Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you!! Today I will give you the best tips and advice for how to make a big little basket!!
Trust me bigs, big/little can be so tiring and overwhelming with wanting to spoil your little but also trying to find the balance of not breaking the bank. Especially if you happen to have a busy week of school work that week. So, let me help you! Here are my best tips for big little!
How do I make a sorority big/little basket?
Spread out your spending and prepare ahead of time.
In order to not break the bank all at once I started buying items for my little throughout the second half of my freshman year and over the summer. I highly recommend this and starting any crafts you may want to do early so you aren’t too overwhelmed the week of.
Prepare as much as you can ahead of time!
Be specific about your basket choice
For example, a taller basket will allow you to pack more t-shirts and clothing items in the bottom while allowing more room for snacks and goodies on the top. Or opposingly a wide and shallow basket will make it easier to spread out the items and easier to see as many items as possible.
Add some personality to it! Consider putting stickers or hanging letters with your littles name on the front.
Take advantage of the pass down items
My little got some items that were definitely not the cutest but they have just been passed down forever, almost a decade…so they have to stay in the family.
Shop smart.
Take advantage of stores like Dollar Tree for food and decoration items. Additionally, take advantage of stores such as Dollar General, Five Below, and Walmart which are all great for food items and little random items to throw in the basket, always be sure to check the sale section. And take advantage of stores like Ross and T.J. Maxx for any cute goodies you want to add like cups, makeup bags, desk decor, etc.
Make a themed basket.
For example, for my little, the first day I did an Alpha Chi theme with all of the merch, cups, hats, pins, and more.
For the second day, I did a self care theme with lotion, makeup towels, eye patches, and all of her favorite goodies.
Shop on Etsy for unique items.
Etsy has some absolutely adorable sweatshirts, cups, keychains, and so much other merchandise. This is an excellent way for your little to have unique items.
When in doubt, make it yourself!
This is great for any paintings, picture frames, embroidery, stickers, and honestly just about anything you can come up with. Obviously the goal is to stay as budget friendly as possible, so be sure to keep that in mind.
For my little I painted her two 8x12 canvases and one 4x6 canvas, they weren’t showstopping but it means more that you tried to make it for them! Additionally, I designed stickers on Canva and had them printed at my local copy shop. I wasn’t sure I had enough buttons or stickers to give her, so I made my own.
Don't be afraid to think outside the box!
Check out Ebay or ask to buy hand me downs off of seniors.
This is a great way to be money conscious. For Ebay try to find an item on another platform like a greek boutique or on Etsy and Google search for the item second hand. This is great for picture frames, statues, or anything like that which may normally be expensive to buy new.
Use shredded filler paper and tissue paper to add extra flair.
You can find both of these items at Dollar Tree and they are both perfect to add some color into your baskets and to fill any awkward gaps.
What do I put in my basket?
*Example images of my baskets are down below!*
So. Many. T-Shirts!
I remember wanting to buy any that I would as a freshman so be sure to supply her with those.
Accessories and other clothing items.
Add accessories like hats and tote bags. Also, be sure to throw in a few sweatshirts, pullovers, or rain jackets.
Artwork
Like I mentioned earlier, don’t be afradi to make some even ifyou dont know how they will turn out. Im sure your little will appreciate it regardless.
Wooden letters
You can get these at Hobby Lobby and they are absolutely perfect to display in a room so I’m positive your little will love them. Be sure to look for some wide enough that they stand up on their own
Or you could even do the letters of one of your sorority hashtags instead of your sorority letters. For example, some of our sorority hashtags are #WSTB and #LITB.
Blanket or towel
Either of these would be absolutely darling with their name monogrammed on it or with your sorority monogrammed on it.
EIther way, never be afraid of a mongram!
Pajamas
Another idea that would be great monogrammed!
Acrylic tray, pencil holder, box, or literally anything acrylic!
Our local boutique has soem adorable greek items such as trays and boxes to hold buttons and more. Etsy is a fantastic place to find items just as cute!
Gameday pins and stickers
Even just a few! This is probably not something your little has a lot of so I’m sure she’d love it.
Self care items
Some of the items I gave my little were a makeup cloth, lotion, claw clip, loofa, sparkling apple cider, eye patches and nail polish.
Cups and mugs
Functional and cute. What could be better?
Flowers
Any girl loves to get flowers, I’m sure your little is no different. This is an item that would truly bring her joy to keep and will likely brighten her mood daily.
Picture frame
Consider even adding a bid day picture of her. This would be thoughtful, cute, and so simple since you would easily be able to find an image somewhere on social media.
Balloons
Simple, but it is so affordable to go grab some helium balloons at Dollar Tree and clip them to the basket. It will add a little extra flair!
Gift card
This is a practical gift that she will no doubt greatly appreciate.
Her favorite snacks and treats of course!
Be sure to add a few of her favortie snacks and treats into every basket.
Other items to add!
A stuffed animal (in her favorite color would be cute), Candle or air fresheners, Shakers, Notepad, Car decal, Koozies, or Keychains.
I hope this was helpful so that you can all go absolutely spoil your little! Remember how excited you were to be in her shoes and try your best to have fun with it!
With Love,
Isabella XO
