This time last year I was drowning in a sea of whicker at Michael’s, crying because I couldn’t afford to buy myself milk for my cereal this week, let alone buy four baskets to fill with the gear I had accumulated for my little.
I know what it’s like to stress about making the Best Week Ever (i.e. Big Sis Week) for this girl you want to smother with love, as you attend every informational session possible that advertises “free food!” That being said, I polled my girl friends in a variety of sororities to come up with a list of things you can do for your little without breaking the bank, and she won’t have any idea you’re on a budget.
Hot Yoga: Let off Steam and Bond with Friends
Charlottesville’s own Bikram Yoga near the downtown mall is only $12 for students, and if you call ahead you might be able to snag some coupons for free first time sessions! Get a group of girls together for either an afternoon or morning class. You could even make a “workout” themed basket; maybe include some magazines for your little to read while on the elliptical, a sorority water bottle and some pass-down t-shirts for the gym!
Hiking: Mother Nature and Brother Natty
Is she more of an outdoorsy girl? Get a group of boys to take a group of your new babies hiking Humpback! (Extra points for a sunrise hike)
Painting Ceramics: Arts ‘N Crafts
If your little is artsy and crafty, she might really enjoy an hour at Lazy Daisy Ceramicswith a few girls in her pledge class. For $11 plus the cost of the pottery she chooses, she’ll love having her own homemade keepsake for the rest of college; I know I love drinking coffee out of the mug I painted! (And I loved getting to know girls in my pledge class in a smaller low-key environment too!)
Serenade: Rockabye Baby
Pick up some break’n’bake cookies from Teeter and have your favorite Hullabahoo, Virginia Gentleman or AVP deliver your little a plate of fresh baked cookies and sing her a sweet serenade before she goes to bed. Sure it’s a little bit awkward for her to sit there on her bed for a solo show, but it’s totally worth the bragging rights to the rest of the girls in her hall!
Breakfast in Bed: Bodo’s Bagels and Eye Candy
Another variation of the classic boy delivery scheme: have an athlete friend or a campus crush deliver Bodo’s in the morning! For less than $3, the best part of waking up for her 9am will absolutely be that hottie upperclassman—bagel in hand!
Movie Night: Fun for the Whole Family
Send your little and her friends to a movie with their grand-bigs! They won’t know they’re bonding with members of their own family line, but it’s a great chance to connect names and faces with the older girls. Check out Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman in No Strings Attached!
Stay Grounded: Stick ‘Round Grounds
Want to stick around grounds? Rent out the hot tub at the AFC so the new girls can all hang out and watch a movie! Get a few of your favorite guys to take some girls on a picnic on the lawn! A sandwich from Take-It-Away is less than ten bucks, and if the weather’s nice it’s an awesome way to spend a lunch hour between classes!
Group Events: Join Forces
Fraternity boys know how to organize skeet shooting, wine tasting, or ice skating on the downtown mall; it’s easy for you and fun for them!
Baby Pampers: Mani, Pedi, Massage
As the end of Big Sis Week culminates, pamper your little with a manicure and pedicure or even a massage! C&K Nails at Barracks takes reservations and can accommodate a group of girls for $32 mani-pedis. MassageEnvyup Route 29 offers a $39 50-minute massage for first-time customers.
Want to stay closer to home? Check out massages at the AFC, where they can range from $25-$85; make sure you call and make an appointment though—they fill up at this time of year.
During Big Sis Week, there’s no need to break the bank; just shower your little with love and enthusiasm and make sure she’s hanging out with as many different girls in her pledge class, girls in the older pledge classes, and groups of guys as possible. Her first semester in Greek life is the best time to expand her social network, and whether or not her baskets are full to the brim, she’s still going to have the best week ever if you keep her busy! And if you do end up crying in the middle of Michael’s because you’re dead-broke like I was, once the week is over get your little to swipe you into O-hill so you won’t go hungry, and let the big-little bonding begin!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.