Gifts for Back to School

From Giftypedia

It seems like not long ago the kids were counting down the days until summer vacation and now the school bells are ringing and it is time to get the kids prepared for the new school year. Whether sending a kindergartener off for his first day of school, a high schooler off to another year of school or getting ready to send your child off on his own to college, the options for back to school supplies have changed a lot in recent years. There are quite a few “gifty” things you can do to turn those boring old school supplies into great back to school gifts. Many of these gifts for students will be used throughout the school year so choose wisely when making your selections.

Kindergarten/Preschool

The choices for back to school gifts for preschoolers can focus on making learning fun and showing their personality. You can also choose gifts that help with organization and move them into this next stage of their life. Gifts for back to school for your kindergartner can be school supplies and items needed at school.

Gifts like a personalized pencil box you can fill with pencils, crayons and erasers, a personalized backpack to help carry their school supplies or a lunch box can help your child express their individuality, show the world their favorite cartoon character or their artistic ability for the budding artist.

Educational gift ideas like an abacus or a LeapPad Learning system, games that help to teach letters and numbers or science kits can help make learning fun. To help them stay organized an age appropriate day planner or a responsibilities chart will get them started off on the right foot.

Elementary School

Like back to school gift ideas for kindergartners, gifts for children going to elementary school are similar. Adding that little extra to a backpack or lunchbox with personalization or a favorite theme are fun and gifts that will be used all year long.

Lunch boxes have come a long way since the days of brown paper bags. Now not only do you have the traditional metal square lunch box with a handle but now "lunch boxes" come in such an array of styles you can coordinate with their outfit.

While it is possible to carry all the books from class to class and home again a good backpack is a useful back to school gift for students. The backpack shoulder straps should be padded to make the pack more comfortable. If your child will not use both shoulder straps go with a sling bag that is designed to be carried with only one strap. A well-made backpack with survive several years of school with your child.

High School

For those going to high school, gifts can include, new clothes, shoes or the latest technologies for communicating. A new backpack is a practical gift for a high school student, however, before making a purchase, check with the school to see if there are any rules and regulations on the types of backpacks allowed. Also, at this age, style and design may also be important factors.

After sleeping late all summer, an alarm clock to get them going in the morning would make a good back to school gift idea. There are alarm clocks that will run away if you try to hit the snooze, clocks that will project the time on the ceiling, or if needed, an alarm clock that screams at you like a Drill Sargent. These are sure to get them to class on time.

A desk or bookshelf would be a back to school gift to help with organization and give space to work on their studies. This gift would be a gift for the student and also a gift for you.

College

Help the college student stay on time with the Neverlate 7-Day Clock. This clock has seven different alarms for each day of the week, this is a great back to school gift for college students with varying class schedules.

Most colleges require students to have a laptop. Check with the school to find out what kind of computer they recommend before you rush out to buy that Dell, Apple or Toshiba. College students also find personal digital assistants or PDAs to be a necessary piece of technology. With the ability to keep track of schedules, address and deadlines, college students can have all their information right at hand and no reason to forget an important project. Don't forget the computer accessories are good gifts for college students. A well written paper isn't going earn a good grade if you don't have a printer. Don't forget to back up all your work on a flash drive or CD. If you're lucky you may even get an email from your college student. An occasional care package or monthly gift box can be a welcome gift from home.

Students going to college need lots of things and many would be great back to school gift ideas.

Gifts for Teachers

A great teacher is appreciated for molding the minds of children. Gifts for teachers go beyond an apple or scented candle and you can show how much you appreciate a teacher by giving a gift card to an office supply or educational store. Because of budget restrictions, many teachers wind up paying for needed supplies out of their pocket. Educational stores such as Lakeshore and Teacher's Paradise sell gift cards on their websites, as well as Staples and Office Depot.