Back To School Guide

The most enjoyable money I spend all year is the money I spend on back to school stuff. The kids groan at back-to-school commercials, and I cackle with glee. You can’t blame them for dreading the inevitable return to school, but maybe some shiny new things will soften the blow.

| Posted: 06 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

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• Mini Magnetic Strip

  

  $8 at fred flare | Buy

  

  | Posted 06 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Daily System

  

  This wall system will keep everything running smoothly once school starts. I recommend one Letter Pocket per kid to keep all their homework and notes from the teacher in one spot. This will reduce the number of times you send your kid to school on a day off by at least 50%.

  $49 at Pottery Barn | Buy

  (Price varies by pieces ordered.)

  

  | Posted 05 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Big Colored Pencils

  

  You can’t beat a brand new box of colored pencils. Except with an extra chunky box of colored pencils.

  $9 at fred flare | Buy

  

  | Posted 05 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Staple Free Stapler

  

  Instead of staples, attach papers with this clever paper folding gadget. Helpful now that there’s no longer a school nurse to visit when a staple goes into your finger.

  $10 at See Jane Work | Buy

  

  | Posted 05 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Elephant Pencil Bag

  

  $16 at Beverages and More | Buy

  

  | Posted 04 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Decole Food Containers

  

  $13 at Sugar Pine Beauty | Buy

  

  | Posted 04 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Featherlight Backpack

  

  This backpack is so sturdy, your kid will be carrying it to his first job out of college.

  $40 at Land's End | Buy

  

  | Posted 04 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Munchlers Lunchbox

  

  I love these insulated bags because they have personality. I also love them because they serve as a place mat for your kids lunch. You know there’s at least one nose picker at every table, and they like to touch everything.

  $10 at BuiltNY | Buy

  

  | Posted 04 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Kid Lists

  

  Some families want their kids to be involved in sports or to learn to play the piano. I’m really into teaching my kids to be organized.

  $5 at See Jane Work | Buy

  

  | Posted 01 Aug, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Melamine Layers Lunch Box

  

  This colorful lunch box gives you instant portion control, plus eliminates paper lunch bags and sandwich bags without eliciting complaints that the “food was touching.”

  $28 at Pearl River | Buy

  (Also available in a larger square version.)

  

  | Posted 01 Aug, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Gummy Bear Sharpener

  

  $3 at Red Stamp | Buy

  

  | Posted 31 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Recycled Map Pencil Box

  

  $9 at Hocus Focus | Buy

  

  | Posted 31 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Zoo Shoulder Bag

  

  A roomy bag for overnight visits, carrying show and tell stuff to school, and smuggling the new kitten into the classroom.

  $100 at Zwello | Buy

  

  | Posted 31 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Ultimate Back To School Combo

  

  Labels for fabric, toys, bottles and more. They won’t come off in the dishwasher, microwave, or washing machine. Slap one inside winter hats to make sure no one accidentally shares their head lice with your kid.

  $39 at Mabel's Labels | Buy

  

  | Posted 30 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Personalized Pencils

  

  In first grade a boy named Brandon let me use one of his personalized pencils. I used it until there was nothing but a stub left.

  I thought having a personalized pencil meant you were famous. Brandon’s probably a realtor today.

  $5 at Miles Kimball | Buy

  (For a set of 12.)

  

  | Posted 30 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Pak Nak Charms

  

  The backpack from last year is like new, but they think it’s “boring.” Pak Nak charms let your kids customize just about anything they’d like – backpacks, lunch boxes, folders, head bands, and bike helmets.

  $4 at PakNak | Buy

  

  | Posted 30 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Astronaut Back Pack

  

  $33 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 29 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Lion Backpack

  

  Ferocious!

  $38 at Chasing Fireflies | Buy

  

  | Posted 29 Jul, 2008 by Melissa Summers

• Cupcake Courier

  

  Each year, twice a year, I take cupcakes to my kids’ school to celebrate their birthdays. Each year, twice a year, I also try not to swear as I transport cupcakes in an old gift box, and end up covered in frosting.

  So you can obtain a cupcake carrier, or you can cringe through a chorus of, “Mommy! You’re not supposed to use that word!” Your choice.

  $30 at Organize.com | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Dec, 2007 by Melissa Summers