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Best Ideas For Class Reunions
-Ron Victor
For some people class reunion act as
a ritual of passage, while for others it may seems like a painful reminder of
time marching on. No matter what your personal take on a class reunion, you
could generally count on getting an invitation every five years or so. Preparing
yourself for a group retreat involves a number of emotional, logistical and
financial considerations you would not find on the official initiation from your
high school class reunion committee.
It is not strange to have mixed feelings about attending a class or camp
reunion. While the option of getting in touch with previous friends could be
even exciting, there is too the opportunity of regeneration former rivalries.
One means to prepare for a class reunion expressively is to maintain your
expectations realistic. Five and ten year reunions could be particularly
variable, since many of the people that are taking part are fresh college
graduates or young adults stressed to set up themselves. During any class
reunion, attendees might also feel compelled to go back to your old ways to
their apparent high school roles as a kind of defense mechanism.
One deliberation when setting up for a class reunion is logistics. The formal
invitation must comprise times and dates of the event itself, but moving and
accommodation are your responsibility. You might have to request numerous days
of vacation or delicate time from your employer. Your partner might as well have
to make particular arrangements in order to escort you to the class reunion.
Travel could mean stuffing the family car or setting aside tickets for the
adjacent airport to the venue. Some attendees may contact former friends that
yet live in the area for overnight housing.
Economically, the price of a class reunion could be prohibitive. Besides the
touring expenses, the price of the tickets is frequently substantial. There
might as well be other events planned all through the reunion weekend, each with
their own costs. Be prepared to budget additional money for activity, food and
beverages. The most important thing to bear in mind is to live in the moment
when possible. A class reunion could be a very optimistic and memorable
milestone in any adult's life.
Class Reunion Cold Feet? Top 7
Tips to Beat the Stress and Enjoy Your Reunion Party
-Linda Kling
You've been invited to your high
school class reunion. That's exciting! Then, why are you getting butterflies in
your stomach when you think about it? You may even be hesitating, wondering if
you should attend. Don't be so quick to dismiss that invite. You might just miss
something really wonderful. Here are seven easy ways to alleviate the stress and
have a great time at your reunion party.
1. Realize you're not the only one who's nervous. If your school is typical,
only 20 - 30 percent of your classmates will attend your reunion party. Of
course, some have legitimate reasons for not being there. But a lot of people
simply get cold feet. The results of a survey conducted by Roper Starch
Worldwide (1991) indicated that only 22 percent of adults expect that attending
a class reunion would be a "good time". The rest are viewing that invitation
with a bit of anxiety or even dread. Just about everyone is uneasy about facing
their old high school class. But, knowing that the people at the party will be
in the same boat and probably feeling as nervous as you, helps level the playing
field.
2. Decode your anxiety. If you figure out exactly why you're nervous, it can
help you deal with it. When you visualize getting together with former
classmates, what are you afraid might happen? Do you think they will judge you
for not measuring up to some standard of beauty or success? If you zero in on
the cause of your apprehension, you can start to work on it.
3. Be realistic. You're not perfect. Neither is anyone else. Everyone is getting
older. At the reunion party, there will be classmates that have lost their hair,
gone grey, put on weight, gone through a divorce, lost their job, made bad
decisions or are hurting financially. And they will be nervous that you're going
to judge them. Sure, there will be one or two people there, looking unbelievably
good and bragging about their fortune. But most of people at the reunion will
normal, imperfect human beings that are hoping to reconnect with old friends and
have a good time.
4. Build your confidence ahead of time. Strive to eat healthier and get more
exercise. Take care of yourself. Buy something new and flattering to wear at the
party. But you don't need to take drastic steps to alter your outer appearance.
Instead, concentrate on cultivating your sense of self worth and appreciate what
makes you special.
5. Lower your expectations. Not everyone will remember you. That's OK, you won't
remember a lot of people, either. Seeing that old high school sweetheart again,
might be a let down. Everyone has changed, so the old gang might not be what it
used to be. Don't pin your hopes on anything in particular. If you're prepared
to just enjoy the festivities, you won't be disappointed.
6. Rekindle old school friendships BEFORE the reunion. One of the best ways to
get over these jitters, is to get in touch with a few former classmates before
the party. Your reunion website should have contact information for people who
will be attending the event. Reach out by email or phone and arrange to get
together, if possible. Then plan to attend the event together. If you've already
broken the ice and are comfortable with some old friends, you won't feel as
stressed when facing the others you haven't seen for years.
7. Go for the right reasons. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old
friends. There may be people there that you never met or overlooked in high
school who could become new friends. Take a trip down memory lane and revisit
the good old days. Go, with confidence, and have a lot of fun.
Yes, there's no doubt about it. You are bound to feel a little nervous about
attending your class reunion party. Just realize that your other classmates are
feeling the same way and would really like to see you again. So, don't
disappoint them. Go confidently, with your head held high and have a great time.
You will be so glad you did!
Big Class Reunion Turnout - 5
Proven Ways to Increase Attendance at Your Reunion Party
-Linda Kling
A
class reunion is usually considered a success if there's a big turnout. But did
you know that the average number of former classmates that attend a typical
reunion is between 20 to 30 percent? Of course, you're hoping to attract more
than that 30 percent of your graduating class to your event. These five tips
will help you achieve that goal.
1. Send out save the date cards. These should go out to every former student
whose address you can find by regular mail as soon as you set the date. This
serves as your announcement that you're planning a class reunion. It gives
everyone plenty of time to circle their calendars for this special event. But
most important of all, it should provide details of where they can find further
information.
Your save the date cards can be simple and inexpensive. Your former classmates
will still get the message. But if you want real impact, you might want to go
with something a little more creative. How about a photo of your school with a
list of fun facts from your graduating year? If someone on your committee is
good with computer graphic design, you could set this up yourself. Or you can
find an online company to do it for you.
2. Locate as many classmates as possible. Obviously, this is a logical step. The
more people you invite, the greater your attendance. But it is easier said than
done. People move away. Female students may get married and change their last
name. So, start with old reunion lists. Look up former classmates online. Make
phone calls to anyone in your town with the same last names of missing students.
They could be turn out to be parents or other family members.
But perhaps the best way to find members of your graduating class is to offer a
prize. Let the people you've already found know there's a contest to see who can
discover the whereabouts of the most former classmates. Whether you award a free
ticket to the reunion or another prize donated by a local business in exchange
for free advertising, this generates incentive for others to get behind your
cause. They have a fun and friendly competition to try to win and you end up
with more contact information.
3. Create a reunion website. This is essential as your ongoing method to update
your fellow classmates on all the particulars for the event. But it is also a
powerful tool to inspire enthusiasm for attending. Scan photos from your old
yearbook and put them on the site. Ask people to email you memories from the old
high school days and keep adding them . Have a page for missing classmates to
let everyone know who still hasn't been located. Add trivia from your graduating
year, old song lyrics, anything to spark reminiscing. Think of ways to bring
people back again and again to your website, such as including polls and
contests. After you've sold tickets, include a page with a list of who's
attending.
4. Reduce the price of the ticket. If you want more people to attend, make it
affordable. This takes a little effort, because you have to shop around for the
best prices. That doesn't mean you have to skimp on quality, just be practical.
For example, a DJ playing all the top hits from your graduating year (or even a
classmate who is an amateur DJ) may be more desirable than hiring a band, and
probably less expensive. You don't have to spend five dollars or more on reunion
favors and giveaways, instead browse online until you find something cool for a
couple of bucks. Let the bargain hunters on your committee do the ground work.
5. Generate excitement. You might decide to do something different, like build
the reunion around a theme, such as a tropical luau, western or winter
wonderland. Make sure you plan plenty of entertainment that will appeal to your
former classmates, and let them know about it. Send emails with the latest news,
reminding everyone to check out the most recent additions to your website. Use a
little creativity and you'll create a buzz that this an event that can't be
missed.
Yes, it's a lot of work to get this right. But just imagine the satisfaction you
will have when you see so many of your old friends at your class reunion. Isn't
it worth it to hear your classmates say, "what a great turnout!"?
Class Reunion Favors and
Souvenirs - 10 Top Do's and Don'ts For Finding the Right Giveaways
-Linda Kling
If
you're planning a class reunion, you may be looking for some new ideas for
unique favors. Will you be sending home your classmates with cool souvenirs that
remind them of a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends? Or will those
party giveaways end up in a box in the attic or the trash? Here are the top do's
and don'ts to help you find class reunion favors that everyone will love.
1. DON'T do the same old thing. Items like imprinted pens, shot glasses, mugs,
water bottles and mouse pads have been done over and over again. There's nothing
wrong with them, but they have no wow factor. If you want to give your
classmates a memorable memento to bring home, then think outside the box.
2. DO choose useful. Forget the imprinted stress ball. It will end up in the
back of a drawer. Instead focus your search on finding class reunion favors that
everyone can use. There are lots of things that you can have personalized that
are also practical. How about a pocket magnifier, mini flashlight, memo board or
little sewing kit? Search for fun, but functional items like a Frisbee,
backscratcher, mini spiral notebook or pocket mirror.
3. DO consider seasonal. If you're having your reunion in the spring, an
imprinted ice cream scoop, sand pail or pocket fan may be appropriate. If the
party is in the fall, you might want to go with an ice scrapper or holiday
ornament.
4. DO think retro. Your high school reunion will be a time when all of your
classmates will be remembering the good old days. Play up the nostalgia with
party souvenirs that boost the reminiscing. Custom CDs with songs from your
graduating year is one possibility. Another idea is personalized year you
graduated notebooks, magnets or bookmarks that feature prices, top songs, TV
shows, winners in film and sports from your graduating year. Give out these
favors and conversations will spark.
5. DO look into something edible. This is always a crowd pleaser. There are many
options for every budget. All your reunion information could be printed in your
school colors on a candy bar wrapper that covers a gourmet chocolate bar. Or you
could select a mint tin with a custom reunion design on the cover. Some of these
tins even come with premium chocolates or other candies. How about hot chocolate
mix? You could have cookies made with your school and class year written in
icing on the top. Do a little online browsing and you'll find everything from
personalized M&Ms to fortune cookies with your message.
6. DON'T spend a lot of money. Unique doesn't have to mean expensive. Invest
some time online searching for these giveaways for your classmates. You should
be able to find something great for a couple of dollars for each souvenir.
7. DON'T wait too long. Favors may not be the most important part of the class
reunion party, but if you procrastinate, you might find yourself limited to what
you can get on short notice. Keep in mind that custom, imprinted items will take
longer to receive than products that aren't personalized.
8. DO seek inspiration. Check online forums and reunion websites for other
people's ideas. They have an abundance of information and advice. Also ask
friends and coworkers for suggestions.
9. DON'T consider a favor that would exclude anyone. For example, imprinted golf
tees are fun, functional and unique. But they wouldn't appeal to people who
don't play golf. When deciding on reunion souvenirs, ask yourself whether or not
this would be something that all of your classmates could use.
10. DON'T let it drive you crazy. These little giveaways at your reunion party
are meant to be fun. Choose something you think your classmates will like, and
then don't second guess your decision.
You really can find class reunion favors that will be the hit of the party. You
don't have to go with the same old thing or spend a lot of money. Just give
yourself a little time, do some online searching, check out reunion websites and
forums and it won't be long until you discover fun, functional and unique
souvenirs for your classmates.
Reunion Details: When, Where, How?
