to guests as party favors.

3. Graduation Film Fest

“Say Anything,” “American Graffiti,” “There’s Something about Mary” and “American Pie” are just a few of the most memorable films about high school and beyond. If your grad is a movie buff, this is a great way to enjoy a rental projector over graduation weekend.

4. Wii Party

Nothing brings friends together quite like a little competition. Imagine adding that extra element of fun to your party with larger-than-life projection with your favorite gaming system. Rental projectors work seamlessly with Wii, XBOX, Guitar Hero and more.

5. Mood Enhancer

Whether your party aims to be low-key casual or more of a dance floor party, big-screen projection can set the mood for romance, laughter, music videos, and more.

Tune in next time as we provide 5 more killer tips to make your graduation party a hit.

1. Start planning early.

Haven’t we all been to an annual banquet that was so haphazard, it looked as though it had been thrown together at the last minute? The earlier you begin planning an event like this, the greater your chances of total success. Remember, it takes time to have awards engraved, to order items of recognition, to arrange for presenters and to send out invitations. It pays to start planning early.

2. Don’t get too hung up on “how we usually do it”

With established clubs and organizations, it’s easy to fall into a rut — especially where the annual banquet is concerned. While you’re certainly want to maintain any long-standing traditions or important points held by the club, don’t feel as though you need to create a carbon copy of last year, where only the names have changed. Be creative and think outside the norm. Your guests will appreciate the variety.

3. Add some visual drama

The easiest way to incorporate this is with a rental projector and a digital slide show. You can include photos, video, graphics — whatever images would be most appreciated in keeping with the theme and purpose of the event. Additional visual drama can be incorporated with flowers for centerpieces, or fun favors for guests. Use your imagination — the possibilities are endless.

No matter what kind of slide show you’re planning, remember to rent your projector from Projector123.com. Click here to discover why Projector123 is the fast, easy, hassle-free choice for rental projectors and slide show presentation equipment.

1. Plan an alternate location.

This may sound like an obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many corporate picnics result in dismal turnouts when unexpected weather shows up. Be sure your outdoor location has a shelter that will accommodate ALL participants, or else choose an “in case of rain” venue and make sure all participants know where to go at the appropriate time – no matter the weather.

2. Balance the structured with the unstructured.

While you don’t want to plan every minute of an event that’s designed to allow employees to mingle and socialize outside of working hours, you also don’t want the energy of the event to fall flat with a completely unstructured outing. Consider putting out various items or sporting equipment that would encourage some spontaneous fun (for example, frisbees, a volleyball net, soccer goals, bubbles and wands, etc.) Depending on how long your event is scheduled to last, you might want to limit the structured activity to just one event. For example, for a three- to four-hour picnic, the only structured event might be the “company volleyball game” about one to two hours into the event. Scheduling a group photo is also a great idea, and the ideal time to do this is about an hour into the event. Consider an “in case of rain” planned activity to keep everyone from getting stir-crazy under the shelter.

3. Bring a projector.

With a rental projector from Projector123.com and a makeshift screen, you can showcase memorable moments from the office, candid shots taken during the picnic (with a simple slide show creation application available through iPhoto, PowerPoint, etc.), or DVDs or funny short films for the kids. This also serves as an excellent “in case of rain” activity.
With Projector123.com, the possibilities are endless. Click here to discover why Projector123.com is the hassle-free solution for LCD rental projectors.

Ask for Input

When planning a retreat, seminar or religious education event, it pays to get some input. Even a short survey (you can try surveymonkey.com for free) of some of your likely participants or event registrants can help you find out exactly what people are looking to gain from the event. Give the people what they want, and they’re sure to be back for more.

Say It with Pictures

Images displayed on a hung white sheet or a blank wall can inspire, captivate, provoke, launch in-depth discussions or encourage deep introspection. With affordable rental rates as low as $99 per weekend, there are virtually countless uses for an LCD rental projector at your next gathering. Welcome participants with instructions, a soothing slide show or the weekend schedule; showcase relevant images during presentations, candid shots of participants during quiet time, or display beautiful pictures of nature during breaks or at any time throughout the event.

Give ‘Em Some Space

When the event ends, people will return to their busy lives; that’s why it’s so important to allow for plenty of quiet time during the events – this is where participants are free to journal, walk the grounds, meditate, listen to music, connect with other participants or otherwise allow the material covered during group session time to fully “sink in.” For many spiritual event attendees, these periods of downtime are when the most profound “a-ha” moments occur.

Closing Slideshow

When you’re ready to rent an LCD projector for your next spiritual gathering, trust the professionals at Projector123.com. We’ll give you a fair deal, and our personal guarantee that the entire experience will be hassle-free. Click here to get started.