Spending Limits for Big/Little Week?
 

We had a limit of $5 a week, and then we all get the same 'bigger' present for all of littles for initiation. Keeping the presents under $5 each week is actually a lot of fun, everyone's creativity really shines through and people come up with some really fun stuff!

We didn't have one. I spent about $300 on my first little and $400 on my second little because I didn't have as much stuff to pass down to my 2nd little. Our big/little "week" was only 2 days though because apparently it was getting too expensive. The 2 days thing started 2 or 3 pledge classes before me.




*edited because I can't spell today :)

When I got my little, we didn't have a spending limit, and I probably spent over $100 on her (but she's worth it!). The next year, bigs had to pay a set amount (I think it was $60 or $70) and the New Member Ed would bulk buy gifts for each week of their new member period.. like on the first week they got a lavalier, second week a picture frame, etc...

we don't necessarily have a week for this, but throughout the entire new member process there is a limit of $75.

We didn't have a spending limit. I think I spent like $300 on my little, not including things that we handed down. My little left the fraternity and still refuses to return our line quilt and sweatshirt. :( I can't find him so I can take it back either. :(

We dont actually have a Big/Little week ( actually now, Phi Sig nationals wants us to call them "Sapphire" sisters )...we just basically get it over with in two nights, seperated by usually a week. The first meeting, potential Sapphire Sisters go out with the New Members for ice cream and just get to know each other better...the second is revealing in front of the entire chapter.

The night used to get super crazy, and people used to go nuts - but the SDC this year, limited the Sapphires to a certain list of things that they could put in their gift bags ( Binder, Journal, Funky Pen, A pig, a pillowcase, the NM's fave candy, some flowers, and some Big/Lil paraphanalia like a candle or a picture frame) so no one would feel like they didnt get something or they got ripped off.

But I feel like on initiation, everyone is going to go NUTS.

Ours was supposed to be $100, but people go WAY over. I've seen some spend around $400, which I thought was outrageous. They finally stopped having bigs bring the baskets to big/little ceremony so those who can't afford more don't feel like they didn't get enough. I personally spent around $125 or so on each of my littles. I'm right at the top of the family tree, though, so now I have stuff to pass down to new family members.

We just started setting our limits in the fall & it has been great - before, people would spend $500+ whereas some people only had like $20 to spend. It was definitely noticed. So now it's like $5 for day one, $10 for day 2, and $15 for day 3 & 4. At initiation, we don't limit the amount they can spend, but we do tell them what has to be bought so that everyone gets the same type stuff - scrapbook, lavaliere, letter tote bag, and something else.

The person that raised the most crap about limits last semester turned out to be the most grateful as her little dropped 2 weeks later.

I don't get why people that drop want to KEEP their stuff -- especially things like family-letters and such. If you don't want to be an AXO, then give it back!

We don't have a spending limit persay, but it is tradition to give new family letters at initiation, and perhaps a bag or lavalier, some candy and usually something "random" goes in there, and something handed down as well. I think I spent around 30 or 40 on initiation gifts for my little, but she had two bigs (me and my big!) so we could split the costs of going to dinner/other big/little bonding stuff.

Spending limits for sponsors or allocating all major new member gifts out of the chapter budget is a smart way to open up the pool of prospective sponsor sisters. A lot of members want to be "big sisters," but can't take on the financial burden. This will give you participants!!

Great inexpensive new member "gifts" include writing inspirational notes, homemade goodies, crafts with sorority letters and of course-- spending time with the new member! Encourage these activities and gifts.

Typical big gifts and initation gifts: lettered jersey/sweatshirt and/or lavaliere, paired with other small items like sorority-themed pens, a candle, stationery, homemade presents or goodies (pin box, pin pillow, corkboard with letters painted on it, picture frame with letters painted on it, photo album...), a stuffed animal mascot, a potted plant with your sorority flower/bouquet, something with your sorority crest, candy, tote bag with letters, etc. And of course, a handwritten note congratulating the new member and welcoming her into the sisterhood!

My chapter had a policy that no individual new member gifts could be given on sorority grounds. Little things-- like a note or candy-- were ok, but this way, a new member didn't feel like she got left out or got less than another new member. New members and sponsor sisters were encouraged to use discretion so that no one felt like the kid with the fewest gifts on Christmas morning. I think it worked really well. On initiation day, we gave the new members diamond boards at the chapter house, but the boards were provided by the chapter/decorated by the sponsor, and every one of the new members got one. Post-initiation, the pairs might go off in pairs or in small groups to do an off-site gift exchange.