Need advice about gifts
 

OK, What would you rather have as a new member-
several inexpensive gifts like stationery, pens, pencils, stickers, etc. OR

one larger item like a tote bag, t-shirt, or decorated pillowcase?

Assume that the same amount of money is spent per person (say $15 worth of small stuff or one $15 item)

I want to get treats for all my new members when they get initiated but I personally am pretty poor. So, I am trying to stretch the budget. I make my own stationery, so that's pretty easy to do, but after ink and cards etc. it's about as expensive as a lettered t-shirt or small tote. So what to do? What would you rather have?

I would go for one bigger item - if your chapter is like mine, they'll probably get little gifts like pens and stickers from other people, but getting them a tote or a shirt would be nice - and then their whole pledge class would have a matching tote or shirt.

My favorite thing that I got when I was initiated was a crystal heart-shaped box with my name and "KKG" engraved on the top - a badge box! I broke it about a year after I got it, and was so upset - a wonderful friend got me a replacement box!

I'd rather have one big thing that I can keep. That way it can be a memory from my pledge period. Stationery & pens run out - and if your chapter has things like secret sister you'll probably get tons of them over the years. A tote or t-shirt would be more special. :)

I also received a silver badge container when I initiated, as well as my Big Sis gave me a framed embroidered red rose (our flower) with AOII and my initiation date written on it. Homemade stationary sounds like a very thoughtful gift, but I don't know if it would be appreciated as much considering most people write E-mails these days!!

Ar eyou just talking about big sis stuff or otherwise. I think tote bags are always a great idea because they can keep all of their sorirty stuff that they need for meetings etc in it. I am also a big fan of tshirts.

For our new members we give them our bid day shirt along with some other small gifts. Next year I am hoping that we get our new members small canvus tote bags so they can carry their new member binder with them to meetings. The cool thing about the canvus bag would be that us active sisters decorate the bags ourselves. On Bid Day they would receive these bags with their bid day shirt and a couple other small gifts. :)

I'm with Buttonz on this one. Our girls get spoiled rotten during Big/Lil and at initiation, so for bid night we get them small things. Stuff like candy, a picture frame (buy them at crafts stores like Michael's and decorate them yourself), a votive holder with their name on it, a welcome to XYZ poster, a balloon, etc.