Reunion shirts are the thing everyone keeps. Years later they show up in old photos and at the next reunion. Here's how to plan them so the whole family wants to wear them.
What to put on the front
Most reunion shirts have the same few parts. Pick two or three:
- The family name: big and clear. "The Johnson Family" or just "JOHNSON".
- "Family Reunion" and the year: so the shirt dates itself in photos.
- The place: the town, the park, the lake, or "Grandma's Backyard".
- A small picture: a family tree, a house, a state outline, or something tied to where the family comes from.
- "Est." with the year the family started: often the grandparents' wedding year.
Sayings that work
- "Family: Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends"
- "Same Family, Different Year"
- "Rooted in Love, Growing Since [year]"
- "We Put the Fun in Dysfunctional" (for the families who'd laugh at it)
- "Back Together Again"
- "[Number] Generations Strong"
- "Blessed to Be a [Last name]"
- "Cousin Crew"
What to put on the back
The back is good for things that don't fit on the front:
- The grandparents' names, or "In honor of" a family member who passed
- The branches of the family tree, one line each
- Each person's name or role: "Grandma", "Cousin", "Grill Master"
Color-code the branches
For a big reunion, give each branch of the family its own shirt color with the same design. It looks great in the group photo and helps kids figure out which cousins belong to which aunt. Keep the design in one ink color that reads well on every shirt color, like white on darker shirts or black on light ones.
Sizes for everyone
Reunions cover every age, so you'll want youth sizes for the kids, adult sizes from XS up to 5XL, and maybe a hoodie for the evening bonfire. You can mix tees, long sleeves and hoodies with the same design in one order.
Collecting sizes from relatives everywhere
The hardest part is usually getting sizes from forty relatives in five states. When you design with us, send a group link: each family adds their own names and sizes, you see the list fill in, and you check out once. Larger orders get a lower price per shirt, so the more of the family that joins, the less each shirt costs.
When to order
Start collecting sizes six weeks out and order about a month before the reunion. Orders of 24 or more shirts take 10–14 business days to print, plus shipping. Add the reunion date in the cart under "Need it by".
Start with a design: see our family reunion shirts and change the name, year and place to yours. Planning a school reunion instead? See class reunion shirts.
