Next, you should decide whether you want to arrange a seating plan or buffets. Buffets have the great advantage as you do not have to do a seating arrangement and everyone gets to choose who they talk to. If you want to do a sit-down meal, think carefully about how you arrange and who you put where.

Getting people to move seats between courses can be helpful. This will prevent conversation flagging and will ensure that nobody gets stuck with the family bore and allow people to have a chance to see each other. Or else, you can have buffet food and no seating plan but provide tables and chairs so that people do not have to eat standing up.

Kids are considered as one of the keys to success in big family bashes. To keep them engaged during such occasions try to arrange a corner especially for kids where they can play with toys, paper and crayons. Just do not forget to supervise them.