If you’re new to a sorority you have one ginormous event ahead of you... Getting a little! To most, it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of being in a sorority. You get the little sister that you actually wanted.
When you received a big you were showered with presents: canvases, picture frames, candy, etc., but now it’s your turn to do the gift giving. Everyone wants their little to feel loved, and half done projects don’t exactly scream, “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!” So below I’ve made a list of tips and tricks to help you out this crafting season.
If you’re artistically challenged or just balling on a budget, make sure to take notes!
1. Give yourself a head start.
Start NOW. It’s never to early to start working on stuff for your little. Painting is extremely time consuming and you want to allow yourself enough time to perfect everything before you give them to your little. Set aside an area in your room or maybe a box to hold all the stuff you get. Stores have deals at random times of the year, so keep your eyes open. Spending small amounts throughout the year won’t be as painful as dropping a couple of hundred dollars right before reveal. If you see something on sale, buy it. You’re going to buy that mug either way, you might as well buy it when it’s $2 instead of $5.2. Pick a color scheme.
This tip doesn’t just help your wallet, it also helps your little’s eyes. A lot of girls take my first tip and start working on things ahead of time. Because of this, some littles may end up with a modge podge of different designs and colors to decorate their room, which works if they’re a bright little rainbow and don’t mind how their room looks. But if they’re more organized and like for their room to look visually pleasing it creates a bit of a problem. By choosing a color scheme, you are also minimizing the amount of supplies you will have to buy. Pick a color scheme and then buy paints that correspond. This way you’re not buying every color. If your color scheme is black, gold, and white, you won’t have to buy orange or blue because you will most likely never use it. Pick about five different bottles of paint and stick to them for everything you make. Your little’s room will look more tidy and the gift baskets will look great on Instagram.
3. Dollar Tree, and clearance sections, are holy grounds.
Remember what I said about looking for sales? Everyone loves a good deal, including your wallet. I swear by Dollar Tree, it’s like a craft lover’s haven. There’s so much there you can buy for one dollar and turn it into a masterpiece; wine glasses, water bottles, tumblers, coffee mugs, picture frames… you name it, Dollar Tree probably has it. You can also order online and have it delivered to the closest store for the most convenience! Whenever you’re at Target or Michaels or any other store, take a walk through their dollar/discount section to see if you can find anything worth buying. Even if the section doesn’t compel you to start throwing dollar bills, it may spark your imagination and have you thinking about cool new designs to try.
4. Don’t even think about checking out until you download your daily Michael’s coupon.
Craft stores can get expensive, Michaels included. That’s why it is a blessing that Michaels offers a "40% off one regular price item" coupon every. Single. Day. All you have to do is go to www.Michaels.com , click on the “coupons” button, and go from there. They also have the weekly ads on their website so take a peek and see if they have anything good on sale. I usually use my coupon to buy the bulk canvas packs. They range from a 2 pack to a 10 pack. You’re probably going to paint all of them for your baskets, just go ahead and buy the big pack.
Artistically challenged? Have no fear...
5. Utilize paint pens whenever you can.
Paintbrushes and acrylic paints are not for the faint-hearted. Some designs take skill and if done incorrectly can result in hair pulling and bad attitudes. Work smarter, not harder. Sharpie paint pens may cost a little more upfront but they will save you a lot of time and energy. You can buy a 5-pack at Michaels, and make sure to use the 40% off coupon I mentioned. Not everyone can paint well, but a lot of people, girls especially, can write pretty decently. Paint pens allow you to write directly onto your canvases/projects and still achieve that paint brush look. They’re also durable on glassware, so you don’t have to worry about making sure you have the right kind of paint. (Yes, writing on mugs and wine glasses requires special enamel paint or else they’ll chip every time you try to wash them.)
6. Dot art is a lot prettier, and easier, than you realize.
Painting a straight line may take more skill than you thought. Dot art is a beautiful and simple technique to help move your crafting process along. You can use a roundhead paintbrush, a q-tip, a bobby pin or basically anything round that you don’t mind getting covered in paint. Use my next tip to help ignite your creativity, and make something marvelous out of a simple shape.
7. Pinterest is a creative place when your mind isn’t one.
I have www.Pinterest.com bookmarked on my computer, it’s probably my most viewed web page. You can copy designs right off the screen or find an idea you can customize to fit your own sorority. Some pins contain links to other websites that may have more advice you can use. You will be amazed to see how creative some people are. If you ever need to find a “how-to” or just need a bit of inspiration, make sure to take a scroll.
8. “Pass downs” are a beautiful thing.
If you have some stuff you don’t mind parting with, put it in the basket. Your GBig or whatever sisters are about to graduate are also a GREAT place to find passdowns. Not many girls who are about to leave college hold onto all of their sorority crafts and clothes, and why spend your time making stuff when you can just ask sisters for their stuff? If you’ve posted the crafts you have and you’re scared your little might recognize who they belong to before reveal, now is a great time to trade projects with other sisters. This can also make your basket feel brand new rather than feeling like a box of hand-me-downs.
9. DO NOT stress out.
Painting can be extremely difficult, and it’s nothing to lose sleep over. Whether you give your little the most extravagant basket, or a plain box with a nice card, your little is going to love it, and she’s going to love you. As long as you put thought and time into your gifts, your little is going to feel loved and wanted. But if your basket really has you disappointed and ashamed, keep on reading to find one final tip to get you through big little reveal!
10. If these tips just aren’t doing the trick, you could always buy them!
Etsy has tons of cute stuff, but the more you find the more shipping you have to pay for (no thanks.) To save the most money, try to find people on campus willing to create stuff for you. I love crafting and I sell to my work to all my friends and plenty of people on campus. The best part about the USC community is that NO shipping is involved. I get to hand deliver everything I make and meet some really cool gals! I have different sales going on throughout the year and great deals on sorority baskets. If you want to get your little customized goods, give my page a look at www.facebook.com/CraftsbySM.
