Photo by: AudreyJM529
There are many occasions to give sorority gifts. In addition to the standard holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years), gifts are also appropriate, and fully appreciated, on a sorority’s founder’s day, during formal sorority recruitment, and at the start of finals week. It’s also not a bad idea to give gifts when trying to promote your chapter’s own upcoming events such as a philanthropy, campus-wide dinner, or party. Whether your goal is to improve sorority relations, promote your fraternity’s event, or just get to know the sorority girls, here are some great sorority gift ideas to steal their hearts and leave them wanting more.
Roses and Flowers
As corny as it is, listen to all those Valentine’s Day ads promoting “the flower of love”. Roses are always a crowd pleaser, and now with high volume stores like Costco, Safeway, and Albertson’s, you can buy roses without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that roses come in a number of colors; instead of red, consider orange, pink or white. Additionally, don’t forget all the other flower possibilities. While roses are always a favorite, help your chapter stand out with a different floral choice such as tulips, carnations, lilies or orchids. If your fraternity has a little extra money to splurge, consider buying each sorority’s official flower to give to their chapter. Below is a list of all 26 National Panhellenic Conference sororities and their official flowers:
Alpha Chi Omega – Red Carnation
Alpha Delta Pi – Woodland Violet
Alpha Epsilon Phi – Lily of the Valley
Alpha Gamma Delta – Red and Buff Roses
Alpha Omicron Pi – Jacqueminot Rose
Alpha Phi – Lily of the Valley
Alpha Sigma Alpha – Narcissus and Aster
Alpha Sigma Tau – Yellow Rose
Alpha Xi Delta – Pink Rose
Chi Omega – White Carnation
Delta Delta Delta – Pansy
Delta Gamma – Cream Colored Rose
Delta Phi Epsilon – Purple Iris
Delta Zeta – Pink Killarney Rose
Gamma Phi Beta – Pink Carnation
Kappa Alpha Theta – Black and Gold Pansy
Kappa Delta – White Rose
Kappa Kappa Gamma – Fleur-de-Lis
Phi Mu – Rose colored Carnation
Pi Beta Phi – Wine Carnation
Phi Sigma Sigma – American Beauty Rose
Sigma Delta Tau – Golden Tea Rose
Sigma Kappa – Wild Purple Violet
Sigma Sigma Sigma – Purple Violet
Theta Phi Alpha – White Rose
Zeta Tau Alpha – White Violet
Sweet Treats
Another Valentine’s Day staple, candy and cookies can also be used as sorority gifts. When buying candy, try to buy individually wrapped pieces that can be easily distributed and won’t leave too much of a mess. With cookies, you have the option to either buy them or, yes, make them yourselves! Baking cookies really isn’t as daunting as it may seem, especially with the invention of “break and bake” cookie dough. However, if you don’t have the time or the manpower, store bought cookies are the next best thing. With sweet treats just remember to bring enough for everyone. While there may be leftovers if some girls don’t partake, it’s better to give too much than to be embarrassed when there’s not enough to go around.
Snacks and Munchies
Never underestimate the power of food. Food can be a wonderful gift especially during high-stress times such as formal sorority recruitment and finals week. Suitable snacks include crackers, chips, granola bars and breakfast bars (basically, think of things you like to eat when you have lots to do and not a lot of time). Your fraternity chapter can also give non-alcoholic beverages such as Gatorade, juice, and, the holy grail, energy drinks! Just remember, as with cookies and candy, to bring enough for everyone. If the sororities on campus have 100+ sisters, energy drinks may not be the most economical item to buy.
Chapter House Gifts
If your fraternity is working with a tight budget, gifts for the sorority houses may be the best option. House gifts include pillows, blankets, pictures and picture frames. You can also “leave your mark” by including a message on the present like “Fraternity ABC loves Sorority XYZ” or “Good Luck Sorority XYZ! Love, Fraternity ABC”. The added benefit to giving house gifts is the promotion of your fraternity chapter. If the item is publicly displayed somewhere in the sorority house like on a couch, a wall, or a chair, the sisters as well as their friends will see the gift and your fraternity’s name.
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