Big/Lil week
 

Hi everyone! I am coming up on Big Sis stuff in a week. I am going to take a little this time and I am SOOO excited I want everything to be perfect!

I started shopping and got all the basic stuff. Picture frames to decorate etc... I think it would be easier to do baskets each day with a theme. So I was wondering if you guys could help me with some basket theme ideas and things I could put in them.

I am going to do a girls night in (nail polish, jammies, slippers, a sappy movie, journal...) and a girls night out (funky makeup, perfume, gum, tic tacs, TP I also need some more ideas of what to put in this one) So any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

Here's some more ideas
 

Those are really cute ideas! Can I make a suggestion though? With each day, make the gift something that pertains to AOII which she learn about and write a card explaining what each means to you ... My big did this and I learned more about AOII in that week and what it stood for - and it was fun too!

example:

Day 1 : College Loyalty
Get some pens, pencils, a t-shirt with the school name/logo etc. on it.
Card - Talk about those '4 college juniors' and how they felt loyalty to your coellege was very important in a strong member and chapter. Talk about how involved chapter members are in campus orgs, Dean's List, sports teams ....

Day 2: Friendship & Letters
Picture frame of you both, maybe a half locket Friends/Forever, a small book on women & their friends. Give her a (nice) letter shirt of yours she can wear (or get a new one from the Greek Store).

Card: Talk about the 'Power of Friendship' - how each woman is special in her own way, but in AOII she can feel safe to grow and develop. What chapter events focus develop friendship (sisterhoods, road trips etc.)

Day 3: Panda
This one is a gimme ... give a panda! I also gave some stickers and a book about pandas.

Card: Talk about the panda - how it's the only animal that doesn't have any natural enemies, and this is why AOII gets involved in a variety of events - nothing holds us back! Also give some fun facts about the campus Greeks, sorority 'pairs', etc.

Day 4: Rubies and Pearls
This one is fun - you can get a really nice Bath & Body set made of red and white bath pearls, lotion, bath gel. You could also get some funky crystal bracelets you can both wear.

Card: You can talk about the ruby - the heart of AOII. You can talk about where to wear her NM pin /badge, and why it's over your heart. As well, why cardinal is our colour

As well, on this day I got the 'family bear' - it had been passed down to each member of our 'family' since our chapter was installed - so it really had lots of meaning. Maybe your Big will have something she would like to start as a tradition.

Day 5: Roses
Surprise - a dozen roses!! As well, you can do a book on roses, etc.

Card: Talk about the ultimate symbol of AOII, how the Jacqueminot rose has no thorns, and why it's the only symbol - "One motto, one badge, one bond, and singleness of heart" - SGSP. Maybe have the words to "A Rose Ever Blooming" done in nice calligraphy too (I still have mine - framed!)


Hope these give you some ideas. Don't worry about elaborate gifts - our Founders valued simplicity above all else. Sometimes even the most simple gifts have the most meaning. Besides - you still have Inspriration gifts too! So don't break the bank!

Roses,
Shala
@-}

Re: Here's some more ideas
 

I really hate to break it to ya'll, but the Jacqueminot rose DOES have thorns--lots of little, sharp ones. You can't tell from a distance, but I planted a Jacqueminot rose bush last spring and my hands were pretty scraped after trying to put it into the ground!

Sarah

Along with Beryana's comment...Our pref speech talked about how each part of AOII can be reflected in each part of the rose including the thorns.