Anyone do the back-to-school shopping?

[MidwifeErika]

I have decided to take my oldest back-to-school shopping since she will be starting kindergarten this year at home. I just realized this morning how much she wants to get all the stuff that her friends who are going to public school are getting.... she kept longingly flipping through the Shopko ad looking at markers and notebooks. I figured to make a big deal out of buying a few notebooks might be a fun way for her to celebrate this passage into being school aged and a way to excite her about homeschooling.

Anyone else doing this? Or am I just ridiculous?

[LilyGrace]

We do. It's a fun way to kick off the school year, and can be pretty cheap. I'm planning on spending around $10 for crayons, glue, pencil boxes, etc. - much cheaper than the lists provided by the schools last year! I totaled up how much it was for a second grader last year - it came close to $100. They were very specific in what each child needed to get:
3 boxes of Puffs Plus tissues with Aloe
Ziploc quart sized bags with slide closure
Crayola 24 count crayons

And this was a public school! I shook my head and gave my thanks that we weren't doing that instead.

[NannyL]

Yes, yes, yes! At back-to-school time I stock up on all the things I think we will need throughout the year. It's SO cheap. We get crayons and pencils and pens and glue and notebooks, etc. I haven't ever made a big deal out of it (but she's only 4), but it's nice to let her pick out some things for herself. I like the idea of letting your dd pick out some special notebooks as a way to get excited about homeschooling.

[momto l&a]

good time to stock up on stuff for crafts

I found stick glues for .10 a piece. my girls go through lots of the stuff.

nak

[bwylde]

I love back to school sales. It's one of my favorite things to shop for. Even before I had kids I would stock up :. I have enough looseleaf to last a few years, lol! I can't wait until they start. The stores don't even have displays up yet!!

[RedWine]

Originally Posted by hotwings640

Anyone else doing this? Or am I just ridiculous?

You're not ridiculous at all. Last week we bought some lunch boxes for the girls (my oldest would be Kindy age, and of course her younger sister had to have one too ).

[elizawill]

back to school shopping here too, and a first day school picture, and we'll make cupcakes to celebrate, and i've got some ideas planned for the first day too for activities.

[lauradbg]

Some of the people in my homeschool group also belong to H.E.A.R.T.S. We do charitable work throughout the year, and the current activity is gathering up school supplies for kids who can't afford them for themselves...every year we do this we always get some for us too!

http://www.h-e-a-r-t-s.org/SchoolSupplies.html

[harmat]

Anyone else doing this?

Yes. My dd is also starting "school" this autumn. Although we don't really need anything we don't have already, and the rest can be bought as and when. But with all her friends looking forward to school and talking about it, I thought I'll get dd some things. Pretty pens, excercise books, paintbrushes, etc, nothing expensive. I'm also looking to buy a small table or desk for her, haven't found one yet. Yes, the dining table would do perfectly fine, but I can just see her sitting at her own little desk and doing her 'writing' she's so fond of.

Two more days of pre-school, and then we're finished with institutions. Can't wait!

[TexasSuz]

Yes, I stock up on cheap school supplies this time of year! Love the $.30 packs of paper and $.10 glue!

[L&IsMama]

I don't think it's ridiculous at all! Even HSers use a large majority of school supplies, just at home, obviously. I guess you wouldn't need certain things, like a backpack or a lunchbox, although I don't think there's anything wrong with buying one if your dc wants one. Good for library books and field trips.

[zeldamomma]

We definitely do back-to-school shopping. My kids need 5/8" ruled paper, and this is the only time of year I can buy it without paying shipping. We also picked up lunchboxes (for field trips), and crayons and pencils and pens.

I spent more than I care to admit, actually. We also found a bunch of fun things in the $1 section at Target-- map and math fact place mats, among other things.

ZM

[applejuice]

I always thought homeschooling was a way of avoiding this annual ritual, but many notebooks, linepaper, pens and other supplies are on sale at this time of year, so I try to stock up.

Capri Sun is on sale also.

[frogguruami]

We do just to take advantage of the sales!!! We school year round so there is less of a start and stop to school for us.

This year BTS sales are a big deal for us because we are organizing school supply donations for the local community center. I can make the donations stretch pretty far with the sales.

[frogguruami]

Originally Posted by applejuice

I always thought homeschooling was a way of avoiding this annual ritual, but many notebooks, linepaper, pens and other supplies are on sale at this time of year, so I try to stock up.

Capri Sun is on sale also.

My favorite is the week AFTER school starts when everything goes on sale half price!!!!

[applejuice]

My favorite is the week AFTER school starts when everything goes on sale half price!!!!

Absolutely! Good idea...to be more precise, these items are actually lower in price at this time of the year. I would not want to buy spiral notebooks at any other time of the year.

[RedWine]

Originally Posted by frogguruami

My favorite is the week AFTER school starts when everything goes on sale half price!!!!

Ah, good to know.

[mama2cntrykids]

Yup, I plan on picking up supplies too. You really can't beat the deals lol!

BTW, are things really cheaper the week AFTER school starts? I never noticed that...

I'll have to check that out!

[rainbowmoon]

I stock up on crayons,notebooks,those little mini notebooks, pens for me and markers. I will have to look for glue and glue sticks sticks this year!

we actually just opened our last packs of crayons bought last August.

[raleigh_mom]

Absolutely! I love getting the supplies when they are cheap. We stock up on spiral notebooks for the girls. They are great to take in the car on trips. And crayons, notebooks, pencils, etc. Plus, like others, we donate many to kids in need. This year I am also stocking up on crayons and such for Halloween. Yep, I'll be the geeky house giving out crayons instead of candy to the younger kids.