Hello my name is Chris, and I am an office supply addict.
The paper, pens, notebooks, pens, rulers, more pens, more different notebooks, calendars, organizers… ACK, I can not be trusted in the local Staples. Especially at this time of year when they are offering all the loss leaders on products for kids going back to school.
Yesterday I went there with a list. My kids didn’t need much. You know since I am the teacher and don’t require bulk purchases of glue sticks, kleenex, and pink pearl erasers.
Things bought from the list:
some new colored pencils (the good ones, not crayola or rose art that rip holes in your paper when you try to color),
regular pencils (since my children eat them. No really, that can be the only explanation),
pens (black ball point. Though I personally have a penchant for the fine rolling ball black pens I don’t like them using that kind because they end up smearing the ink with the back of their hand. But never blue. dear god in heaven NEVER blue),
Wall calendar (large, but without any pictures, for me to hang up and have a broad overview of my insanity. I already have a pocketbook sized calendar thing),
agenda books for me and my three oldest (so I can use them like a syllabus and have a record all in one place.)
pocket folders (3 different colors for 5 kids, and then a fun one for my 2 and 4 yr olds because they like to be in on the action)
Things I bought that no one needed, but I couldn’t resist:
personal three hole punches to fit in their 3ring binders (can you have too many little paper holes on your floor and scattered throughout your house? I think not)
pencil cases to fit inside the 3 ring binder (wishful thinking on my part that they will actually keep track of their pencils)
clip on calculators (what? they were cute and also cheap, though this morning I realized that I only bought three. Why three? I have no idea. But guess I need to head back to Staples.)
new scissors for my 4, 6, and 8 yr olds (their old ones have become dull, probably from all the cutting of hair, clothing, and other unapproved items)
an obscenely large bag of Skittles (for me, to help ease my post purchase anxiety. Note they are not in the photograph because I ate them on the way home from the store)
Things I needed but forgot:
3 ring binders x 5: now that I bought hole punches and pencil cases that go inside of 3 ring binders it might be nice to say, actually have a 3 ring binder
Index card boxes x3 (not the cheesy plastic kind that break. Don’t they make sturdy ones anymore?)
Bound Index cards (package of 3) I was just looking at the index cards I bought that are bound together (for vocabulary words) and thought these would be perfect for what I need. And also cheaper. How often does that happen? I’ll answer, Never.
And here is a random photo to show you the key to my organization this school year. Matching agenda books for us. Now to actually use them. Unless just owning them makes you more organized? Because that would be awesome. Anyone know?
Notice I have the blur effect going on? Quite possibly it was because I was unable to hold still after eating my body weight in sugar.
Oh, and while I am there I might as well buy another bag of Skittles. You know to reward myself. I am sure I deserve them for something.
I love school supplies too! I don’t know why. I was kind of disappointed that my daughter’s teacher required so few supplies this year. Until I thought of the $ savings, that is. Then I was thankful!
Comment by Crisanne — August 23, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Staples is my heaven and post-its are my vice.
My sister is very excited because she’s helping to organize this major debate tournament and she’s the one who gets to go to Staples to buy everything they need. It turns out Staples is even more fun when you’re spending someone else’s money.
Comment by Becca — August 23, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I don’t even have school-aged kids, and still I buy notebooks and index cards.
Also, we just started using the handipoints charts with my 3-year old, and its awesome–we have had a clean toyroom before bed every night his week!
Comment by Jessica — August 23, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
I’m also a school supply whore
However what I am not is the neat organized goddess that is you. Will you share how you organize your school supply indulgences?!? I tend to throw my junk all in bins and it is never really used all that much and I forget about it and then suddenly its August again and I have to buy more until I go to organize it and realize it is all duplicate. Who knew?
Comment by Nicki — August 23, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
Hi Chris,
I don’t even have kids so essentially have no excuses but I just LOVE Stationary stores. We have a super large one here called “Officeworks” and needless to say I rarely come out of there without something or other. I also have a cupboard with notebooks and the likes that may never see the light of day but I just love sationary shops.
Carolynn
Comment by Carolynn from Western Australia — August 23, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Now, don’t be jealous, but my daughter works at Staples and I get her discount. AND this weekend Staples was giving out free school supplies to teachers and guess who got lots of fun stuff including a pink sharpie?? That’s right – ME!!!!!
Comment by Joan — August 23, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
I worked at a camp last summer for gifted children, and we had to make office supply runs on an almost daily basis.
And we used to FIGHT over who got to do it. It was nice to finally have people who shared my addiction.
Comment by Meredith — August 23, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
I love going to Office Depot/Staples too. We also homeschool and I love to stock up on the cheap supplies. I buy hundreds of pencils because my kids eat them too.
Comment by Amy — August 23, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
I have an unnatural fondness for anything Sharpie. And just my luck, my husband has Sanford as a client. I’m on the inside now, baby!
Comment by Jules — August 23, 2007 @ 11:29 pm
I adore the smell of brand new crayons…am I weird or what?
Comment by Sasha — August 23, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves school supplies! My only “regret” about homeschooling is not really NEEDING to go and get new supplies every year. However, I don’t let that stop me because I just KNOW that we at least need new crayons and glue sticks…and 2 spiral notebooks, even though they’re only in 2nd grade and preschool…and one of those new cutting thingys from Crayola…and…and…
*sigh* Send me the number for that 12 step program!
Comment by Lisa — August 24, 2007 @ 8:15 am
You know, I totally didn’t need anything, but now I can’t wait for my 1 yr old to wake up from her nap (she just went down) so that I can head down to Office Max (don’t know where the Staples is around here).
Thanks!
Comment by CathyC — August 24, 2007 @ 10:46 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE school supply shopping – not just because the kids go back to school BUT I just love the crispness of all that paper (Seriously I still have packages of note book paper from three shopping seasons ago when staples had them 10 cents a package – but I bought MORE because you just never know when there is going to be a need)
Comment by Mary W — August 24, 2007 @ 11:23 am
How sweet…the momma agenda and 3 baby agendas.
I am also a school supply addict, followed closely by a beginning of the new year organizational supply addict. It’s sick…..between Office Max and The Container Store I am so set.
Comment by Melissa — August 24, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
I love shopping for school supplies! So much fun. Although I can’t believe you shelled out the $$ for Prismacolor colored pencils. Those things are EXPENSIVE.
Comment by Keix — August 26, 2007 @ 1:05 am
I went to Target yesterday and all school supplies were on clearance, 75% off! I went crazy. I bought 40 one subject notebooks because they were 10 cents. I am going to school to be a teacher, have a 5th and 3rd grader, and I tutor, but 40 notebooks…..too much. But it was only $4. Now I need to figure out where to put everything! So glad to hear that this is not just me
Comment by Ashly — September 19, 2008 @ 8:36 am
Where are you from Ashly? I am from IL, and 1 subject notebooks were 5 cents each at Wal-Mart. They had them this price pretty much all summer from June through August.
Comment by Eva — September 19, 2008 @ 11:34 pm