Big Little Week
 

Hi all!

That time is coming up again to spoil your little with lots of goodies. I was wondering if anyone had any creative ideas for gifts/decorations. and also if anyone knows some inexpensive alternatives to the classic expensive "greek stuff" shops. Thanks for your time!

I'm guessing that Big Little Week is the week you spend time with your little sister.

Why don't you make something? I remember when I crossed I got lots of gifts but the ones I remember the best are gifts that someone took the time to create themselves.

An easy/inexpensive thing to make:

Take a wine glass (not an expensive one, get one from the dollar store or something), a small clear sticker that has your sorority letters on it (like the stickers you put in car windows) and marbles in your sorority colors. Put the sticker inside the glass so that the letters are facing outwards, put the marbles in the glass. (It might sound weird but it's actually pretty cute.)

Someone also gave me a Barbie with a Z-Phi-B shirt on. She took the time to sew the letters on the little tiny Barbie shirt. I can't sew a button on without it being a fiasco but if you have any needle and thread talent it's worth a shot.

ZetaAce

You know my all time favorites are pillows and photo albums. The neos from my grad chapter made us pillows and banners for Christmas. They were soooo nice!

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Finer Woman's Dream!

ZetaAce - great idea with the glass and stickers! I think this could be done with a candy jar as well. Some of the craft stores, like Michael's or Frank's, also have lots of goodies that one can use to make great, inexpensive gifts.

Well, during my New Member Education Period, I got a really nice scrapbook, which I could fill with whatever I wanted...I liked that idea, a copy of Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You Will Go!", and a lot of Alpha Chi stuff, including letters, bags, etc.

I think the best gifts are the ones that are functional, like photo albums and jewelry boxes.
A good alternative to the Greek shops (the closest one to my school that carries our letters is about an hour and a half away) are places like Crate and Barrel (good for glasses, jars, etc), and Wal-Mart. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by AlphaChiGirl (edited January 12, 2001).]

How about picture frames? You can take a 5x7 or 8x10 wooden frame and decorate it. You can glue those small craft flowers in each corner of the frame. You may be able to find your sorority flower as well.

Or, you can decorate the frame using those little greek letters you usually put on paddles. You can paint the letters in your sorority colors or just use them as is. You can also use craft paint that comes in the tube to make squigglies and other fun designs on the frame. Use your sorority colors if you like.

You can even blow up one of your favorite pictures of the two of you and put that in the frame. Or, a picture of your entire chapter.

I absolutely LOVE the wine glass idea. Pillows and photo albums are always great gifts! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity
Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Hasta La Muerte!

Hey,

I love GIFTS http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Some nice inexpensive ideas are photo albums (of course stiched with letters and colrs of your organization). Picture frames that are inexpensive and then have the letters put onthem(I KNOW it sounds tacky but even puffy paint will do the trick on a picture frame as long as the frame isn't metal...then it WILL look tacky). Vases with the letters on it. If they're still in college (not grads) then, like, bulletin boards (if in the dorms, this is cool) with the letters.

Have fun. And I agree that some sewing talent does halp but you can make something happen even if you're not...whoever http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

The cutest idea that I have ever seen was a candy jar w/top (the kind you can get from the dollar store or Old Time Pottery, etc.) filled with alternating layers of jelly beans in the orgs. colors. It was very cute. If your organization has a mascot a stuffed animal of this mascot with a scarf in the org.'s colors is also nice.

I was so glad when I was at school with both my big & little sister. We did "family" stuff for each other. For instance, when I went over, my big gave me a beautiful glass with our letters down one side and my initials on the other (she had it etched, but you can buy the do-it-yourself kits at craft stores for cheap and its easy). When my little went over, I did the same for her. During big/little week we did the same type of thing (a frame for each of us that looked the same) so it was really personal. I am not very crafty (at all) but we kept it simple. One very easy idea is to buy a bag of wooden cutouts (they come in various sizes and shapes at craft stores - they're just thin little cut-outs in the shape of hearts, stars, etc.) and a bag of mini wooden clothes pins. Paint (I use an acrylic paint like PLAID or APPLE BARREL because its easy to use and clean up) them both white (or a soro color) and then when it is dry, take a paint pen and write your letters on it in another soro color. Then just hot glue the cutout onto the pin and add a small magnet to the back for a handy "clip magnet" for the fridge, file cabinet, whatever. These make good, easy, cheap gifts that are very good for Christmas, end of the year, or other times when you want to share with your chapter.

[This message has been edited by AXO Alum (edited June 27, 2000).]

I must agree with all the ladies that nominated the dollar store as great gift ideas! I loved all my gifts-let's see, what have I received: pillows, pencils, cups, photo albums,socks and the list goes on. Even little neck scarves from the dollar store with my sorority letters on it. Bascially anything with royal blue and old gold was good enough for me http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

If some of you are savvy with beading, I saw this and I just thought it was so cute! cute! cute! It can be adapted for other sororities, too.
http://www.picturebay.com/mypix/8/13...75014177-1.jpg

Gloriajean,

That was tooooo cute!

Hello DELTABRAT,
Here is a cute one for you too, made for Delta Sigma Theta's (that is your group, yes?)
http://www.picturebay.com/mypix/40/1...76151494-1.jpg
I did not see any for ZPhiB's or Sigma Gamma Rho's, though.

*blush* Thanks equeen for the complement!

Lets see, other ideas not mentioned(supplies can be found at a local hobby store):

* Stationary - Buy in bulk blank notecards. Decorate them with your letters, symbols, flower. Stack them up and tie a ribbon around them (in your colors of course!) and include a properly colored pen.

* Glass etching - From what I've been told its easy to do - bud vases, goblets, picture frame glass, mirrors.

* Mugs - One of my favorite gifts was to a new colony. For each sister, I took a ceramic mug and using glass paint stenciled a white rose on one side. On the other side the phrase "Sisters don't let sisters drink hot chocolate alone" Inside the mug was filled with hot chocolate packages and plastic spoons that were doubled dipped in melted chocolates. (Use the meltables for mold candies.)

* Decorated Journals - Book stores have plain journals for about 3-4 dollars. The surface is a little rough, but if your careful, with rubber stamps and emossing guns decorating them turn out pretty well.

* Another picture frame idea - I picked up a plain frame from target, took tissue paper tore it into pieces and using the mod-podge glued the pieces down over lapping them. It gives it a nice affect. - And adding a personal photo of you and your l'il/big sister adds to it even more!

* Along the same lines, you can pick up the paper mache boxes and paint them or cover them. Its always nice to have a special box for the little things - cards, movie stubs, pictures - that are affiliated with your sisterhood

* While i've never tried it. Pick up either a clear or opaque glass dish. Using non-toxic glass paints you can either create a nice dish for use or as a wall decoration. With the clear dish paint on the underside and let the paints shine up through the dish. You can add your flower, symbols, words of encouragement,etc.

Oh and thanks everyone for more ideas!!

Artimis

btw: I have photos of some of the crafts - I'll post if anyone is interested
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Beta Chapter Alumna and Founder
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies
http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/
http://www.alpha-sigma-kappa.org

[This message has been edited by Artimis (edited June 27, 2000).]

You guys are great!!! Thanks for the ideas! And even pictures...wow I'm impressed.

Please post some pictures! I'd love to but I don't have a scanner http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Well here goes.. (sorry for it being long)

http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum.../store/box.jpg
This is the lioness box equeen was refering to. The box is I think 4x4x3.

http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum...re/plaque1.jpg http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum...re/plaque2.jpg
Though you can't tell the odd shaped plaque is actually 2x the size of the other. Bet you can't guess my sororities flower. ;>

http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum...re/lioness.jpg
This one actually hangs at work!

The wooden plaques are availible in most craft stores. The images are from stamp impressions on the wood. I traced them using a wood burning kit (between $15-24). A bit of stain, varnish, paint as desired. They have a small metal hook on the back for hanging. Very Fun projects IMHO.

http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum...ang_plaque.jpg
Not one of my better projects. - The mold for the plaque can cause problems. I've also made rose magnets among others using smaller molds.

And I'm throwing this one in. I didn't make this but a friend of mine did. If you look at the upper right and lower left corners a rose etched is etched in the glass.
http://alpha-sigma-kappa.ou.edu/alum...tore/frame.jpg

I don't think I have anything else photographed. Enjoy!

Artimis


[This message has been edited by Artimis (edited June 27, 2000).]

Oh boy, if you're looking for ideas, Artimis is the one to ask. I have a shelf full of beautiful memorabilia, and most of them are her creations, withlionesses, white roses, silver and blue, and all beautiful.

Some of my favorites are wooden blocks with our letters on them, and silver roses (either painted or stickers)...a wooden jewellry box with the image of a lion cub either carved or burnt into it...a blue vase with little silver and white roses (the kind you find in craft stores) in a ring around the neck.

Most of the gifts my sisters and I exchange are crafter (or bought because the item incorporates our symbols/colors)...unfortunately (or fortunately!) because we're so small, we can't mass produce things like caps, keychains, or special order nicer items, without a great deal of expense. But I kinda like the stuff that has a personal touch, it speaks of a great bond and much love! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I don't know if it's just my computer or what but Artimis...your pictures aren't loading. If others can view them and not just the little box with a red x in it...let me know. Thanks again guys for the great responses!

Looks like the server I uploaded them to crashed and lost recent additions. The links should work now. Let me know else wise.

it works....wow you're crafty http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Wish you were MY big!

Wow Artimis, you are very talented. I'd like to place an order please! LOL http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

ZetaAce

Ooooooooh, I like..... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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Sincerity, Loyalty, Unity
Sigma Lambda Upsilon: Hasta La Muerte!

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif Ack! Tropical Storm Artimis has been unleashed! For those of you who don't know Artimis as well as I do, she is *very* crafty...double entendre definitely intended!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif {ducks a blow}....love ya sis! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

And that, my dear friends, is a but a small sampling of her talent. My personal favorites are the emblem-shaped plaque, and the box with the lion-cub. I also like the picture frame, which another sister made....Artimis, I know that the "Sisters by nature, Friends by choice" plaque didn't work out, but I like the concept!! You might try it on another medium.

Unfortunately I love the artsy craftsy creations of others but I'm not as talented in creating them. One thing I *can* do well is cross-stitch; I cross stitched our flower and other significant things on a towel for my little sister, when she initiated. She loved it!

Speaking of cross-stitch: I know a lot of greek crests are available in cross stitch patterns...does anyone know of a company that will create a cross-stitch pattern from a crest? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I'd like to cross-stitch ours and present it to our chapter for our future house.

[This message has been edited by equeen (edited June 28, 2000).]

Artimis - your so called not as good project is better than my best! Good work on all your stuff...I too wish my big was as crafty http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

"Speaking of cross-stitch: I know a lot of greek crests are available in cross stitch patterns...does anyone know of a company that will create a cross-stitch pattern from a crest? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I'd like to cross-stitch ours and present it to our chapter for our future house."

equeen, Yes! There's a company on the web that has many Greek crests as cross-stitch kits. We ordered a bunch and sold them to members a few years ago. They'd probably be willing to do yours as a pattern. Let me check with the woman who ordered them for us to get contact info for you! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by BFulton (edited July 09, 2000).]

Oooh, can't wait to hear about it BFulton! Actually, I'm working on a cross-stitched crest for another GLO...unfortunately I lost the little sheet with the contact info for the company who made it!

Equeen: Talk to ecoimp - She recently bought a gif to cross stitch pattern program. And is waiting on a copy of the crest. In the mean time, have you seen the Rose w/Letter pattern she did for her big sis? And you think i'm crafty aye? *grin* I take both meanings as a complement :>

All: Thanks for the complements. And equeen is right, I'm not the only crafty one. When we colonized our 3rd chapter, several of the alum made small gifts for the new candidates. They were completely wow-ed. One of these days my alumnae chapter is planning on getting online a small craft "store". The idea would be to have personal craft items avaible for sisters to purchase from the alum chapter with all proceeds going to the housing fund. We are hoping it will make a good fund raiser.

I must say, this is one of the best and most helpful threads I've read in a long time. I just want to thank everyone for their really creative ideas. We plan to take some of these ideas and adapt them to our interest group and our upcoming end of summer retreat. As a new organization with no guide on campus (or even in the same region as our campus) it is difficult at times to find things to do in the effort of developing sisterhood. Thanks again. If I come up with anything I will be sure to share.

I didn't have a little, but I did get to buy some stuff for a very special sister. I made most of the stuff I gave to her. I would buy candles and decorate them with puffy paint (non-flamible), and decorate candle holders. I bought incense holders and decoraged them, I bought baskets and pillows and put fabric letters on them, mugs, picture frames. . .etc etc. just go buy the plainest ones you can find and add fabric, puffy paint, stickers, etc etc. . . IMO, the best gifts are hand made.

For anyone looking for a needlework kit for their GLO, here's one source. Ours turned out great!
www.jlgi.com/Heirloom/SorFrat.html

They do say they only wholesale the kits - but they could probably tell you who carries them at retail. They also have university emblems.

[This message has been edited by BFulton (edited June 29, 2000).]

Wow, these are good ideas. I'm just finishing a crocheted pillow with my letters and my class sisters' initials. I'm going to try the idea with the blocks. Sounds easy and like it will come out cute.

I loved the AKa and Delta beads (what happened to the delta pic?) -- anyway, I am having a hard time with the beading. If anyone on this board knows anything about it, could you send me an email?? Or if you know a website or whatnot.

Thanks,
bttrflyy@yahoo.com

some things my sisters and i have done are:

~*pass down a family tree *slambook* (i KNOW you remember those) with SAI-inspired questions

~*give each pledge a pillowcase and when she hangs out with a sister, they write a message on thier pillowcase (great for decorating)

~*i gave my little some jars of candy in our colors, decorated picture frames with puffy paint and glitter *i LOVE glitter!*, decorated a pillow for her, made her a hand-drawn scrapbook of things i loved about her, since i nicknamed her *begel* (<--yes that is spelled the right way), gave her a ton of bagels with lox and cream cheese.

i got some awesome ideas from you guys...great jobs everyone!

etienne *yipper*
sigma alpha iota

An idea I had (and will probably use for my little--when I get one!) was a French-style memo board (it's hard to describe these, but basically it's a fabric-colored board with ribbons cris-crossing the board, so you don't need pins to hold memos to the board...all you do it tuck it behind a ribbon). To make one, you could use a fabric in the design (maybe using one of the symbols of your sorority), with ribbon that had your letters on it. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif It's kind of hard to describe, but those of you who have seen them can understand (I hope)

We give our littles:

*potted flowers-our Sorority flower of course http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif
*decorated candy dish/plate/cup
*photo album-covered in fabric, lace and ribbons
*a bulletin/dry erase board-decorated with sorority symbols & her name
*picture frame-with the wooden bigsis & lilsis placed on it
*shot glass & stickers- pick up at your local Greek store
*decorated pillow
*a t-shirt that says Lil Sis-get a matching one for yourself that says Big Sis
*License plate holders & car decals
*a journal with your favorite poem inside

If you keep a supply of all surface paint, slick/puffy paint, and some of the wooden letters around you can create gifts year round. If you see something that you think your Lil will like, take it home and put your letters and her name on it & *poof* the perfect gift.

Another idea is to buy some fabric and cut out a large set of letters & then sew or iron it on a blanket. Why shell out up to $60 for the afghans at the Greek store? You can also do this with towels or a bedspread.

hello everyone~
since you guys gave me some great ideas, i'll share some that i've either made or *thought about* making (i'm not that artistic but sometimes i get bitten by the 'crafty bug!')

*i've bought candle votives and decorated them using glass paint. it's a bit see-thru so it has a different effect and if you mess up you can let it dry, peel it off and start again.
*i bought a magnet sheet at the rag shop, traced our letters on, cut them out and painted them.
*i bought a blank tote bag and some rose iron-on transfers as well as a blank iron-on transfer sheet and fabric paint. i may wait to see who my little is and paint her name on.
*i think stole this idea from another GC's post: buy a bottle -the one i got has a cork top- and ribbon in your sorority's colors. then tie a bunch of bows and present it as a 'wish keeper.' your little can make a wish on the bow and untie it. then when all the bows are untied, she can re-tie them and pass it on. (note: it may take a while to tie enough bows to fill the bottle/jar, but i just did it while watching tv.)
*craft stores sell gel candle kits and you can alternate colors. a nice alternative to regular candles.

call me overeager but i'm excited for recruitment!

Here's some things that make nice little gifts:

--stickers of your mascot/symbol. Our symbol is the red rose and I gave my lil sis a pack of fuzzy rose stickers.

--if your symbol happens to be a rose, craft stores and other places carry floating candles shaped like roses!

--If you have the time and energy(and a computer handy), make a calendar, with each month's picture something sorority related--photos, pictures of your mascot or symbol, etc. If you have dates of upcoming events, write them in the calendar.

--little sterling silver or pewter charms of your symbol/mascot. You can find these at Wal-Mart, craft stores, gift stores, etc.

--Make a beaded bracelet in your colors, with a charm of your mascot/symbol.

--buy a small, plain, smooth-glass candleholder. Use a paint pen to write your letters on it in one of your colors, and put in it a candle of the other color.

--give your lil sis a real flower, of whatever your sorority flower is, and wrap ribbons in your colors around the vase. If it's something like a rose, carnation, lily, etc, this would be pretty inexpensive, and very thoughtful.

--If your lil lives in a dorm, buy one of those blank doorhangers and make her a cute doorhanger!

--If she lives in a dorm, get some balloons in your colors and tie them on her doorknob.

Hope this helps!