Fraternities and sororities are big aspects of a college community and the members of these respective organizations often show their membership and pride in their Greek organization by donning t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, book bags and other apparel with the letter’s transcribed on them. However, out of all the aforementioned items, there’s perhaps no more popular way to show your Greek pride than by donning a shirt with your fraternity or sorority letters blazed across it. In fact, it’s not uncommon for Greek chapters to have a different style shirt designed each calendar year for members, which brings us to the two main options for shirt manufacturing – stitched or printed.

Stitched, or embroidered, shirts give apparel a more professional look. Essentially, this involves sewing a design into the fabric. Screen printing on the other hand involves printing a design onto the fabric. While stitching is the preferred method of choice for more formal apparel (think: golf shirts, sweaters, etc.), printing is the method best utilized when producing a large number of shirts, such as a fraternity or sorority would. Here are some additional benefits of printed shirts:

• Turnaround time: Printing a design onto a shirt is a lot faster than sewing it in, even with how automated embroidery machines have become.
• Cost: The speed aspect that we detailed above is directly related to final cost. Since printing is faster than embroidery, you’ll not only get the shirts sooner, but pay less for them, especially if you’re ordering a large amount. Printing does require some materials up-front that can be costly, but if you’re ordering a large amount of shirts, it’s more than affordable in the long run because the hardware created for the design can be reused. Conversely, the cost of stitching is usually based on a stitch count. So the more stitching required, the more expensive.
• Design: Stitching has its limits, but printing opens new, complex design possibilities. Literally anything you want on a shirt is possible with printing. There’s literally no design too big, colorful or complex.
• Durable: You won’t have to worry about the stitches coming out in printed shirts. That’s because the ink bonds well to the shirt fabric, crafting a better final product.

It’s easy to see the benefits of printed shirts versus stitched shirts, especially if you’re ordering in bulk. Not only will you pay less, but you’ll get the shirts sooner and they’ll last longer. You might get a new shirt for your fraternity or sorority every year, but the quality of screen printed Greek t-shirts will ensure that they’re a keepsake for many years to come.

Greek Streak already offers a price beat guarantee but to save even more — check out some of our on-going promotions to gear up for the end of the semester and even prepare for the fall!

It’s that time of year for frozen delicious drinks from your favorite coffee shops! Now you can make some yummy drinks at home for less, here are a few copycat recipes from Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to get the drinks you want just homemade-

Shaken Passion Fruit Tea- Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Ingredients –

2 quarts of water 1/2 cup sugar

4 Tazo Passion Tea bags

A Pan

Put the water in the pan and add the sugar. Bring to a boil. Once it has boiled for a minute or so shut off the heat and add your tea bags, and wait. Let them steep for about an hour and a

half (the longer the better). Pour the tea into a container and refrigerate. Once it’s nice and cold fill up a cup halfway with ice, a teaspoon more of sugar and the tea.

Mocha Frappuccino- Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Ingredients-

6 cups double-strength freshly brewed dark roast coffee

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus additional cocoa powder for garnish

2 cups nonfat milk

Fill ice-cube trays with half of the brewed coffee and place in the freezer. In a bowl, combine the remaining brewed coffee, cocoa powder and milk and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Cover and chill.When the ice cubes have frozen, transfer them to a kitchen towel and, using a hammer or mallet, crush the cubes. Fill 4 glasses with the crushed ice and divide the coffee-cocoa mixture evenly among them. Dust the top with cocoa powder and serve.

Oreo Coolatta- Dunkin Donuts Copycat Recipe

Makes 3 Small Drinks

Ingredients-
16 Oreos, crushed (with a few whole ones set aside)

2 cups cold strong brewed coffee

1 cup heavy cream

7 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons chocolate syrup

whipped cream

about 14 ice cubes

Add all your ice cubes into the blender. Pour about a cup or so of your black coffee into the blender to give it a liquid base. Blend it all

together to give it that slushy, icy texture. You don’t want to blend all the coffee and ice together at once, or it will just be like cold coffee. Add the cream, sugar, and chocolate syrup to the rest of your coffee. Stir well to combine.

Add the coffee gradually to make sure it doesn’t end up with too much coffee in it. Then finally, stir in the Oreos then add the whipped cream.

~Enjoy~

A couple weeks ago we showed you 5 ways sororities can prep for finals. This week we came up with some great ways to relieve those studying stresses…

Let’s face it – final exams are a real bear, especially when you’re trying to balance all the other aspects of student life and the commitments that come with a sorority. Student life around final exams can be overwhelming, to put it mildly. But finals are important and ensuring that you’re well prepared is crucial as well (you don’t want to fail now, do you?).

However, a large part of prepping for finals is making sure that you’re not stressing yourself out too much, which can be tough as you balance sorority duties. Study, yes. But stress, not so much. Hence, it’s important to relieve stress. Here’s a look at 10 ways to relieve stress:

1. Scream. It’s a tradition at Michigan State University to scream (from your dorm window, the union, the library, etc.) at midnight every day of finals week. The “midnight screams” help students let loose and stay sane during this stressful time.
2. Sleep. Making sure you’re well rested is perhaps the most critical way to minimize stress and ensure you’re in the best mental state possible.
3. Exercise. Take a jog or a power walk through campus. Exercising releases endorphins, which can help relieve stress and improve your mood.
4. Vent. As a sorority member, one of your greatest assets is the community of other sorority sisters. Don’t be afraid to seek counsel and have regular “vent sessions” during finals week with your sisters. Talking it out often does wonders for a stressed mind.
5. Stay Organized. Set a schedule where you plan your days. Organization can help ease an overactive mind by reassuring you that there’s enough time in the day for everything you need to do.
6. Do Yoga. Yoga is an exercise that’s designed to invigorate the mind, body and soul. Need we say more? Just a half hour session during finals week can leave you feeling like a new person.
7. Eat Smart. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar. While you’ll get a short burst from these foods, you’ll eventually crash, limiting your efficiency.
8. Jam Out. Taking a study break to let loose with your favorite tunes can be a big stress reliever.
9. Reward Yourself. Set goals for studying during finals week and reward yourself as you meet them.
10. Party Smart. Don’t get too caught up in partying during finals week. Instead, try not to party at all, or limit how late out you stay or how much you drink at a party. You don’t want to be too hung over to study now, do you? Here’s an idea – instead of partying leading up to finals, throw a big party after finals. Reward yourself with that, as it will also give you something to look forward to.

We know finals are a pain, but don’t turn them into a nightmare by stressing yourself out in the process. Be smart during finals week to ensure you can power through all of the papers and tests.

Ever heard of KIT CAT? No, not the delicious chocolate bar, but Keep In Touch and Call Any Time! Make sure you express to your fraternity or sorority members that you want to keep in contact throughout the summer break.

It’s so easy with members close by, but when others are further away try to make a day trip to see them! Grab some brothers or sisters that live within your area and take a day that everyone is free to meet halfway in between your areas. Road trips are always entertaining and it’s a great way to bond with your brothers or sisters who live close but you do not see often.

Don’t forget to tell everyone to keep your phone number and address handy. A handwritten letter may be snail mail nowadays but the thought of writing a letter to a brother or sister whom you miss is a great way to keep in touch. If a letter takes too long make sure to get your chapter’s Skype or Ovoo names! That way you can have group chats about how multiple members’ summer break is going.

Who wouldn’t want your Greek organization to have a good summer? Make sure you tell every member to KIT CAT and of course, HAGS!

As the school year comes to an end and the long awaited summer break rounds the corner, there are only a few remaining projects to complete and exams to take. Whi­­­le recruitment, bid day and football games are the last things on your mind right now, taking the time to plan ahead for next fall will most certainly help relieve some of that ‘back to school stress’. The transition from end of summer to back to school is hectic, overwhelming and maybe even daunting for some. Help yourself handle the stress better by doing a few simple tasks now.

First, take a moment to brainstorm possible socials or annual events you will frantically be trying to organize at the start of next school year while simultaneously marking exam dates in your calendar, buying proper textbooks and catching up with friends. Below are a few possible upcoming events and what you can do NOW to enable you to spend less time fretting over your to-do list come next fall.

FLOAT TRIP, ANYONE? Does your sorority have a summer event planned? Why not make the event more memorable by designing a T-shirt or tank. Even if your summer activities aren’t affiliated with your sorority, a bright T-shirt or America themed tank (Pi Beta Phi shirt example here) can help connect you to your sisters during the long break. While you may not have committed to any summertime apparel yet, send out an email to let yours sisters know to be on the lookout for an upcoming message for them to place their orders.

BID DAY! Provide your new members with the best bid day shirt in all of Greek town. Incorporate a theme or make it specific to your university. Whatever you decide, make your letters big and bold to allow your new members to proudly show off your chapter! Then, design matching shirts in a different color for your current members to wear on the first day of class. This way, your new members can instantly find girls to sit by in class, make plans for lunch or ask directions.

FALL EVENTS - From initiation, to parents weekend, to football games and beyond, the list of Greek activities in the fall seems endless. Instead of throwing together a design and submitting last minute orders for tailgating tees to commemorate the football season, brainstorm new, creative ideas now! Look at your options and ask your sisters for their preference. Then when the time comes, you’ll be able to provide T-shirts unique to your chapter and approved by your sisters.

Just think, by doing a little planning and preparing now, your work load next fall will be much more manageable enabling you to spend more time doing what you love.

courtesy of: daniel chodusov

The month of April is commonly associated with the onset of spring and the home stretch of the spring academic semester. But April is also Alcohol Awareness month, which, since 1987, has aimed to increase awareness and understanding about the dangers of alcohol consumption. While the month doesn’t apply to or target information at any particular demographic, perhaps the population that should take most note of it is college students, especially fraternity or sorority members who often host Greek events such as galas, social get together’s and parties to mark the end of the semester.

So if you’re a member of a Greek chapter, here are some reasons why it’s important to take Alcohol Awareness month – let alone any month – seriously and not overdo it this spring:

Finals

You should be partying smart not just because it’s healthy, but because your academic future is tied to it. With exams quickly approaching, you don’t want to party too hard where you’re too hungover or tired to get in the studying you need to pass, do you?

Hot weather

April marks the onset of spring, and spring is often marked by warmer weather. However, in warmer weather, the effect of alcohol is greater and the chances of dehydration are also more likely. So take it easy, especially in warm weather when you’re drinking on an empty stomach so you don’t succumb to dehydration or alcohol poisoning.

Set limits

Nothing is more important than knowing your drinking limits. With peer pressure and getting caught up in the party scene, it’s often easy to take things too far, which can result in poor decision making and a lack of judgment. So set limits for yourself to ensure that you’re having a good time and can still function appropriately. For many, this may be holding yourself to a two drink maximum. Or to stop drinking at 11 p.m. Or perhaps even to drink glasses of water or eat food in between alcoholic drinks to stay sober.

Raise awareness

As part of an organization on campus, you have a status that allows you to set good examples and raise awareness for important causes. So consider launching a campaign around campus that encourages safe partying, responsible drinking and for students to always name a designated driver. As a Greek chapter, you have the power to make a positive difference – don’t be afraid to use it.

Alcohol is a sensitive subject for a lot of people, especially on college campuses where binge drinking and hard partying are more prevalent. That’s part of the purpose behind April’s Alcohol Awareness month – to educate people on the dangers of over consumption and promote safe drinking behavior. So this April, take a moment to think about this and how you and your Greek chapter can help make a difference, either by practicing or preaching safe habits.

Want to learn more about alcohol awareness month? Check out this cool infographic!

Whether you spent a week basking in the sun, swimming in the gulf, working to refill your bank account, or resorting to the sleep-eat-sleep method in your childhood bedroom, spring break was a much needed vacation from school to rest and recharge. Now as classes resume, the end is in sight! The weeklong break provided enough fuel to make it through the remaining hurdles until you can cross the long awaited finish line and leap into the sweet joys of summer.

Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration but the remaining weeks of school are packed full with spring formals, Greek life activities, final projects, accepting offers for internships and finalizing your schedule for next fall. As the temperature rises and the days get longer, it’s easier than ever to put off the to-do list until tomorrow and daydream about summer. Professors encourage you to stay focused and on task but doing so are obviously easier said than done.

Here are a few dos and don’ts to get you through the last stretch of school and into smooth sailing for summer break.

DON’T: Let the warm weather distract you! As tempting as it is, it’s easy to put off writing a paper to spend a few hours basking in the sun on your sorority’s front lawn with your sisters but it will only make your remaining days of school worse.

DO: Go for a jog, leave your car parked and walk to class or sit outside between classes. By doing so, you’re still able to enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather but don’t have to suffer the consequences of putting off studying a­­nd schoolwork.

DON’T: Give up. It’s easy to get in the end of school mindset and slack off on work but the consequences are damaging. Frequently final exams are weighted more and can make a large difference when it comes to your final grade.

DO: Use your summer plans for motivation. Whether you are excited about a new internship, a summer vacation or a few months without homework, know change is coming and use it to keep you motivated.

DON’T: Feel overwhelmed by the mile long to-do list. While the stress from it all can make you want to drive to Mexico and leave all your worries behind, allowing yourself to feel overwhelmed is not going to cross the to-do list off itself.

DO: Organize a study night at your sorority house. Assign different rooms for various study methods. For example, a silent room, a group project room and a room playing soft music are a must! Also, as you hit the wee hours of the night, taking a break for snacks with your sisters is a fabulous way to recharge.

Just remember, you can do it! Stay focused and let the countdown to summer begin!

How will you say goodbye to your graduating members?

The end of the Spring semester is winding down and the Seniors are starting to get antsy with graduation only a month away. With that, the graduating members of your Fraternity or Sorority will be thinking about how much they will miss being within their organization. For their Senior Send-off there are so many ways to say that you appreciate and will miss those graduating, from gifts, to a candle pass or even just hand written letters to your sisters or brothers.

A tradition to participate in is making a secret senior gift fund for all those graduating. Within this fund you can get a senior a reasonably priced gift (the same for each brother or sister). Pass the gifts out during a meeting and watch everyone “ooooh and ahhh” over what they are receiving. Then talk about what your favorite moment was with each senior and how you will miss them.

A candle pass is an unforgettable tradition for seniors. Each senior should have a candle that can be passed around to every member of your organization, then with every pass of the candle, a member will tell a story or memory about the senior whose candle they are holding. Once every senior has been spoken about, your organization can sing its traditional songs, and each senior can say what their future plans are.

Handwritten letters are far and few between now that everything is instant. Writing a letter for your seniors can make them feel so special and allow them to know that they will truly be missed. Whether the note is a “good luck and hope to see you soon” or a story about how you will never part, writing a letter is an amazing way to show your seniors you care.

Senior send-off is important to make special for those graduating. Graduation means they’re starting a new chapter in their life but it doesn’t mean you won’t see the seniors ever again. Keep in contact with your sisters or brothers and make sure you have tons of tissues!

In prep of Bid Day for next semester, we have brainstormed some themes for making your chapter the most distinctive. And who doesn’t want that for their organization?

-Western-

Who is the most wanted? Your sorority or fraternity of course! Have a western themed designed shirt to go along with activities like best line dancer, water gun shooter and bull rider. Greek Streak can make custom designs to fit your personal western theme.

-Prints and patterns-

This one is more for the ladies, but we can’t help that Lilly Pulitzer, Juicy and animal prints are so cute. Have a theme to match that pattern. A Lilly themed Bid Day would include bright colors and adorable matching phone cases, pens, notebooks and jewelry. Where Juicy would require a little more poking fun, play a game of Pin the Juicy on the Booty! Pin the Juicy logo on a cardboard cutout of the executive board of your organization, make it fun! And finally with animal prints you can expand the theme to a Jungle themed Bid Day. Find out who has the best monkey face by taking pictures of every member and having a vote for best face!

-Athletics-

And for the gentleman, have a “drafting” theme, you do only want the best for your organization! Or just have a Nike themed Bid Day, make custom shirts with your organizations own funny Nike saying.

There are so many options of themes for Bid Day! Pick one of the options we provided or make your own, just don’t forget Greek Streak can help you with any custom order, whether it be sweatshirts, jerseys or tanktops!

On a tight budget? Greek Streak is offering 30% off all orders until May 15!
You’ll receive exceptional service from the national leader in sorority & fraternity apparel.
~ Check out Greek Streak’s Pinterest and Instagram for more designs & Bid Day ideas ~

-  Excitement – Hugs – Chants -
Bid Day is full of all three!

It’s a day to celebrate the growth of your chapter and welcome the new members with a bang. Every Greek on campus gathers in one location, once a semester, to go crazy about everyone’s new additions.
One way to enhance your enjoyment? Making all your Bid Day arrangements before summer begins! Take care of all your Bid Day wants and needs before the end of your spring semester. Here are some things to consider:

Theme - Separate yourself from other chapters with a unique theme. Your theme can work from Bid Day shirts to decorations and props. Signs, banners, posters, and apparel can all focus around your specific theme. Consider the following: Disney Princesses, popular 90′s cartoons, chapter mascot, quotes, celebrity, classic movies. Can’t think of anything? Check out Greek Streaks designs for some ideas. The design team will help create a unique image for the best Bid Day theme. Existing designs can be customized specifically for your chapter. Getting started is as simple as submitting a quick quote.

Scheduling A Photographer – Trying to get all your members to gather together and stand still for 60 seconds is difficult, let alone 10 minutes to take a group photo! Leave it to a professional! Scheduling a photographer for Bid Day is a great way to capture the excitement! Arrange for a photo of your entire chapter, each individual pledge class, even a picture for just the new members. Choose to schedule with a large company, like Greek Yearbook. They specialize in Greek photography and offer great package deals, with products ranging from dry erase calendars to photo montages of several different pictures. Greek Yearbook has been rated the #1 six years in a row, and offer price beat guarantee! Display your photos in chapter houses, new student days on campus, and recruitment events. Senior class photos make great Senior Send-off gifts the following spring.

*Idea – Ordering the same shirts in different colors. Designate a different color Bid Day shirt for each pledge class, or just a separate color for your new members. It’s a different spin on Bid Day, but it looks awesome in pictures! And it’s just another thing the new girls get to remember this special day!

Bid Day Favors – Welcome your new members with chapter favors. Put together a little basket, customized for each new member. Fill tote bags with headbands, a little mascot, and their very own Bid Day shirts, all featuring your letters!
~ Spirit Football Jerseys make the perfect Bid Day gifts! Each jersey is hand dipped and can be customized for your chapter. Make it specifically for your event by printing Bid Day 2013 or the actual date of Bid Day below your chapters name. With a longer production time, Spirit Football Jerseys are worth the wait! Greek Streak offers the lowest possible price for this latest trend. Begin your order now to receive them well before Fall Rush even begins!

Go Old School – Never underestimate the power of disposable cameras! They may be old fashioned, but man, are they handy! Have one camera for every 20 sisters. It’s an inexpensive way to get candid photos during the day. Smart phones are good for taking one or two pictures, but disposables are easier to pass around. Never fear the dreaded “eyes closed” picture with digital disposable cameras! Take as many pictures as the camera holds, and delete ones that don’t turn out right. Once the photos are printed, add them to a scrap book. The photos can even be burned onto a CD, perfect for uploading on to your chapter’s social media pages!

On a tight budget? Greek Streak is offering 30% off all orders until May 15!
You’ll receive exceptional service from the national leader in sorority & fraternity apparel.
~ Check out Greek Streak’s Pinterest and Instagram for more designs & Bid Day ideas ~