Planning a family reunion can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, picnic in the park, or destination reunion, this guide has everything you need to get started. From downloadable family reunion invitations to food ideas, shirt themes, and games, we’re covering all the essentials to help you plan a memorable gathering. Keep scrolling to the end for a free download of our most popular family reunion invitation. Prefer to purchase custom-printed invites or need matching signage? We’ve got you covered in this article.
1. Choose a Family Reunion Theme
The right theme can bring your whole event together. Here are some fun ideas:
- Christmas in July – A quirky and fun choice for summer reunions!
- All-American BBQ – Think 4th of July and lemonade.
- Family Tree – Focus on heritage with a printed tree and stories.
- Watercolor Mountains – Warm-toned florals with misty peaks, and rustic charm—a great fit for reunions at a cabin, lodge, or national park.
Your theme will help guide your decorations, food, and activities—and our free printable family reunion invitation at the end of this article comes in our most popular style to match our family tree and gingham collection…making it easier for you to plan on a budget. I’ve also included a video tutorial for easy visual instructions.
2. Choose from Four Family Reunion Invitation Designs
Set the tone for your event with one of our signature watercolor invitation templates—designed by Victoria Grigaliunas of Do Tell A Belle. Order printable or printed invitations. They combine original hand-painted art with easy-to-edit text fields, giving you a professional look without the custom design fee. Design Themes Available:
Christmas in July: A fun and quirky family reunion theme featuring a joyful Santa on the beach, palm leaves and a surfboard.
All-American BBQ – Red-and-white blue, stars, and summer icons set the mood for a backyard gathering full of food and fun.
Family Tree – Our most popular gingham and tree in blues and greens, and a heritage-inspired layout—ideal for multi-generational celebrations and honoring your roots.
Watercolor Mountains – Our newest theme!
Looking for a freebie? Keep scrolling to the end of this post to download our most popular family reunion invitation design—for free! And check out our Free Family Reunion Planning Checklist below.
3. Free Family Reunion Planning Checklist
Stay on track with your planning using our simple downloadable checklist. Download the family reunion checklist in a PDF format.
4. Family Reunion Food Ideas
Here are some easy crowd-pleasing options:
Potluck Favorites: Mac & cheese, baked beans, deviled eggs
DIY Taco or Nacho Bar – Let guests build their own
Fruit Skewers & Cold Sides – Refreshing and easy
Dessert Table: Cookies, cupcakes, and “Grandma’s secret recipe” pies
Beverage Station: Lemonade, iced tea, and infused water
Tip: Assign dishes to attendees or use a Google Sheet to organize contributions.
5. Fun Family Reunion Activity Ideas
🧺 These are great for all ages:
- Family Trivia Game (customize with your last name!)
- Sack Races & Water Balloon Tosses
- Memory Wall with Photos
- DIY Family Time Capsule
- Talent Show or Open Mic
- Scavenger Hunt
- Personalized Cornhole Sets
6. Family Reunion Shirt Ideas
Designing shirts? Keep it simple, meaningful, and fun! Custom T-shirts make great keepsakes and help everyone feel like part of the crew.
Ideas for family reunion shirts:
- “The [Last Name] Bunch – 2025”
- “Still Crazy After All These Years”
- Add a family tree or map of your hometown
Want something personalized just for your family? Message me at DoTellABelle on Zazzle — I’m always happy to help with custom designs that match your reunion theme, colors, or vibe.
7. FAQs About Family Reunions
How often are family reunions?
Most families plan reunions every 1 to 5 years, depending on size, location, and availability.
What should be included in a family reunion invitation?
Your invite should include: the family name, date, time, location, RSVP contact, and any food or dress code notes.
What are the best printable family reunion invitations?
Ours, of course 😉—featuring original watercolor art, printable templates, and matching accessories available in our shop.
About Our Free Printable Family Reunion Invitation:
- Sized to print at 5×7” (fits standard A7 envelopes)
- Fully customizable with your family name, event details, RSVP, and more
- Best printed on 100lb white cardstock for a polished, high-quality finish
Click here to download your free printable pdf invitation.
Click here to download the instructions on how to edit my free printable invitations using Acrobat Reader.
Wrap-Up
Family reunions are a chance to reconnect, laugh, eat, and make new memories. With free printable invitations, checklists, and fun ideas, you’ll be all set to host an event your family will talk about for years to come.
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