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Mementos and Souvenirs
Reunion mementos and souvenirs can be cherished items and can also help defray some reunion expenses. These are some examples. What have you done that was a great success … or not … that you are willing to share with other reunion organizers? E-mail us.
Sweet treats to eat
Food is an integral part of any reunion. Planners agonize over whether to cater, potluck or eat out. Members struggle over which potluck favorite to bring – a scrumptious salad or delectable dessert. Diners calculate how much their plate can hold and decide what they need to sample first before it disappears and what can wait for a second trip! To keep members satiated between meals, three companies — Candy, Candy, Candy, Inc., Carson Enterprises, Inc. and GiftCatalog.com — offer unique sweets.
Carson Enterprises, Inc. offers custom-wrapped Hershey’s® chocolate bars in 5 sizes – standard Hershey’s bar, miniature, 4 ounces, 7 ounces or 5 pound! Print a wrapper with your family crest, military or school logo, place and date of your reunion, or include your family motto or military or class slogan — maybe even a picture of your ancestors, battleship or high school. After eating the chocolate, save the wrappers as a keepsake for your reunion scrapbook. View Carson Enterprise’s six standard reunion designs at www.ejcarson.com or get ideas from what others have done. Prices vary, depending on whether you provide your own artwork and size and quantity ordered. Original artwork can be accepted as a hard copy or digitally via e-mail. Expect at least 10 business days between order and delivery. In temperatures over 70Û, candy is shipped in coolers to preserve the chocolate’s quality. Carson also customizes labels for bubbles – a great reunion activity for kids and kids-at-heart.
Wireless®, a catalog and part of the GiftCatalog.com web site, also offers currently-manufactured nostalgic candy. The limited variety of items including Nut Goodies® and Nik-L-Nips®can be viewed at GiftCatalog.com, under the Wireless tab, click on "Sweet Treats." All are available in boxed or packaged quantities only at the prices shown with pictures of each product.
Dual duty: use reunion souvenirs and keepsakes to raise money
By Megan Moyer
Outfitting your reunion
T-shirts are a long-time reunion staple. They characterize unity and pride and are not complicated to coordinate. Collect everyone’s size, decide on t-shirt color(s) and design and find an experienced company that provides great service and quality, and fits your budget and timeframe. We contacted two companies that specialize in imprintable reunion clothing, Graystone Graphics and Hollopoint Design. Both have several standard family reunion designs, Graystone also has standard class and military reunion and genealogy designs. Their designs are customizable and both companies can also work with your artwork.
Decisions, decisions
Choosing t-shirt design and color(s) are the toughest decisions. The least expensive t-shirt colors are white, ash gray or natural which also happen to be the best backgrounds for colorful designs.
Listen to the experts as you make these changes. Michael Waite of Hollopoint Design says, "Don’t choose t-shirt and design colors that are too close in value, like royal blue and warm reds. Although they’re different colors, the values are so close that when used together, they tend to blend and detail is lost. Contrast is key, light with dark is best. White is the best canvas for full- and multi-color graphics."
At reunions of large families, different color t-shirts are often used to identify branches or generations. The Orth Family Reunion is every other year in Farmington, New Mexico, for great-grandma Orth's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They order their reunion t-shirts from Hollopoint. In the past they ordered different color shirts for the families of each of grandma's six children. But there never seemed to be enough acceptable choices and someone always got stuck with a color they didn’t like. New color choices offered by shirt manufacturers eased that problem. To avoid the hassle altogether, the Orths thought about using one color for everyone.
Hollopoint suggested a different shirt color for each of the four Orth generations. Embroidery threads are easily changed to complement different colors. Grandma got a white sweatshirt (she likes to stay warm), and her children and their spouses (the second generation) got indigo blue t-shirts. Grandchildren and their spouses (third generation) were outfitted in earth-toned green t-shirts and great-grandchildren (fourth generation) chased around in stone-washed navy blue. Babies drooled onto embroidered bibs.
So many to choose from
When it comes to reunion designs, both companies offer several standards, viewable on their web sites. They can be personalized with your family name, logo, reunion date, location or any other information. They can also use your original design. Many families choose photos of ancestors or a family tree.
Another alternative and truly unique keepsake is to print family members’ signatures in a design. Screenprinting signatures is Graystone Graphics specialty and most requested service. Signature Designs give every family member a feeling of involvement and kinship. Graystone offers signature sheets online. Ramona Stites of Graystone suggests, "If collecting signatures prior to your event isn’t possible, a good alternative is to typeset family members names. It still creates a sense of union."
The details
Collect everyone’s sizes and keep track of them so there is no confusion when it’s distribution time. Michael Waite of Hollopoint suggests, "You will invariably need to guess a size for one or more members, so guess big. T-shirts are typically worn oversize, they’re a casual-comfort garment, so loose is best. Going a size bigger is also common for outfitting growing kids."
Prices can range from $6.50 to $13.00 for t-shirts, $10.00 to $20.00 for sweatshirts. Ask about set-up fees and minimum order quantity. Then determine what you will charge members to raise reunion funds.
Turnaround time for an order on average is two to three weeks. Check with the company to ensure the color(s) you choose are available and ask for the company’s requirements if you are customizing a design or providing original artwork.
Hollopoint Design and Graystone Graphics both offer other imprintable alternatives — tote and duffel bags, aprons, hats, golf shirts and long-sleeve t-shirts.
Make your own
Hanes® T-ShirtMaker® Premier is a software program that allows you to design and create your own t-shirt, sweatshirt, fabric calendar, tote bag, ceramic stein, almost anything! It’s an intuitive program, and using the provided graphics, it can take under an hour to design your reunion t-shirt. Pick from 2,500 designs and 700,000+ images or create your own using personal photos or illustrations.
T-shirt companies
Graystone Graphics
800-451-1611
www.graystone-graphics.com
ARH Promotions
800-409-8396
www.arhpromotions.com
Great decoration and identification items
Reunion Mate specializes in decorative reunion products. Reunion theme items include a Welcome poster or banner (personalized with class or reunion year), colorful pennant and dazzler strips, as well as customizeable balloons, name badges, and table markers ... "Reserved for the Class of ‘78." Reunion committees will want to explore customized 2" x 7" ribbons that can be imprinted with your specifics: school name, graduation year, military division, motto or slogan, family name, reunion date and location. Choose ribbons to match your reunion decorations or coordinate with school or military colors. Selecting the same color ribbons can be a unifying memento or different colored ribbons can help identify family branches. It’s easy to identify old classmates or military buddies with name badge ribbons that have a 2" school, yearbook or military picture attached. You can also order special ribbons to identify committee members, teachers, special guests and spouses, and to acknowledge award-winners like the light-hearted "Who Came The Farthest" ribbon. Reunion Mate also authors a reunion planning newsletter and checklist, sharing tips and ideas for a successful event. The newsletter and a color brochure detailing various reunion items is free; call 800-208-6804; donklock@bright.net.
1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron
Members of the World War II 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadrons are thankful for military training enabling them to save lives rather than take them during their Mediterranean, India and Okinawa service. They were organized in 1943 by General Hap Arnold. Their annual Peoria, Illinois, reunions began in 1993. The group is small, 30 to 35 of about 100, who are still alive and physically able to travel each year to reminisce and renew friendships. Each year, organizer, Chuck Dill of Morton, Illinois, develops memorabilia of their service together. He incorporates their Squadron Insignia on lapel pins, paper weights, t-shirts and coffee mugs. This year Dill created "Tales of Terror," a book with stories by 40 or more members of their experiences, incidents and rescue missions flown during 1944-45. They saved 300 to 350 airmen ... Americans, British, French, Germans ... from the sea where they were left due to Germany bombing raids damage. Dill says, "Our ranks are thinning as are most WWII veterans. We lost over 40 members in the last eight years, not including those unable to attend due to age and physical condition. I have been fortunate to organize our group each year and have the support of many wartime friends. Without them, we have nothing."
Reunion goodies
Joyce E. Walters reports that for the Cazy-Smith Family Reunion in Chicago, they prepared souvenir packets including a family booklet and directory, family tree, ancestor profiles, a fan in the shape of a cowboy hat, pencils, notepads, magnets, Texas mugs, lotion and perfume samples, map of the city and local activities. The Potter Family Reunion theme in Wisconsin was cows which proved great fun from newsletters through reunion goodies. The state tourism office provided notepads and pencils with (what else?) cow images. There were cow erasers, stickers, toys and images everywhere. To keep with the theme some items had to be purchased but with an eye on sales. Family and friends stood in line for the "limit one to a customer" stuffed cows for $1.99 each and got just enough for the grandchildren. Lots of things for kids' goody bags can be found in stores that carry party goods for children’s birthdays. Include games and crafts that provide kids with activities even while they are still at the reunion. Include coloring books, crayons, colored markers and pencils, small, simple models, small individual games and games that can be played by many, balloons and stickers. Don't forget all the little samples and trinkets you receive or can pick up throughout the year. Establish a box or bag just to keep this collection, then raid it for your reunion. We have a (adult) friend who prefers one fast food restaurant's kids' meals and collects the toys throughout the year.
Quilted reward
Many reunion quilts we hear about are used for fundraising purposes ... for general funds to help pay for the reunion or to raise money for scholarships. So, we were delighted to learn this new twist. Sydney Gine's annual family reunion tradition is to have the host family provide six inch quilt squares to each family to decorate. Family seamstresses turn the squares into a finished quilt given as a reward to the hosts. Fine remembrance!
reported by Meg Cox, Princeton NJ
Bookmark loving reminder
A bookmark to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Nelson Family Reunion will be a pleasant reminder for members year round. Each year a theme is selected with the theme this year being quilts. In spite of inclement weather, about 75 members attended and made watching last year's reunion video a hit. shared by Ellen Nelson Catron, Charlotte C H VA
Buttons a hit!
Here's an idea we found at Badge-a-Minit's Web newsletter (buttons@badgeaminit.com). Ms. Kramms' father is a survivor of Iwo Jima. For one reunion, she made badges with the famous flag raising scene for him and his shipmates. Buttons were proudly worn during the three-day reunion and will be treasured.
R. Andrews is taking her turn at organizing the 1999 Hawn Family Reunion in Kendallville, Indiana. She's eagerly accepted the challenge of doing things never before done at their reunion. She's developing plagues to celebrate special reunion achievements; the youngest, oldest, ones who came furthest and the person with the most grandchildren in attendance. A dunk tank, horseshoes, bean bag toss, piñata and an egg roll will be special features.
Button Basics
By Rob Fish
Buttons are an inexpensive way to make your next reunion more fun and enjoyable. Why use buttons at your reunion?
There are bunches of reasons for using buttons. They are fun, inexpensive, show you're part of the group, can be used as name tags or awards and make long lasting mementos. Reunion buttons normally fall into one of three categories: group, name tag, or award. With a "group" button, everyone wears identical buttons. The button might say "Family Reunion 1998" and include the location, slogan or reunion theme. Ever talk with someone at a reunion, wondered who the heck they were, and later discover you'd been talking with the spouse? With color-coded name tag buttons, you can always know who is a member and who is a visitor or spouse. Award buttons add fun and good-natured laughter to a reunion. "Longest Trip," "Most Grandkids," "Most Time in the Service," and "Old Uniform Still Fits!" buttons can all be worn throughout the reunion. At our next family reunion, I'll be wearing the "Lost Most Hair Since Last Time" button. Regardless of the way they're used at a reunion, buttons make a long lasting memento. Long after the reunion, buttons provide a tangible reminder of good times, camaraderie and fellowship. Buttons can be pinned to a scarf, hat, or piece of clothing. They can be a attached to a bulletin board, displayed on a stand, or put on your refrigerator by using a magnet. Buying buttons
Before ordering buttons, decide which categories and quantities will best meet your needs. Buttons are inexpensive, but your choices will affect the total price of your order. An order for a quantity of name tag buttons (printed with individual names) will cost more than an order for the same quantity of identical buttons. With some companies, design charges and set-up fees add up quickly. Once you have an idea of your requirements, contact your button maker. Ask about turnaround time, quantity discounts, design charges, set-up fees, freight costs, taxes, procedures for ensuring all names are spelled correctly, and computer equipment compatibility (if you're going to create your artwork or a list of names). Most button makers will create artwork based on your description or sketch. Insist upon seeing a proof copy of the artwork before giving approval to assemble the buttons. Also be sure to see a proof copy of all names that will be put on buttons. If your rich Uncle Buck's name is spelled wrong, you want to catch and correct the error before he sees it and writes you out of his will. If you're ordering name tag buttons, order several without names. At your reunion, have an indelible pen and these extra buttons for anyone who didn't get a pre-printed button. Distributing buttons
Distributing the buttons can be part of the fun. You can mail them to allow members to wear the buttons as they travel (order extra blank buttons – because some members will forget to bring their buttons). If you're part of a large group, it can be pretty exciting to land at an airport with others who are going to the same reunion. Consider pulling name tag buttons randomly from a box as people arrive and pinning them on people's back. Members would have to find the person who belongs to the button by asking other people "yes/no" questions. For example "Is my person male?" "Did my person date Tommy Smith?" "Was my person involved in putting the Mayor's car in the city pool?" Have a group guessing game with the name tag buttons. Pull a button out of the box and give clues describing the individual until the correct name is guessed. As a variation, divide into teams and play Charades, guessing names on the buttons. Button bottom line
Your next reunion will be more fun and enjoyable if you use buttons. Look at the examples, let your imagination run wild, and have fun. After all, that's what reunions and reunion buttons are all about! About the author
Rob Fish, Customized Creations, is a small business marketing specialist. When not designing and making either buttons or decorative magnets, Rob is involved with web page design, desktop marketing, database marketing, and desktop publishing. He can be contacted at 614-889-5222; rob@ccreations.com; www.ccreations.com.
Button news ...
and button letters from reunions
Badge-a-Minit has a monthly email newsletter that's a great collection of ideas from users. It's a place for button enthusiasts to share ideas and get new ones. Editor Michael Roebuck encourages ideas and questions at buttons@badgeaminit.com – same place where you sign up for the newsletter. We asked their readers to share how buttons were used at their reunions. Their answers follow. Juanita Searcy reported that she made name tags in four colors for her family's first ever reunion in Tallahassee, Florida. She scanned an old photo of her mother and father, Lawrence and Myrtle Hughes, and used it in the center of the button. She also made "prize" button key rings for the oldest member, the youngest and the member who traveled the greatest distance. Also a first time reunion organizer, Pam Wodzicki budgeted extra money just in case something came up and decided to use it for a surprise at the Coombe Family Reunion. She looked at t-shirts but wasn't sure of sizes and did not think "older" folks would want to wear them. She made buttons using the family name, date and individual names on each. Her choice of buttons, she felt, combined easy recognition and is something everyone could take home and keep with photos and memories. Judy Lorensen made buttons for a family reunion camp. Diane Kramm made a reunion badge for her father's "Battle of Iwo Jima" reunion. He attends the gathering of veterans each year and is always looking for a "treat" to give his "shipmates." Her father witnessed the memorable symbol of the famous battle, the flag raising. That bit of history is near and dear to him so he wore the button proudly. She made enough for his shipmates, and the badges were a real hit. Bob Monasmith made buttons for his Army Veterans group reunion. Joyce A. Bay used senior year pictures for her 30-year class reunion in Cincinnati, Ohio, as did Maureen Palmer and Rachel M. Ninen at their 20-year reunions and Jim Ward for his grade school 50-year reunion. Palmer attached ribbons to the button's in school colors with names printed on the ribbons. If spouses went to the same school, they too had class pictures on their buttons. Ninen used her school colors for name tags with red paper and black/white photos. Mike Kerr also used pictures and attached green and gold ribbons. The night of the reunion, each classmate was given someone else's button, and had to find that person. Kerr says, "There was a "no helping" policy, it was hilarious! A great ice-breaker." Dennis Schroeder reported that his dad's 50th class reunion used class pictures on name buttons and when everyone commented how little he'd changed, Dennis's dad said, "So in high school I looked like a 68-year-old man?" Laurel VanLeer is member of the Cook/CAES Alumni Association (one of the undergraduate colleges at Rutgers University, New Jersey). They made buttons for their annual reunion called "Ag Field Day" (for Agricultural – Cook is a School of Agriculture and Environmental Science.) They give buttons to anyone who fills out an alumni survey and to their children. The kids really want the buttons so mom or dad take time to do the paperwork. People see buttons on their friends around campus and seek out the alumni association to get one for themselves. They have several button styles: 1. Class Year – Traditional: "Class of XX", association name, phone number and college logo.
2. Class Year – Sticker: "Class of XX" with a large blank area for people to personalize the button with a sticker; stickers include ag, environmental and science themes – Holstein cows and the Earth are most popular.
3. Kids, Spouses, Friends: They have a number of button blanks that say "My Mommy/Daddy Graduated from Cook College" and "I'm a Cook Aggie." By popular request, they're considering adding "My Wife/Husband/Aunt/Uncle/Grandmother/Grandfather Graduated from Cook College."
Button, button – care to share your buttons?
If you used some clever button ideas for your reunion, please share them. A sample will help us understand. Send to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211-0727.
More Buttons & Badges in Reunion Resources.
Some autumn thoughts for a special kind of reunion
As you prepare your garden for winter and divide bulbs or tubers, share them with family. Then, as your contributions pop up perennially, your family can recall your generosity. If all the gardeners in your family do the same, you can recall your family tree in blooms and plants ... tulips from your mother, herbs from grandma, raspberries from your aunt. If your irises are prize winners, cellophane wrap some bulbs for the reunion auction and tie with ribbon the color of the flowers.
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