Spending time with our loved ones is a great way to relax, recharge and connect with what makes our hearts and souls happy. Whether it’s a weekly, monthly, seasonal or quarterly affair, family gatherings are more than just a reminder that you care. Let’s take a look at some family gathering ideas and the essentials you need to make it a memorable experience for everyone.
Bring the family together
Bringing all your loved ones together may sound like an easy feat, but in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, days quickly turn into weeks, and weeks can quickly turn into months and before you know it, the year has nearly passed. This is why it’s of utmost importance to make time for your loved ones on the regular so you can be sure not to miss a milestone or moment of their life.
Making time to catch up with your family during your busy schedule doesn’t have to be an all-day endeavour; although it can be, sometimes a few hours are all you need to catch up and feel the love. When it comes to family gathering ideas, we’ve listed a few below to get the inspiration going for your next family get-together.
Movie night: There’s nothing quite like a bit of escapism, and movies are a great way to forget about your worries for a few hours and give the family something to talk, or fight, about for the next few gatherings. Whether you take the family out to the cinema or watch something in the comfort of your home, a movie night is always a treat! Gather the fam, choose a film, enjoy a few hours of, hopefully, peace and quiet, and let yourself be transported into another reality. Once the movie is done, you can all gather around over something sweet and chat about your shared experience. But the most important part of movie night is, of course, the snacks! Make sure you stock up on all the essentials before embarking on your journey because there’s nothing worse than reaching over for something sweet and it being all gone.
Games night: Get the family in the competitive spirit with a games contest of note! Choose your favourite games, whether they’re board games, tabletop games, or console games, and get everyone involved in fighting for their right to bragging rights. You can keep it light and fun or turn it into a family tournament where you all battle it out through the year to see who the reigning champs will be at the end. Or, you can make it an annual institution at seasonal family occasions. Whatever your games of choice, you can never go wrong with a bit of friendly family competition.
Go for a picnic: Take the family outside, if the weather permits, and enjoy some sunshine and good food with great company. Stock up on all your picnic essentials, take a drive and pick the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the day together.
A catch-up over dinner: A simple but effective family gathering idea is to bribe, we mean to bring, the family together with some good food. When it comes to inexpensive meals for large groups, the choices are endless. You can spend a day cooking up a feast, pick up a ready-to-heat feast on your way home, or even order in if you don’t have the time. Whether you cook up a storm or order in a family favourite, there’s really no better way to enjoy each other's company than over a good hearty meal together.
A feast fit for a family
Since bringing the family together over a feast is most of our go-to family gatherings, let’s take a look at some of the essentials you’ll need to enhance your family time together and make it one to remember.
It all starts with the setting. Turn every family gathering into an occasion with a few clever buys and set the scene so everyone can relax and take in the time together. Add a few seasonal touches to the table, such as a party tablecloth and a flower vase of your favourite flowers, to set the scene and get everyone in the mood for a little family fun. Never underestimate the power of the small touches to give a gathering a feeling of something more and encourage everyone to let their hair down and join in on the festivities.
For the host with the most
If you’re attending a family gathering at a loved one's home, it’s always a good idea not to show up empty-handed. Come prepared with something small to show your appreciation, and maybe score some extra brownie points with the host. Maybe it’s a card to show your appreciation, a bouquet of flowers, or a bottle of their favourite drink, and extra points are up for grabs if you take the time to gift wrap it or pop it into a gift bag.
Final words
No matter how you choose to spend time with your loved ones, bringing a little something extra along will show them just how much they mean to you, and it is also a great conversation starter. Whether you’re the host with the most or hosting your very first family gathering, it’s important to remember the real reason for the occasion - to slow down and connect with those you care most about.