As Big/Little week comes to an end, I step back and think about the wonderful week it has been. This is a week that not only the new members and their soon-to-be Bigs can appreciate, but a week that everyone can enjoy.
Big/Little Calls
The Thursday before Big/Little week is always the night that the calls are made. The new members have a few weeks to get to know the actives and really think about who would be a great mentor, friend and Big. In their new member education class, the new members make a list that is a secret from everyone in the sorority, except the new member education chair and the chapter president who make the calls. For two-plus hours, we wait in anticipation. Families get together and casually stuff their faces with treats with their phones in a circle, waiting to see if anyone will get a call.
The Big/Little calls are a mutual process, so sometimes an active member may have their heart set on a new member, but the new member picked someone else at the top of their list. Vice versa, sometimes a new member will have their heart set on their number one pick, but their number one person felt they couldn't take on the responsibility of a Little or afford it. Most of the time, the pairs work out fine though, even if it wasn't the first choice.
Shopping
How would one craft for the new Little in the family without stopping at all the (somewhat) local crafting stores for supplies. Some people are willing to throw their entire life's savings (well not really, but you know what I mean) in to create the perfect presents for their incoming bundle of joy. You have to get all the necessary supplies for the intense amount of time you are about to spend locked in your room, crafting until the wee hours of the morning.
Crafting
With a new Little on the way, and only one short week to prepare, everyone is drafted into the crafting army assembly line. There is just so much to do; with jars in need of bedazzling, bows that need to be made, canvases needing to be painted. So much to get done, not enough time. With help, you will be able to get your mantle gifts for the week done by the end of the weekend.
Weekly Gifts And Clues
The anticipation for the end of the week grows as each day passes. Each day, the new members have to report to the house to pick up a present left specifically for them by their Big. They have no idea who their Big is so each day, included with their daily gift, is a clue that leads them closer to who their Big might be. Sometimes the clues are funny and sometimes the clues are misleading, but in the end they are all helping the new member to figure out who their Big is.
Big/Little Reveal
The "big" day has finally come. (Get it?) After a week of waiting and wondering who their Big could possibly be, the new members are finally ready to find out. My sorority does a candle pass, where a candle is passed around a big circle of active members with the new members in the middle. After a few times around the circle, the Big blows out the candle, revealing to the new member that they are their Big! Sometimes, the active member will have a cute theme, asking the new member to bring something with them to reveal. When the Big is revealed, the theme will all come together!
It is always so fun to see who gets paired with who at the reveal and what sort of crazy themes are presented. The love that the new Littles have for their Bigs is amazing to see when they meet their Bigs for the first time.
Fam Dinner
Nothing brings people together like good food. Fam dinner is a great way for the new Bigs and Littles to get to know each other better, along with their new fam. Plus, everyone can bond over a bomb mashed potato bowl, just saying.
Big/Little week is something that everyone can get involved in. Even if your fam doesn't take in a new Little, it is just exciting to see the new members get excited over their presents each day and finally meet their Bigs.
