A Gift Giving Guide for a Large Group

One of the challenges of being so close to so many people in your sorority is that once holiday season hits, you feel obligated to shower everyone with love and presents. Here are my top 3 large group and inexpensive gifts for your favorite sisters!
Travel Coffee Mugs – this is actually what I am doing for all of my friends this season. I found a cup I liked online and ordered 50 (my little sister is passing them out to her friends as well) and each cup rang up under $3. I stuffed mine with hot chocolate and instant coffee travel packs but you could fill it with candy or baked goods as well! It’s an easy gift for under $5 each.

DIY Ornaments – hit up your favorite craft store’s holiday isle and you can pick up a dozen clear glass ornaments for around $4. Then just decorate with glitter, fill with pearls or bedazzle these ornaments for an easy gift. If you want to personalize it even more, pull out your trusty paint pen and add a first initial, monogram or even sorority letters to each ornament.

Finals Week Survival Kits – This is what I got from my little last year and I absolutely adored mine! Pick up a few bags and fill each one with anything from highlighters and a spare pencil to a candle or travel size lotion. Add some candy and some peppermints to help fill in space. You can also add in hot chocolate mix or instant coffee here too! 

I hope you have a great holiday season and be sure to let us know what mass gifts you do for your friends and sisters! Happy Gifting!

Finals Freakout

** If the title of this post gives you anxiety, don't be alarmed. Read on to see ways to tackle that anxiety and prep yourself for the most stressful time of the year... finals!

For some of you finals may have already come and gone, but for many the next two weeks are those dreaded weeks. From staying up late studying to binging on everything in the kitchen, finals week can really take its toll on your health and sanity.

Tip 1 - Stock up on vitamins, fruits and veggies. If you look around you will see many people have bad allergies or develop coughs during finals week. This is because stress can cause serious damage to the immune system. Prep your immune system by eating lots of fruits and veggies and taking vitamins. Add Vitamin C if you are susceptible to colds. This will keep you in tip-top condition if you happen to miss some sleep later on.

Tip 2 - Aim for increments of 3 hours of sleep. The sleep cycle lasts an average of 1.5 hours and it is shown that you are most rested at the end of each sleep cycle. This means that if you are planning on sleeping less during finals, try to make it through at least two sleep cycles. It is often better to sleep 6 hours than 8 hours. If your goal is to pull an all-nighter, try to plan for at least 3 hours of sleep. You need time to cool your brain anyway!

Tip 3 - Please shower and primp. I am not sure when or why there was an unspoken rule created that it is acceptable for college kids to not shower during finals week but it needs to end. When you are stressing out, you are producing sweat which accumulates on your body and it is gross if you do not wash it off. Many students develop stress acne during this time so it is important to also continue with your beauty routine. Each day you should shower, wash your face, apply moisturizer to your face, apply lotion to your body, and wash your hands often. You should also continue to shave, clean your hair, and primp your self with pedicures and manicures this week. These will not only make you look better but will make you feel better about yourself.

Tip 4 - Study with music. Many studies have shown that listening to classical music will help you concentrate and retain information. I have studied with classical music and I love it; however, I have found that peaceful, relaxing tones appeal more to me. My go to study soundtrack is Overheard in a Dream by 2002 and Balance by Liquid Mind on repeat. Try it out!

Tip 5 - Do something fun! Do not spend your entire week cooped up in the library drilling yourself with flashcards over and over and over. Take an hour or two each day to step outside and walk around a bit, watch a movie with friends, or go to a group fitness class. Whatever you find enjoyable, make sure you schedule out some time to do it!


What are your tips for a successful finals week?

Big Appreciation Week Ideas

There’s no relationship quite like the big/little relationship. She’s your mentor, your best friend, you role model, your partner in crime. She was showering you with gifts before you even knew her name. Now it’s your turn to pay her back for everything she’s done…it’s Big Appreciation Week! If you’re at a loss for what to your amazing big, here are some suggestions:

Picture Frame - I’m sure you and your big have tons of adorable photos together. What better way to say “you’re beautiful and I love you” than with a frame for her to look at every day. Bonus points to you if you craft the frame so it’s more personalized. If crafting isn’t your specialty, hit up your local TJ Maxx or Target to look for a cute photo frame.

Crafts - Speaking of crafting, why not make some crafts! I’m sure your big made you a slew of cute crafts for big reveal. Now it’s your turn to return the favor. Whether it be a paddle, monogrammed wine glasses, or a pin box, I’m sure she’ll love whatever you make. Every craft is beautiful if it comes from the heart.

Date Night - Take your favorite lady out for a big/little date night. Grab a bite to eat at your favorite café and then catch the latest RomCom that your boyfriend refuses to see. Don’t forget a trip to the nearest ice cream parlor at the end so you two can catch up on gossip over a cone of rocky road.

Matching Shirts - There are so many cute big/little shirts out there. You can find the style that fits your relationship perfectly. Preppy? Get matching frockets with your monograms embroidered on the pockets. Too cool for school? Get the all too hip Biggie Smalls shirts. The possibilities are endless!

When in doubt, just buy candy! Every girl loves candy. With gifts like these, it will be like big reveal week all over again, but this time you get the be the gift-giver!

What have you done for Big Appreciation Week? We’d love to hear it in the comments.