Do you enjoy going to big family reunions or do you desperately try to get out of going to them?



We went to one over the weekend in East Tennessee where all my husbands family on his fathers side live. I didn't want to go because I only know a few of his fathers relatives and I find it hard to make small talk with so many people that I don't really know. Does anyone else run into this type of problem?

Believe it or not, we've never really had a family reunion but I love going up to New Jersey and spending time with my aunts & cousins.

But I can totally understand your dilemma. I think I'd be uncomfortable trying to talk to people you don't even know, especially if you encounter somebody who talks about things you really have absolutely no interest in!!!(I got that lat night with a stranger and while he was talking, I'm thinking 'how did I get myself into this?'lol)

I never cared for them. A lot of my husband's family has a habit of ignoring me, while fawning over him. I stopped going years ago.

We'd have to pull in people that even my parents have never met to have enough people to have a reunion. We had a sort-of reunion when I was maybe 8? Seemed fun at 8, but now, I'm pretty sure I'd try my best to get out of one. Sad, but I've never been hugely family oriented, unless it was immediate family. And my immediate family here in town is rather small now that my great grandparents and great uncle are gone. And my great aunt moved to Texas.

I would love to go to a family reunion for my mom's side of the family, again. They're alot of fun.

My dad's side of the family, not so much. There are only a few cousins I really care to see.

well I actually love going to family gatherings on my mom's side I love talking with my cousins and telling jokes to my aunts and uncles.
Not really to fond of going to family gatherings reguarding my dad's side. Don't get me wrong I love all of my family but more people on my mom's side are more my age as the people on my dad's side are way older than me.

well I actually love going to family gatherings on my mom's side I love talking with my cousins and telling jokes to my aunts and uncles.
Not really to fond of going to family gatherings reguarding my dad's side. Don't get me wrong I love all of my family but more people on my mom's side are more my age as the people on my dad's side are way older than me.

That sounds like my family as well. I had a couple uncles and an aunt on my father's side of the family that were my favorites but are gone now, a few cool cousins, but the rest are much older and are just plain weird. One aunt used to like to discuss her health issues in great detail at dinner. :rolleyes:

My mom's family has cousins that are alot closer in age. They have alot of great stories and a terrific sense of humor.

Do you enjoy going to big family reunions or do you desperately try to get out of going to them?



We went to one over the weekend in East Tennessee where all my husbands family on his fathers side live. I didn't want to go because I only know a few of his fathers relatives and I find it hard to make small talk with so many people that I don't really know. Does anyone else run into this type of problem?

Believe me, I hear you. We had one here about a month ago, and I was pretty bored. I didn't even want to go in the first place. We invited a lot of people that we're related to very, very distantly, so I didn't even know them. That was pretty awkward. Def. not the most fun I've ever had. LOL

- Kristen

I'm another who prefers reunions on Moms side, mainly because that side of the family has always been "big" on the "extended family" idea, whereas Dads side tend to prefer the "immediate family" thing, and thus, in any LARGE gathering, Dads side of the family all seem uncomfortable with each other and that hardly makes it a whole lot of fun. :lol:

My advice to you annball is, go to the reunion , play the games,eat, and generally participate. Go ahead and meet these strangers, youll never have a better chance to get to know them! :)

I like them in a nice organized manner. I have ran into several family reunions in amusement parks--those are just straight out cheesy. Come on now, they have shirts and all.

My husbands family all have a history together and I feel like an outsider. But I do try to strike up conversations, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But truthfully I'd rather just stay home. Now my family on the other hand, hardly ever have reunions.

Come on now, they have shirts and all.

My family would NEVER wear a shirt like that. I have an uncle who would tell them where to stick it too.