This arrangement works best for camping out, or if you will be staying at a resort that has kitchen facilities available. If you choose this method, you should have a common area where the family gathers to eat the food they have cooked. Basically forcing them to enjoy each other's company, whether they want to or not. In fact, it's just plain rude, in Mister Spiffy's opinion. Potluck One of the best ways to get the family together is through a potluck meal.
Every family provides one or more food items, and all the items are shared between the families.
Ask each family to bring a bit more than their own family would eat, to ensure that you have enough food to feed the entire gang. Mister Spiffy knows that it's not good to run out of food when only half the family is fed. Since some food items cost more than others, you may want to assign some families a couple of the less expensive categories. Then the rest of the meal can be assigned potluck style. Another option is to have each family bring their own main dish, and provide a potluck-style side dish.