When students are starting out in their academic careers, they often wonder what to buy for K-12 students going back to school. This is a difficult and important decision. It will affect how they look at school and life in general. But it’s one that should be made with the right planning and attention to detail.
In fact, there are some things you should avoid when it comes to the school-aged children, or for that matter the elementary kids that are going back to school. And the same rules apply to adults looking to buy school supplies for themselves or for another adult. Here are some things you should steer clear of when shopping for supplies for them:
– Don’t buy or rent gift cards for “everyday” purchases. They are good, but they aren’t an everyday purchase. They are the type of gifts that are used for holiday events. When you buy them you are simply letting them use the gift card – and you won’t have anything to show for it later.
– Don’t buy anything with a price tag on it, such as candy, snacks, or candies. You can find plenty of things that will be okay to buy but don’t give as gifts, such as toys, puzzles, or books.
– Don’t sell anything. Don’t gift wrap, don’t mail a card, don’t print out a thank you card. If you can’t do something to help the child, don’t do it.
– Don’t buy things that can be resold, such as vouchers or money. These can often be resold and you’ll be making the problem worse. Instead, invest in buying school supplies that can be used again.
– Don’t buy things that can’t be recycled. When you buy these items you’re sending your child into a never-ending cycle of purchasing more to replace something that has already been disposed of. This will only cause more waste and harm to the environment.
– Don’t buy things that can’t be washed. People that use laundry detergent will use a lot more than those that just wash clothing. You may be able to wash a few things at home, but these can easily be replaced by a machine.
– Don’t buy supplies based on the child’s personality. For example, if the child likes a certain color or has a certain character, then you can get everything they need that matches their personality. But if you buy things based on that they’ll be unable to find items that match other items in the future.
– Don’t buy for a very limited budget. Children just learning to read may need a book, while those who are already advanced might need a lot more. There are many other options out there for more expensive items, but there are plenty of cheaper options as well.
– Don’t buy for the sake of getting something. Make sure that you are buying a great product for the purpose of getting it. A gift that doesn’t work for the family may have nothing to do with the cost – it could be the wrong item for the family and may cause them to break it or not be able to return it.
Knowing what to buy for K-12 students going back to school can help you make better decisions. When you know exactly what they want you can find the best deals and save money. When you don’t know, you may end up making them frustrated, angry and buying what you don’t need!