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Back to School, to me, is more exciting than New Year’s Day. It’s a fresh, clean year ahead. A path that awaits little feet. It’s a sweet reminder of when you bought brand new composition notebooks, binders, and No. 2 pencils ready for what’s next.

Not to mention, tax-free weekend is a wonderful time to begin checking things off your list. Here’s what’s on ours:

School Gear

Lunchboxes

The Omiebox is hands-down our favorite (on Amazon and Target). It’s separated into sections with one section that’s thermos-style so you can send warm things. @BeingBridget posted about it ages ago and we now have a few of these. She boils water and pours it into the warm compartment and leaves it for a little to warm it up before emptying the water out and putting the warm items in it – so smart.

Bentgo has a great, slightly smaller bento-style lunchbox. This is great if you need to pack something for snacktime. It also closes into a great size for slipping into a backpack or diaper bag – small and compact.

Water Bottles

We love the Yeti 12oz Jr Ramblers. They keep things cold (or warm) just like their adult version, are durable, and *bonus* you can personalize them with their etching which is much stronger than any sticker label. Pro tip: Opt for the brighter colors so they’re easy to spot at playgrounds and parks.

Backpack

I grew up on LL Bean and North Face backpacks for “big” school. My current frame of reference is much smaller school at this point in time, but anything from LL Bean is the best, so I’m sure their backpacks are terrific. They are such a classic.

We ordered our last one from Biscuit Home. They have the cutest applique monograms if you’re looking for something for the littlest of the littles. The backpack was easy to wipe clean and we put it through the washing machine a few times and it still lasted us for ages.

Danrie has some darling styles – this construction backpack? It is too good. This is the gingham backpack we previously had, which is sold out on Biscuit, but available on Danrie.

This year, we’re going with State Bags, a new favorite of ours. We love their luggage set and have a travel backpack already that’s been so good.

Labels

Sticker labels are great for things like water bottles and lunchboxes. I found ours on Etsy (these floral vinyl labels , but Mallory of Mallory Designs has a slew of different labels that are darling.

I always buy these embroidered labels and have them sewn into raincoats, coats, and outer layers. They are the best and one sheet will last for ages.

First Day of School

Signs

These aren’t really a necessity, but they’re fun. Dogwood Hill has some great options. We’re ordering from Mallory this year because this pencil is too cute. I’ve also ordered these pendants from Beaufort Bonnet and included them in first day of school pictures. They’re so fun and give kids something fun to wave in the picture.

Gifts for teachers and administration and classmates

Personalized notepads are a great gift for teachers – and Starbucks cards are always appreciated. Mallory has a great collection of notepads at a great price point. She also has sweet gift tags to match. This notepad by Dogwood Hill is also so cute – I love the rainbow border.