After months of planning, your family reunion is almost here! Before trains, planes, and automobiles arrive, take care of all those last-minute touches at Publix, from ingredients for secret family recipes to essentials like paper plates and napkins. Here are a few reminders of those all-important details for the most epic family reunion yet.

Traveling is tiring, so keep up your family members’ spirits with some tasty treats. Think of snacks that are easy to graze on, like bowls of nuts, crispy rice treats, and cookies. Also grab snacks for the little ones, like bananas, carrot sticks, and apple slices.

Your family always saves room for dessert. The night before the big event, prepare desserts from generations-old recipes with fresh ingredients from Publix. With in-season berries from our Produce department, your family will be oohing and ahhing all day.

No time for baking? We have you covered. Our Bakery department has a variety of delicious pies and goodies to choose from.

On the morning of the big day, it’s important to keep up everyone’s energy! Even though there will be plenty of food later, make sure there are breakfast options like juice, pancakes, eggs, fruit, and cereal. That way everyone will have enough fuel to help organize, prep, and decorate for the big party.

Speaking of decorating, flowers will always make the perfect centerpiece to a party table. Pick some flowers or greenery that won’t compete with the delicious food smells. If you want to make a big impression, put several smaller bouquets among the many tables in your picnic pavilion or rented hall. Ask an associate in the Floral department for help on what to select.

No time to fix side dishes? No problem. The Publix Deli has many grab-and-go items such as collard greens, coleslaw, potato salads, and mac & cheese. They have all the taste of home, so you can spend time catching up with your long-distance relatives instead of cooking.

If you’re hosting the group at your home, the dishwasher will get plenty of use. Using paper plates, cups, and bowls can save hours of cleanup time. Get more napkins than you think you need, since nobody’s ever been to a family reunion where something wasn’t spilled. Plus with all those sauces, things are bound to get messy!