CL’s Top 10 Big/Little Initiation Gifts!

It’s almost here!  After making it through recruitment and finding the perfect little, it’s finally time for spring initiation!  As a big myself, I know how much fun it can be to shop for your little as you see her become an initiated member of your chapter.  I also know how hard it is to find classy presents on a coed budget.  But don’t let shopping for your little stress you out!  Follow CL’s Top 10 Big/Little initiation gift list for help!

1. Paddle

Paddles are a traditional gift given to a little by her big.  To set your paddle apart check out the custom design Lilly Pulitzer-esque from The Painted Prep Etsy Store.

2. Letters

New initiates want to show off their letters!  Get creative and make your little adorable letters to hang like these from Etsy.

3. Lavalier

What girl doesn’t love jewelry?  Lavaliers are a special gift to give your little on initiation.  They last a lifetime and are a great reminder of the bond sisters share.

4. Picture Frame

You know that perfect moment when you knew you and your little were meant to be?  Take a picture from that event and put it in a lettered picture frame to show your little how much you cherish the memory!

5. Matching Set

Show some big/little love!  Surprise your little on initiation with something that matches you.  My entire sorority family has these matching pink v-necks!

6 & 7. Sweatshirt & T-Shirt

Help your little wear your letters on campus!  Custom design a sweatshirt and t-shirt for her using her favorite colors and designs.  Companies like Greek Creations have a lot of fabrics and designs to pick from!

8. Lettered Bag

Lettered totes are perfect for carrying books to classes.  I personally love the sorority collection of bags by Vineyard Vines!

9. Accessories

Your little can never have too many sets of letters.  Pick out some fun accessories in her style like these neon sunglasses to give to her for initiation!

10. Sweet Treat

To top everything off, treat your little to her favorite dessert or snack!  Buy her favorite candy or bake her favorite recipe to tie your package all together.

 

 

Cassidy McAloon is pursuing a Bachelor in Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Marquette University.  She is a fashion, sorority life, and apartment life writer at College Lifestyles.

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CL’s Guide To Shopping For Your Little!

I’m usually an entertainment writer for College Lifestyles. Only something really exciting can pull me off of The Hollywood Reporter and People. One of these events is about to kick off: Big/Little Week! Earlier this week, I started buying everything to fill my baskets.  After long hours on Amazon.com and figuring out my favorite Letter combinations, I’ve learned a few tips.

Think about your traditions

Because Alpha Gamma Delta recolonized at Syracuse University Fall 2010, my big and I are just beginning our family. This gives us a chance to talk about why we’re so similar and what we want our family to stand for. When you’re shopping for baskets, especially if you have a Letters themed one, consider what matters most in your family line. What has every fabulous woman passed down or valued? What are some fun things like your favorite colors or animal?

Check out her social networks

Some of the most creative things I’m putting in my Little’s basket come from comments she’s made on Facebook and Twitter. If the whole world can see it, you should check it out! Maybe she Tweets about her favorite shows or put a link on her Facebook of an awesome necklace she found. If your Little has a Pintrest, you’ve hit the jackpot. Everything she loves is in one place.

Shop around

Maybe everyone at your chapter buys from one official Greek licensed retailer. But look around! See who has the best prices for what you want. Some websites have amazing deals that you wouldn’t otherwise know about.

When shopping for items to put in your basket, go to local craft or hobby stores and dollar stores, they have great choices that you wouldn’t find elsewhere. They’re also usually reasonably priced. Go to the mall for the things you’ve always had your heart set on from a specific store. Amazon also offers low prices and free shipping on many items.

Talk to her

It may seem obvious, but talk to your Little! Simple everyday conversations will illuminate so many things about you’re her you wouldn’t otherwise know. I ordered my little a poster I would have never thought of purchasing without just talking to her as a friend. It’s also the things I’m most excited to give her.  Talking to her will tell you what she’s really passionate about and what makes her tick.

Happy shopping CLassy ladies!

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment and fashion writing intern for College Lifestyles. She loves her Little so much and can’t wait for reveal! 

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3 DIY Ways To Wrap Your Christmas Gifts

Don’t let the commercials fool you–the holidays aren’t only about spending your hard-earned cash, it’s about being thoughtful. This Christmas, don’t just hand over presents with your average wrapping paper. Make the recipient feel special by using these next few crafty tips to wrap your gifts.

1.  With An Unexpected Fabric — Whether it’s a silk square for a box of jewelry that holds your mother’s gift, or leopard print fabric for your sassy sister’s gift, fabric heightens your senses (sight and touch) since it’s not a typical way to disguise a gift. It’s important that the fabric’s long enough so that one end can lie under the other. This way, you can tie a ribbon around the box to hide the remaining visible frayed edge!

2. With Sorority Letters — Iron on your Greek sister’s letters to a fabric of your choice. Choosing iron-on’s is a savvy, simple, and classy way to spice up a gift for your sorority sister. Check out Elitegreeks.com for iron-on letters galore and price listings.

3. With A Poster —  Is one of your girl friends obsessed with Drake or Tim Tebow? If the gift is large enough, wrap it in a giant picture of someone’s celebrity crush and you’re sure to get a thankful reaction–now they have a gift and a new poster! Whomever the celebrity shall be, there’s bound to be a poster available for them. Or, especially if the item is on the smaller side, make a collage of a selection of photos to wrap the item in.

CL tip: If you’re using tape to bind your DIY gift wraps, consider buying this convenient Scotch tape dispenser that can be slipped onto one of your hands to keep them both free!

Tiana Blue is an intern for College Lifestyles™ and is a print journalism major at Penn State. This sophomore is an avid blogger that loves to write, draw, roam the streets of Manhattan, and channel her inner chef by watching Food Network re-runs.

Diary of a CL Sorority Girl- The Big & Little Relationship

A sister is a forever friend.  This statement is definitely true for the bond between a “Big” and “Little.” A Big is a sister assigned to a new member within the first few weeks of their pledge period.  That new member then becomes that sister’s Little.

The Big-Little relationship creates a family lineage.  So the Big of the Big of the new member becomes the new member’s Grand-Big.  A Big can also take on two Littles, in which the Littles become each other’s twins.  Family trees can expand and continue for many generations.

The purpose of the Big during the new member period is to act as a mentor for their Little.  It is their duty to introduce their Littles to the sorority and help them adjust to Greek life. Bigs answer any questions their Littles might have regarding the chapter, the sorority, college or with life in general.

A Big is often the one who gives her Little her first set of letters along with many gifts and words of encouragement throughout the new member period.  A Little often gives her Big a decorated paddle at the end of the semester.  Although the Big may want to spoil her Little throughout the new member period, the role of the Big is not as a gift giver, but as someone to lean on.

A great way to get closer to your Big or Little is through family meals.  Get together with your Little, Big, Grand Big, etc. and get to know more about each other.  Discuss your ambitions within the sorority, college and after graduation.  Seek advice from your family if you plan on running for a position.  Your sorority family wants to help in any way they can and watch you succeed.

The bond between a Big and her Little is unique. The Big often becomes the Little’s first friend in the sorority, and her closest.  There is a large amount of mutual trust and respect in the relationship.  They rely on each other for advice and support.  As a Big, one tries to be a classy role model to her Little, in and out of the sorority.  The Little will turn to the Big for advice and encouragement.  Although the sorority as a whole works as a support system, it is your Big and Little who shine through the most.  The relationship consists of guidance, advice, laughter and support.

For me, and for many others, my Big is my closest friend in my sorority.  She has given me endless amount of support and has consistently been someone I can rely on.  I never knew what it meant to have a sister until I met her.  She will reach out to me when she knows that I am stressed or something is wrong, and I try to do the same.  My Big has helped smooth out my transition into Greek Life in a fun and meaningful way.  She is one person that I know that I can always count on and that I can trust.  I am proud to be her Little and I hope eventually my Little will feel the same way about me.

What does your Big/Little relationship mean to you?

What some other sorority ladies have to say about their Bigs and Littles:

“Big/lil is really being there for someone – on both ends – a big needs the encouragement for a job interview and a lil needs encouragement with the first big paper of her college career!” Shelly Marie Redmond, Alpha Sigma Tau, CL Editor & Chief & CEO

“I think the big/little relationship is the most important relationship a sister can have in a sorority. A big sister will always be there for you in good times and in bad. She is a shoulder to cry on or a person to laugh with. She is someone who you can always count on to be there throughout your life. Being a big sister is one of the best feelings about being in a sorority. I loved guiding my littles through the new member conference and spoiling them. When they became active members I loved seeing them succeed in the chapter. They are my closest friends in my sorority along with my big and the ones who I hope to keep as friends for the rest of my life,” Courtney Finnegan, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chi Chapter, Marist College.

“My big was the reason I fell in love with Alpha Chi. She showed me what it meant to truly care about another person, to truly become invested in someone’s life and to look out for friends like family. She was a never-ending source of support, love and encouragement and was always there when I needed someone to talk to. She convinced me that being in a sorority was all about finding out more about yourself- not about trying to fit in.” Meaghan O’Connor, Alpha Chi Omega, University of Michigan.

“Being big & little means, to me, having someone I can look up to and aspire to be like. My big is a person I can vent to when something is bothering me – especially a problem involving my closest friends or a relationship. She can vent to me all she wants to, as well. It is a lifelong relationship and always wonderful to have one-on-one big/little time together. Even when your big has graduated, she is only a phone call or text away and will always be there to encourage and support.” Lauren Townsend, Phi Mu, Beta Nu Chapter, Bethany College.

“Big/little to me means making a friendship that, if properly cared for, can last a lifetime. I am obsessed with my little and love getting to know her. I feel like she looks to me as a mentor, and I love when she comes to me for advice. But having a big/little relationship also means having fun getting to know each other and someone that always has your back.” Megan Stein, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Theta Chapter, Drake University

“I feel like when you’re a big you’re supposed to pay attention, care for, and give respect to your little. It really shouldn’t matter what you get her or how much money you spent on her, but what kind of relationship you have.” Alex Kundrat, Pi Phi Ny Eta NYU.

“My Big relationship is the big sister I never had.  Whether I’m freaking out over a test and need to be calmed down, upset over something and need to vent to someone, need to borrow clothes, or just want a friend to go to lunch with- my big is there.” Kelly Wall, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chi Chapter, Marist College.

Nicole is a CL intern who goes to Marist College.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and PR.  Nicole is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Marist Ambassadors, and Communication Arts Society.  She enjoys running and hanging out with her sorority sisters and friends.