Celebrate Visit Your Relatives Day Every May 18
May 18 is the day to reconnect with family members, especially those you don’t see often. It’s Visit Your Relatives Day.
We get it. We’re all busy. And sometimes visiting relatives gets put off. And put off … Then put off some more. Sometimes until it’s too late.
This day reminds you not to do that. So go visit your relatives, already!
We’re not sure who created Visit Your Relatives Day. We did find one source that suggested it was a friend of the granddaughter of the founder of Chase’s Calendar of events. We weren’t able to verify this.
But no matter whose idea it was, it’s a great idea. And a wonderful reminder that life is short. And you only get one family, so make time for them.
–Unknown
Relatives Are Important
Yes, family is important. Even that annoying aunt or embarrassing uncle. Family members support each other through tough times. Celebrate with each other for happy occasions. And most of all they love you unconditionally.
(Admit it, you love your annoying and embarrassing relatives … And they love you too.)
And no, we’re not talking about the relatives who have done unforgivable things. Sadly they do exist. We hope you don’t have one of those, but if you do that makes it more important for the rest of the family to stick together.
— George Burns
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial, family-friendly holiday.
How to Celebrate Visit Your Relatives Day
The name says it all: Visit your relatives.
Today might be a good day for a family reunion. If it’s too late to plan one for this year, start planning now for next year! And remember to include all your relatives.
But don’t let the lack of a family reunion stop you from visiting whatever relatives you can. If they’re within driving distance, then go! (Maybe call first, to be sure they’re home :) )
Call anyone who’s too far away to visit. Better yet, use video chat so you can see each other. It’s the next best thing to actually being there.
And make plans to meet up somewhere next year if possible. Either as part of a family reunion or just with relatives far away. If you have family living in lots of different places (many people do!), plan to rotate visits each year.
Then plan to stay in better touch throughout the year.
— Michael J. Fox
[…] Visit Your Relatives Day: Have you visited family members recently? Or have you been too busy. Too angry. Too … something? Well, May 18 is the day to set aside whatever’s been stopping you and go visit them. No, don’t wait for them to celebrate this day by visiting you. You go visit them … although maybe make sure they aren’t actually coming to see you. Missing each other that way is not the point of this day! […]
[…] Visit Your Relatives Day: Well, depending on where you live & the health of your relatives, physically visiting may not be possible this year. But a virtual visit probably is! So do that. […]
[…] Visit Your Relatives Day: For many of us it’s been a long year of few if any visits with relatives. But that’s finally changing! As visits are getting safer we’re able to see more people in person. So to celebrate this day consider visiting relatives you haven’t been able to see this past year. […]