Back to School shopping

[Sorsha]

Have you seen the back-to-school commercial Staples uses every year where the guy is dancing through the aisles singing "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while his children trudge along glaring at him? I love that commercial - cracks me up. If you haven't seen it, look here.

So, for those of use who have to do the back-to-school shopping, how's it going? When do your kids go back to school, and how much more shopping do you have to do? How's the lists this year? Reasonable or out of control?

 

[Sorsha]

My 2 younger kids go back August 31; and the oldest, just starting high school, starts August 26.

Oldest child won't actually get her supply lists till she starts school and gets lists from each teacher. I have picked up a few generic things for her, pencils, pens, paper, etc.

Younger two already have their supply lists, and they are really pretty reasonable this year. DD6 will be in first grade, and some of the things on her list are kind of annoying. 20 glue sticks, and 8 dry erase markers. Not only dry erase markers, but MUST BE Expo, and can ONLY BE black, blue, or brown. Now I have seen value packs of Expo dry erase markers on sale this year, but they are, without fail, a variety pack of black, blue, red and green. So in order to get 8 of the accepted colors, I have to buy 4 packages, and toss half of them out?? Annoying.

Anyhow, I have bought about 1/3 of the things on each of their lists. Every week when the Staples and Office Max circulars come out, we go buy the cheap sale items.

As far as clothes go, the younger two are pretty much set. Each had hand-me-downs to grow into (I only save things that are cute and clean and not too worn, so they always look nice) and I will admit to a terrible Gymboree addiction. Since my closest Gymbo is 150 miles away, eBay and I have become close friends. Each has a nice winter coat and fall jackets. We still have to go shoe shopping.

Oldest child will need new clothes and shoes. She can still wear a lot of her shirts from spring last year, but her jeans are all pretty worn. Has anyone heard if Old Navy will have their $7 jeans sale this year? DD14 is eaasy to buy for, she is a total tomboy and t-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and tennis shoes are the extent of her wardrobe.

 

[mamacatnv]

With the exception of shoes I am all done with DD. DD's shoes must be pure black, even the logo must be black - trickier than it sounds. Its a pain.
DD attends a Charter School that has uniforms. The shirts are purchased directly from the school and I was able to get her an assortment of the pants/shorts & skorts at JC Pennys last weekend, on sale no less!
Charter school provides all supplies so no list. New backpack was purchased about a month ago. She starts school the 31st of August.

DS is moving into his off campus housing in mid August - I'm sure he will need housing/kitchen supplies but he wants to see what all the roomies bring before stocking up. He is set on school supplies, bedding and furniture - 1st day of classes the 24th of August.

 

[Gina]

Have you seen the back-to-school commercial Staples uses every year where the guy is dancing through the aisles singing "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while his children trudge along glaring at him? I love that commercial - cracks me up. If you haven't seen it, look here.

I love THAT COMMERCIAL!! Thanks so much for posting the link to it -- been dying to show it to DS. He has that same exact look on his face when I mention school starting again next month.

So, for those of use who have to do the back-to-school shopping, how's it going? When do your kids go back to school, and how much more shopping do you have to do? How's the lists this year? Reasonable or out of control?

DS goes back to school 8/24. His school supply list has gotten saner the older he has become (going into 8th grade) and I picked up most of the stuff already. But required this year is one of those big zipper-binders, and I have been in absolute sticker shock over those! Seriously, $15 because it has a *zipper*?? I'm watching for sales.

 

[monkey68]

I used to love back to school shopping, not because I was so into school, but because I loved it when all my things looked so nice and new. My school never gave us lists either, basically all you needed was paper and pens/pencils. But once you got into high school, whether you used a looseleaf or a notebook was up to you.

Now I don't get to do back to school shopping. I bought quite a bit when I started college, and again when I moved into an apartment for medical school. But from year to year, just notebooks pretty much. I don't even get to buy pens or pencils anymore because I have so many. But I'm like an addict, I can't help but walk down the aisles of Staples admiring all the pretty notebooks and planners and pens. I didn't even get to use notebooks in med school, since the school printed all of the lectures for us, and I took my own notes on that. And now that I'm starting clinical rotations, I don't even need a binder for my notes. I feel oddly deprived.

 

[lemondog]

Mine go back August 13th, and I am DONE! Supplies are purchased, bagged and ready to go to school. Backpacks have been ordered and arrived, same for lunchboxes. Uniforms are in place...have purchased plenty of socks and tights. My 8yo has her new Merrell's, my mom is taking the twins shopping for theirs later this week. Then all I will need to do is actually buy lunchbox stuff when school starts so I can pack lunches.

Can ya tell I am ready? School cannot start soon enough!

 

[golfgal]

We don't go back until Sept 8th. I haven't started shopping and we won't have any lists this year with all the kids in high school. They pretty much need notebooks, folders, paper, pencils and pens--oh and the dreaded Graphing Calculators x's 2.

 

[TLHB70]

We start August 10. Funny; I went to Staples today and bought our school supplies.

 

[MushyMushy]

This is the first time in 10 years that I've only had one kid to buy for!

I usually split up the shopping over 2 months. We live in a low income area, so the supply list is minimal (pencils and notebooks, backpack... basics). School starts August 31. I'll buy her a few things this month, like a couple pairs of jeans and a few tops, and then hit the stores for more after Labor Day when stuff goes on sale. I put off shopping until the second week of school last year and we ended up being able to buy twice as many clothes because of the sales!

 

[mum4jenn]

My 2 younger kids go back August 31; and the oldest, just starting high school, starts August 26.

Oldest child won't actually get her supply lists till she starts school and gets lists from each teacher. I have picked up a few generic things for her, pencils, pens, paper, etc.

Younger two already have their supply lists, and they are really pretty reasonable this year. DD6 will be in first grade, and some of the things on her list are kind of annoying. 20 glue sticks, and 8 dry erase markers. Not only dry erase markers, but MUST BE Expo, and can ONLY BE black, blue, or brown. Now I have seen value packs of Expo dry erase markers on sale this year, but they are, without fail, a variety pack of black, blue, red and green. So in order to get 8 of the accepted colors, I have to buy 4 packages, and toss half of them out?? Annoying.

Anyhow, I have bought about 1/3 of the things on each of their lists. Every week when the Staples and Office Max circulars come out, we go buy the cheap sale items.

As far as clothes go, the younger two are pretty much set. Each had hand-me-downs to grow into (I only save things that are cute and clean and not too worn, so they always look nice) and I will admit to a terrible Gymboree addiction. Since my closest Gymbo is 150 miles away, eBay and I have become close friends. Each has a nice winter coat and fall jackets. We still have to go shoe shopping.

Oldest child will need new clothes and shoes. She can still wear a lot of her shirts from spring last year, but her jeans are all pretty worn. Has anyone heard if Old Navy will have their $7 jeans sale this year? DD14 is eaasy to buy for, she is a total tomboy and t-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and tennis shoes are the extent of her wardrobe.

Check around some stores to see if they sell Expo markers separately. I think I have seen them sold this way but I just don't remember where...MAYBE Staples??? Or if there is a Teacher supply store near you you might find them there. Otherwise I would send ONE pack and the Teacher would just have to deal with it. I imagine it is because those colors are easier to be seen from across the room but who knows. I can't tell you the number of times I have driven all over town to 10 or more stores looking for the exact item the teacher requested only to be told later..."You shouldn't have done that...anything would have been OK!!!!!!!!!

 

[camatwell]

I am almost finished! My 3 kids go back next Wednesday AUGUST 5!!! I am kinda excited and a little sad their summer is so short. They just got out June 24. We won't have a school supply list till this Sunday night at meet the teacher night, so I guess shopping I go on Monday for last minute add ons. And my daughter is so picky about the book bag issue, we have hit all major and minor retailers around, we still have to get this and lunch boxes for all 3. UGGH will the spending ever stop. LOL

 

[java]

I am loving the Buggar commercial- the boy that spells it on his calculator!

And on the "lists" what really bugs me is that my daughter's school has the same list every year. And then they get to school and the teachers want different items. So why have the online list?? I'm not buying this year until I know for sure. On the list are 45 yes I said 45 binder dividers. It's on there every year. And ask how many my dd used last year-
None.

So I am protesting and not buying anything on the list. I am sending her with binders and paper and pens a calculator and a spanish/english dictionary. Those are the things she USED and will need this year again. I'm not wasting my money on 8 binders!

Oh and a shopping tip for those with tweens with big feet! My dd is a child's size 5 which equals a woman's size 7- TJ maxx has a clearance shoe section- my daughter found a pair of black ballet flats(so cute) and brown suede sneakers- both $10 each on clearance! So 2 pairs for $20!