👨👩👧👦 May 15 – International Day of Families: Your Excuse to Hug It Out (Even If Your Family's a Little Bonkers) 💕
Every family has its quirks. Maybe yours reenacts The Princess Bride every Thanksgiving, or maybe Uncle Bob insists on karaoke-ing Bohemian Rhapsody at every gathering (complete with costume changes). Whatever your crew’s flavor of chaos, May 15 is the perfect day to embrace it all—because it's International Day of Families! 💛
Created by the United Nations back in 1993 (shoutout to the '90s kids 👾), this holiday is all about raising awareness of the importance of families in society. It’s also a great reminder that “family” isn’t one-size-fits-all—it can mean your birth fam, your chosen fam, your roomies-turned-soulmates, or even your book club that's really just a wine club with extra steps.
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🧠 Fun(ish) Facts About the Day:
It was officially proclaimed by the UN General Assembly to highlight family-related issues and promote stronger ties between all types of families.
Each year has a different theme. Past topics include work-family balance, gender equality, and digital parenting (aka “Why does my toddler know how to work the iPad better than I do?”).
It's celebrated all around the globe—because no matter where you're from, someone’s probably arguing over who gets the last piece of pizza. 🍕
🎉 10+ Delightfully Quirky Ways to Celebrate International Day of Families
Create a “Family Awards Show” 🏆
Categories include: "Most Dramatic Storyteller," "Champion of Group Texts," and "Best Reaction to Finding Out We're Out of Snacks." Wear this snarky family t-shirt found in our Etsy shop!Host a DIY Family Talent Show 🎤
No talent? No problem. Interpretive dance counts. So does dramatic poetry about laundry.Make a Family Crest—But Make It Weird 🛡️
Use glitter, googly eyes, and a motto like “In Snacks We Trust.”Recreate Old Family Photos 📸
Bonus points if you still fit into the overalls from 1998. (Or can at least shimmy into them for the shot.)Cook a Mashup Meal 🍲
Fusion family dinner night! Grandma’s lasagna + your roommate’s favorite kimchi = culinary chaos or genius.Write a “Family Manifesto” ✍️
It can be serious (“We stand up for each other”) or silly (“We never speak of the time Dad tried TikTok.”)Plan a Home Olympics 🥇
Who’s the fastest at sorting laundry? Can anyone beat Mom in the "Passive-Aggressive Comment Toss"?Have a Digital Detox Together 📵
Put the phones down and actually make eye contact. (We know. Terrifying.) Try TableTopics to get everyone talking!Create a Family Time Capsule 🕰️
Fill it with photos, inside jokes, and a letter predicting what the next 10 years hold. (Please let flying cars be real.)Start a “Family Book of Firsts” 📕
First time someone cried at a Pixar movie (again), first family road trip meltdown, first epic board game betrayal.Adopt a New “Family Tradition” Just for Fun 🎈
Like pajama brunches every Sunday, or spontaneous dance breaks anytime someone says the word “laundry.”
Let’s theme this dinner as:
🌿 “Family-Style Feast: Comfort, Connection, and a Little Chaos”
Here’s your cozy, shareable menu for the occasion:
🍝 Main Dish: Baked Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Shells
Perfect for sharing, comforting without being heavy, and everyone loves it—even the picky eaters.
Ingredients:
1 box jumbo pasta shells
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 cup cooked spinach (squeezed dry + chopped)
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg
To make:
Boil pasta shells until just tender.
Mix ricotta, egg, spinach, mozzarella, parmesan, and seasoning.
Stuff shells and lay them in a baking dish over a layer of sauce.
Top with more sauce and a sprinkle of cheese.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 mins until bubbly and golden.
🥗 Side: Tear-and-Share Spring Herb Focaccia
Because nothing says “family” like fighting over the last piece of bread.
Serve with:
Olive oil + balsamic for dipping
Optional: sprinkle with fresh rosemary, flaky salt, and edible flowers if you’re feeling May-ish 🌸
🍰 Dessert: Berry Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream
Let everyone grab a spoon and dig in together. Use whatever berries you’ve got—fresh or frozen.
🍹 Drink: “Better Together” Sparkling Berry Punch
Mocktail:
1/2 cup mixed berry juice
1/2 cup sparkling water
Squeeze of lime
Fresh mint + berry garnish
Cocktail Option: Add a splash of prosecco or vodka.
🕯 Bonus Family Vibes
Serve everything in the center, family-style.
Add a printed question jar at the table: “What’s your favorite family memory?” “What’s a tradition you want to start?”
Put on a nostalgic playlist from everyone's childhood years (or a generational mix!).
🌼 Elementary Classroom Idea (Grades K–5)
"All Kinds of Families" Read-Aloud & Class Collage 📚✂️
Read books like The Family Book by Todd Parr or Stella Brings the Family. Afterwards, have students draw their own families or a family they imagine—then create a vibrant hallway collage titled “Families are Love”.
🌟 Secondary Classroom Idea (Grades 6–12)
Photojournalism Project 📸
Invite students to take (or find) photos that represent family in their life. Compile into a digital class gallery with captions or voiceovers.
👨👩👧👦 Quirky in the Workplace
“Family Feud: Office Edition”
Play a custom game with work-appropriate prompts like:
“Top 5 things you pretend to be busy doing when someone talks to you before coffee.”
“Name something in the office fridge older than your actual child.”
🎬 Movie Pick: Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Why it fits: This indie gem is all about a quirky family road-tripping to support their youngest in a beauty pageant. Along the way, they fight, fail, and fall apart—but never stop showing up for each other. It’s heartfelt, chaotic, and real, with family at the center.
Bonus: Grandpa’s dance routine? Unforgettable.
📺 TV Episode: Modern Family – “Family Portrait” (Season 1, Episode 24)
Why it fits: A perfect snapshot (literally) of what makes families both maddening and magical. Claire tries to wrangle everyone for the perfect photo, but chaos—mud, surprise punches, and impromptu dances—ensues. In the end, it’s the imperfections that make it beautiful.
Alt pick if you're feeling animated:
📺 Bluey – “Camping” (Season 1, Episode 43)
Short, sweet, and packed with emotionally mature storytelling about family, friendships, and goodbyes.
💬 Final Thought:
You don’t need a picture-perfect sitcom family to celebrate this day. Families are messy, weird, and wonderful—and that’s exactly what makes them worth celebrating. Whether you're hugging your grandma, texting your BFF, or just sending your dog a heartfelt "thank you" for being the best listener ever… take today to feel the love. 🫶
📱 Hashtag It Up:
#InternationalDayOfFamilies #FamJam2025 #FoundFamilyFeels #QuirkyClanGoals #FamilyButMakeItFun #CelebrateQuirky
