Today was baby day in our office, meaning that almost everyone who has a little one brought them in for a big group play date. And while most of the kids were too young for school, it reminded me of all those parents who are anxiously awaiting the first day of school. To make that first week back even more rewarding, here are five tips to get you prepared for the backpacks, shoes, notes, coats and general clutter that goes along with school.
Label Everything
From your kids' lunch box to their sweatshirts, the new P-Touch PT-1230PC Plug & Touch Labeller will print labels for just about any surface. The label maker is connected to your PC for quick, precise and pretty label designing.
PT-1230PC P-touch labeller, $69.99
Wall Decor that has a Purpose
Use decorative wall decals to organize your hallway. Use Stampin' Up!'s new "Definitely Decorative" collection, which includes letters and numbers, to outline areas for each family member to unload their stuff so everyone's coat is in the same place every morning.
Stampin' Up! Definitely Decorative Classic Alphabet letters, $4.95 for set of two; Nursery Alphabet $6.95 for letter/animal combo
Storage
Extra storage is key because you know that coats and shoes never quite make it to the actual closet. A small shelf of storage unit that can easily hold shoes or backpacks is perfect for the front door. In combination with the decorative decals and labels, you'll have a clutter-free hallway — even if you have to put backpacks and shoes in their place sometimes.
Ikea Trofast Storage combination with boxes, $79.99
A Place to Hang Your Coat
Again, we all know that coats rarely make it into the closet so make it that much easier for little ones to keep their outerwear off the floor with wall hooks.
Number Door Knob Row of Hooks, Pottery Barn, $99 USD
Schedule Central
Finally, if you don't already have one, get your family a multi-purpose bulletin board so you can keep track of important dates, grocery lists and notes to sign. Pottery Barn's Daily System has hooks, shelves and baskets for everything you need to keep handy. The Nexxt Memo Message Centre from Kitchen Stuff Plus is part cork board, part white board and part frame for family snapshots.
Left: Pottery Barn Daily System from $10.00 - $489.00 USD; Kitchen Stuff Plus Nexxt Memo Message Centre, $49
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