We would like your input to help settle a dispute!

[TLUGuy]

Hello,

My wife and I are having a disgreement and we agreed to let the participants on this thread settle the argument.

We have two sets of friends who have two kids that recently joined the same fraternty and sorority that we all pledeged back in the 70"s!!

We've known these young adults since they were born and we would like to get them a gift to help celebrate their recent initiation. We probably would be spending $75-100.

This is where the disagreement begins.

My wife wants to get them some sorority/fraternity jewelry. She believes that it will be something sentimental that they can appreciate forwever.

I want to have their initiation certificates matted and framed. I believe a nice quality frame piece with their organization name stamped on the mat is something that they can appreciate now and later.

Plus IMHO does anybody wear frat jewelry on a regular basis? I think its nice but its going to sit in a draw for most of the time!

We would like to get them the same gift.

So the question is: As a member of the Greek community What gift would you like to recieve a) the jewelry or b) the framed initiation piece?

I suppose we could also ask for other suggestions but that could create another round of discussions

We'll check this thread at the end of the long weekend and tally the results so thanks for your help in advance.

Best regards,

TLUguy

[KSUViolet06]

If you asked me as a collegian, I'd say jewelry. But knowing how much I really don't wear that kind of stuff now, I'd go with the frame.

[APhiAnna]

Am I correct in that you are buying gifts for two different genders?

For the girl, I'd say a piece of jewelry that has the symbol of their organization (a key for Kappa, an anchor for DG, an ivy leaf for Alpha Phi, etc). That way it celebrates their sorority affiliation, but it will also be something they will continue to wear long after graduation.

For the boy, I'd definitely avoid jewelry. I do not know any of my friends in fraternities who wear or own fraternity jewelry. A nice frame would be appropriate for him. Also perhaps something engraved...a set of cuff links, glassware (those crystal glasses that hold brandy...I am blanking at the name!), nice wooden box, etc.

[Senusret I]

I'd go with the frame as well. Getting a good frame is one of those extra, extra things you always say you'll get when you have the money, but you never really do. Jewelry -- you can and will get that on your own if you really want to.

Note: A collegian generally won't have some place to hang their certificate until well after they graduate. You know, concrete walls and all.

Sidenote: I recently discovered that the same people who make the frames for my university's degrees also makes them for my fraternity's shingles.

[GeorgiaGPhiB]

Frame! Being in the process of getting my certificate framed, it is a lot of money and I would love if somebody else would like to do it for me.

[Psi U MC Vito]

I agree with APhiAnna and say jewelry for the woman. For the man I would say either the frame which I think is a great idea, or possibly something engraved with the Fraternities Coat of Arms.

Oh I'm a man if that makes any difference.

[ComradesTrue]

I personally would have treasured the jewelry more. I was given a James Avery charm bracelet with various symbols associated with my organization when I was in college (1991-95). I still have it, and still wear it.

The frame sounds like a good idea for a fraternity man.

[southbymidwest]

Totally agree with the jewelry for the girl, frame, cufflinks (although I personally don't know too many guys in college that wear french cuffs), or coat of arms item for the guy.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I'd go with the frame as well. Getting a good frame is one of those extra, extra things you always say you'll get when you have the money, but you never really do.

TRUTH! I would really like a nice frame for my shingle, and even though I couldn't hang it in my dorm room I would rather have the expense of framing taken care of so I don't keep it in an envelope forever.

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

(those crystal glasses that hold brandy...I am blanking at the name!)

A snifter!

I have some nice Coat of Arms glassware - they'll get that stuff at formals as favors, or as awards. Go with the frame.

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Oh I'm a man if that makes any difference.

I don't know why but this made me laugh so hard...

[GTAlphaPhi]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

Also perhaps something engraved...a set of cuff links, glassware (those crystal glasses that hold brandy...I am blanking at the name!), nice wooden box, etc.

Many fraternities' and sororities' official policies ban the use of their crest/coat of arms or letters on drinkware (regardless of what individual chapters end up doing to show house spirit or commemorate events). Alpha Phi is one of them.

I do love the idea of frames for both, and if you want to go the jewelry route with the daughter, I think a symbol of her sorority is something she'll be able to wear longer.

[libramunoz]

For the young lady, a piece of jewlery would be the best bet. For the guy, the frame.
However, if you'd prefer, the best thing to also get them would be a gift certificate so that they could get what they wanted.

[ThetaDancer]

I agree with the idea of getting the girl jewelry and the guy a frame.

And I like the idea of giving jewelry with the sorority's symbol (or maybe colors?) because I think the girl will be likely to wear that long after her college years.

[PsychTau]

Hmmm....

This could go either way. If the male is the kind of guy who likes to wear a class ring, I think a signet type ring from his fraternity would look nice (I know I've seen some nice SigEp and SigmaChi rings). Or...could you buy both of them an upgraded, blinged out badge (blinged out being relative, of course)?

If the male is not the jewelry type, then the frame would be awesome. I can see him hanging that in his office after graduation. The female would like jewelry but I would get a nice piece that is the sorority's symbol instead of letters. She's more apt to wear it well after graduation, and it will still hold great meaning for her.

And it's wonderful of you to want to get them a gift! How sweet of you!

PsychTau

[ADPiTigergurl]

Ok so I'll through my input in. ( i am a CURRENT Collegian, who is a female) .
I WANT THE JEWELERY!!! I was initiated late October and don't even have my certificate yet nor do I have anywhere to hang it. So although a frame may be nice. It's pretty impractical for the time being. I love the jewelry we seel ( I wen to out DLC this weekend and was in love) The problem is that it is sortof expensive and I'm a college kid on a college kid budget. Even if it doesn't have letters on it but is the symbol or colors, trust me she'll LOVE it.

Now for the boy I going to say he would not be as happy to recieve jewelery.

[AnchorAlumna]

Frames for both the guys and gals. It's something you might not do for yourself - especially since they are still in college - but will be treasured later.