Family Newsletter

[CrimsonTide4]

Last year at our family reunion, we decided to create a family newsletter. My cousin wants my help in writing articles and what not. I just came up with a family reading list -- shoot me, I like to read -- for all ages and am going to do a family word search puzzle, but I need more ideas.

Do any of you have family newsletters? What's in them besides birthdays and anniversaries?

[lovehaiku84]

I have a very big family and I thought of this very same thing but I really like the idea of a family website. My Dad's side has one and I think it's a great way of staying connected with distant relatives. On myfamily.com they have a section where you can post photos, set up a family tree, post announcements (graduations, weddings, etc.), post family recipes and so on. Hope that was of some help

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by lovehaiku84

I have a very big family and I thought of this very same thing but I really like the idea of a family website. My Dad's side has one and I think it's a great way of staying connected with distant relatives. On myfamily.com they have a section where you can post photos, set up a family tree, post announcements (graduations, weddings, etc.), post family recipes and so on. Hope that was of some help

This is my dad's side of the family as well.

We have a family website too with mostly just pictures. I won't step on that family member's toes and offer to revamp that.

We have a family tree that shows the basics and our family is so huge that it would take a lot to show the expanded parts.

We do share those types of announcements as well as the birthdays and anniversaries. I am in the process of having folks complete a basic census form so we can celebrate birthdays from all sides of the family, not just the birthdays my cousin knows off the top of her head.

I'm mainly thinking of article topics that my cousin wants me to write. She wanted me to write about what I do at my job which is fine because it can help some family members out, but I want to be able to make the newsletter something that gets read.

[lovehaiku84]

I see. Um, what about like a Memories section? You could ask family members to e-mail in any special memories/funny stories that they have and for the first edition of the newsletter you could be the one to share. My granfather (mom's side) has 10 brothers and sisters and one year for a reunion someone put together a booklet where they all shared a little story about growing up (my grandfather talked about the time he got into it with the family mule!) and it was really interesting to read. Has your cousin mentioned any other topics she'd like you to write about?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by lovehaiku84

I see. Um, what about like a Memories section? You could ask family members to e-mail in any special memories/funny stories that they have and for the first edition of the newsletter you could be the one to share. My granfather (mom's side) has 10 brothers and sisters and one year for a reunion someone put together a booklet where they all shared a little story about growing up (my grandfather talked about the time he got into it with the family mule!) and it was really interesting to read. Has your cousin mentioned any other topics she'd like you to write about?

This is a great idea! Thanks!! This will be the 3rd newsletter but the first time she's asked me to write something.

[lovehaiku84]

You are welcome! Oh, ok. How often is the newsletter produced?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by lovehaiku84

You are welcome! Oh, ok. How often is the newsletter produced?

I think she is aiming for every other month so this is the February one where I plan to have a Black History section as well.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

My sister and I did one. Other than the things you already have in yours, we had pictures and announcements (i.e. upcoming graduations, birthdays, etc). We had a section talking about the plans for our next reunion, like when we would be meeting to plan it, etc. We also solicited submissions from family members on things they wanted to include in the next letter.

I like the family recipe idea, whoever said that. Thats a good idea.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by SKEEphistAKAte

My sister and I did one. Other than the things you already have in yours, we had pictures and announcements (i.e. upcoming graduations, birthdays, etc). We had a section talking about the plans for our next reunion, like when we would be meeting to plan it, etc. We also solicited submissions from family members on things they wanted to include in the next letter.

I like the family recipe idea, whoever said that. Thats a good idea.

We do that too -- family reunion plans, send us ideas -- but people are ignoring that part.

I'll mention the memories and recipe part as we do have great cooks in our family.

[1908Revelations]

I was going to mention the funny stories, but you all beat me to it.

Also you can talk about in Fedruary you do a Love Connection story or two. You can do a story about how Uncle John and Aunt June met and have his side and her side of the story. Those are often funny and if you have uncles like mine they lie and say they were the smoothest guys in the whole country and the aunt could not resist him.....LOL!

ETA
Also A Q&A on someone. You can ask them serious questions about education, work, family, and fun questions like favorite color, worst job, first car ect. This may help people buy good presents if they know what people like.

[lovehaiku84]

Hey, the Love Connection section sounds like a great idea! I was the one who mentioned the recipes (an idea I stole from our family website). Personally, I like being able to create a meal/dish from the recipes of loved ones who have passed on. Like I never got to meet my father's mother, but I can still make some of the same foods that she did.