Silver Dollar Game for Your Independence Day Party

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Aunt Mo

We have a Independence Day tradition in our family- Whenever we get together for a family or reunion or party around Independence Day we play the “Silver Dollar” game. The Silver Dollar game is a game my Mom invented to encourage us to remember our American history and important United States facts.

Mom would ask a US history question and the first one to get the answer right would get a sliver dollar. Mom has a fun way off tossing the silver dollar to the winner- I’m not sure how to describe, it but basically she just tosses it to the family member that has the correct answer to the question.

Plan to play the Silver Dollar game at your Independence Day family reunion or party. Don’t have Silver Dollars? How about using 50 states quarters, red, white and blue taffy, or patriotic pencils?

Warning: If you’re family is competitive, like mine is, you may have to assign someone to be the judge and determine who is the first to raise their hand and watch out- even if you do get the answer right someone may just reach out and snatch your prize right out of the air, Oh well, it’s just part of the game and family fun!

Below are a list of questions you can use for your Silver Dollar game:

1. What is the title of the National Anthem?

Answer: The Star Spangled Banner

2. Which rights is guaranteed by the first amendment

Answer: Freedom of Religion

3. What is the title of the head of a city government

Answer: Mayor

4. Who has the ability to declare war?

Answer: The Congress

5. How many full terms may a Senator serve?

Answer: No term limits for Senators

6. How many full terms can a President serve?

Answer: 2

7. How many years is a full term for a Representative?

Answer: 2

8. Which amendment sets the minimum voting age to 18?

Answer: 26th

9. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?

Answer: The Speaker of the House

10. On July 4th, 1776 we declared Independence from whom?

Answer: Great Britain

11. How many branches of government do we have?

Answer: 3

12. Which is part of the Judicial branch at the federal level?

Answer: The Supreme Court

13. Who elects the President of the United States?

Answer: The Electoral College

14. How many states are there?

Answer: 50

15. How many stripes are there on the American Flag?

Answer: 13

16. Who was the President of the United States during the civil war?

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

17. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
Answer: The Preamble

18. Who is the President of the United States?

Answer: Barack H. Obama

19. Who is the current Vice President of the United States?

Answer: Joe Biden

20. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

Answer: to find religious freedom

21. How many total Senators are there?

Answer: 100

22. The Constitution has how many Amendments?

Answer: 27

23. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson

24. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements.

Answer: Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

25. How many Presidents have been impeached

Answer: 2 Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

26. What is the Official Language of the United States?

Answer: None

27. Who was the first Vice President of the United States?

Answer: John Adams

28. Who said "Give me liberty or give me death?"

Answer: Patrick Henry

29. How many Presidents were assassinated while in office?

Answer: 4 Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, John F. Kennedy.

30. Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?

Answer: Yes, but only in an emergency. "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

Fun Father’s Day Party Ideas

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Aunt Mo

Father’s Day is this Sunday – what better way to honor fathers than throwing a Father’s Day party? Invite all the fathers in your life to join you for some Father’s Day fun and be sure to deck them out in a M & M bow tie as they compete in a Father’s Day Relay Race.

Bow Tie

For each tie you need: one bag of M & M’s, a length of yarn long enough to tie around Dad’s neck and a chenille pipe cleaner.

1. Stretch the yarn out horizontally on a table in front of you.

2. Take the package of M&M’s and kind of squeeze the middle, moving the candy equally to the sides.

3. Place the package on top of the yarn in the middle of the length. The package and the yarn will both be horizontal.

4. In a circular fashion, wrap the chenille stem around the middle of both the M&M’s and the yarn. Tuck in the ends of the chenille stem. The tie is now ready for Dad!

Father’s Day Video

As family members arrive at the party quietly take the children, one at a time, to a secluded room and ask each child to talk about his or her dad. Record this on video tape to be played back after the fun and games. Give children some ideas about what to talk about; What is the most fun activity you’ve ever done with your dad, tell something funny about your dad, what does your dad do at work etc. This can be very funny because, as we all know, kids say the darndest things! Serve soda pop (Dad’s root beer) and popcorn while watching the completed video.

Father’s Relay

(This is a relay that father’s do themselves) These are things that Dad’s usually do well because they are Dad’s. Dads should do each of these things as fast as they can and then run to the next station. The Dad with the fastest time is the winner.

1) Hammer a nail then run to the next station…

2) Saw a log then run to the next station…

3) Pump up a bike tire

4) Change a doll’s diaper

5) Start a lawn mower

6) Thread a needle

7) Add a list of 10 numbers on a calculator (or in his head)

8) Make a peanut butter and jam sandwich

9) Tie a tie

10) Tie a shoe

11) Golf ball into a hole

You will probably be able to think of challenges that fit you family better than these, but these events have proven fun at our parties. You can find more Father’s Day Ideas at www.familyreunionhelper.com

Roasted Peeps!

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Aunt Mo

What a surprise I received Saturday when I dropped by my Mother-in-laws house. She had invited a few of her great-grand children over for an Easter celebration and they were having a grand old time roasting PEEPS marshmallow candies over an open fire.

There’s something unsettling about that for me- I mean WHO would roast those sweet little marshmallow chicks and bunnies over a FIRE? And why would Grandma, of all people, encourage such a dastardly thing? The thought of sweet, innocent children putting a skewer through a marshmallow chick or bunny and roasting it over an open flame makes me cringe.

So what’s all this craziness about? Roasted PEEPS! According to Grandma- everyone is doing it. PEEPS are marshmallows with sugar on top! When you roast them, the sugar caramelizes to make a hard crunchy shell.

As Easter draws to a close and family reunion season quickly approaches and all the pastel candy starts crowding the supermarket and drugstore shelves, consider buying some extra Peeps now for a Peep Roast at your reunion.

One thought- Peep S’mores? Does that make them S’meeps?

Easter, Eggs, Bunnies and HORSES?!?!

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Aunt Mo

That’s how we celebrate Easter at my house- with Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and HORSES! For years now I have told my kids- You don’t have to come for Thanksgiving, you don’t have to come for Christmas- I just want you for EASTER!

The best Easter Egg hunt in the entire universe is held the Saturday before Easter at my house. Humans of all descriptions gather; greenhorns, cowboys and babies as well of horses of all breeds, colors and training, to find Easter Eggs hidden all over the farm. At our Easter Egg hunt it’s not about the eggs- it’s about the hunt- and the horses!

To make things more fair for the inexperienced and younger riders, Uncle Steven and I hide the eggs according to color. Each rider has a different color or style of egg. For instance, this year we have basketball eggs for Kory, Elmo eggs for baby jack, purple eggs for Megan, football eggs for Nic, chicken shaped eggs for Brynna, pink eggs for Janie and so forth. Assigning each rider their own color makes it possible for us to hide the eggs according to the rider’s ability.

Because Megan, Kory and Janie are experienced riders we hide their eggs in places that are hard to see and difficult to get to, but we hide green horn and children’s eggs in plain sight and in places easy for them to reach. We watch for fun ideas about where to hide eggs for weeks leading up to the hunt.

easter 2010 052

We hide between 6 and 12 eggs per person depending on how many participants we have. We always hide a few “Golden” eggs with special prizes in them. Although we haven’t limited how many eggs a person can find, our family is pretty good about making sure everyone finds at least one golden egg.

After the hunters find all of their eggs they are allowed to hunt for the golden eggs that have special prizes in them such as movie tickets, gift certificates and coins. This is the most exciting part of the hunt as riders become a little more daring and often find themselves racing for the same golden egg as another rider.

After all the eggs are found everyone gathers together to open their eggs and discover the goodies and prizes in them. We usually play badminton and eat Sloppy Joes for lunch.

Planning around the weather has sometimes been an issue. We remain in close contact with family members to reschedule from a morning Easter Egg Hunt to an afternoon hunt if needed due to stormy weather but we have never had cancel our Easter Egg hunt.

Because the horses haven’t been ridden much during the winter months they are usually feeling a little frisky for our Easter Egg Hunt. We used to give the riders a plastic shopping bag to put their eggs in but some horses would spook at the crackling noise the bags made so now everyone just plans on wearing a hoodie with pockets to put their eggs in.

I always plan to fill extra eggs in case we have an unexpected rider, which happens more often then not.

For more unusual Easter Egg hunt ideas and fun family reunion themes, visit www.familyreunionhelper.com.

Good Idea: Finding Easter eggs on Easter Sunday.
Bad Idea: Finding Easter eggs at Thanksgiving.

Aunt MO

Game Ideas for Your Irish Party

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Aunt Mo

Whether celebrating St Patrick’s Day or considering your Irish roots at your next family reunion here are a couple of fun Irish game ideas.

Musical Shamrock Game

Make very large green shamrock shapes about 2 feet square. They don’t need to be fancy just simple shamrock shapes. The ideas is similar to “musical chairs” game- you want to have fewer shamrocks than players. Scatter shamrocks over the playing area. Explain that as the music plays all the players must keep moving but must stay off the shamrocks. When the music stops players run to a shamrock. However, each shamrock must have three players on it. Those with only one or two as well as those that have nowhere to stand are eliminated. Remove a shamrock or two after each round. (You always want to have fewer shamrocks than players) Winners of the game are those who have not been eliminated when only one shamrock remains. Give out green lollypops, cupcakes or stickers for prizes.

Irish Scavenger Hunt

Divide into teams, giving each team an identical list of green items. Tell each team that they must stay together when searching for their green items.

Some ideas to search for:

Something that grows green
Something you are wearing that is green
Green crayon, green colored pencil, green marker
Find a plastic item that is green
Find something soft that is green
Something hard that is green
Find something you can build with that is green
Green snack
3 leaf clover
Fruit that is green
Vegetable that is green
Pop Can

Irish “Road Bowling” Game

Croquet is supposed to have come from a game called Crookey in Northern Ireland but another fun “real” Irish game is “Road Bowling”.
Road bowling is an unusual version of bowling that is particular to Ireland. It is played with a steal shot, (or use your own idea for a ball of some sort) which is tossed under arm by the player down a twisty road. The player who gets to the finish line with the least amount of throws wins.

Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? You
don’t want to press your luck.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Aunt MO

Are You Ready for Christmas?

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Aunt Mo

Take this test to find out if you’re ready for Christmas A fun icebreaker game for your family Christmas party

If you have attended a Christmas party give yourself 1 point, if you hosted a holiday party give yourself 5 points. If you didn’t yell at anyone while you were setting up for the party give yourself 2 extra points.

Give yourself 1 point if you’ve started you Christmas cards, add 5 points if you’ve mailed them. If you sent your holiday greeting on Facebook deduct 2 points.

Give yourself 1 point if you’ve started Christmas shopping and 5 points if you’ve finished all of your Christmas shopping. If you had to pay 2-day or overnight shipping on an online order so it would get here on time deduct 2 points.

Give yourself 1 point if you’ve begun your Christmas baking, and 5 points if you’re all done. If you put sprinkles on something give yourself 2 extra points.

Give yourself 1 point if your gifts are all wrapped and 5 points if you wrapped them yourself. Deduct 2 points if you paid someone to wrap them.

If you have purchased your Christmas ham give yourself 1 point. If you have purchased a Christmas turkey give yourself 5 points. If you shot a Christmas goose, give yourself 2 points.

Give yourself 1 point for each item you’ve eaten in December: sugar plums, a roasted chestnut, Figgie pudding, Christmas goose or eggnog. (5 points possible)

If you are wearing something red or green give yourself 1 point. If you are wearing a Christmas sweater give yourself 5 points. If you are wearing Christmas underwear give yourself 2 extra points. (Must be willing to prove it.)

If you have sung “Jingle Bells” this Christmas give yourself 1 point, if you have gone caroling, give yourself 5 points, if you have performed in a Christmas play, program or concert give yourself an extra 2 points.

If you have watched the movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” give yourself 1 point, if you have watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” give yourself 5 points.

If your birthday is in December give yourself 1 point, if it is Christmas Day give yourself 5 points.

If you’ve seen Santa this year, give yourself 1 point. If you’ve sat on Santa’s knee give yourself 5 points. If you’ve kissed Santa give yourself 2 extra points.

If you’ve put Christmas decorations outside your home, give yourself 1 point. If you checked to see if they were working give yourself 5 points. Take 2 extra points if your lights were still working when you after put them up.

If you will have 10 or less people at your table for Christmas dinner give yourself 1 point, if you will have more than 10 people at your table for Christmas dinner take some headache medicine, put your feet up and give yourself 5 points.

25 points or more– Congratulations, you’re ready for Christmas! Christmas is definitely your thing. You love every minute of the holidays.

15- 24 points- You’re getting closer! Just a few more presents to buy and it’ll be time for some hot cocoa!

Less than 15 points– It’s not Christmas yet! RIGHT? Going shopping now…

Merry Christmas from www.familyreunionhelper.com

Aunt MO

“ I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.”
Bernard Manning

Twelve Days of Christmas Nativity

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Aunt Mo

On December 13th, there are officially 12 days left until Christmas! A fun and creative Christmas tradition I remember from my childhood is called "The Twelve Days of Christmas. It all starts on December 13^th and continues up until Christmas Eve, December 24^th. My favorite “12 Days of Christmas” is to leave one nativity piece each night and at the end of the 12 days the family will have a complete nativity scene.

First, chose a family or individual who would appreciate a little extra Christmas joy and each day, starting on the 13th, a leave a small gift for that person, anonymously.

The next step is to find a nice nativity scene, preferably with 12 pieces. Twelve piece nativities are pretty easy to find however, this year I was only able to find an 11 piece set so will also do a string of white lights, oval mirror to display or a star shaped ornament for their Christmas tree. I paid $19.00 for my nativity set.

Beginning 12 days before Christmas, deliver one piece of the nativity to your selected family. This Christmas tradition is especially fun if you are doing it with kids. Kids love to doorbell ditch and will quickly get into the Christmas spirit by taking part in The Twelve Days of Christmas. We try to do this after dark, or leave the nativity pieces on the porch when the family isn’t home. Important- don’t get caught! It’s much more fun to remain anonymous!

You may want to attach a nativity scripture to each nativity piece. You can find a free download of suitable scriptures at www.familyreunionhelper.com.

Deliver one piece of the nativity each night for 12 nights– the last one being baby Jesus on the Christmas Eve, December 24th.

Aunt MO

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Slide Box Ornament for Your Christmas Tree

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Aunt Mo

For the last 50 years my family has recorded their favorite family memories on photographic slides that can only be viewed with a slide projector. As much as I love gathering the family together for a slide show I was thrilled when Uncle Steven came up with a brilliant idea for making slide ornaments for our Christmas tree.

Slide ornaments are easy and inexpensive to make. There is quite a bit of cutting, folding and taping involved but the most difficult part of making slide ornaments is choosing the slides you want to display on your tree.

It is fun to use slides from past Christmases, family reunions or especially embarrassing for children and fun for parents is to use pictures of children when they were small.

Because we were making over a hundred slides we had a print shop print our ornaments and they even scored the fold lines. You will want to use a higher end grade of card stock, one that has been coated in either or matte or gloss finish. We used the gloss finish. Both should be available at your local print or stationary store. You can download a free slide ornament pattern at familyreunionhelper.com

We had our name printed on our slide box but we found that made it a little restricting as we couldn’t use vertical slides in our ornaments without making our name look funny. I would recommend not using any words or graphics that will limit your options.

We used a good pair of scissors to cut out our ornaments and an X-acto knife and ruler to cut out an opening for the slide. Tape the slide to the inside of the box then fold and fasten together with doubled sided tape.

HINTS:

Display with white or clear lights. Your slides will be whatever color the light is.

You can punch the hole for the lights in the top or bottom of the box depending on how you want the ornament to hang.

Store slide ornaments in a shirt box for next year’s tree. They are are long lasting and make a fun family tradition during the Christmas season.

Aunt MO

“Remember that our blessings outnumber the lights on the Christmas tree.” Unknown

Gum Drop Turkey Favors

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Aunt Mo

I’ve searched all over the internet for gun drop turkeys as cool as the ones my brothers and I made when we were growing up, but it appears those turkeys were one of a kind creations from my Mom.

My Mom always put her four children in charge of making the 30- 50 gum drop turkey favors for our Thanksgiving family gathering. The turkeys were so simple to make that we required no supervision and popping a few raisins or candy corns in our mouth as we were creating them took the edge off our Thanksgiving hunger. In fact, making gum drop turkeys soon became a tradition at my house when I had children of my own.

Over the years I exchanged the raisins we used to use for Craisens and brown toothpicks for brightly colored ones. Hint- always use Braches candy corns- they are softer and don’t crumble as easily when you stick a toothpick in them. Large gum drops can be difficult to find, but after extensive searching, I was able to find some on the bottom shelf, hidden behind a garbage can, (no kidding) on the Wal-mart candy isle.

As I was writing this blog, my 32 year old son walked into the kitchen where I was taking pictures and said, “Gum drop turkeys, I remember making those!” Just proves that something doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated or elaborate to make a lasting family memory.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Aunt MO

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

– Author unknown

Family Reunion Helper

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Category Archives: Holiday Family Fun

Silver Dollar Game for Your Independence Day Party

Fun Father’s Day Party Ideas

Roasted Peeps!

Easter, Eggs, Bunnies and HORSES?!?!

Game Ideas for Your Irish Party

Are You Ready for Christmas?

Twelve Days of Christmas Nativity

Slide Box Ornament for Your Christmas Tree

Gum Drop Turkey Favors

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