National Visit Your Relatives Day – May. 18, 2027

National Visit Your Relatives Day
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ActivitiesAppreciationFamily
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United States
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Every May 18
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National Visit Your Relatives Day arrives every May 18, urging us to cherish and reconnect with our extended family. In a fast-paced world, this day serves as a vital reminder to bridge distances, whether through a personal visit, a heartfelt phone call, or a video chat. Embrace the opportunity to strengthen your family ties and create lasting memories.

Want to sponsor National Visit Your Relatives Day? Learn how

Expected National Visit Your Relatives Day Deals

National Visit Your Relatives Day inspires many to travel, host, or send thoughtful gifts. While specific 2027 promotions are still emerging, expect travel companies like Southwest Airlines and Amtrak to offer deals on fares for family reunions. Retailers such as Hallmark and Shutterfly will likely feature discounts on cards, personalized photo gifts, and albums perfect for sharing memories. Food delivery services like DoorDash and grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market may promote meal kits or catering options for family gatherings. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 18 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Visit Your Relatives Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #VisitYourRelativesDay. Share photos and videos of your family gatherings, throwback memories, or creative ways you’re connecting with distant relatives.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #VisitYourRelativesDay. Post about your family history, share old photos, or organize a virtual family meetup.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #VisitYourRelativesDay. Create short, heartwarming videos showcasing family traditions, funny reunion moments, or tips for planning a successful visit.

Social Media Tips for National Visit Your Relatives Day

Individuals

Reach out to a relative you haven't spoken to in a while. Plan a visit, schedule a video call, or send a thoughtful card to let them know you're thinking of them.

Creators

Produce content featuring intergenerational conversations, family recipe tutorials, or a 'day in the life' vlog of visiting your relatives. Share tips for making family connections meaningful.

Brands

Launch a campaign encouraging family reunions, offer discounts on travel or gifts for relatives, or host a contest asking users to share their favorite family memories for a chance to win prizes.

Partners & Brands for National Visit Your Relatives Day

  1. Ancestry.com

    Founded in 1996, Ancestry.com is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world. It provides DNA testing and extensive historical records to help individuals discover, preserve, and share their family history, making it easier to connect with relatives.

  2. Hallmark

    Established in 1910 by Joyce Hall, Hallmark is a leading American company known for its greeting cards, gifts, and television films. Their products offer a classic way to express affection and maintain connections with family members, especially those far away.

  3. Southwest Airlines

    Founded in 1967, Southwest Airlines is a major U.S. airline known for its low-cost carrier model and extensive domestic network. It facilitates family visits by offering accessible and affordable travel options, making it easier for relatives to gather.

  4. Shutterfly

    Launched in 1999, Shutterfly is an internet-based image publishing service that allows users to create personalized photo books, cards, calendars, and gifts. It's a popular platform for sharing cherished family memories and creating tangible keepsakes for relatives.

  5. Whole Foods Market

    Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain specializing in organic and natural foods. It provides high-quality ingredients and prepared meals, making it a go-to for planning healthy and delicious family gatherings.

  6. Airbnb

    Established in 2008, Airbnb is an online marketplace for lodging, primarily homestays, or tourism experiences. It offers unique accommodation options that can facilitate family visits, providing comfortable spaces for relatives to stay together during reunions.

  7. 23andMe

    Co-founded in 2006, 23andMe is a leading personal genomics and biotechnology company. It provides DNA analysis services that can reveal ancestry and connect individuals with previously unknown relatives, fostering new family connections.

National Visit Your Relatives Day Hero

The Spirit of Family Connection

While no single individual is credited with founding National Visit Your Relatives Day, its essence embodies the timeless human need for connection and belonging. This spirit represents the countless individuals throughout history who have championed family bonds, organized reunions, and maintained communication across generations. It reminds us that nurturing these relationships is a fundamental aspect of well-being and cultural heritage, fostering a sense of identity and support.

History of National Visit Your Relatives Day

There isn’t a culture or religion in the world that doesn’t have values and traditions surrounding family. Nowadays, it is common for people to live anywhere across the globe, and staying in touch ensures that you maintain close ties with your family and stay rooted in your culture and traditions.

National Visit Your Relatives Day is a day dedicated to showing appreciation for those who played a role in your growth and making sure that they, too, get your support. Many of us have fond childhood memories of our families and growing up. Family vacations, playing with siblings, as well as fighting with them and causing trouble. National Visit Your Relatives Day is a day to relish all those beautiful moments by spending quality time together again.

Modern life is very busy. People are constantly juggling work, family, career, relationships, and other commitments. And, often, we don’t prioritize catching up with our relatives enough. National Visit Your Relatives Day is a day dedicated to doing just this. To reach out to those who deserve our time more than others. There is no better way to celebrate the day than by simply stopping by and saying hello to your relatives or family members that you don’t often get to see. If you can’t meet with them, call them or send them e-cards. Or if you have ample time, host a reunion, the best way to celebrate family. It will definitely bring a huge smile to the faces of your grandparents and the older members of the family who will certainly appreciate this gesture of bringing the family together after a long time apart.

National Visit Your Relatives Day timeline

1967
Interracial Marriage Becomes Legal

The U.S. Supreme Court makes interracial marriage legal in all U.S. states, finally making it possible for people to have interracial relatives.

1970s
The history of the family

A branch of social history concerning the sociocultural evolution of kinship groups from prehistoric to modern times, called the history of the family, emerges.

1994
“Friends”

The famous sit-com “Friends” airs on NBC, which goes on to become world-famous for its hilarious perspective on family dynamics and relatives.

2019
Change in Family Dynamics

There are more than 110 million single people in the U.S., there is a decline in fertility, an increase in the number of single households, and more married women who are working.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Visit Your Relatives Day

Local businesses can embrace National Visit Your Relatives Day by fostering community and connection. Restaurants could offer ‘family meal’ specials or discounts for groups dining together. Travel agencies might promote local staycation packages or discounts on car rentals for short trips to see relatives. Gift shops can curate selections of thoughtful presents for family members, and photography studios could offer special rates for family portraits, encouraging people to capture their cherished moments together. These efforts help strengthen local ties and support family values.

National Visit Your Relatives Day FAQs

When is National Visit Your Relatives Day?

In 2027, this special day for family connection is observed on Tuesday, May 18, encouraging mid-week reunions and heartfelt calls.

How many Americans live far from their relatives?

Studies consistently show that a significant portion of the U.S. population resides a considerable distance from their extended family, making intentional efforts to visit or connect crucial for maintaining bonds.

How often do people typically visit their relatives?

The frequency of family visits often depends on factors like travel distance and life stages, with some seeing relatives weekly and others only a few times a year for special occasions.

What are the benefits of visiting relatives?

Spending time with relatives offers numerous advantages, including improved mental well-being, a deeper understanding of one’s heritage, and a robust support system that can be invaluable during life’s challenges.

How to Celebrate National Visit Your Relatives Day

  1. Visit family members

    The visit can be real or even virtual. You can visit your relatives at their homes or simply arrange a video call with them.

  2. Host a reunion

    Invite your relatives for a family reunion. This is the perfect way to celebrate National Visit Your Relatives Day.

  3. Post pictures

    Post pictures and share get-together celebrations on social media. Use the hashtag #NationalVisitYourRelativesDay.

5 Facts About Relatives And Family

  1. International year of families

    The United Nations declared 1994 as the International Year of Families.

  2. The new U.S. family

    The nuclear family is no longer the norm in the U.S. as it is being replaced by stepfamilies, singles, and families living outside marriage.

  3. Stepfamily members

    In the U.S., two out of three people have a stepfamily member and, as of 2014, 40% of married couples (with children) have been married before.

  4. High divorce rate

    The divorce rate among married couples with children in the U.S. is 62% to 74%.

  5. Diverse parenthood

    The number of children who have bisexual, lesbian, or gay parents in the U.S. is between 6–10 million.

Why National Visit Your Relatives Day Is Significant

  1. It emphasizes the importance of family

    It is important to keep in touch with our roots because family is all we have. National Visit Your Relatives Day honors the special relationships in a family.

  2. It’s a day to celebrate togetherness

    In today’s fast-paced life, National Visit Your Relatives Day dedicates time to our loved ones. It is a day to take a break from work and celebrate family.

  3. It makes life better

    Today, everybody is so busy with their career that no one really has time for family and relatives. National Visit Your Relatives Day is a reminder making time for family can increase the value of our lives and contribute to our well-being.

National Visit Your Relatives Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 May 18 Tuesday
2028 May 18 Thursday
2029 May 18 Friday
2030 May 18 Saturday
2031 May 18 Sunday