OT: High School Reunions

[lilyelayne]

Soooo looks like I'm planning my 10 year high school reunion. It's this fall. I went to DH's 10 year and it was hella lame, so I'm looking for some inspiration.
My graduating class contained 42 people, we were all quite close, and only a few people have dropped off the map in the ensuing decade.

Did you go to your HS reunion?
Things you liked?
Things you didn't?

[mels823]

I did not go to mine so I am of no help!!

[mels823]

Not even sure why I posted, because that is the least helpful post I have ever written! Can you tell I am so bored at work??

[cloe111479]

We had a good 5 year one but our 15 year one fell flat. People didn't want to spend the money on essentially people they still talk to on Facebook or every day. So make it fairly inexpensive or you may have an issue.

[flyster]

How about college reunions...cause I just went to my 10 year for that. time flies babies, time flies

[mishka29]

I feel like high school or college reunions are a very American thing. I've never heard of anyone going to one up here in the north.

[junebugjam]

I went to my 10 year. It was at a bar on the boardwalk, but it was kinda pricey so the turnout wasn't great. (I think we had less than 100 people out of a 500+ graduating class.) I felt like the food we got wasn't really worth what we paid, but I think it was open bar if I remember correctly, so that was nice.

Someone coordinated a slideshow of people's old high school photos and they played it on a big screen. That was fun.

[mrsclark731]

Negative. Anyone that is worth talking to is on FB or Insta. I graduated with 250+ in my class.

But--you did say it was a small group of people that were relatively close. In that case, it might be fun for everyone to catch up. Like PP have said keep it cheap and people will come.

[GeekBeagle]

I went to mine. It was honestly kind of lame. My class was like 82 people, so also small. It was held the deserted upstairs of the local golf course which had previously been a banquet hall and restaurant. I didn't like that we had to pay a lot of money to have crappy food catered in. I also didn't care for the music intended for people to dance to. I for one don't dance and nobody really did until they got drunk. I would have just preferred softer background music that you can easily talk over. I did like that it was BYOB because it was cheaper and you could ensure that there was something you'd like there. The only thing with that is you have to make sure that everyone is responsible and doesn't drink too much and try to drive. Our event had no staff or supervision, but there were no problems that I know of.

[mommadozer]

My ten year reunion was scheduled last fall. The senior class president tried planning this prom event on a river boat, with appetizers, booze and a DJ.

This small group of classmates said they would go and wanted this big party. Of course, these are the people that were not involved in high school student government or sports and was a very small group of people that everyone did not know. Well, she books the event and guess what, no one wants to pay $75 a person! Duuuuuhhhh. So, she cancels the event after paying a hefty non-refundable deposit and now we have no money to plan future reunions.

We should of just gone to a restaurant, ordered some appetizers with the money and everyone pay for their own booze.

[seamonster]

I went to mine, but couldn't get DH to go with me. Going alone was a bummer, even though he knew no one there.

I liked seeing people I hadn't seen or been in touch with since HS. Not friends, but people I had a lot of classes with. Also got to meet some friends' spouses and see their kids (fb friends now, not close friends).

There was a picnic that kids were welcome to and some of the teachers came to. At night there was a party at a restaurant with appetizers and a free drink. No program kind of thing or awards.

I graduated in a class of 500. I didn't even know most of the people that I took classes with, so not a whole lot of excitement.

[lilyelayne]

Thanks for the input, ladies! They had a band at DH's reunion and no one danced, so it was just loud music that was hard to talk over.

Cheap & not too complicated. I think we can do that.

[michelle142]

It was awful. It was at a bar and there was no food.

Definitely have food! I would offer the option of a sit down dinner and a reception (with the option to attend only the reception/social part).

And booze is always a plus

[WittyLittle]

Ours never happened. I went to an international school so its really hard for everyone to coordinate getting back from around the world

I would really have liked to go though!
Eta: reading all these stories i didnt realise there were so many options! Definitely cheap and cheerful in my book. keeps it from being a non-atmospheric show off parade. Haha makes me think of Family Guy... cowboy astronaut billionnaire

[Mom2Ms]

Here's my two cents:

I went to my 10 year. It was lame. Lame. Lame. Lame. Why? Because it was set up by one of the religious people, at the high school to ensure no one drank. I grew up in a religion (I'm no longer practicing) that was very, very strict. No drinking. No caffeine. Ect. I thought it was lame to do that. Make sure you make it inviting for EVERYONE.

When my 20 year came along, I tried to help plan, so that it didn't suck. I thought it was important to have a nice dinner (adults only) and then a family day BBQ the next. Find yourself a decent restaurant. It doesn't have to cost $100 a head. Make it nice. Make it so women can put some heels on if they like. People who want to have a glass of vino can. Call around. Get a set menu for the meals. At some restaurants buffet style isn't that bad. Have that part on a Friday or Sarurday night. Then pick a nice park for the family stuff. BBQ. Get a bouncy house.

No one listened to me for our 20 year last year. I had planned a $70,000 wedding for well more than less than half of that, so I was at the top of my game when it came to haggling. Instead, they threw it at some divey type restaurant/bar where the "finger steaks" and bud light were the highlight of the menu. The family day was at a park that was basically just a field, with some BBQ pits. Needless to say, I didn't spend the money for 3 plane tickets to send my fat pregnant ass along with my family to the reunion. People will pay for good food for a reunion, as long as it isn't ridiculous. Search & haggle.

[Mom2Ms]

Oh yeah- cocktail hour... You could either do it the night of the dinner.... OR you could do a cocktail hour on a different day. Like cocktails on Friday night. Dinner Saturday. Family stuff Sunday. You'd reach a broader part of your class with 3 days. And no one could really feel left out in that scenario.