Back-to-School Essentials
Back-to-School is around the corner (for some sooner than others) and there are so many back-to-school products to choose from, that it can be quite overwhelming.
This year, my mantra is “less is more” and other than my first-grade son’s school uniform, I’m limiting his “supplies” to three “essentials:” 1) a backpack, 2) personalized labels, and 3) a Schultute. I know, you maybe thinking that this is a meager list, but understand that I haven’t received a school supplies list from school yet and hot lunch is served at school, so no need for a lunch box.
Great School Backpacks
For my son, it’s with his school backpack that he expresses himself and his identity amongst a sea of school uniforms. Yes, there are licensed-cartoon character backpacks all over stores, but I’m secretly hoping my son will choose one from the selection below. I’ve included some “girly” choices as well (not for my son) but for you (and for me to ogle).
Below you will find that JanSport, maker of the traditional school backpack, has ventured out with some awesome designs. Perhaps these have been around for awhile, but they are new to me.
Clockwise from left: 1) Penguin Backpack By Dabbawalla Bags, 2) JanSport Skull Backpack, 3) JanSport Tree Flower Backpack, 4) JanSport Argyle Backpack (Some of the the backpacks pictured are no longer available. You can look here to find unique backpacks to fit your child’s style!)
Personalized Labels & Name Tags
When your child goes to a uniform-only school, labeling everything from sweaters, to shirts, pants and shoes becomes crucial. And no, I don’t like using a Sharpie.
Photo shamelessy lifted from my friend Design Mom
Luckily, the fine folks at Mabel’s Labels hooked me up with their Ultimate School Combo Pack for Ry. (Though in previous years, I have used my husband’s hard-earned cash to buy our own tags). Believe everything you read or hear about about Mabel’s Labels; their products are durable and fantastic! During the preschool years, I dabbled in vintage-looking sew-in labels. Boy were they pretty, but UGH the work. Plus, I need shoe labels and backpack tags.
A Back-to-School Present
Is a back-to-school present really a necessity? Well for my son, ritual and routine is very helpful to him and he needs help with transitions and a back-to-school gift is the way I get Ry excited for a return to school and all of it’s scheduling. This year, my husband and I are gifting him a Schultüte, a German school cone filled with supplies and toys for first-graders.
I love the idea of personalized Schultütes (you can find them on Etsy.)  I think we’ll make this an annual tradition until he’s just too **sniff** old **sniff** for it. You can also buy an empty Schultüte or make your own Schultüte. We’ve got an awesome step-by-step tutorial for you already.
