It’s kind of crazy to imagine that it’s already time for kids to be heading back to school! Where did summer go? Like seriously. In the midwest, as much as I love fall, I dread winter..and every day we get cooler temperatures, it means that we’re getting into winter temperatures.. Yes, this time of year makes me paranoid!
I don’t have kids of my own, but this time of year always makes me nostalgic. It also means that I can start shopping for holiday toy drives and use the deals this time of year to stock up on supplies for school supply drives. Years ago, I worked with a youth group I was involved in to collect donations for care packs for foster kids in need. Kids in foster care, as well as other kids going through a rough time can dread this time of year, as it’s been a source of heartache in the past.
As a kid, did you get as giddy as I did when you could stock your new backpack full of colorful folders and supplies? I was always stoked to get a fresh pack of crayons and fully sharpened pencils, markers and sharp scissors for the snazzy pencil box that would sit in my desk. Throw in some colorful and scented erasers and you were set.
I honestly cannot imagine that yearly joy of a new school season being robbed from my childhood- so I usually spend this time of year stocking up for school drives and later, for toy drives- when organization will still gladly give kids toys and much need books and school supplies. Local churches, libraries and even schools in your area may know of a drive in your area, or, as I have in the past, donate to a local foster care organization. Google makes it easy to find one in your area, and it’s really just a great excuse to get a whiff of a new pack of crayons if you’re over 25 without kids like me! Ha!
If you’re like me and you want to give back, or you have kids in school and you want to be sure to stretch your budget, Kmart is your one stop shop for back to school. Not only can you head to Kmart stores or visit Kmart.com/backtoschool to shop online for on-trend apparel, uniform basics and backpacks, but you can also get all of the school supplies on your list while making the most of your back to school budget this fall. (also, omg did you see how cute this backpack is?)
Want to see how far $25 can take you at Kmart?
Kmart has put together a series of looks on their Facebook page, that include clothes and school supplies for $25! You can get a bundle and save a bundle! If you do some shopping at Kmart and snag a set, be sure to use the #BundleBrag hashtag on social media!
Kmart also offers layaway options for back to school, now with text alerts, so it makes back to school shopping even easier!
We’ve partnered with Kmart for back to school season and they’re giving away two awesome gift cards to Frugal Beautiful readers!
One winner will enjoy a $25 Kmart gift card to craft their own #bundlebrag
One winner will enjoy a $100 gift card to give away to a reader to put towards a back to school wardrobe
Congrats to Alyse, the winner of the $25 gift card and Penny is our $100 gift card winner! Winners have been contacted via email. 🙂
I don’t have any real memorable BTS memories, only that I personally dreaded it every time. My kids don’t dread it, they sort of look forward to seeing their school mates. My favorite BTS supplies are buying a backpack and lunch box for the kids; always fun to pick a new one out every year.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My favorite back to school memories involved getting to buy a new fall wardrobe. My favorite supplies were trapper keepers.
Standing in line for pictures and having the photographer handing out combs. Sticks in my head to this day. And I love ALL school supplies – notebooks, pencils, pens, markers. You name it, I love it!
I loved trapper keepers – especially lisa frank ones. And I loved the first day of school trying to get into my locker haha
As a teacher, I’ve never escaped going back to school. 🙂
Growing up, there was nothing better than new markers, colored pencils, and crayons. I’m also part of the Lisa Frank generation, so there were some phosphorescent pink ponies with bedazzled rainbows and butterflies in my life for a lot of years. I suppose my favorite back-to-school memory growing up involved staking out prime seating real estate with friends on the bus. It was always so exciting to meet up at the bus stop that first morning after summer.
My favoite back-to-school memory as a kid was setting up a lemonade stand so I could buy Lisa Frank school supplies instead of the plain supplies my mom always got! As a kid, I loved Lisa Frank. But obviously as an adult now, I love my planner. I couldn’t go anywhere without it!
My favorite back-to-school memory would have to be my senior year of college. I was moving into an apartment with my best friends. There was something special about knowing it was the end. After years of hard work, I would finally have a degree. I also knew that adult life and responsibilities were coming quickly, so I soaked up every moment and memory.
My absolute favorite school supply are pens, preferably sharpie pens, or the pilot G2 gel pens. If someone asks me to borrow a pen, and I only have those, I will pretend I don’t have anything haha
My favorite memory was lining up outside in the school yard with my new class and meeting my teacher. My favorite supplies were a back pack and folder.
Back when I was in school, my favorite back to school memory was knowing that my mother would leave a sweet note in my lunch box for me to find at lunchtime later in the day. She was the best! And still is the best! My favorite school supplies were Lisa Frank of course
I love going to the office supply store and loading up on colored post-it notes! They just make my OCD brain so happy! 🙂
“Yes, this time of year makes me paranoid!” This is how I feel too! Everyone keeps talking about how excited they are for Fall and I keep wanting to yell “DO YOU FORGET WHAT COMES AFTER FALL?!” haha
Meeting my best friend in school (she was sitting in my seat). My favorite back to school supplies are 3 ring binder, note pads and markers
My favorite back to school memory is actually the shopping for school supplies! All new stuff to start the new year, I loved it!! 🙂 I still love school supplies. Fun pens, new crayons, brand new notebooks! 🙂
My favorite back to school memory was seeing all my friends from the year before and my all time favorite school supplies was my backpack, cool pens and notebooks.
I remember how I would lay out my clothes for the first day, and then changing my mind ? times. When I finally had that decided, I made a list of what I would wear every day of the first week. Fast forward to mid year and I just drug something out of the closet when I was almost late for school. Can you all relate?
My favorite back to school memory isn’t from my school days but from my sons very first day of Kindergarten he was so excited to be a big kid that it was amazing to see him walk through that hall like he knew exactly what to do Lol
Oops forgot to add that my favorite back to school supply has got to be buying my sons backpack!
I have a really great photo of my 3kids jumping off our front porch together one past first day. They looked so excited! Paper and anything you can make marks with top my supply list.
My favorite back to school memory was always picking out a new pair of sneakers for the year! And my favorite school supply was notebooks!
My favorite back to school memory was the first day of school in 5th grade. I was so excited that we were finally the oldest kids on campus and remember telling myself I would “rule the school!” Lol! So funny to look back on. My outfit was inspired by the movie Clueless which came out that year: plaid skirt, knee high socks, and a denim vest. Happy memories for sure. My favorite school supply was my prized Hello Kitty pencil box. I would give people the stank eye if they even tried to touch it! 🙂
My kids first day of school when they started school and made new friends or saw old friends and my favorite school supplies are backpacks and pens.
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
My favorite school memory was the first day my mom worked at my school. She started working there when I was in second grade and I loved having her there every day. My favorite school supply is the binders with the clear cover so you can put pictures or drawings in to personalize them.
Favorite BTS memory was ALWAYS picking out my outfit and hanging it up the week before school started! Biggest “must” is a backpack – it definitely makes or breaks the success of the school day!
I love shopping for new clothes. My favorite school supply was a new backpack/book bag.
My favorite back to school memory would be shopping for school clothes with my Mom.
My most favorite school memory, was my first semester, away at college. It makes me sound horrible, but I went all through school with my, popular, sister- so I was always her sister. But, when I got to college in, a different state, nobody knew who she was, and I could be me!
I always loved going back to school because that meant I was getting a new pair of shoes! And my favorite school supply – CRAYONS!
When I was in elementary school at one point things were pretty tough and going back to school shopping became like Christmas. For a few years it was that one time of year where I could get something special that I chose for myself. Like clothes, shoes, notebooks, markers, crayons, etc! I felt rich with all the back to school sales.
To be honest to this day I still pick up stuff from the back to school sales. I try to donate it to programs that give kids back to school supplies who otherwise may not enjoy going back to school because they have to live without or with less.
My favorite back to school memory was taking my son to school on the first day of second grade. I like erasers the most.
My favorite memory was going to Kindergarten and riding the school bus for the first time. My favorite school supply is a fresh new box of crayola crayons.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
My favorite back to school memory was taking pictures on the first day of school in my new outfit with my siblings in the front of our house before getting on the bus. My favorite school supplies are folders!…so many designs and colors to choose.
My favorite back to school memory has got to be getting my class schedule for the new year. Even as I enter grad school, this continues to be one of my favorite moments. I have always loved post-it notes and planners. Nothing says organized like using them to plan out the days and weeks ahead.
My favorite back to school memory is probably the year every noticed that I grew.. Finally lol! I was so short up until my freshman year and really didn’t pay much attention that summer that I grew 5 inches lol I kept getting stopped in the hall, “Brenda is that you!?” I’m only 5′ 4″ haha.
I always loved getting new clothes! My favorite school supplies was pencils with my name on them!
Going out to eat lunch with my friends and love colorful pens 🙂
My favorite BTS memories all seem to involve new cool writing utensils: a new box of crayons, NFL pencils, and those colorful Mr. Sketch markers that smelled all fruity.
My favorite BTS memory was clothes shopping with my grandma. My favorite school supply was the new box of crayons.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
I always loved getting new clothes and school supplies! I don’t have many back to school memories of my own but I remember that my daughter’s first day of elementary school I was a mess! I knew I would be so I took the day off from school and pampered myself a bit.
I always loved taking our back to school picture in front of our door! 🙂
Followed you on all platforms! And my favorite school supply was always markers and crayons
I followed directions, and my favorite back to school supplies are PENS. Love them!!!
I’ve always been a fan of colored pens and highlighters!
Following on pinterest @pruamthong
Facebook Prasert Ruam
Instagram @pruamthong
twitter @pruamthong
My favorite back to school memory is getting all new clothes and shoes. I loved my new shoes and tried not to get them dirty. I also loved getting to take new school year photos out in front of the house. I follow you on all platforms.
i followed all. i have fond memories of lisa frank. i wonder if it’s still around…
I followed all the directions. I love back to school pens and highlighters. I love all the cool colors. They are just so much fun.
I liked getting new clothes and shoes each year. My fave supply is pens.
I followed! My favorite back to school supplies include any type of writing utensil. A good pen makes the work fun and enjoyable!
I followed on all four social media pages!
My favorite school supplies was my planner. I remember in high school they would give us a planner each year at the beginning of the year and I loved filling it out!
I follow you on
Pinterest as @bridgetreich
Facebook as Bridget Heiple Reich
Instagram as @bridgetheiplereich
Twitter as @crazygirl24
My favorite back to school supplies are fun pens and notebooks. I always enjoy back to school shopping with my kids! 🙂
I followed all four ways! My favorite thing is the big huge box of crayons!
pinterest:bbornagain
instagram:classysassy1one
twitter:classysassy1one
facebook:rennie dairyco
my fav. back to school supplies were GEL PENS and the big pack of crayola markers that were thin tipped and had an arsenal of colors! If I had those two things I felt as if I could conquer the world. (or at least that school year) lol
pinterest:bbornagain
instagram:classysassy1one
twitter:classysassy1one
facebook:rennie dairyco
I followed directions!
my fav. back to school supplies were GEL PENS and the big pack of crayola markers that were thin tipped and had an arsenal of colors! If I had those two things I felt as if I could conquer the world. (or at least that school year) lol
My favorite memory is when my youngest son started kindergarten. It was a great day. I’m following. Twitter as @dawnmonroe83. Facebook as Dawn Monroe. Pinterest dawnmonroe83 instagram as dawnmonroe83
I absolutely adore my kate spade planner and my colorful pens
Following on pinterest @julimijulimi
Facebook : Julie Ruam
Instagram @julimijulimi
Twitter @flippingdancer
I followed on all the SM outlets. My favorite back to school memory has to do with clothes shopping. My mom would give me her credit card to Sears once I had my license and I would take my sisters and me shopping for new school clothes.
Hi, I follow (Pinterest: shala_darkstone; FB: Madeline Brubaker; instagram: shala6; Twitter: @shala_darkstone).
My favorite back to school memory is one year when my parents dropped me off at the mall with some money and let me shop for a few hours for anything I wanted. It was glorious (although I remember I made some really bad clothing choices that I barely wore!).
I followed the directions and follow you on:
1. PINTEREST as birdiebee52
2. FACEBOOK as Terry Stevens
3. INSTAGRAM as birdiebee52
4. TWITTER as @birdiebee52
My absolute favorite school supply is the Pentel EnerGel Deluxe Gel Ink Pen in Violet.
I love my different colored highlighters!
pinterest – whittikere
FB – Ann Raye W
Instagram @whittikere
Twitter @whittikere
Following on all: Pinterest-https://www.pinterest.com/shanhiebs/; Twitter @shiebs24b ; Instagram @shiebs24 ; Facebook Shannon Hiebs
I use to love having all my new supplies organized. And a new first day outfit!
I followed all four forms of social media. My favorite BTS supply is a Disney princess back bag I got for a great deal for my daughter!
I follow you on
Pinterest: my url: https://www.pinterest.com/angelasaver1/
Facebook as Angela Saver
Instagram as @angelasnoozy
Twitter as @saverang
My favorite back to school memory is shopping for school clothes with my mom & grandma every year & then going to lunch with them!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I Followed on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
My favorite back to school memory was I would get to get new shoes & a new outfit. My absolute favorite school supply was my 5 tab notebook. This were cool back in the day.
I followed! My favorite back to school supply is new watercolor paints and fresh oil pastels. 😊
I follow you as directed! My favorite school supply is fresh spiral bound notebooks!
mrsbrockavich48 (at)gmail (dot)com
I follow you on Pinterest. My favorite memory is laying my new clothes out for school.