Summer is winding down (unfortunately) and it’s just about that time to go back to school! There are so many things to do before school begins that it can be hard to keep track. Here are some ideas that can help you get organized for the new session!
Label It:
One thing that’s generally consistent at every school (especially for the younger set) is that they want EVERYTHING labeled. This can be a daunting task. You can try old favorites like Fabric Markers, but sometimes it’s hard to label all clothing that way, especially on dark-colored items. Name Bubbles are fantastic. These labels are durable and laundry-safe (they won’t wash off!), plus you can put them on virtually anything. Not to mention, they are pretty cute looking.
Change of clothes:
The younger set usually needs a clean set of clothes to bring to school. This is something you can get done now and put aside for next week. Grab some summer clothes (or a spare uniform, if applicable) and put them into a large Ziploc bag. This way you can label the bag and it can easily be organized with your child’s other school items. The bag also doubles as a laundry bag for the soiled clothes being sent home.
School Supplies:
Shopping for school supplies this close to the beginning of the school year can be a nightmare! The school supply aisles become ransacked and bought out. I like to shop at Staples in Jersey City for school supplies. The store tends to be a lot less hectic than its neighbor (Target) and they carry pretty much every school supply you will need. Coupons: Check the link for some Staples coupons that you can bring into the store. If you don’t feel like braving the stores, you still have time to shop online! Amazon has its very own Back to School store. If you order soon, you should have it in time for the first day of school, especially if you have Amazon Prime.
School Lunch:
The age-old question…send them with lunch money or brown bag it? Get creative with homemade lunches! Don’t miss this Buzzfeed post “27 School Lunch Tips That Will Keep You Sane,” which includes great ideas like freezing juice boxes the night before to double as ice packs. If you are feeling gourmet, you can try “19 School Lunch Ideas That Are Healthy (Mostly)” from Bon Appetit with recipes like Tomato Grilled Cheese Soup and The Antipasti Plate. Or you can always hit up the Pinterest Boards! To make your life easier, check out these reusable lunch containers with ice packs in the lids or try these reusable sandwich and snack bags.
School Clothes:
Last minute shopper? Don’t fear! Lots of stores are having Labor Day sales this weekend, so you can stock up and give the pocketbook a break, too. Macy’s is having a big sale in stores and online. Click here for an in-store coupon. Gap is advertising “Everything up to 40% off” in stores and online. Plus, they have great options for uniforms, like khaki pants and skirts. If you need school shoes still, Zappos has a great selection of children’s shoes. As an added bonus, they ship quickly and shipping and returns are free, so you can order multiple sizes if you are unsure.
Get a Haircut:
Looking to clean up those untamed summer tresses? There are plenty of options in our area. For the smaller ones, it’s important to find somewhere geared towards young children. Just 4 Kids in Hoboken is a great option for kids of all ages. They are especially good for younger kids. The salon offers Ferrari and Hummer styling chairs, and flat-screen TVs equipped with Apple TVs with Netflix and Hulu. They ask your child what their favorite show is before they even begin. There are also games, balloons, and organic lollipops. Tousled Hair Salon is a local option (where you can get your haircut, too!) that offers children’s haircuts.
Updated August 8th, 2022
