How to plan the perfect family party
Following tradition, the 80-foot table is coverd in stencilled kraft paper. "I just ran into Hudson's Bay and grabbed anything I thought would work," Bonnie says. "We wanted a garden theme, so the green stemware, potted roses and little birdcages loaded with greens did the trick."
Bonnie Brooks: How to plan the perfect family party
The family
Vice-chairman of Hudson's Bay Company Bonnie Brooks wanted to throw a family reunion, a tradition that started in the Forman family 62 years ago. In the end, five Forman generations gathered last July to celebrate all things familial. Kristin Kidd, niece of Bonnie Brooks, was asked to organize the momentous event that would have 85 of their kin over for dinner. We got behind the scenes at their family reunion — check it out here! — and the inside scoop on Kristin's party-planning secrets. Read on to find her tips on throwing the perfect get-together, plus her recipe for a summer salad that everyone will love.
Know your family traditions
“Incorporate the most cherished ones and add a few modern touches of your own.” Barbecued steak replaced roasts from the oven, but homemade pies and baked goods filled the dessert table, just as they always had. The kids even continued the tradition of sleeping outside (just not in the 15-foot teepee the family used in the ’50s).
Picture the day early
“Walk through all the entertaining hours, from the moment family members arrive till the moment they depart.” How will they be welcomed (Kristin’s kids made a welcome sign for the driveway), who will manage the bar (a large steel trough filled with ice became a self-serve drink station), where will people go to the bathroom (Kristin rented three wedding-worthy porta-potties, complete with fresh flowers). And, finally, where will everyone sleep? In the past, women slept in the house, men in the barn and kids in the tent. This time around it was a mix of tenting and local B&Bs.
Decide on your menu early
“I chose foods that would weather well, that were fresh, simple and practical to prepare and serve and, most important, that would cater to all generations.” The table was set with baskets of fresh baguettes; there were hot dogs for the kids; and Kristin used the same base dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon) for all three salads, just switching up the herbs for flavour.
Kristin's strawberry and cucumber salad with fresh mint
Ingredients: 6 cups sliced strawberries, 3 English cucumbers (sliced), a handful of fresh mint leaves
Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/8 aged balsamic vinegar, 1 to 2 tsp honey, freshly squeezed lime juice (2 to 3 limes' worth)
Directions: Shake all ingredients together in a jar. Taste and add more honey and lime juice, if desired. Drizzle over salad and toss gently.
Plan for disaster
Build in time for things to go wrong. On the Wednesday before the reunion, Kristin drove to the nearest big town with the boys and filled three shopping carts with groceries. When they were in line to pay, a storm hit and the power went out. She frantically called the cottage, and the lights were flickering there too. “We had to abandon our carts and do the whole shop over again the next day!”
Savour the day
“Don’t forget that family members are looking forward to reconnecting — conversation will be everyone’s focus, and everything else will be secondary. I was organized and didn’t feel frazzled once. Family is something that is so dear and so special that if you can take a moment (or an entire day!) to really relish that, it’s good for everyone.”
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