Tatertots and Jello

COLORFUL HAPPY HOME -- Daily DIY, Decor, Craft and Recipe Tutorial

Connect

Home » family » $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway and Back to School Ideas!!

family ·

$100 Target Gift Card Giveaway and Back to School Ideas!!

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Update — giveaway closed. Winner was #414 — Mary Grace. Winner chosen via Random.org

It’s that time of year. 
 **Back-to-School**

My kids started school last week –I’m not sure where the summer went! We have some traditions that we love to make going back to school special for our kids. The first is documenting the first day of school.

Last year my friend Kami introduced me to Chalkboard Bubbles and I had such a fun time documenting the first day of school with them!! I did the same thing this year- it’s so amazing how the kids change from year to year!! 

We also have a special Crepe Party right before school starts. 
It’s a great special occasion where we talk about goals and plans for the up-coming school year. 
Today I’m so excited to have a special Back to School giveaway today from my favorite store — Target!!

Target is the place where we get the majority of our clothes, including back to school clothes. I LOVE that Target has great quality, fashionable clothes for such amazing prices. If you see my family or I on the street, the chances are about 100% that something we are wearing comes from Target.

Target’s Cherokee line is one of my favorite Target lines. We were just there last week looking at Fall coats and Hannah found this black wool Cherokee peacoat that she loved.

Want to win some $$$ for back to school clothes for YOUR family??
Target has given me a $100 gift card to give away to a TT&J reader!! 
Win a $100 Target Gift Card
$100 Target gift card

Here’s how YOU can win:

To get extra entries:

  • Leave a comment here with YOUR family’s favorite Back to School Tradition. If you don’t have one, what is one you want to try? one entry.
  • Tweet this:  “I want to win a $100 @Target gift card for new @Cherokee_usa clothes! #giveaway via @jenjentrixie http://bit.ly/nDvPKt”. one entry.
  • “Like” Tatertots & Jello on Facebook — where I love to feature projects and great ideas. one entry. 
  • “Like” Cozi on Facebook — Cozi is a FREE online calendar that helps you manage your family schedule. one entry.
Please leave a comment for each item you do above to get those extra entries!
**winner must be a Facebook fan of Cherokee USA.
{Giveaway ends Sept. 6th}

And… how would you like to win $1,000???

Share your best First Day of School photo on Cherokee USA’s Facebook Page for a chance to win!

Prize package includes a $1000 shopping spree from Cherokee and $300 smart phone from Cozi.
Awesome!!! 


Thanks to Cherokee USA and Cozi for sponsoring this super giveaway!
*this is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine.


 


 


PS — I am over at the amazing 30 Days Blog— sharing some fun Stenciled Pillows today. Come over and say hi!! 

You’ll Also Love

Make Your Home Cozier with Boucle!
Pretty Summer and Father’s Day Ideas
Things I Love This WeekThings I Love This Week – Home DIY Ideas

Comments

  3. Jessi says

    Fav tradition…I guess the big 'school shopping' trip is really all we do, but it's fun and an event. My tradition growing up was my mom always sending us off to school wearing one of her necklaces, a cross or dove, telling us we could touch it, any time we felt nervous and remember that she was at home praying for us. I have one girl who's past the being nervous stage, and 3 boys…who aren't all that interested in wearing my necklaces. LOL

  8. Hannah says

    We get up the day before school starts and do a dry run of our morning routine, then go out to breakfast!

  13. Amber says

    We like to spend a whole weekend back to school shopping then go out to dinner when all shopping is complete!

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

  19. Emily says

    At the start of each year I take a traditional photo of my boys all ready for school by the front door. It's fun to see how they've grown from the previous years!

  21. The Thompson Family says

    I started a new tradition this year. We read stories like the Night Before Kindergarten, The Night Before First Grade, The Best Seat in Second Grade. We also continued having personal interviews with each child &organizing talking g about what they were excited for, scared about, what they wanted to accomplish this year.

  33. circlelinestudio says

    I LOVE to shop for school supplies, my daughter and I have such a blast picking the perfect items. My boys, they're not nearly as concerned but we still have fun putting the items all together.

  36. Stacy says

    The week before school starts we kind of go into panic mode that summer is ending and we do as many fun things as we can fit into that week.

  41. kristina proffitt says

    My daughter just entered kindergarten and so the tradition we just started was the first day of school photo with the mini chalkboard that she holds with her grade on it! Super cute and fun! 🙂

  46. southerninspiration says

    No more kids to head back to school….last year and this one we were getting a dorm ready and an apt. ready….does that count? 😀

    Suzanne

  48. Robin says

    Our son started kindergarten this year (*tear*). I let him pick out a special notebook and some special pencils. I havn't thought of anything else yet, but I'm sure as the years progress (and his brothers start school), we'll come up with more!

  51. Ami-Beth says

    We started taking Back to school pics with a little chalkboard.
    We also record in a journal the child's impressions of the first day, to look back on.
    MsAmyMc{at}gmail{dot}com

  55. Nick & Meg Smith says

    We are not in the school season of life yet, but I would like to implement a warm cookie tradition the same afternoon every week!

  61. Heidi says

    I like cozi on FB as well – looks like a great service to refer my organizing clients to as well!

    cheers!
    -H

  64. Heidi says

    Our favorite tradition is to make a stop at our local bakery to get a sweet treat for breakfast in the days leading up to the first day as sort of a celebration of summers end.

    We also take photos of our kids on their first day holding a sign that says what year of school they are in. 🙂

  67. Amber says

    Both my babies aren't in school yet but a tradition I'd love to start is a family back to school night with fun dinner, dessert and games.

  79. wendo says

    My kids are really young (oldest is in 2nd year of preschool) so we don't really have any back to school traditions yet. But I really would like to have a back to school dinner – talking about the upcoming school year and our goals!

  80. Wanda says

    I love your cool crepe party! Think I'll start that one.

    We take pictures, eat a yummy b-fast and hit the road!

  81. caeruleanblue says

    Traditionally we take a really long hike in the park, and eat lunch on the covered wood bridge.

    I've been using Cozi for a while now, and I can't imagine my life without it!

  92. Amy Kirchhoff says

    We're still new to this first day of school thing, but I want to start having a "party" the night before.

  100. .~*Catrina*~. says

    Our back to school tradition is to get pictures of them out by the road, and then getting on the bus the first day of school. 🙂

  101. Kelly Sellers says

    I like Tatertots & Jello on FB! I'm SUCH a follower I'm almost a stalker of it…ha.
    kellysellers.blogspot.com

  105. DeDe Ray says

    Favorite tradition is driving my daughter to school so I can get that first day of school pic in front of her new classroom door. She is growing too quickly

  116. Christina Hahn says

    i did everything but twitter since I don't have twitter. Not sure how you know who wins though? very confused. We don't have a back to school tradition, besides everyone lines up with their backpacks on for a picture.

  118. phasejumper says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is school supply shopping, then a special treat for snack after the first day!

  123. emily @morefromthemoorefamily says

    This is our FIRST "Back to School" year. So, I want to take a picture of my little guys each year with the year and grade on a board of some kind. 🙂 This year I used "A Little Tipsy"'s printables!

  126. haleynicole says

    i'm a college student, my back to school tradition involves going to schlitterbahn with all my friends the weekend before school starts!

  136. Karene says

    I would love for you to post your recipe used for your crepes. Savory chicken and strawberry.

    Thanks,
    Karene

  141. Christa aka The BabbyMama says

    And we never had a back to school tradition, but I want to have a special dinner with my own kids and a special present to mark each year!

  143. Valarie says

    My favorite First day of school memory is Standing on the front porch with my sisters having our picture taken. I have carried that tradition over to my sons as well. I love looking back at all the fabulous photos. xxoo Valarie

  148. tweety800265 says

    I "like" Tatertots & Jello on facebook. FB name Jan Peoples
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

  150. tweety800265 says

    My mom use to take us and pick us up from school on our first day then we would have a fun lunch since the first day is a 1/2 day.
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

  151. tweety800265 says

    I "like" Cherokee USA on Facebook. FB name Jan Peoples
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

  153. Stephanie says

    I "Like" Tatertots & Jello on Facebook (Stephanie Petty-Grant)
    sgrantrn(at)live(dot)com

  155. Stephanie says

    My family's favorite Back to School Tradition is taking the kids to school on the first day and making sure someone is there to pick them up…then we all go out for Pizza night 🙂
    sgrantrn(at)live(dot)com

  157. thesloothaaks says

    My oldest just started pre-school so we don't have too many traditions yet, but we did do a photo with a "1st day of pre-school" sign.

  161. Lindsay says

    My favorite back-to-school tradition is taking a picture on the first day in the same spot every year! My mom did it when my siblings and I were in school, and now I do it with my kids!

  172. M.Rude says

    My family took first day of school pictures in front of the fireplace every year! They are so cute to look back on and see the growth!

  176. Sarah says

    Since I don't have any kids of my own yet, I'll tell you a tradition I'd like to do- every year on the first day of school my mom took a picture of me and my brother in front of the bird fountain in our front yard. Through the years not only did you see us age, but you saw us grow taller compared to the fountain. I'd like to do something like that with my kids too. 🙂

  179. lfitz says

    My bac to school tradition is to have a take the yearly pics in the morning, then drive the kids to school (they normally take the bus).

  183. Erin J. says

    My son is starting his first year of pre-school this fall and I really love the idea of listing his likes on the picture using photoshop

  187. rsugg says

    I "liked" Cherokee AND Tater tots and jello on FB

    Our back to school tradition is of course take pictures with 'signs' of what grade the kids are in. Being that they wear uniforms, they are usually in matching colors.

  192. mcbrideboysandme says

    Like Cozi on facebook and also signed up for it, thanks thinking it will save my life and my sanity…

  193. (Keri) Auburn Gal Always says

    We do a "What Fits Fashion Show" to see what in my daughter's closet and dresser will work and what won't. What doesn't fit, gets handed down or donated.

  195. mcbrideboysandme says

    Back to school tradition,definally back to school pics with my boys. The fun and exictement of wearing new clothes and new shoes with your new backpack to start a new year off right.

  196. Tropical Baby says

    My favorite back to school tradition is buying all the school supplies at target. They have everything and at reasonable prices. My favorite part is taking everything home and organizing it to be ready for school!

  201. The J9 says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is taking pictures next to the tree in our front yard on the first day! It's fun to see who much the kids change each year!

  207. Tabathia says

    fav back to school tradition is eating breakfast out (chick fil a, bk or mcdonalds)
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  211. mrs.zito says

    My kids aren't really in school yet, but I love the idea of the signs for pictures on the first day of school. I'm a teacher, and lots of moms take a picture of me with their child on the first and last days of school, and I think that is pretty cool too.

  214. Julye says

    One thing we do for back-to-school is to take pictures in the same place in front of our house so we can see how much the kids have grown. Next year I'd love to start a new tradition of having a special breakfast that first morning. Thanks for the chance to win, I love Cherokee stuff!!

  218. Emma Rose Blakely says

    We have chinese the night before school. Also we get up extra early on the first day…

  220. lindseyhackford says

    I liked Cozi, cherokee, and tator tots and jello on FB. Also our back to school tradition is my mom would always make back to school goodie bags for us EX: gum, mints, lifesavers, you know back pack stuff. Then when we got home she would always have warm cookies to welcome us back home from our first day. I don't have children yet but my mom now works at a elementary school and I always make her welcome home cookies for her first day back! My mom and dad always made back to school a fun time… even though she would cry that we had to go back! I will always cherish those memories!

  221. Bettie says

    I follow Tater Tots and Jello, I liked Cherokee on FB and our favorite back to school tradition is..the children chose their favorite dessert , I bake it and they have it in their lunch boxes all week. I also cook their favorite meals their first week back to school.

  223. bethanndodd says

    I always take pics of the boys on the first day of school alone and together. I also take a pic of each of them with their teacher. My hubs & I also like to get them a little something special for when they get home (anything from a special ice cream treat to a family game). Thanks for the chance! Smiles~Beth

  226. Heather M says

    Our little one is entering first grade in one week, {EEEK} so we are just starting on the photo traditions. Last year we took a picture with her holding a sign with her teacher’s name, her grade and the date in her brand new cloths. The last day of Kindergarten we did the same thing in the same outfit {she outgrew her leggings, so she had new ones on}. It was fun seeing how much she grew.

    I love the chalkboard bubble idea!

    hmnelson15{at}frontier{dot}com

  228. Heather M says

    I've "Liked" Tatertots & Jello on Facebook for quite a while!

    hmnelson15{at}frontier{dot}com

  229. Amy says

    My son isn't old enough for school but he will be going to preschool soon, sniff sniff and i'll be doing the chalkboard picture 🙂 I've seen it on pinterest and love it!

  238. Monica says

    My kids are still too young for school, but I plan on doing a first and last day of school interview with them. I will ask them about their favorite things and opinions and post it in a scrapbook. I also want to include first and last day of school photos in the book. I think it will be a fun memory for them!

  243. Shirley says

    Every year my mom brings the kids back to school shopping for all their supplies. It is such a fun tradition because we love spending time with her!

  244. Shirley says

    Every year my mom brings the kids back to school shopping for all their supplies. It is such a fun tradition because we love spending time with her!

  248. Jessica says

    When I was younger it would be to take a picture each year, but I don't have kids yet, but I am excited to hear what other people do so that I can start planning!

  250. twelve30 says

    We always take photos on the first day of school. Thanks for a chance to win.
    twelve30{at}gmail{dot}com

  251. Angela says

    Every year we make a Pencil Cake (that's right, a cake in the shape of a pencil). Last year my son was diagnosed with Celiac, but the tradition continued with a gluten free pencil cake. And we make signs with their name, date and grade, and take pictures. It is kind of a big deal around our house. For all of us. 🙂

  254. Lea says

    When my children are old enough to start school, I would love to have and end of summer party as our back to school tradition. I think it would be a fun way to reflect on our fun summer, and come up with goals for the upcoming school year.

  258. Melissa says

    We don't really have a back to school tradition, as my son is only in first grade, but this year & last year we got up extra early on the first day & I made him his favorite breakfast. I think we will do this every year & I will do it with my youngest when she starts school as well!

  263. InaMae says

    My favorite tradition growing up was laying out everything for the first day the night before. I'd have my whole outfit picked, every pencil sharpened, and notebooks prepared with dividers and papers! I couldn't wait for the first day!

  264. Carrielyn says

    Our "back to school" tradition is pretty simple, but we enjoy it! We get ice cream for dinner the LAST day of summer vacation. The next morning, we always have a special breakfast (IHOP usually gets the vote!) and for dinner… I let them pick any special occasion food they want (for some reason, it's usually grilled shrimp and chicken on a stick!).

    Thanks for the chance!

  270. Charisse says

    We don't have any unique traditions for the first day of school, but I always enjoy taking pictures of my kids in all their cute new clothes!

  276. lainey says

    I liked you on FB, tweeted and all of those things for my entries. Thank you! My favorite tradition is making the kids pancakes for breakfast and my husband takes off work so he can go to the bus stop with us all and be here when they get home. 🙂

  280. Tif_V says

    Back to school tradition: we always take pictures in front of the same tree in front of our house.

  281. Nicole says

    We adopted the school store at home – shop for everything then set up a store and let the kids shop in your store. My preschoolers loved it and they didn't quite feel to left out!

  283. Madilyns Place says

    Our favorite tradition is to make rice crispy bars and have them ready when school is out!

  289. Kristin says

    I like Cozi on FB! I LOVE Cozi in real life – it has been great for us and we just started using it a few weeks ago!

  291. bridget {bake at 350} says

    Your kids are adorable!!!

    Back to School Tradition? A plate of homemade cookies for an after-school snack.

  293. Kristin says

    I love to take back to school pictures! My kids however probably like the special first day of school breakfast of their choice – this year it was donuts!

  296. Deidra says

    One of my favorite traditions for back to school is the new school clothes/supplies family fashion show!

  302. kclynn222 says

    I liked TT&J, cozi, and cherokee usa! This year my daughter started pre-k, i'm searching tradition ideas!!! love the bubble chalk board!

  303. Christin Schultz says

    Our favorite tradition is going out to dinner as a family the night before and talk about the new year!

  310. deRek, bRitt & Rowyn says

    When my daughter starts school I really want to start the "Big cookie" tradition. On the first day of school she will come home to a cookie the size of a pizza and we will talk about the first day of school while enjoying a slice!

    [email protected]

  315. Erin C. Young says

    This is my son's first year of preschool and I am excited to start traditions with my family for back to school – I was thinking of doing a cool back to school breakfast and decorating and making party favors and stuff. 🙂

  318. Mary Anne-dersen says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is going out for ice cream sundaes after school 🙂

  319. Heidi S. says

    Don't have a back to school tradition yet, but you have me thinking now, and will have to come up with something fabulous.

  320. Megan @ Megity's Handmade says

    Our tradition is that we forget to warm the kids up for going to bed earlier. We do this every year and every year, I swear I won't do it again!

  325. Mary Ellen says

    Always took pictures the first day of school- I would pack a lunch as they went to a private school and wrote notes on their napkins- Mom did that for me too years ago!

  327. FWoodward says

    Our back to school tradition was going to buy new school clothes the week before school started. And getting new school supplies, and start of school haircuts.

  330. never David usually Lisa says

    Already of fan of cozi and use it hourly! 🙂
    lisaflinders (at) yahoo (dot) com

  332. Bonnie says

    we take a picture in the same spot every year (this year the sprinklers were on and instead of improvising, my BOY was drenched! Thats a boy for you) and we also make a growth measure mark (but do this a couple times throughout the year)!

  335. Kristen Hamlin says

    My kids arn't in school yet, but when I was a kid, my mom always got takeout on the first day of school and we spent dinner taslking about our first day and filling out the mountain of forms that the school sent home.

  341. MrsPro says

    When my kids were home we took a first day of school with them and their dad, he's a teacher and it was his first day with students. I miss those days, they go by too fast!

  344. Kelli says

    We Homeschool, so there really isn't a formal tradition, however we usually take the first day of public school and go to the park! We get the whole thing to ourselves and it's fun!

  347. Unknown says

    My daughter is too young for school but I really am loving all the awesome ideas for "First Day of School" pics, especially some of the adorable printables!! I am really looking forward to starting that tradition with her one day.

  350. Brittney says

    Our tradition is breakfast for dinner the night before school. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, the works.

  359. Jessica says

    My favorite back to school tradition is homemade chocolate chip cookies the first day of school! my mom always had them right out of the oven with a glass of milk handy when I got home!

  365. Erica Wyatt says

    we don't really have any traditions and I should start some. I think it would be fun to do a dinner of some sort

  368. Alicia says

    i love target too!! and we always do a special breakfast and some sort of special dessert for back to school.

  377. Jenae @ Wildflower says

    We just started school {preschool} and we did the first day of school photo's. Can't wait to make more family traditions as they get older

  379. Nerd Mama says

    Right now hubby is the only one going back to school (he's a teacher), but we kicked the year off by decorating his room and having the dinner of his choice the night before.

  381. JoEllen says

    My husband always gives my children a special father's blessing before the school year starts so that they can feel at peace and comforted with the changes ahead of them. I love that tradition!

    joellenzafacon at gmail dot com

  382. Susan says

    We have not started school yet, but one tradition I am ready to start is pictures of each new school year. Something fun and creative like your chalkboard quotes!

  388. Rebecca says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is the weekend before school starts we have ice cream for dinner! All the toppings are laid out from chocolate chips to fruit…we also end school the same way 🙂

  390. deesdailynews says

    I always walk my kids to school on the first day of school. This has been my tradition when they are in elementary school.

  392. Kylie says

    My favorite back to school tradition growing up was the night before by dad always had some one on one time with each of us. He was super busy, and we'd get super busy so it was nice to spend time together.

  395. Cammee says

    We always have a homemade treat waiting when they get home. It's fun to surprise them with something new each year.

  400. Gosfam says

    We always take pictures the morning of the first day, and they always get special notes in their lunch boxes every day.

  403. Katie says

    The closest thing we have to a tradition is with my mother. On the first day of school I get my daughter up extra early and she goes to breakfast with my mom. Then we all wait for the bus together. The breakfast thing may last but I'm pretty sure she won't want to wait with us anymore in a few years.

  404. goincrazy says

    back to school tradition? hmm Usually having pizza for dinner the night before..to make it easy for mom:)

    ginrob @mail.com

  412. MJ says

    Our son is only 3 1/2, so we haven't started any traditions, yet. But one I plan on having him write his name on a little chalkboard and take a picture of him holding it each year. 🙂

  413. Valerie says

    My first child is starting preschool on September 7th, so I don't have any fave traditions…YET! I am scrambling to make sure I get a few things put together before the big day, but I'm also struggling to think of stuff to do. I think the BIGGEST most IMPORTANT thing will for sure taking a picture that morning. That is the #1 thing in my book. I am looking for good ideas to add though!

  418. Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says

    I loved as a child knowing our tiny town celebration was just around the corner. Happy Peach Days!

  420. Something about Stacey says

    This was our first year of school, but we started a new tradition of making sugar cookies in the shapes of school objects when the first day was over. Messy, but fun!

  421. RosannaRox says

    After School Ice Cream Treat has become our first day of school tradition!! We took her last school year when she started preschool. This year we did the same, nothing like sweets and listening to her talk about her first day!!! 😀

  423. Rachel Schumacher says

    We always have a special treat (choc. chip scones) for breakfast on the first day of school and then we take pictures by the front door. I also bake up some fresh cookies for the kids to have when they come home.

  435. barbara.montyj says

    Like Cherokee USA on Facebook
    Barbara Montag
    Thank you.
    barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

  436. Amy says

    Well, I have no kids yet, but I teach. I guess my back to school tradition is getting as organized and prepared as possible so that when the chaos of the first day comes I can be calm and collected!

  439. Whitney Marie says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is a bonfire at the beach to celebrate the end of Summer and pancakes for first day of school breakfast.

  443. Sara says

    Our tradition: my kids wake up to a little Back to School prize – something small, like a chapter book or new journal.

  448. Shanna @ Yellow Pocket Boutique says

    I don't have any school age kiddos yet but I would love to have a special breakfast for their first day of school..and of course lots of pictures!

  453. heidi says

    our family tradition is the photo in front of the door and the night before their daddy talks and prays with them for it to be a great year.

  458. Melanie and Beau says

    This year is our first year, so no traditions yet! I want to print 1st grade, 2nd grade, third grade etc for my daughter to hold each year.

  459. Hope says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is taking the kids to the beach the week before school starts. We have to wait all summer long, but we are all so refreshed and ready for some new challenges when we get back. We have done this every year with our 1st and 3rd grader and plan to do it…. forever. 🙂

  460. ...AMELIA... says

    I liked cherokee& rarer for a n jelly on FB as aleki amelia olive….this was our oldest first year starting school we still can't believe it.

  461. Jennifer B says

    We don't really have a first day tradition but I do always take a picture of my son on the first day (even though he hates it)!!

  462. Mike and Larissa says

    We always took school pictures on the first day of school on our deck. now it is just my kid sister… sad day.

  468. Victoria ObSEUSSed says

    Like Cozi on FB now too. I've downloaded their app a few weeks ago but haven't gotten online to register yet. I really need to try it out.

  473. tricityty says

    My favorite tradition is to take their picture the first day of school! My son is in 6th grade and my daughter just started preschool today! 🙂

  476. juliemadtx says

    Don't have kids in school yet, but would love to have a special dinner the night before and take a picture on the first day.

  480. Mrs. Prince says

    we never had a tradition b4 school but with my kids i love the fashion show and a special back to school dinner

  482. Victoria ObSEUSSed says

    Tradition: We love to have a "Back to School Bonfire" the weekend before school starts. We invite friends and parents and go up the canyon for hot dogs and s'mores.

  485. Mindy says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is going to get an ice cream sundae after the first day of school! I can't wait to do it next week as my son starts kindergarten. 🙂

  487. Andrea says

    We don't really have a unique tradition, but I just LOVE taking the kids to shop for their supplies. The new crayons, pencils, notebooks are the perfect representation of a fresh start! And, of course, we get them all at Target!

  492. Nancycm10 says

    forgot to mention our 1st day tradition! I always set the table really pretty for the first day and the kids have a nice big breakfast…then when they come home I have a huge batch of homemade black and white cookies (their fav) waiting!

  493. Katie says

    My kids are too young for school still, but I saw an idea on Nie Nie's blog where she pulls out the fine china and fancy linens for an extra special dinner the night before school starts. She even makes the kids there own special crowns to wear for the dinner. I love this and can't wait to do this for my own little ones.

    Katie
    [email protected]

  494. Nancycm10 says

    liked cherokee on FB! and love your blog! So much fun and now that the kids are back in school I actually have time to look all through it! FUN!

  499. Sandryte says

    A plan of My Back to School Traditions:
    1. Make cookies and hot chocolate for breakfast
    2. Give a small school-related gift to my son
    3. Have a cosy party in the evening with a nice movie

  501. The Sapp's says

    Hi! We don't have any back to school traditions yet. My oldest is just starting preschool. She's so excited and loves to party. Maybe a "friend party" the first weekend she starts school could be a tradition? I'll have to look around for ideas. 🙂

  508. Alicia Bliss says

    I have a four month old, so when he starts school I love the chalk board bubble photo idea. I cannot wait for his first day!

  513. Shar22 says

    Favorite back to school traditions would be new clothes and a special dinner for after the first day.

  518. Christy says

    We don't have any bts traditions. I take their picture on the first day every year…but I would like to have a grade or age display like you do above. So cute!

  526. nordic says

    Our back to school tradition is taking a family pic in front of our house.

    kpinwisc at gmail dot com

  530. The Adventures of Ordy and Joon says

    Of course I like TT&J on fb, that's how I found out about this great giveaway! Thanks for hosting it!!!!

  531. Stacey B says

    My oldest is just going into PreK this year. Our back to school tradition so far has been a picture with his backpack on at the front door.

  535. Kristen says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is a "back to school" party where we spotlight each child and talk about how wonderful each one is. 🙂

  536. The Adventures of Ordy and Joon says

    I don't have kids, but when I do I would love to start a tradition of a HUGE breakfast the day of to start them with and try to get out any pre-school nervousness/jitters. I think taking a picture of them with the caption is adorable!

  538. The Adventures of Ordy and Joon says

    I Like Cherokee USA on Facebook under the username: Sheila Parast!

  540. Naomi says

    I already like Cherokee USA on FB! We're just starting our back to school traditions…I think swimming afterschool is going to be a big one!

  550. Joy says

    We have a little biscuit shop (hometown owned) in our town that we LOVE! Since the girls have been older, we stop by there on the first day of school. It's just fun and very much a part of our little lives.

  551. Elizabeth says

    a back to school tradition in my family is really pretty simple….we just take a picture of all the kids standing by the front door before going to school. even when my husband and i were teachers in china, we took a picture of our first day of school as teachers!

  552. LMGroupieGirl says

    My kiddos just started school for the first time this year, so no traditions yet! I do hope to get pictures of them on the first day each year though.

  558. Megan P says

    We always took pictures of us by the car. I still do that to this day…even on the last first day of school ever. My last semester of graduate school.

  559. Robbins says

    Our tradition is to buy new clothes and shoes, I love Targets clothes, they are great quality and at an affordable price. I also like Cherokee and Cozi on FB and I am already a huge fan of Tater Tots & Jello!!

  561. meg.. says

    The only back to school tradition we have is first day of school pictures. Nothing fancy, but they've all been taken in front of our house. It's fun to watch how they change from year to year.

  574. monica. says

    We only take pictures for back to school. I'm not too sure I want to try any other traditions it might get too hectic.

  575. Tiffanie says

    I think it is so cool to document the kids first day of school and last day of school and see how fast they grow up in a year!

  576. Josh and Kassi Nelson says

    My favorite back-to-school tradition is back to school shopping of course! We always picked one outfit in-particular to be our first day of school outfit. I always thought it was so excited to have a new back-pack with new pencils and notebooks! I loved school!

  579. TMSaum says

    Our new back to school tradition is a back-to-school breakfast feast, followed by pictures holding their current grade!

  582. Unknown says

    Tradition for the 1st day of school is breakfast of choice. Pictures, pictures, pictures. Bring the teacher a beautiful apple.

  585. oneordinaryday says

    I always bake a special treat on the first day so they come in the door to something special.

    Going to fb now!

  586. All Things Beautiful says

    we don't really have a back to school tradition, but they do sound like fun. We do like to shop the clearance after school gets started for all our supplies. Does that count?

  595. Amber says

    Our back-to-school tradition is to buy and collect extra school supplies for kids in need! Our church does a "backpack drive" have participated the last 3 years. The kids love to pick out extra supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes etc for kids that need them! We also help by asking friends, family and our co-workers to donate items. Our kids love it!

  597. Em says

    i tweeted, i liked cozi, cherokee, and TTJ on Facebook, and my little girl is just a year old but when she starts school i want to have big breakfasts like my mom made for me and then of course the annual first day of school picture.

    hope i win!

  600. Tiffany says

    While my little guy is too young for school, a BTS tradition I want to do is have his favorite dinner and dessert the night before to celebrate the new year.

  601. Amber says

    I *already* liked Tatertots & Jello on Facebook! "Love" should be more like it! =)Thanks for the great ideas!

  606. Ginny says

    For back to school we always got a new backpack and shoes. This year with my daughter starting her first year at school I hope to start the tradition of taking her picture on the first day.

  608. Bonnie says

    My daughter is only 16 months old, but with a lot of my friends having older kids just starting school, I am already thinking of what I can do for the next few years. My mom is a school teacher, and when I grew up we did the picture on the first day thing, but we also took a picture with my mom and all the kids- all of our first days! I love the idea of taking a picture EVERY morning of what my daughter wore to school. She already has such a crazy personality, that by the time she is in kindergarten, I know she will love to sass it up for the camera in her daily outfit!
    [email protected]

  616. Haley G. says

    My favorite back to school tradiion is not a fun one…but still necessary. We spend the day before cleaning out th kids drawers, bedrooms, organizing their office and play room. That way it's more like organized chaos instead of just chaos when school starts.

  624. Barbie says

    My SweetPea is starting PreK this year (delayed because of Irene :() I plan on doing either the chalkboard, or the simple printouts with her first day picture.

  629. DHardt says

    My DD is too young for back to school yet. Next year she'll start pre-k if we decide to let her go into the public education system. I like the idea of a special back to school meal! My grandmother took pictures and my mother couldn't have cared less that it was the first day of school.

  631. Allison says

    Our school tradition is to take a photo in the morning at the school. Then have ice cream sandwiches when they get home.

  636. Brandy Bailey says

    I love the idea of taking a picture of the kids with a something to depict the year/age of the child…maybe I can fudge this years and then I have only missed Kindergarten!

  638. Brooke says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is a big dinner of the kids favorites the night before and cinnamon roll pancakes the morning of. Yep, it's all about food over here!

  647. flourishing olive branches says

    we have a first homeschool day tradition of freshly baked muffins with homemade dandelion honey. i LOVE the chalkboard bubble idea though so i'd like to start doing that! we homeschool 3 out of our 5 children, and also just became the permanent legal guardians of my niece and nephew so we now have 4 kids under 4 as well as our older three. i can't begin to tell you how helpful a $100 giftcard to target would be for us!!

  649. Kim says

    Just liked Tatertots and Jello, Cozi, and Cherokee on Facebook! Our favorite back-to-school tradition is that my kids get to pick their most favorite treat and I make it for them to have as their after-school snack the first day of school. It gets them really excited to come home and tell me all about their first day! 🙂

  654. MIKI says

    My favorite Back to School tradition: I make a special breakfast of homemade scones, key lime or lemon curd, turkey bacon or sausage and hot tea, and we pray together for the upcoming year. Miki

  655. The Unfinished Room says

    I liked Cozi on FB. Excited to try it! Maybe my Ipad will be used for something useful, not just games. 🙂

  656. Dress a Girl Connecticut says

    My favorite Back To School Tradition if getting the kids backpacks all loaded with new binders, paper, pencils etc! (We purchased most of our supplies at Target again this year!) We had to put it off a bit this year due to Hurricane Irene wreaking havoc on Connecticut though!

  658. Meghanne says

    We always document the first day back with a family picture – and of course a new outfit!

  664. Nikki says

    I "like" you on FB
    I "like" Cozi on FB
    I "like" Cherokee on FB.
    Our favorite tradition is back to school shopping and packing the backpacks on the night before school.

    Thanks!

  665. Jen Thomas says

    Our tradition is back to school shopping for clothes and supplies.. and taking pictures on the first day.. This year I printed off a page with what grade (2nd and Kind.)and will do that each year.. Also I have a special snack waiting when they get home! 😉

  668. The Perfect Bridesmaid says

    i want to start one by making it spcial for the kids-amybe a night before School like night before Xmas.
    flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ #com$

  669. lizzie says

    family tradition huh? well since my oldest just started kindergarten we don't really have any! i did however post cute lil pictures in his room and a big paper chair made out of notebook paper in his room and the signs were like yay, grats on your first year of school, things like that. it was super fun!!!!

  671. meg says

    First day of school… Picture by the front door in new outfit, chocolate chip cookies when you get home, dinner of your choice( I have two kids so one picks the day before school and one picks first day of school), and make a list of what they hope to learn this year.

  673. The Unfinished Room says

    One of our favorite back to school traditions is that they get to pick their favorite dinner at home or a restaurant for their special meal. We do the pictures and new clothes, too!

  681. Sara Corinne says

    I don't have any kids yet, but I plan on a special breakfast and special photo just like we did when we were little!

  683. Rachel says

    I just 'liked' Cherokee and Cozi and I've been a TT&J Fan for a little bit now. We home school, but it's still a fun back to school tradition to go clothes shopping. New clothes are fun no matter what and my girls get excited about them even if they don't wear them to traditional school 🙂

  689. craftytammie says

    the only back to school tradition i have so far is photographing the kids as they get on (and get off) the bus on the first day.

  691. Sarah @ So Not Donna Reed says

    Our favorite BTS tradition is our "School Year's Eve" celebration. 🙂 We do a special dinner (the kids pick) and dessert and just spend some good quality time as a family. Then we pack the kids' backpacks!

  698. sippycuptrails says

    My little ones aren't old enough for school yet, but a tradition I want to start is tracing their hand at the beginning of each year!

  699. Cindy D says

    we have a back to school celebration where I fix my son's favorite dinner and he gets new school supplies.

  704. Brandy @ OceanBelle says

    Because this is my little one's first year of school, we will be starting a new tradition. Dinner at the docks by the Willamette River overlooking downtown Portland the night before school starts.

  706. Brittany @ My Decoupaged Life says

    We don't have any traditions yet since the oldest is only 2 but I do plan on taking pics (obviously) and I want to have a big end of summer BBQ for our family each year. But one thing we do already is clothes shopping (the hubs is a teacher so he needs clothes too!)

  708. Huggs and Kisses xo says

    Right before school starts we always go to the zoo! It is a tradition for us.
    xo
    Johanna

  710. Huggs and Kisses xo says

    Right before school starts we always go to the zoo! It is a tradition for us.
    xo
    Johanna

  711. Kassi @ Truly Lovely says

    I don't have my own kids yet… But when I was in school, my mom would take our picture in front of our front door every year to have something to compare our height and what not too. That was always fun.

  719. Krista@TheGatheringPlaceDesign says

    We take pictures on the first day every year, but I love your crepe party idea! Might have to do something similar…thanks:)

  720. Courtney says

    Favorite Back-to-School tradition: Shopping! I loved getting that perfect outfit for the first day of school. And call me nerdy, but the smell of new school supplies makes me happy. 🙂

  723. Mary Grace McNamara says

    And I Liked Cozi on facebook too!

    Thanks for so many fun ways to win this great prize! I'm a big fan of Target and would love to win!

    MGM

  724. Diana says

    I love sending my kids off with a good big breakfast, but my favorite tradition is father's blessings the night before school. You can't have anything better than that.

  727. Mary Grace McNamara says

    Starting 15 years ago with the first day of Kindergarten for my oldest, we have gone out for ice cream after ever first and last day of school. Today is the first day of school for my third grade son and first grade daughter and we are going out again! That's a lot of ice cream!

    MGM

  729. Frocking Anthropologie says

    Our 1st day of school ritual is our breakfast of 2 sunny side eggs and a strip of bacon to create the number "100". The grade we're always shooting for.

  733. The Crafted Sparrow says

    We don't currently have a back to school tradition, I never really gave it much thought until this year and it was the night before school started. He's only in 2nd grade so I can start next year! Right?! ;D I really love the idea of a mini back to school party with a couple of his friends. So fun.

  734. The Crafted Sparrow says

    We don't currently have a back to school tradition, I never really gave it much thought until this year and it was the night before school started. He's only in 2nd grade so I can start next year! Right?! ;D I really love the idea of a mini back to school party with a couple of his friends. So fun.

  736. Katrina says

    back to school…is just starting for us. SO I am trying to figure out what tradition I want to start. For sure the before school picture! I like the idea of them "blurbing" about their day…so that might happen when my son can communicate more (he's just starting preschool) hmmm…I'll have to see what my husband wants to start as a tradition too. 🙂

  738. The Crafted Sparrow says

    Liked Cherokee USA on Facebook! I love Target too, always super cute stuff. 😉

  744. Lauren says

    When I was little, my favorite tradition was going to breakfast before the first day of school with all my friends and their parents. I will definitely keep that going with my kids!

  753. Miss S. says

    I like TT&J, Cherokee USA & Cozi on Facebook!

    Our tradition will start next year & will be breakfast out & pictures with a chalkboard showing their grade. =)

    (I think that's 4 entries!!)

  754. Loving Leelah Lou says

    My daughter has a couple years to go before school starts, but I'm a big fan of the 1st day of school pictures. I'm looking forward to school shopping for clothes and supplies!

  762. jillotte says

    My son isn't old enough for school yet, but when he is I will do the traditional back to school pictures and do some sort of awesome first day of school breakfast. 🙂

  764. Diana and Steven says

    My son starts kindergarten next year and I have already started brain storming ideas, but I love your chalk board bubble idea! How cute!

  765. Beck says

    Well, our oldest just started school, so I want to try going out for a big weekend before school starts every year. 🙂

  773. goodmanmom says

    We always take pictures of the first day of school at the school at home and with the teacher for so many memories 🙂

  777. Brianne says

    My favorite back to school tradition is to take my daughters on a special date to lunch and school shopping. They are young enough that we still agree on first day of school outfits 🙂

  779. Doreen says

    We have three traditions: The first is, of course, the annual "First Day of School" photos taken on our porch. The second is my crying after dropping the girls off at school; and the third is the girls looking back over the years commenting on their choice of first-day-of-school outfits! "I can't believe I wore that!"

  781. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    I also "Like" Cozi. What a neat idea…I sooo wish I had a smartphone to play with stuff like that. Would be so helpful!

  783. heather says

    ONe of our back to school traditions is to have a big family dinner on Sunday. The kids pick out the menu and it's just fun to talk about school.

  784. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    We always go out for lunch after the first day of preschool with friends. Let the kids blow off some steam. 🙂 I'd love to start doing something fun with my mom friends after drop-off this year!

  787. Steph says

    I liked you (Tatertots and Jello) on FB and have already spent a long time reading your past statuses, I'm so excited to get more tips and tricks!

  788. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    Awesome Giveway!! I "Like" Cherokee on FB. They have great buys for kids. 🙂

  790. Courtney says

    No traditions yet but will definitely being doing a picture each year with the grade on it once my child enters school!!!

    Courtney
    czarda1432 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  791. Steph says

    My kids aren't in school yet, but my favorite tradition was going up to Park City every year before school started to get some back to school clothes at the outlets, who doesn't bond over shopping with their mom? 🙂

  792. ~alicia says

    I like you on Facebook (and I read your blog everyday).

    ~alicia
    proof-of-love.blogspot.com

  793. ~alicia says

    Two of our back-to-school traditions are 1) we go to our local amusement park the week before school starts and 2) we always have a dinner out the night before the first day of school…this is to give us all a break from the organizing, shopping and cleaning.

    ~alicia
    proof-of-love.blogspot.com

  794. ~alicia says

    Two of our back-to-school traditions are 1) we go to our local amusement park the week before school starts and 2) we always have a dinner out the night before the first day of school…this is to give us all a break from the organizing, shopping and cleaning.

    ~alicia
    proof-of-love.blogspot.com

  796. SkylerChugg says

    Love this giveaway because I LOVE Cherokee and shopping at Target for my little girl's clothes, they are too cute! I liked Cherokee USA on Facebook 🙂

  802. Tiffany says

    Of course we do the pictures on the first day but I'm also sure to put a note in the kids lunchboxes to let them know how proud I am of them and how much I love them.

  803. Sourkraut says

    I don't have much of a family to speak of so no back to school traditions for me. But I really like the idea of having a food tradition the night before. Those crepes look delicious!

  810. Tiffany says

    I don't have children yet, but when I do, I am definitely going to have some kind of photo tradition like you've shown in this post. It seems to be the new thing now because I'm seeing it everywhere online. I think it's super cute!

  812. Shannon says

    Back to school tradition… this is our first year going to school, we've been homeschooling, so we're throwing a party for our 3rd grader. Maybe it will be an annual thing.. 🙂

  814. Jordan and Danny says

    I liked Cherokee, Tatertots and Jello, and Cozi all on Facebook! My oldest just started school so we are trying out new traditions- so far this year, we go out to eat for the first day.

  815. jkeagar says

    I liked Cherokee and Tatertots and Jello of FB. I love your blog. This is a great give away. Money is tight this year. Usually we have fun back to school shopping but it will have to wait for a bit. Thanks for posting such great ideas!

  816. Steph says

    We don't have any big traditions but we always take pictures of the kids on the first day of school.

  819. The Miller Five says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is making and breaking a pinata. We all help layer the newspaper over the course of 2 or 3 days and then I fill it with treats and school supplies. My kids have a blast! I usually pair this with a delicious mexican themed dinner.

  821. ashleyerin says

    OHHH TARGET IS MY FAVORITE STORE!

    Well, I don't have any kids but one day when I do I would like to commemorate each first day of school. I don't have any earth shattering ideas right now but my mother always took a picture of us on the first day of school and I LOVE looking back on those pictures. Maybe something like the chalkboard bubble but also adding things about the child as they start school like "1st Grade! Lost two teeth so far" or "10th grade, my favorite shoes are converse" or something like that. We'll see…

  823. Jay and Danielle says

    A back to school tradition we have had is to have a great big yummy breakfast the morning of the first day and then get dressed up in our best new outfit (that we weren't allowed to wear until the first day of school)

    [email protected]

  825. Ashley Marie says

    The first day of school we always sit down and have breakfast together as a family. Living on a farm, the mornings are always crazy and hectic, so we don't always get breakfast together, but on the first day of school we did.

  827. Kristin says

    "Liked" Cozi, Tatertots & Jells and Cherokee on FB.

    My favorite back-to-school tradition is shopping for schools supplies.

  828. Natalie says

    And I liked Cozi on FB!

    They are FABULOUS. I know families that live and breathe by Cozi. What a great idea.

  835. Natalie says

    My favorite tradition was picking out a new backpack every other year!
    I also want to try the chalkboard signs with my own kids when I have them.

  840. Christy Ross says

    every year on the first day of school we always took a picture standing in the exact same spot in the house. My mom has them framed. My kids are only 2 and 3 so I still have time to think about what traditions to start with them.

  841. Alli says

    I have a very young family and no kiddos in school. But when I was growing up my parents used to have us do a fashion show the night before with our first-day-of-school outfits. We would also have a family talk about trying our best to be good students and also good friends to everyone.

  845. The Nilsson's says

    We don't have any back to school traditions but I would love to do cute fun back to school pictures instead of the traditional stand there with your back pack right before you head out the door pictures

  851. Brandy says

    My kids aren't old enough for school yet, but I like the idea of having a fun back to school tradition. Maybe doing a fun outdoor activity the weekend before as a last horrah.

  854. Dolli says

    We don't have a tradition yet but I would like to start throwing my daughter a back to school bash to get her excited about the new school year.

  855. nicole. says

    back to school tradition in my house consists of an entire day dedicated to shopping at the malls about 3 hours from our home. the teen and i venture out armed with starbucks and husbands credit cards.

    i need a new wardrobe… and she always needs something – i said she was a teenager.

    this is something we started when she started high school {last year – this is our second trip} and this year we are bringing another mama and her daughter.

    FUN

    we need a reason to go to target 😉

  860. nicole. says

    TT&J and I are friends on fb of course. I mean after all who wouldnt befriend the popular kids 🙂

  861. nicole. says

    cozi. whoa how come i havent heard of that before! its like a mommy life boat.

    befriended for sure.

  871. **MIGNONNE** says

    We have the tradition of taking pictures outside in the same spot every year on the first day. This kids have their brand new clothes and brand new shoes on. It's so fun to look back on the different outfits and expressions throughout the year!

  872. Micah and Aaron says

    I don't have school age children just yet. But I am pretty sure I am going to do cute pictures with grade signs when they get there. But when I was growing up we would take pictures every year in the same spot to show how much we were growing. It's fun to look back and see how you change over the years!

  873. The Gambrel Family says

    BTS Tradition:
    We always take pictures on our front porch, something small but it's nice to have pictures in the same place every year.

    We also did our first back to school party this year and it was so fun!

  877. Amy says

    Our first-day-of-school tradition is that the kids come home to hot-from-the-oven homemade cookies. And milk. But I'd really like to start something special with the photos. We just do boring standing-by-the-front-door or standing-by-the-car shots as we dash off. Maybe next year we'll be organized enough to actually do some fun shots instead…

  881. Susanne says

    In Germany, where we lived for several years, on the first day of school they give their kids a kinder cone filled with goodies. We do the same every year in our family.

  882. ShabbyKat says

    fav tradition- sorting school supplies and opening boxes of new books- we homeschool- we also make a cluster chart for each person listing current faves: color, book, etc

  883. amy says

    Love your blog. We have sausage pancake for breakfast and take pictures getting on the bus. Yeah for school!

  884. Heather says

    I don't have one in my family yet. But when I was younger my Mom always made me and my brothers and sister stand in the front room on the first day and take our picture. Awww memories 🙂

  886. Amy says

    I can't believe I didn't already like T&J on FB! What the heck!? Love your blog. But I have corrected that oversight by liking your FB page! Thanks for the chance to win! (I could REALLY use $100 @ Target right now)

  888. Amy says

    I love Target clothing, too, as does my fashionista daughter! I liked Cherokee's FB page so I hope I win!

  889. Kristen says

    This is our first year of having a child go to school but I plan on the 1st day of school photos. I even have a sign and then will have him write his name on it so we can see how his handwriting changes.

  893. Gina says

    Just last year we started having a giant decorated chocolate chip cookie and ate it around the table while they told me about their first day.

  894. Morgan says

    Our first day of school tradition is taking a picture with what grade and year my girls are in and in front of the big school sign outside their elementary school

    [email protected]

  899. Heidi says

    Our favorite back to school tradition is having a nice meal together and introducing a family theme together for the school year.

  903. Ashley Marie says

    I "LIKE" TT&J on Facebook! I love all the different ideas from other sources shared there.

  906. tiffany lagrange says

    My oldest just started kindergarten and I made a school bus cake to celebrate finishing his first week of school! I plan on having a similar celebration every year!

  909. Jenny says

    Not sure about our traditions. I am going to make a pencil shaped cake this year (school starts next week). Maybe that will become a tradition!

  911. Amy K says

    I also liked cozi on fb. thanks a bunch for having such great giveaways! I'm a huge fan of your site!

  914. Linz says

    We always take first day of school pictures, I also want to do a backyard cookout with hotdogs and s'mores..that tradition is just going to be a little late this year! School started 2 weeks ago!

  918. Amy K says

    I don't have a tradition yet because my little man is only 2, but I do love the idea of making it a really special day with favorite breakfasts and special cookies for after school. Something like that…

  924. The Vandegriffs says

    My son is only 6 months old so we're not in school yet 🙂 but when he starts school I definitely want to take a picture of him on his first day every year to see how much he changes thr

  927. Liz says

    Now I take summer classes, so back to school isn't REALLY back to school anymore, but I like to buy myself one new thing for the new semester. New notebook, new pen, something to mark the change. I also like to get reorganized. Clean the desk, file old papers, start again.

  930. Liberti says

    Don't have kids in school yet but I love the idea of a 'countdown to school' involving a fun little something each day {like a countdown to Christmas} –I also love the idea of a back to school dinner!

  931. Liz says

    I am now following TT&J on facebook! I file everything under "projects I'll get to do once I finish my master's degree" Can't wait!

  939. anislandlife says

    We always take pics on our front steps, as well as with thier classmates when the get to school. My son is in a class of 2, so its nice to have pics of the two boys through the years.

  940. Kristen says

    My husband is in grad school and every first day of school we take a picture of him and share it with our parents just like we would with our little kids. We also have a big dinner the night before to celebrate being one year closer to the end.

    Kristen
    Turning a House into a Home

  943. Bennett Family says

    We make signs for the first day too, and usually get new shoes. We went out to eat this year for the first day of school celebrations, which was really fun!

  949. Stef says

    My kids aren't yet in school but I'm LOVING checking out all of the great traditions that other people have posted online and I can't wait to start some of our own in a few years!

  958. Mami2jcn says

    I like Tatertots and Jello on FB with my username Mary Happymommy.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

  959. Mami2jcn says

    My back to school tradition is taking a picture of the kids with their backpacks on while standing by our front door.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

  964. ereddy says

    My family usually has a movie night the weekend before the first week of school where we eat junk food and play board games too.Just to soak up those last few minutes of together time!

  966. To The Moon and Back says

    Our back to school tradition is taking photos by the front door on the first day.

  970. Shannon says

    My oldest just started preschool, so we haven't established back-to-school traditions yet, but I think one last camping trip the weekend before school is something we will do.

  972. Alyssa says

    when my kids are old enough (the first one is on the way) i want to make a special breakfast the morning of (very school-shaped/themed) and spend time talking about their expectations/dreams about the first day. then i want an extra special after-school snack to talk all about the excitement.

    mrsakallen(at)gmail(dot)com

  973. Jon, Erin and Riley says

    My son is only two, but when he starts school, I plan on taking his picture every year and doing some sort of special lunch for him.

  974. Christie says

    My favorite tradition is the first day of school photo my sister takes of my niece every year. She is going to make them into a book with milestones from each year and give it to her when she graduates high school. 🙂

  976. Cindy@Cinsarah says

    My son hasn't really started school ,e goes to a tuesday program but I would love to start a tradition once he does begin kindergarten. Maybe a trip to the beach the weekend before and a special dinner?

  983. Cindy@Cinsarah says

    I liked them on FB and I love their clothes, my daughter has a couple dresses & almost all my son's dress shirts are cherokee 🙂

  986. Hallie says

    I like to take pictures of my girls each year on their first day of school… and try to remember to trace or stamp their hand print for their school books! 🙂

  990. Brenda A says

    I personally love getting all the supplies ready. There's something about new school supplies that makes me happy.

    My daughter prefers the bus stop decoration. Our neighbor writes a message with sidewalk chalk on the bus stop each year. This year I think I'll add one on our driveway.

  993. morgan says

    My oldest won't start school until next year, but some traditions that I had growing up that I plan to do with my family is, the night before school starts my dad always gives the kids a father's blessing, and we always have a fashion show wearing our favorite outfit. For breakfast my mom always made homemade french toast and homemade cookies were always hot and waiting for us when we got home! 🙂

  994. Megan M. says

    Our current back-to-school tradition is first day pictures, but the crepe party looks so fun, we may have to try that!

  1006. Shannah @ Just Us Four says

    My kids aren't officially in school yet (preschool) but my favorite tradition is picking out a new outfit and lunchbox for my daughter to take to her new preschool class at the beginning of the year.

  1012. Lindsay @ Diary of a Crafty Lady says

    I don't have kids in school yet, but I am so grateful for all of these ideas! I love the pictures with their grade in it, or with their favorite things written over the top. I also love the idea of including sweet notes in their lunch bags. I need to start making myself a list though, so I can start from day 1 with my daughter:)
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Lindsay

  1013. Judy says

    I always take a pic of kids on the first day of school. Its fun to look back and see how much they have grown and changed over the years.

  1021. Kathleen says

    My kids are grown now – well, my baby is in her last year of college but guess what?! I am starting college at the ripe old age of 51! 🙂 I think clothes shopping was always a fun activity we did and I think I might need to do a little of that myself! 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win!
    Blessings,
    AlwaysSewLove

  1022. Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life says

    We don't have any B2S traditions yet, but I'll definitely implement the first day of school picture when my kids start (next year!) and something else special…like first day of school pancakes 🙂

  1028. Monica says

    My daughter just began Pre-K. We do the standard take a pic on the first day of school. I like the chalkboard idea. Very cute. I will have to try something like that in the future. Thanks for the giveaway. I love Target!!

  1032. Jensamom23 says

    Every year, before school begins, I spend the day with one child, without their siblings. We do all their school shopping and they choose any place they want for lunch. It is truly one of the highlights of my year…hopefullt something they will remember as adults. Thanks for the chance to win.

  1033. Jensamom23 says

    Every year, before school begins, I spend the day with one child, without their siblings. We do all their school shopping and they choose any place they want for lunch. It is truly one of the highlights of my year…hopefullt something they will remember as adults. Thanks for the chance to win.

  1034. Deb says

    Our back to school tradition… a special breakfast and lots of pictures! Love the chalkboard speech bubbles… might have to try that this year!

  1039. Terrie Mathison says

    Our tradition is that we do school in our PJ's! We homeschool so we have that option. They love it!

    Of course we carry that tradition on and off through out the year too!

    I will be taking photos like this this year! Love the idea! Thanks!

  1041. Heather says

    Before this year, our only tradition was taking photos on the morning of the first day. This year, I revamped our tradition a bit by printing numbers that represent the grade my child is starting and having them hold that in the photo. Made them more meaningful and easier to keep track of!

  1049. Kate says

    I have a 3 year old, so we haven't started that yet, but I did take a picture of him holding up a "First Day of Preschool" sign — maybe that will be our tradition!

  1050. Katie says

    My little guy is just starting nursery school this year, but I love the idea of pictures in the same place every year.

  1051. Danett says

    I love Target or as we call it… Tar-J! That would help get me started with my fall decorating! YEAH!

  1053. Jackie says

    This is our first "to school" year. I figure they'll be lots of photos, hopefully with a "I'm going to preschool" sign I downloaded. (Can't be back, as it's her first time going!) Since it's a small nursery school, she only goes for an hour, and then my hubs & I are planning on taking her for a late brunch to rehash her first day.

  1054. Kelli says

    My oldest is 2 and I have twins on the way, so we don't have any back to school traditions yet, but I'm excited to start them someday. A nice breakfast and cute pictures will be a must. I figure I have a few years before I have to worry about it too much!

  1061. abc123 says

    Since my oldest just started Kindergarten today, we really don't have any traditions yet. But I did make his favorite breakfast – chocolate chip pancakes – so that may turn into a tradition.

  1064. Liz says

    Both of my kids birthdays are in the last half of August! Back to School traditions get lost in all the birthday parties! I would love to make them a special breakfast each year though.

  1066. Hayley says

    Our tradition is posing with our old slate chalkboard. My Pappy used to have us pose with a chalkboard every birthday.

  1070. Ali says

    I'd love to start back to school traditions when my kids start school. I'm thinking of doing a special back to school cake (probably a rainbow cake) the night before school starts.

  1071. MaryJanes and Galoshes says

    This Thursday is our first child's first day of school so it's all new to us! I'm so nervous I will forget and the bus will pull up and we will all be sitting here in our jammies!!!!

  1074. Suzanne says

    Our back to school tradition is a special breakfast! We still have a week to go before school starts!

  1078. Courtney says

    Our son will start kindergarten next year and we definitely want to do the 1st day of school pics every year. And mother son school shopping trips, but they have to be exciting and entertaining!

  1082. Michelle J. says

    My favorite thing was always our back-to-school shopping trip, which would include lunch at the court–a rarity at our house!

  1085. asdfjkl; says

    The night before we give new backpacks and school supplies the once over…with DUCT TAPE! I don't know how this became a tradition, but it's been 8 years and going strong. My kid's schools have us buy agendas every year. I drop all the rolls of duct tape we can find on the floor and the decorating begins. (Those suckers last ALL year once they get this treatment- Hooray!) My kids really get into this and it makes the first day something to be excited about as we talk about the fun things to come. =]

  1087. telisa@sugartotdesigns says

    Tomorrow is my son's first day of school ever so I plan on making oatmeal pancakes with homemade coconut syrup and taking a pic of him holding his grade sign.

  1088. The Marland's says

    My oldest is just starting preschool this year… we have a mini chalkboard that I'll probably write something on for his 1st day picture:) Maybe a special breakfast… not sure what since he's SO picky right now:)

  1089. Megan says

    My son is not in school yet but next year I am going to print a sign with his grade to take a photo each year. 🙂

  1095. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    I love to take pictures of my children on the first day of school in the outfit they picked out as their favorite!
    Susan

  1102. Catherine says

    Our only back to school tradition is taking a first day of school photo. I'm usually too frazzled to do anything fancier than that. 😉

  1104. jenniferp says

    I would like to make it a tradition to have a family breakfast together on the first day of school.

  1110. Quilter in the Gap says

    I like Cozi on FB – Can't wait to check that out…I need some help there. Thanks!

  1111. Jessica says

    My little man starts K next year but I started having yummy cookies made for him after his first day of pk….I might have to adopt that "chalkboard bubble" idea! Love it!

  1114. Quilter in the Gap says

    We don't really have any back to school traditions. I think I would really like the chalk board bubble idea though. That is a great one!

  1117. Great flower lady says

    I liked cozi on FB. I also take all the kids photo the first day of school in front of out door way I have been doing it for years my oldest is 22 and the youngest is 7it's fun watching the doorway change!!

  1119. Lauren says

    Just liked T&J on facebook! I'm a new follower and can't believe I haven't been on your site before!

  1121. Coley says

    We don't really have a BTS tradition other than me annoying my son by taking pictures on the first day of school each year. 😉

    coleybelle(at)gmail(dot)com

  1125. Angela says

    I liked Cozi, ttj, and cheroke on fb.
    My oldest will be going to kindergarten this year, so we don't have a tradition. I will be making her favorite dinner the night before school.

  1131. Keri @ pressed down, shaken together says

    For our back to school pictures, my boys hold up fingers for the grade their in (6 fingers = 6th grade, etc.). It helps me remember what grade they were in when looking back and I love to see how they've grown from year to year 🙂

    I LOVE Target, too!

  1134. Mande says

    Back to school tradition: Cheesy eggs & Blueberry pancakes for breakfast, baking cookies together the night before, and we had a special dinner after orientation today to celebrate the start of a new year.

  1139. Amber @ Quilted Euphoria says

    Tradition for back to school in my family growing up was brand new shoes and pancake breakfast the morning of!

Popular Posts

As seen in





Amazon Affiliate

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Copyright © 2025 Tatertots and Jello · Privacy
This site is a place for positive discussion and ideas. Negative talk, comments that disparage others, and similar are not welcome and may be removed.