CustomInk Launches "Win Your Family Over" Facebook Contest and Releases National Survey Findings on Americans' Attitudes on Family Reunions

Oprah and Charlie Sheen Voted as Top Celebrities that Would 'Fit Right In' at Next Family Reunion

MCLEAN, Va., May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As summer begins, many of us are reminded of the family reunions from our youth – playing Tug-of-War with cousins and everyone fighting over Aunt Edna's award-winning apple pie.  Whether the experience is more Madea's Family Reunion or The Family Stone, it's pretty unforgettable. But in the age of Facebook, Flickr and Skype, does the traditional summer family reunion still attract family members the way it once did?  According to a new national survey of more than 1,000 Americans by CustomInk, the answer is a resounding yes!  

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CustomInk's Family Reunion Outlook reported that 93 percent of respondents said that they would attend a family reunion to connect with relatives. When looking at social media, one in three surveyed said they never use Facebook to communicate with extended family.  Instead, people still look forward to family reunions, with nearly 40 percent reporting they'd attended one in the past 5 years. Another 20 percent said that while their families don't hold reunions, they would attend if one was planned.

"Each summer, we see a surge in orders for family reunion t-shirts," says Marc Katz, president and co-founder of CustomInk, an online retailer of custom t-shirts and accessories. "To me, it shows that even with the tough economy, people still make it a priority to connect with their family, create those lasting memories, and remind themselves they're part of something bigger and meaningful. They create custom t-shirts to help make their reunion special and celebrate their family identity."

CustomInk, the leader in custom t-shirts for groups and occasions, delivers more than 100,000 t-shirts per year for family reunions. The highest numbers of family reunion orders tend to be placed in June followed by July and August– with families in New York, NY; Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; and Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX, placing the highest number of orders.  

Uncle Bob, Aunt Eileen and Oprah... Americans Say Oprah is the Celebrity that Fits Right in with Their Family

According to the Family Reunion Outlook, Oprah is the celebrity respondents think would most fit in at their next family reunion.  Charlie Sheen ranks second – a fact not surprising considering that most respondents said the t-shirt slogan best describing their family is, 'Families are like Brownies – Mostly Sweet with a Few Nuts.'  President Barack Obama tied for third place with Justin Bieber.

Additional survey results revealed in the CustomInk Family Reunion Outlook:

• Whether it's hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs or steaks, meat dishes are the odds-on favorites for family reunion foods. Almost 50 percent of respondents – both guys and girls – say meat is a "must have" dish. Desserts were a distant second capturing only 16 percent of the vote.
• Time to hit the beach! Approximately 66 percent of respondents say warm-weather locations, including beaches, tropical resorts or cruise ships, are the favorite "fantasy destination" locations to hold a family reunion.  
• While 86 percent of respondents attend reunions to connect with relatives, for many, the thrill of competition is a draw, too. Almost 60 percent say they also attend to participate in activities such as potato sack races, horse shoes and corn hole.

CustomInk "Win Your Family Over" Contest

With thousands of people celebrating reunions in cities across the United States this summer, CustomInk wants to help make one lucky family's reunion one to remember. Starting today, families can submit an essay and family photo on CustomInk's Facebook page to receive a grand prize package valued at $3,000. The winner will receive $1,000 in custom family reunion merchandise, $1,000 in American Express gift cards for food and decorations, and the use of a professional photographer who will deliver five professional printed photos of the event (valued at $1,000). Submissions will be accepted until May 25, 2011, with online voting for the top 20 families from May 26 – June 6.  

For more information about the "Win Your Family Over" Contest, please visit www.facebook.com/customink.

CustomInk's Family Reunion Outlook was conducted online by Toluna Research (www.toluna-group.com), between Apr. 22 and 25, 2011. Participants were 1,041 Americans.  

About CustomInk

Founded in 2000, CustomInk is the leader in custom apparel for groups & occasions. CustomInk.com enables people to design and order custom t-shirts and accessories for their clubs, companies, charities, family reunions, and more. Customers enjoy free design support from CustomInk's acclaimed service representatives, and each custom design is proofed by a professional artist to ensure it turns out perfectly – whether it's being printed on one t-shirt or thousands. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, the company is dynamic and forward-thinking and has been recognized numerous times for rapid growth and workplace excellence. CustomInk strives to treat customers, vendors, and co-workers as it would want to be treated and has a strong sense of innovation and individual responsibility. To learn more, visit www.customink.com/our_story/ or call 800-293-4232.

CustomInk.com is a registered trademark, and the CustomInk.com logo is a trademark, of CustomInk LLC. Other marks referenced herein are the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE CustomInk.com