Back To School Shopping List and Tips

It's Back To School Month. 

August is back to school month. That means soon summer vacation will be coming to an end. Families with school-age children are expected to spend around $1200 on such things as apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics in 2024.

Jill Soltau, Shopko president and chief merchandising officer says, "Parents who wait until right before school starts can face a very limited selection and even find that some items will be sold out." That said, waiting until the official school supply list is provided by the teacher may mean settling for what prices are available at local stores. This can be a downer for families who are dependant on price reductions during back to school sales season happening right now.

 When shopping online I like to look for free shipping offers, bulk discounts and compare local prices to those found online. I usually save at least 30% off when compared to sales prices at local stores. 

Back To School Shopping List and Tips

Prepare a budget and shopping list. Start your shopping early in the month, early in the week and early and the day.

Back To School supply lists can be obtained online which include the following basic items:
♦ Crayons
♦ Washable markers
♦ No. 2 pencils
♦ Pencil sharpener
♦ Erasers
♦ Colored pencils
♦ Plastic folders or binder
♦ Blunt-tipped scissors
♦ Assorted construction paper
♦ Ruled notebook or pad

Back to School clothing basics include the following:
♦ Underwear — 10 pairs
♦ Socks — 10-14 pairs
♦ T-shirts — 6-10
♦ Sweaters/Sweatshirts= 4
♦ Pants - 6
♦ Skirt and coordinating tops and Dresses - 6
♦ Shoes — 4 pairs
♦ Boots — 2 pairs
♦ Coats/Jackets — 2 fall - 2 winter
♦ Assorted hats, gloves, and scarves.

This is a great time to rally the extended family together to support and celebrate the awards, scholarships and milestones of your children's education. How? Get Fimark's award winning Family Reunion Planner and get started on your family reunion event planning. 

Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Book

Super Fun Family Reunion Activity Ideas

We always have fun at our annual family reunions. But there comes a time when you want to veer away from the norm and test your creative juices and do something more than the everyday stuff. That said let's advance from family fun to Super Fun family reunion activities. Check out this outstanding list of super fun family reunion activity ideas you just gotta try.

Family Reunion Cruise

Choose a cruise destination and push off on a vacation of luxury, pampering and fun in the sun at sea. The world is your oyster so find a gem of a cruise spot and get your spring, fall or summer vacation off to a fantastic start. Feasts, spas, shows and travel. What could be better?

Family Fall Fest

Gather the whole family for an outdoor festival taking in all that the harvest season has to offer.
Plan this early in the autumn. Persuse local entertainment spots and take in a few fall festivals from coast to coast. It's a hodgepodge of culture, crafts and culinary delights to lighten your spirits and warm the heart.

Family Reunion Night on Broadway

Enjoy a starlit evening at a local dinner show or take a luxury bus trip to New York;s famous Broadway strip and enjoy a night under the city lights. See the Lion King or another Broadway show of your choice. One things certain, you'll have a ball. And speaking of balls...

Family Reunion Ball

The Smiths are having a Ball! And you're invited. Have a black tie ballroom style night of dining and dancing. Set up a banquet style feast and dance the night away in dapper dignitary style. Feature a live band and enjoys many versions of the nations Capitol signature dance also known as the hand dance.

Family Reunion Talent Show

Throw a talent show. Hold auditions and feature top talent from family members and friends of the family. Choose winners using an applaud-o-meter. Also feature live entertainment from local professionals and plenty of find food to feast on.

Family Reunion Games

Raise the family fun factor level another notch. Feature some of the more popular games of the day like Survivor, The Amazing Race, Jeopardy or Family Feud. Family fun at it's adventurous best.

Family Reunion Cook Off

Have some avid cooks in the family that can't cook enough? Put them in the big kitchen for a family reunion cook off you'll never forget. Have experience family cooks serve up breakfast lunch and dinner featuring several courses and a whole lot of love'n straight from the oven.

Family Reunion Bake Off

You know you can't do without moms homemade apple and sweet potato pie or those mouth watering warm walnut peanut butter cookies. That said, have a family reunion bake off and challenge the whole lot of family bakers to whip up their best and most tasty and creative cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries and other delectable delights only your family can make.

For more ideas and details on how to plan. organize and manage family reunion themes consult Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Social web app and the associated family reunion guidebook found here.