[adpiucf]

Definitely do a totebag and a bid-day t-shirt. Like someone else said, crinkle up tissue paper to fill out the bags and take up room. Add non-melting candies.

One way to cut down on costs is to purchase some craft supplies from Michael's and have the actives make gifts for the new members during Spirit Week that can be put into the Bid Day bags. IE: Pin box, pin pillow, stuffed animals, decorated cup, candles, etc. You can also have the actives write notes to the new members and include these.

You can include a directory of active sisters, new member handbook and some inexpensive stickers, pins and pencils.

You can also ask the local Greek store if they can cut you a deal on Bid Day gifts bought in bulk.

You can also solicit donations from campus activities and local businesses who would want your new members to patronize their business/join their clubs. You might pick up some university t-shirts or pom-poms from Student Gov't, or some Chik-Fil-A coupons from the local restaurant.

Good luck! Find out what the other chapters on your campus are doing, too. You want to stay competitive with the others, and see if maybe you can realocate money to your budget from another area to do so. You want to make a strong first impression on your new members with their first gift from the chapter and keep within your campus culture's tradition of new member gifts, too.