Back to School Archives

Back-to-School Care Packages

Boarding school and college students are returning to campus, and as they settle in to their new residences, they may experience bouts of homesickness. After a summer of enjoying home-cooked meals and snacks on demand, these bright young minds now must fend for themselves.

Fortunately, we have several ideas to make the switch to dorm life easy, homey, and delicious.

Care packages for boarding school students

For many students, this will be their first time living away from the structure and comfort of home. For parents, this shift to your kids being on campus may be fast-tracking your empty nest syndrome.

care packages with student eating cookie

If you’re missing your kids before their suitcases are even packed, think about sending them a care package to arrive after their first few weeks of school. It’s a simple yet thoughtful way of saying “I’m thinking of you,” with a selection of baked goods you know they like.

For the eater who likes a little bit of everything, an assortment of sweet and salty, fruity, and crunchy snacks will hit all the right notes. Packed in a sturdy wood box, this signature gift becomes the perfect solution for desktop storage, giving the recipient a convenient place to tuck away books and school supplies when the snacks run out.

Is your student crazy about popcorn? Send a trio of classic flavors — butter, cheese, and caramel — with a personalized message or family photo to show you care.

Care packages for college students

While making the adjustment from home life to dorm life is hard for any undergrad, the shift is an even bigger shock to the system for incoming freshmen.

To help ease this transition, arm your first-year college student with wholesome snacking options, such as fresh fruit and classic cheeses, to keep their energy up for long days and even longer nights.

As the days grow shorter and nights grow cooler, it’s increasingly important your child gets the nourishment — both physical and emotional — they need. This array of easy-to-heat, homemade-inspired soups will help stave off those seasonal colds and midterm blues.

And for those weekends when you wish you could be there tailgating together, send a celebratory snack box that says “Go team!”

Make their dorm feel like home

It can be hard to make a dorm room feel like home, so sending your child some home décor should brighten their living quarters.

Home goods

Personalized items are a must. From welcome signs to wreaths to picture frames, there are lots of ways to add character to their little home away from home.

Flowers

Since most dorm rooms and apartment complexes won’t let you paint the walls or hang picture frames, students have to find other ways to add some color to their bedrooms (besides the usual Pink Floyd posters). That’s where flowers come in! Even a small bouquet can add new life and a pop of color to any room.

Plants

In addition to flowers, plants are a great way to inject some vitality into a living space, and they’re also helpful for maintaining good air quality. Even if your student doesn’t exactly have a green thumb, you can still find them an option that requires little maintenance, such as a succulent or cactus.

Journal

Ask any college graduate about their time in school and they’ll probably tell you it was “the best time of my life.” Keep the memories they make in college alive and with them forever by jotting them down in a personalized journal. You can adorn the cover with something as simple as their name to something as personal as a family photo, so they’ll always know it’s theirs.

Something cozy

Winter is only a few short months away, and the walk to class in the cold and snow is no easy feat. Make their journey a little easier by sending a comfortable pair of Good Day™ Socks. With their signature message of “Gonna Be a Good Day™” inscribed on the toe, you can bet these socks will always make them smile — even during finals week!

Spa gifts

Dorm bathrooms aren’t exactly known for their elegance, but the right shower products can turn even a communal bathroom into a relaxing oasis. After a hard day of tests and projects, treat your scholar to a little relaxation with a premier spa gift basket in a number of favorite scents.

If sending a care package has you envisioning long lines at the post office and packing peanuts everywhere, don’t fret — we’ll do the heavy lifting for you. The 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. family of brands offers nationwide shipping, including next-day delivery on many items. If you plan on sending care packages throughout the year, the Celebrations Passport gives members unlimited free shipping for 12 months for a low one-time fee.

School’s Back in Session: 5 Ways to Celebrate the Return to the Classroom

As the first day of school approaches, it’s important not only to keep an eye on your child’s mood, behavior, sleep patterns, and appetite but to recognize all the positive aspects of heading back to the classroom. Parents need to celebrate both the return to school and the academic success their kids have achieved so far.

But what does a back to school celebration look like?

Below are five creative ways to bridge the gap between summer mode and school mode, and help build positive excitement and anticipation for that all-important first day of school.

1. ‘Yes Day’

If you have elementary school–aged children, there’s a good chance you crowded together on the couch to watch Yes Day! on Netflix, which is based on the 2009 picture book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. A “yes day” is what it sounds like: It’s an entire day where your every answer to your kids will be, “yes.”

Sibyl Volker and her husband started doing end-of-school “yes days” when their now 8-year-old son finished kindergarten. It’s become a tradition every June for the Portland, Oregon, family of two.

back to school celebration with kids swimming

“We’ve promised them each their own day to pick out adventures before school starts,” Sibyl shares. “Our daughter has already decided she wants to ride roller coasters, and our son will likely want to play video games and go swimming.”

If your family’s “yes day” includes candy for breakfast, delight them with a smorgasbord of sweets in the form of the Candy Craves™ Fabulous Favs Tray.

But what about food? “There will be sugar,” remarks Sibyl. “And probably tacos.”

Do the kids want breakfast for dinner? Then say “yes” with a customized assortment of baked goods including scones, Belgian waffles, loaf cakes, English muffins, and sweet rolls. Now that’s a good start to the day….

2. Movie night

Everyone loves going to the movies. Re-create that in-theater magic by hosting a movie night at home.

Start by creating a movie marquee listing age-appropriate film titles to choose from — school-themed movies or films based on your family’s favorite books are a good place to start.

back to school celebration with outdoor movie night

For an indoor experience, rearrange furniture so the screen is the focal point; toss pillows on the floor so little ones can stretch out. For outdoor viewing, line up patio chairs, blankets, or sleeping bags under the stars, all facing the projection screen.

Don’t have a projection screen? You can DIY a makeshift screen by clipping a white full-size, flat sheet to a dark wall and then clipping it to staked poles or even a clothesline. The secret is to pull the sheets super taut to remove any wrinkles.

And, of course, no movie night is complete without snacks. Set up a table off to the side where kids can help themselves to butter, cheese, and caramel popcorn or grab an individual back-to-school-themed snack pack or cake pop. And don’t forget the beverages…for kids and ad ults!

3. Teacher appreciation party

Teachers have long been unsung heroes, so why not host a back-to-school celebration in the form of a teacher appreciation party? Your child and their classmates can create handmade gifts that communicate both their excitement about going back to school and their appreciation for all their teacher’s hard work.

One gift could be a thank-you poster on which each student makes a handprint with nontoxic, washable paint and writes a personal message.

back to school celebration with girl giving teacher gift

Expressing gratitude can also be done in food form.

And this year, you can not only show your gratitude for your teacher with a thoughtful gift, such as some back-to-school themed iced cookies , but with each purchase, you’ll also be supporting the Red Nose Day fundraising campaign. 1-800-Flowers.com has joined forces with the nonprofit Comic Relief US through Sept. 9 to help end child poverty and provide access to quality educational resources and supplies for all. Ten percent of net proceeds from our special back-to-school collection will be donated to this vital campaign, helping ensure all children thrive with the opportunity for a bright future.

4. Time capsule

Time capsules are an interactive storytelling project that the entire family can create for their future selves. Items that go into the time capsule can have personal meaning or represent life at this point in time. They can be sentimental or even a bit humorous, such as:

A favorite toy or stuffed animal
A family photo
A letter to your future self
Old cell phones
A family questionnaire

5. Classmate meet and greet

If you already know the other students in your child’s class, consider planning a meetup at a local park or playground for a fun back to school celebration. Setting up designated activity zones, such as a craft table to make personalized name tags and a cookie decorating station, will help kids get back into the groove of hands-on projects and time management.

3 Benefits of Having Flowers and Plants in the Classroom

The term “biophilia” was coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm to describe the innate human attraction to nature. Of course, live plants and flowers beautify a classroom — but adding them to a learning environment is more than great design. It also has tangible health and wellness benefits for both students and teachers.

A plant is an ideal entry point into the care and keeping of living things. It is a life skill that can be shared and modeled for other students in the classroom.

Karen Aronian, Ed.D.

Classroom environments strongly influence students’ moods and motivations. A 2020 study published in Building and Environment found that students actively prefer classrooms that include nature and live plants can help students learn more effectively. Students report fewer health issues after spending even short periods of learning in a plant-enriched environment — in some cases, a single lecture was enough. The presence of plants also impacts how students perceive both their educational experience and their instructor, as the same study also found adding indoor plants improves both teacher and educational evaluations.

The benefits of living green plants in a school environment extend far beyond self-reported improvement. “There are endless ways to imbue flowers and plants into our classrooms and nearly as many reasons to do so,” says education design expert Karen Aronian, Ed.D. “Indoor nature can inspire students, improve focus, and reduce anxiety.”

Here are three reasons science says it is beneficial to “go green” in the classroom.

1. Plants improve attention and classroom behavior

Attention and focus are essential for productive learning, but classrooms are inherently full of distractions, such as use of mobile devices, tardiness, and disruptive behavior. Science shows that teachers can improve focus by reducing artificial stimulation with natural elements. Features like green walls can substantially reduce acoustic stimulation, and even a few standalone plants can make a difference. One study found that children with ADHD consistently experience more sustained concentration in classrooms with live plants.

classroom plants with group of school kids with teacher planting herbs

“The act of caring for a plant can provide a big boost for a child’s self-esteem and instill them with a greater sense of responsibility,” Aronian says. “Plant care includes everything from identifying the plant, watering, transplanting, and tracking growth to ensuring the plant has good soil, light, and a temperate environment.

“A plant is an ideal entry point into the care and keeping of living things. It is a life skill that can be shared and modeled for other students in the classroom,” she continues. “It also improves children’s behavior, attentiveness, and confidence.”

2. Classroom plants improve air quality

Live plants are natural filters, helping to remove toxins and allergens from the air, and putting them in a classroom environment adds oxygen and reduces pollution and airborne dust. “Indoor classroom air is different than outdoor air in that it usually contains higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from carpets, glues, and cleaning solutions,” explains Lorena Torres Martinez, assistant professor of biology of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. “Some plants have adapted to metabolize VOCs as part of their protective mechanism, to ward off insects or as a way to attract pollinators, so these species are better at removing these toxins from the environment.”

classroom plants with schoolgirls giving teacher bouquet in classroom

One such plant is an English Ivy, which Torres Martinez keeps in her office because it has been shown to remove toxins — including toluene and benzene, two common carcinogenic indoor pollutants found in paint and glue, among other things — from the air. Snake plants and air plants are also popular air purifying choices. So, how many plants do you need? While there is no standard regarding how many plants are needed to clean the air in a classroom, based on NASA studies from the 1980s, the current rule of thumb is two large plants for every 100 square feet of enclosed space.

Plants and flowers also help improve the scent of a room. Many people are sensitive to chemical fragrances, but flowers act as natural air fresheners. Colorful cut flowers are also an easy addition to classrooms with few windows, as they do not require direct sunlight to thrive.

3. Living plants reduce anxiety and support mental health

The number of students experiencing anxiety, depression, and isolation is at an all-time high. One of the leading causes of this is the overuse of digital devices, which can negatively affect the brain and impair social and emotional intelligence.

One way to help combat these problems is to fill classrooms with living plants, as interacting with indoor plants helps reduce stress and anxiety. “Indoor plants are miniature, practical examples of our colossal forest biomes,” Aronian says. “Just as we can take a stress-reducing meditative forest bath outdoors, we can similarly enjoy the relaxing process of pruning, arranging, smelling, and admiring our indoor blooms.”

Just looking at added greenery can be calming. “Studies show that the visual stimulation of looking at live plants is relaxing, has positive mental benefits, and can reduce stress,” Torres Martinez adds. Working with plant species that have the benefits of aromatherapy is another great way to bring more tranquility to the classroom. Growing fragrant herbs, such as lavender, basil, or mint, can also enhance air quality, with delicate natural scents that act to calm the body and mind.

Back to school prep

As we gear up for the school year, now is a great time for educators to come up with ways to bring more plants into their classrooms in the coming school year.

“Teachers should think about how to incorporate seasonal plants into school celebrations and holidays. They can also create a calendar ahead of the school year and assign each student/family their special week to bring in a live plant or bouquet with related information to share,” Aronian suggests. “This process of choosing and presenting a living ornament to the class ecology can become a favorite ritual for both the students and their community.”

6 Thoughtful Surprises to Put in Your Kids’ Lunches

Kids are preparing to return to school after a long, hot summer away from the classroom. Some will make the transition easily, but for others, going back to an educational setting can be jarring and, frankly, unnerving.

“The stress of being in a different environment for a long period of time can be really tough for some kids,” says Dr. Nicole Beurkens, a holistic child psychologist and mother of four.

lunchbox surprises with kid looking nervous at school

To try and make things easier on their kids, parents should consider small but meaningful gestures to show they are thinking about them and rooting for their success when they’re off at school.

“A note with a positive message can act as a mood booster and stress buster,” Dr. Beurkens says. “Notes in the lunchbox can support a more comfortable and successful back-to-school transition for kids.”

She stresses that a lunchbox message should be upbeat. “Writing things like ‘I know you’re going to ace your test’ or ‘Focus hard so you can get an ‘A” has the potential to create a lot of stress and discomfort for kids,” she says. Instead, she recommends focusing on the things you love about them or reminding them of something fun they get to do when they arrive home.

According to Dr. Beurkens, these little lunchbox surprises don’t need to be fancy or complicated to be meaningful to your child. “Despite what parents may see on Pinterest or Instagram, you don’t have to be an artist, cultivate an extensive collection of pretty papers and stickers, or learn calligraphy to send notes in your child’s lunchbox!” she says. “Don’t let ideas about perfection and aesthetics get in the way of doing something simple and good.”

A note with a positive message can act as a mood booster and stress buster.

DR. NICOLE BEURKENS

Holistic child psychologist

We know weekday mornings can be stressful, so here are six ideas to get you started as you prepare to pack those lunches and send your kiddos on their way back to the classroom.

Print out a copy of an image that is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face. It can be from last night, a few summers ago, or when they were a toddler — it’s up to you.

Write a few words on the back that sum up how the picture makes you feel. Something like “I love your laugh!” or “Remember this? I sure do!” will work. When your child recalls a happy time spent with you, it strengthens the bond you two share.

2. Give specific words of encouragement

Start a running list of reasons you love your child. You could number them for each day of the school year, write one each Monday to start the week off right, or do it at random times. The important thing is to avoid generalities and zero in on something you appreciate about your child.

A couple of examples are:

“Reasons Why I Love You #10: You take such good care of Fluffy. He meows at your bedroom door because he misses your lap while you’re at school!”
“Reasons Why I Love You #21: I love your sense of humor. I still smile when I recall that joke you told us last night at dinner.”

lunchbox surprises with school lunch with a note

3. Write a story one line at a time

There’s an improvisation exercise that involves players creating a new story one line at a time. You can adapt this kid-friendly game as a series of lunchbox surprises. Simply write on a piece of paper something like, “Let’s write a story one line at a time. Here’s the first line: Jacob woke up with a start from a crazy dream. What’s the next line?”

You can play this game with early readers and writers all the way up to high schoolers. Try to keep the story going as long as you can until it comes to a logical ending. (Tip: Try making the central character a favorite animal for extra fun!)

4. Send a sweet treat

The saying goes “An apple a day keeps the doctor.” We have another saying around here: “An apple-shaped cookie a day chases the blues away.” Your kids will squeal with delight when they find one of these treats in their lunchbox. There are many other assortments to choose from, too, including cookies and cake pops in the shape of school supplies. Never has learning been so delicious.

5. Write a message in unexpected places

An easy and fun way to share your love with your child is writing or drawing a heart or a smiley face where they are least expecting it. For instance, you could use a food-safe decorator pen to write “Love you!” or “I’m thinking of you!” directly on an apple or banana peel. Or you could create a heart or smiley face with sprinkles right on their sandwich.

6. Start a scavenger hunt

This one could get a little addictive if you’re not careful. First, hide a small gift somewhere in your home or yard. Then send lunchbox clues Monday through Friday that give your child hints as to its whereabouts. You can use upcoming holidays as your inspiration for the goodie and the clues. (Hint: Halloween and Valentine’s Day are great times to try out this idea!)

Other ideas

Stickers and notepads with your kid’s name on them are an easy way to add a personal touch to your lunchbox messages. A piece of chocolate as a special treat will delight most every child we know (just make sure to pack it so it doesn’t melt!). Maybe you have a young one who isn’t into sweets all that much (yes, there is such a thing); if that’s the case, drop a piece of fresh fruit or a crunchy snack into their backpack before they head off to school.

Why are small gestures like these lunchbox surprises especially important these days? Nicole says they can offer children “an emotional and relational touchpoint during the school day to remind them of their parent/caregiver and shore up their resilience to get through the day apart from each other.”

These kinds of simple acts won’t just bring a little sunshine to your child’s day: Just picturing the look on their face when they see the thoughtful surprise you’ve put inside their lunch is sure to give you a boost, too.

5 Teacher Gifts to Start the School Year Off Right

The time is fast approaching. The summer, once seemingly endless, is coming to an unfortunate close.

While the memories made will undoubtedly stick with us for a lifetime, it’s back to the old grindstone for students and teachers alike. As we gear up to return to school — some to the warm embrace of friends and familiar faces, others to brand new environments — it’s important to start off on the right foot.

For the parents out there, that means forming a healthy relationship with teachers and setting the stage for a school year to remember. After all, the best thing about the back-to-school season is “the excitement and energetic vibe that teachers and kids have,” says MacKenzie Colquitt, an English teacher at The Villages High School.

What kinds of gifts do teachers enjoy? That can vary by individual, but we have a handful of options that are always crowd-pleasers.

Themed treats

Certain items will forever be associated with school and teachers. Blackboards and chalk, apples and whiteboards, pens of every color … the list goes on.

Teachers love anything food.

MACKENZIE COLQUITT

English teacher

The Villages High School

We’re not implying that you should rush out and buy the most clichéd gifts imaginable for your teachers. Instead, have some fun with themed treats that capture the excitement and whimsy of school without being bland or too on the nose.

Doing so checks two boxes: school-themed fun and delicious food. After all, as MacKenzie says, “Teachers love anything food.”

From colorful pails full of delectable delights to personalized stationery , the possibilities are endless when it comes to surprising teachers with quirky, school-themed treats.

Craveable coffee

Whether it’s pre-K or college, a universal truth applies: teachers have to keep up their energy level for long days of instructing and grading, not to mention everything going on in their lives outside the classroom. Not all teachers indulge in the magical elixir that is coffee, but for those who do, the gift of caffeine is hard to beat.

A gift card or specialty roast from a local shop is a great way to go, as are bags of whole bean or ground coffee. And don’t forget a vessel to drink the coffee out of. Teachers can never have enough mugs.

Sweets and healthy indulgences

Many teachers keep sweets or other snackable foods in their bags or desks for those extra-long school days, special occasions, or unpredictable cravings. By gifting your teacher a collection of sweets and/or healthful indulgences, you can help ensure that not-so-secret stash doesn’t diminish too quickly.

Thoughtful collections of chocolates, fruits, or luxuriously dipped strawberries are a fantastic way to establish a connection and appeal to your teacher’s sweet tooth. Plus, these gifts can be shared with her friends, family, or other school employees.

Teacher gifts for outside the classroom

The gifts above can all be enjoyed during school hours and anywhere from behind the desk to the faculty lounge. However, teachers do have lives outside of school. Shocking, we know.

There’s nothing wrong with giving teachers gifts they can enjoy on their own time. In fact, some teachers may prefer it. MacKenzie specifically remembers one such gift. “I had a parent send me a personal charcuterie board from a local place,” she says, “and that was literally amazing.”

From gourmet foods to a well-appointed gift basket of classier delectables, thinking outside the classroom is a fantastic idea. You can even branch out from food and gift them a self-care package stuffed with relaxing goodies that are sure to make the school year just a little less stressful.

Schoolhouse style

Bring a little style and fun to the classroom by giving your teacher something colorful and functional. Whether it’s a fashionable crossbody bag ready to tote laptops, papers, and books or a collection of candles primed to replace that schoolhouse musk with something more tantalizing, sprucing up a teacher’s space and workflow can work wonders.

No matter how you choose to do it, showing appreciation for teachers is a valuable gesture. It demonstrates that you care, that you want to establish a relationship, and that your teacher and her class are important to you.

Giving teachers a token of our appreciation for all the hard work they do is a great way to make sure this school year gets off to a flying start.

3 ideas for back-to-school teachers gifts

Make going back to school extra sweet and special with these delicious and thoughtful gifts.

teacher gifts with back to school rice krispie treats — Back To School Rice Krispie Treats

teacher gifts with Have a Sweet School Year Mini Treats Gift Tin — Have a Sweet School Year Mini Treats Gift Tin

teacher gifts with teacher gift box — Teacher Gift Box

How to Make Back to School Flowers to Start Their School Year Off Right

Back to school flowers can help everyone start the new school year off on the right foot! According to research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed. “Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings in those who enter a room,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “They make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.”

Here are some creative ideas that you and your child can put together the day before school starts. Your child might be a little nervous about the first day of school and spending time with you; putting a floral or plant gift together for the teacher will relax them and get them excited about giving their new teacher such a beautiful gift.

How to make a pencil vase with flowers

Can a teacher ever have too many #2’s? This adorable vase is just a clear beverage glass covered with unsharpened #2 pencils. Place a rubber band around the glass and insert the pencils between the glass and the rubber band until the entire glass is covered. Hide the rubber band with a fun school themed or colorful ribbon. Add about 2 inches of water into the glass (easier for transporting), but make sure the teacher knows they should add more water as soon as possible to keep the flowers fresher longer. Sunflowers are perfect long lasting flowers, but you can use any flowers. Flowers picked from your garden are great too!

Garden fresh flowers for the teacher

Keep it simple and fresh by cutting a few stems of flowers from the garden and placing them in a mason jar. Bring your child into the garden with you and let him or her pick out the flowers. There’s no right or wrong here — any flowers cut from a garden will look good together. I love this natural look! It reminds me of my grammar school days, when kids would bring flowers to the teacher. A few stems of garden roses wrapped with a little aluminum foil seemed to have magical powers for both the giver and the receiver!