The Family History Fun Factor

These encompass everything from soup to nuts.  You probably already include your favorite stories in your family history but if not, it’s time you did.  Funny stories, particularly those that illustrate the personality of an individual, are especially important and valuable.  Examples from the past include such things as when Uncle Al fell head-first into the outhouse or Great-grandpa pulled the plow with his Model T.  Of course not all of them are amusing, but as a rule the serious ones are usually included more readily than the other side of life.  What makes you laugh is every bit as important as what makes you cry.  What better way to really know someone than through their sense of humor?

Everyone has stories associated with holiday gatherings, whether it’s when all the brothers/uncles wound up on the front lawn in a brawl after Thanksgiving dinner or Grandma’s last Christmas when everyone gathered at the resthome.  Thus, this is a good place to look for fable fodder.

“Where were you when” stories for major events are always of interest, whether the event was tragic or celebratory.  These include such things as the John F. Kennedy assassination, Space Shuttle Challenger or Columbia disasters, or September 11, 2001 on the dark side and attending a championship game, Indianapolis 500 or some other exciting event on the light side. 

But the special ones aren’t the only possibility.  Simple traditions count as well.  There are probably more holidays and occasions than you realize as well.  Of course the major ones like Christmas and 4^th of July come to mind first but there are so many more.  I’m sure as you read over this list you’ll be able to think of something to go with almost all of them. 

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Day

Superbowl

Presidents’ Day

Martin Luther King Day

Valentine’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

Easter

Spring Break

Spring Equinox

May Day

Memorial Day

Graduation

Wedding Showers

Weddings

4^th of July

First day of school

Labor Day

Halloween

Veteran’s Day

Thanksgiving

Hanukah

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Showers

Births

Birthdays

Deaths and Funerals

Awards and Recognition

Military Deployments

Sporting Events and Participation

Instrument Recitals

Dance Reviews

Band and Orchestra Concerts

Moving Adventures

Somewhat overwhelming, isn’t it?  Not to worry.  Start with your favorite holiday or occasion and gather the details from there.