I’m a big believer in celebrating milestones. These celebrations create memories that families can look back on fondly. Fortunately milestone celebrations don’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some frugal ideas for celebrating your child’s return to school.
Take Pictures. I always take pictures on the first day of school. I never fail to get a picture of each child standing next to the tree in our front yard. I also take pictures when I bring the kids to school. We have pictures of the classroom and pictures of the kids with their teachers.
Make Cookies. I’m generally in favor of healthy after school snacks, but the first day of school is an exception. Every year while the kids are in school for the first day, I stay home and bake cookies. After school, we all sit around the table and discuss how the day went.
Make a Cake. For you creative types, you could make a pencil cake to be eaten after dinner on the first day of school. There are complete instructions at Family Fun.com. Family Fun has additional back-to-school ideas, too! And most of them are pretty inexpensive.
Bring Out the Fall Clothes. This is a big one for my daughter. We don’t really do back-to-school clothes shopping, as I’m always looking for bargains throughout the year. What we do instead is take down the box of bargain clothes and hang the fall clothes in the closet. We put away the summer clothes for next year. Even though my daughter isn’t going to the mall to get new clothes, she loves the excitement of bringing out the new clothes that I have stashed away.
Put a Blessing the Lunch Box. Write your child a note telling him how proud he makes you and how much he’s grown up. Your child will love the surprise in his lunch!
Give Your Daughter a Makeover. I’m not suggesting that your young girl wear makeup, but I paint my daughter’s toenails and we decide on a pretty hairstyle for the first day of school. I have a girly girl, and she likes to dress up for the important occasions in life.
Pray. This year I’m going to gather my children for prayer for the school year before they head off to school. We’ll ask God’s blessing on their schools, their teachers, their friends, and their studies.
Do you have any favorite ways to mark the start of a new school year? Please share them!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great ideas and they are frugal. I especially like the cake idea.
We’re not to that point however, we will be before we know it.
I buy clothes ahead too. Much better to get 70-90% off than paying in season prices.
I love the “Bring out the Fall Clothes” one! I too buy clothes ahead on discount, thrift stores, yard sales, etc. I remember as a kid being SO excited to go “Back to School” shopping and I was feeling like I would be depriving my kids of that fun (I don’t intend to change my ways lol). But this way, they get the “new clothes” experience too! My son is starting preschool in September and he doesn’t really care too much about clothes yet, but I am going to remember this tip for when he does, and when my infant daughter is old enough to care too. thanks!!