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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.