It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Yeah, sing that loud and proud, parents. It’s a commercial that marks the beginning of the school year, with much enthusiasm. I hope you are smiling your way through back to school shopping! Yet, if that shopping isn’t done right, you might not be.
My tips for Back to School shopping success:
- Shop ASAP – shopping on the day before school and you’ll join a pack of crazed and frustrated parents trying to make their way through cramped aisles. You don’t want to be in that crowd!
- Time of Day – shop in the early morning if you can. This makes it more relaxing and ensures there’ll be stock available. Tacking that list too late in the game when everyone else is and you might run into stock issues, ‘What do you MEAN you’re out of large sticks of glue?!?”
- Shop at Staples – Everything you need, all in one place. One stop and done. Who wants to store hop to cross those items off the list? Wasting time, patience and gas? Not this gal!
Armed with a gift card thanks to Staples Canada, my oldest daughter and I went back to school shopping just after the store opened at 8am. Let me take you on our shopping trip!
The Staples store at this time was empty with the exception of one or two casual shoppers. The stock and aisles were mine! Equipped with the kindergarten and Grade 4 school must-have lists, I was able to shop in peace. There were no crowds, no rush.
Right when I walked in the door, I spotted all the the essentials. Crayons and glue – they were the first to go into the cart. Actually, the packages of wax and pencils crayons were an incredible price, so I tossed a couple extra of both into the cart, to replenish the stock at home. Did you know that right now is also the best time to equip your home office and craft supplies? Take advantage of the great pricing!
Next we had to get black and blue pens, and I loved all the options at Staples. Sure you could go with the standard, as kids most likely need. Yet, if you want quality, beautiful pens for your office – this is the place to get them. I enjoyed browsing at the entire selection, in awe of the choices available.
And onto highlighters, another ‘wow’ moment. Such a wide selection of colors and sizes! The school list we got is very specific in what the kids need, yet for some reason it just said ‘highlighters’ for this one.
Baffled by the sudden vagueness, I guessed that they meant yellow and standard. Yet, my daughter begged for the pack of mixed colors, which was tossed into the cart. Life is too short to not have fun highlighting words on paper, right?
All 3 kids had scissors on their lists, so we took a peek at the selection of scissors. By chance or maybe someone at Staples is a Mom of girls – the pretty pink pair was on sale {ok, the blue and purple were as well}. Score for my pink-loving princesses! 3 of these went into the cart.
Part of the excitement over back to school for kids is the new pencil box. I recall it myself, the decision over the perfect pencil box that matches your personality {maybe more than the need}.
My daughter immediately ran for the actual box-like styles, again on sale! Staples had a great selection of prints, so she took her time deciding on just the right one.
Backpacks, Hilroy duotangs and binders, erasers, pencils, sharpeners … pretty soon we had everything crossed off all 3 lists. Right down to the boxes of tissues listed as must-haves. Staples, you really did think of everything!
The staff were very helpful when I asked for some help finding that very specific brand/size/type/color item that was on the list. The entire shopping trip took about 35 minutes, yet with no stress. My daughter and I left Staples with absolutely everything the kids needed.
Thing is, I took my time with this trip. I was able to browse items, compare lists and prices. This Mom no longer has supplies shopping to do and was able to easily get everything needed, all at one store. It has to be said – that was easy!
Indeed – It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!
Disclosure: I was provided with a Staples Gift Card to facilitate this post, opinions are my own
I usually shop early since I have 5 to shop for. Staples is usually my one stop shop too.
I have one to shop for this year and I normally start early and check to see if there’s any sales and buy them when they are on sale
Try to get it done as soon as possible!
shopping for one this year and snagged the folders at 10 cents a piece. I LOVE staples 🙂
I love Staples! I have 2 kids and we are pretty much finished. Just need a few things. It is my BTS shopping for a new planner, labels, pens and some fancier items for my business!
I’m shopping for 2 high schoolers and a grade 6’s. My hardest to find item is oil pastels.
Agenda, notepads, pens, pencils.. haha
I have to get everything, notepads, erasers, pencils, markers ect. I have 3 kids to shcp for.
back pack and binders only one to shop for
I shop for 2 kids and there are these binders that we only find at Staples that one son loves. Also mechanical pencils and scientific calculators on on the list
I have two kids to shop for and everything is on my list..:( Thanks.
With Four kids this would help
one kid, and we really need pencils and pens
I have two children to shop for this year. We have all the usual things on our list but probably don’t need pencils and scizzors since we have so many from the last few years!
can never get enough paper!
I don’t have any to shop for back to school items for (this year….next year will bring the whole new ballgame), however, love stocking up the kiddies craft corner from Staples
My list is for me, not for kids lol. I really want the Martha Stewart Organizers.
this would come in so handy would love to win this
Would love to win! My oldest starts school this year would love to take him on a “first school shopping spree”
We don’t have any kids but I always put together a little back to school package for my niece and nephew with some fun items. On my list would be metallic colored pencils and some fun markers.
I have 1 going to Gr 12 and one to Gr9! We need wierd calculators and laptops!
I’ll be shopping for 2. Backpacks, binders, paper and pens are definitely on the list
Pens! Both my boys are in the laptop program, so the one thing they never have enough of is pens.
3 this year.
rulers, pencils, note books, pencil crayons
shopping for one – getting clothes, shoes, and pencil/paper.
Love back to school shopping!
Back pack lunch pail, crayons and shoes are on my list
I’m shopping for one this year but next year it will be two
A new laptop is on my list — and none! Just myself, a mature student.
I shop for one kid and just need markers and glue sticks
Calculators and paper are on my list. Only me to shop for.
I have a fairly extensive list this year and shopping for 2. Nothing expensive mainly pens, pencils, paper, crayons, pencil crayons, notebooks.
BIC® Brite Liner Grip Highlighters – two kids
shopping for 3 grandkids this year and I know one of them would love the G-1 Sac – Ketto Collection Ladybug Lunch Bag, Insulated
just a one year old… so crayons!!!!
this would be great a help for back to school stuff.
I really love the Wall manager from the Martha Stewart collection!
I would love an Apple ipad. I don’t have any little ones going back to school.
I have 2 kids to shop for and on my list is a desk for my oldest.
I don’t yet have kids to shop for, but I am entering my third year of grad school and have plenty of supplies to buy myself! On my list this year:
– Sharpies! I always need them!
– BIC® Round Stic Ballpoint Pens, 0.7mm, Blue, 12/Pack – these are my fave pens!
– Papermate® Accent Intro Pen-Style Highlighters, Assorted, 6/Pack – for highlighting those millions of journal articles!
– Post-it® Durable Index Tabs, Pink Green & Orange, 66/Pack – for flagging important info in textbooks!
Thanks for the great giveaway 🙂
We have 3 kids of our own and helping my Sister out with her daughter, so lots of Zipper binders, pens, pencils, notebooks. This year we have to buy our son a Scientific Calculator and that can be pricey.
A ipad is on the top of the list, next is a printer I am shopping for 2 kids and 1 adult going back again lol
I have one teen son! I have to get binders,,folders,pencils,scissors,,and exercise books,which I am having a hard time finding actually!
gel grip pens!
No back to school shopping in my household but a laptop would be great. Our computer is old and slow!
I am shopping for 1 kid – he starts grade 1 – so we need a backpack, lunch bag and pencils. he wants it all even a protractor which I am trying to tell him is not required for grade 1.
I have one to shop for and I wait for their sales to get the best deals on supplies.
The basics pencils, notebooks, rulers- 1 kid
No kids, but I need stuff for the office…need to get some hanging folders
tons of stuff on my list this. I have 3 going to school next month, kindergarten, grade one and grade 10 so we need everything from crayons to binders to markers to graph paper lol
pencils, paper, and binders. 1 to shop for!
I have 2 in high school now and one just starting college so he still needs help with supplies too lol so 3 for me I need binders and calculators and paper and pens and folders and backpacks too
I just have one child to shop for. He’ll need paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, and markers.
I don’t have anyone in school right now, but I’d pick up some ink for my printer!
I only have one to shop for but I have to admit I usually start early and then regret it because things go on sale. My son is going into grade 5 so he was excited to discover he could use a calculator this year 🙂
I have two girls to shop for. It seems like everything is on the list! Pretty much the basics as well a a scientific calculator and graphing paper.
One kid, and we need pencils, coloree pencils, pencil box, binders,
I have one to shop for this year and i went to staples as there were items on my list that only staples carried like 20 triangle shaped pencils!
I have two to shop for this year but their schools provide a lot of the supplies. I mostly need backpacks, lunchbags and clothes.
shopping for Bankers Boxes for the office – no children to shop for
A backpack, pens, pencils and binders are on my list so far. I won’t find some things out until school starts. I have one child to shop for.
I have one to shop for, and he’s going into college, so not a lot to buy.
Not shopping for anyone this year! At the moment the thing I’d like most from staples is a multi-function printer.
I have 2 to shop for this year… binders/backpacks/1 lunch kit/scientific calculator for the teen.. crayons/washable markers for the 2nd graders….. locker locks/mirror/supplies/white out/paper/pencil cases/dividers/index cards/calendars/datebooks…… no end
It never ends my boys are in University and I’m still shopping for their back to school items, lol.
Shopping for a laptop or tablet for my niece and nephew, I don’t have my own kids to shop for so I help my sister buy for hers, they are like my own
I love Staples. 🙂 I only had my daughter to shop for this year. We needed duotangs, crayons, pencil crayons, red marking pencils, Hilroy notebooks and a few other things. Thanks for the opportunity to win a Staples gift card!
I have 2 kids, but we only need to shop for 1 this year. We need a backpack, crayons and some notebooks. Nothing too serious right now.
We have 2 kids to shop for and we could use these Staples® Better Binders, 2″ for our oldest son
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
No one in school but just the baby – although she loves school supplies.
one kid, need some pencil crayons and paper
Shopping for one……need planners, pens, and notebooks yet:)
I don’t really have any kids to shop for this year. I’ll pick up some really good bargains for my son, but he pretty well buys his own school supplies now. I already got him some spiral notebooks at a GREAT price at Staples. I do need some pens though, so I may pick up a 12/pack of BIC® Round Stic Ballpoint Pens.
A lot of stationary are still good. Just some note book, calculator needed. Shop for only 1.
Only 1 to shop for and in Grade 1 not much is required. I will be heading to Staples to pick up Crayola Markers and supplies for home!
I have to shop for three kids and it’s lots of notebooks, binders, pencil cases, calculators and one needs a new backpack and Staples is our first stop place to go.
My name is Deb not De…lol
Anything FULL of colour, it seems.
printer ink.. colour and black! we go through these like toilet paper in our house!
Shopping for 1 – list for staples has crayons, coloured pencils, regular pencils, glue sticks, a new lunch bag, the hilroy exercise books, and the fiskars scissors.
i shop for 2 kids and I will be getting them new backpacks from staples
We’re homeschooling a Grade 2’er and Kindergartener this year – and I NEED WASHABLE dry erase markers from Staples! 🙂
Ink and paper for the printer
My kids are three and not yet going to school, however, they LOVE crafts. We always need glue, craft paper, and stamps. And I love me some Sharpies!
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
mostly just paper, crayons, babe not in school but office/ craft supplies cheap so thats what im after,,
I have two school-age children now… (sometimes I can’t figure our how they got so old!) And around here, up until fourth grade, you send money with your kids and the school covers the needed supplies outside of inside shoes and a backpack. That being said, I am a freak for office supplies myself. Coloured paper clips? Coloured highlighters? Notebooks? Yes please. I use these things at work for a punch of colour and fun, because hey, who really likes coming to the bank? You need to do something different (and different matches my personality!)
Will be shopping for all the basics (pens, pencils, etc) and a back pack. This store is a one-stop shop. Love it!
Pencils, Erasers, Binders, Pens and a backpack are on my list.
I am shopping for two.
I have to shop for one and have a knapsack, crayons, pencils, coloured paper and a lunch kit on my list.
pencils, notebooks, markers, pencil crayons, pastels, paper, binders,.. 3 kids
My son who is going to College. He needs everything. I love the note books and the coloured pens. Those will be handy.
I would like the Global® Carbon High Back Synchro Tilter Chair. Just one in school right now.
Our lists are way too long for each child to type them all out 😉 I have 2 kids to buy for and I think this year I am going to have to see if our city has a program because I am recently jobless so I am not really looking forward to the next few weeks.
I shop for my daughter and need all the essentials plus a new fun school and lunch bag!
Have my two boys to shop for this year. On my list so far is crayons, pencils, coloured pencils, exercise books, binders, duotangs, paper, highlighters, rulers, erasers, glue…I’m sure there will be much more since I am still waiting on my older son’s school to provide a list. Ugh!
Hurray!! No back to school list this year but I could use a new laptop.
I just have the one child
Two kids and i need to pick up some Hilroy Binders.
a binder that zips up!
Staples has everything for school at best prices
This year on the list is crayons, paper, and a backpack for one little girl
I have 3 nieces and nephews to shop for. I want to get them cute stuff so that they are excited about back to school! Maybe notebooks, binders and pencils.
I shop for my son and his list is long this year. At staples I will be picking up his zippered binder, paper, calculator, usb stick and I am sure many more items
I just have to shop for one child this year he’s going to Kindergarden , I have to mostly just get crayons,scissors, pencil case and some baby wipes,hand sanitizer stuff like that!
No children yet, but could sure use more office supplies around the house 😛
1 to shop for and mostly just new stationary supplies like pens and such.
I have a preschooler a toddler so lunch kits and new shoes are on the list.
Backpacks, markers, pencil crayons, duotangs, glue sticks, binders and pens are on the list for my two – one going into grade 5 and the other starting highschool!
For sure scientific calculators are best priced and best selection at Staples. I only have one son to buy for and it would be easier to list what’s not on the list! Staples is very handy and our store also has the school supply lists for local schools posted. I hope to get him a really good agenda..he needs it to keep organized!
Your staples is in MUCH better shape than mine this morning! I was there bright and early like you! 🙂
i think we’re okay for this year because only starting Grade 1. Only 1 child going to school. Will still probably buy a pencil case of some sort.
I have to shop for 2 kids…they are very picky about their binders. Must be the zippered kind! argh! then there’s pencils, pens, notebooks, highlighters….it never ends.
Just one but she needs a lot of stuff. Binders, pencils, pens, erasers, markers…….the list goes on
pack pack, binder paper pens,.. they need everything
I usually do all of my BTS shopping at Staples, one stop/one time shopping. Need everything.
just the one this year, mechanical pencils, lids, white out, highlighters among other items
I have four to shop for but fortunately the two youngest are just for crayons and scissors. The older two need the whole works!
Everything is on the list, pens, binders, high liters, post it notes, rulers and the list goes on I shop for 2
We have one and we need a back pack 🙂
Shopping for 2. New laptops would be nice.
I shop for one, and we need a new backpack.
Shopping for 2. Pens and binders are on our list.
I have myself to shop for this year BUT I need some computer supplies. Love Staples selection!
Grade 12 & 10 this year….. my babies are growing!! Mostly binders, bags & shoes are the main focus of our lists and I do go to Staples! the other big box stores are sooo picked over.
My youngest goes to Kindergarten next year, so we’ll get to start from the beginning all over again. 🙂
I don’t have any kids going to school. but I could really use some Martha Stewart products!
I shop early, and I also shop in the late Fall when there are big discounts, and put the stuff away for the next year
I have one child to buy for this year. There is a lot of things on her list this year compared to last including clipboard, yoga mat, and cardboard file folder.
I bought coloured pencils, pencils, erasers, paper, pens, glue and backpacks. I shop for my 3 kids.
I’m a newbie at this! My only child is just going into Kindergarten!!
I just shop for me and I will be needing lots of ruled lined paper
Love back to school shopping!
Apple computer is on my list and they have bonus Airmiles. I’m shopping for two.
I am shopping for my son and for myself.
he wants a cool binder, possibly the Five Star® 2″ Multi-Access File™ Zippered Binder
Crayons, pencils, paper =) Only buying for 1 child this year =)
Notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers and erasers are must haves from Staples!!
I have 2 kids at school this year and I need the backpacks, pen, notebooks 🙂
3 kids! The staples heavyweight clear page protectors.
I shop for 3 sons and on my list form staples is great quality pencil sharpeners
My daughter is too young for school this year, so nothing for her.
I need to get some things to help organize my desk though, so that’s what I’ll be shopping for.
I find that I try to get in earlier to shop every year, if you leave it too long now all the good stuff is gone. I have one to shop for, my granddaughter and she certainly has her own particular likes and dislikes so the earlier the better. She wants a specific lunch box and knapsack and that’s just the start of it lol. We are on a strict budget so at the end of the day we usually are pretty savvy finding things she likes and if not them something just as good.
Shopping for one….a backpack is on the list this year, along with the basics like pencils and paper
I always pick up crayons, pencils, and notebooks for the Grandkids at Staples.
I could use a new filing cabinet.
Love the selecyion Stapels carries and there is one close by which is great!
I only have one to shop for this year and now the only thing left to get is a lunch box!
I have one to shop for and shop around for the best deals
I have one daughter, she needs binders, backpack, pens, pencils, etc
I need a new,printer it’s on my wish
It this year and I am shopping for 3 kids
I have one kid to shop for; my oldest starts kindergarten. We need glue sticks, crayons and paper
the main thing is backpack and lunch box and just one this year my oldest is starting kindergarten 🙁
2 kids and they always want the latest fads! Annoying.
5 different colours of duotangs, markers, pencils, glue sticks, pencil crayons, erasers, scissors, a pencil case and a pencil sharpener. All this times 2. My children are ages 6 and 8.
I love back to school shopping! Staples is my favorite, they have everything. I have an obsession with pens, and they have every kind imaginable in every color. I’m basically like a kid in a candy store when I go to Staples for back to school supplies. It’s always a good feeling to start fresh with a bunch of new stuff!
Binders, memory cards, dividers, folders, highlighters & pens! Just 1 to shop for.
New notebooks and pens are on my list this year. I love buying them at Staples because their store brand pens work really well and don’t cost as much as some of the other brands!
I have only one this year to shop for. It will be very basic as he’s not a flashy kind of fellow. Staples is easy one stop for school as I need to pick up business supplies too.
I need a laptop at the top of my list. I have 5 to shop for
I have Zero kids but I so need a new Laptop!
I need, binders, geometry set, calculator and more binders..lol I need locker accessories and a few personal items.
The kiddo grew up and moved… so I dont have to shop for school anymore unless the kiddo plans to return to college or take another course? However the kid is still constantly in need of cool techie supplies and gadgets too and Staples has a great selection! We bought digi camera recently!
Love shopping back to school with the kids but do it early..almost done!
I’m shopping for one. Just crayons, markers very simple list
Just the one, starting preschool (yikes!). I need to get some reusable snack containers for her.
I’m shopping for 2 and I’m done my school supply shopping, the back to school clothes on the other hand is a different story.
I am lucky because my children have finished school. I plan on taking some course work in the new year. I love Staples MS line and I shop there on a regular basis.
On my wish list is a MacBook Pro this year!
I only have to shop for one and I’m looking for coloured pencils and regular ones as well.
One 🙂 Pencils, paper, binders.
You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such
as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
Always go after your heart.