Tag: back-to-school shopping

More Reasons Fall Is America’s Favorite Season

Posted on by Jordank

Fall begins today, Sept. 22, 2026, and we at The Organizing Blog are thrilled. To be sure, the season has a few wistful elements — going back to school, saying goodbye to warm weather and the outdoor and leisure time  it allows, and getting down to brass tacks at work.

But fall has its own rewards, including multiple #holidays to celebrate; the leaves changing color; fall produce such as squash, cranberries and apples and hearty comfort foods; football and tailgating; and pumpkin spice everything.

The weather alone is something that many people — especially those in hot and humid areas — appreciate. One friend of the blog is reluctant to go outside when it swelters, preferring air-conditioned environs such as movie theaters until sweaters come out of #storage.

A Rasmussen Reports survey says that fall continues to be America’s favorite #season, with 40% of respondents. Summer is second, with 24%, and spring is third, with 22%; just 10% like winter best. Regardless of favorites, 50% said that fall’s arrival improves their mood.

Much of that positive feeling stems from childhood, Mental Floss says. The thrill kids get from starting school, seeing old friends and shopping for new clothes sticks with people. The season also represents a reset from summer — back to routines and productivity.

Fall stimulates the senses and encourages better sleep, The Healthy adds. You can see it on the trees, smell it in the air and feel it on the skin. “Sights and sounds of fall trigger the reward center of the brain and release dopamine, which makes us feel cozy, calm and nostalgic.”

As you get your #fall #clothing out in preparation, figure out what items are going to deliver that warm fall feeling — the clothes that will keep you cozy and optimistic through the change of season. #Donate anything that no longer serves that purpose to ClothingDonations.org.

#Resale of your #donated items will help share those fall feelings with the nation’s #veterans by helping #fund #holiday events, health care and more. Donate fall and #winter clothing, and you can help families stay warm and reduce #waste. Here’s to a happy (and productive) fall!

Beating the Back-to-School Blues

Posted on by Jordank

#Back-to-school time can be fraught with worry for #kids and #parents alike. Kids might worry about new and more difficult classes, making friends, and catching the bus on time. Parents likely worry about getting kids to school, managing homework and money.

Most jarringly for kids, the season represents a shift from the carefree days of #summer. There won’t be as many opportunities for freestyle play or spontaneous family fun when school is in session; it’s like starting a new job at the end of every #summer. Naturally, the shift can produce anxiety.

Academic struggles, relationships, bullying, fitting in and the unknown can take their toll on the young psyche, says Parents. Common signs of anxiety in children can include physical complaints, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Listen to #children and validate their feelings to deal with any possible qualms about going back to #school. Encourage kids to express their concerns. Remind them that they aren’t alone. Work through worries together, calmly and with understanding.

It can help to do a “walk-through” of the school day — waking up on time, eating breakfast, packing their backpacks, and traveling to and from school. Get children comfortable with the transition before it takes place.

You can also plan a #summertime “last hurrah” — an outing designed to give your kids a great memory of the summer that was. It could be a trip to the beach, a day at an amusement park or a celebratory meal — anything that gives your child something to look forward to.

And parents — if you’re worried about the expense of having growing children in school — start your back-to-school #shopping at the #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org. You can #save #money on any number of school needs, from clothing to art supplies.

As you take stock of the summer and prepare your kids to return to school, ask them if there’s anything they no longer need. Set those things aside and schedule a free #donation #pickup with ClothingDonations.org. Those goods will be resold to help the nation’s #veterans.

Transitions are never easy — especially the one from summer fun to schoolwork. Help your kids cope; it will help them succeed at school!

Help Kids Organize Their School Stuff

Posted on by Jordank

#Parents aspiring to minimalism (or at least hoping to keep chaos at a minimum) will want to #organize anything that comes home at the end of the #school year and prepare for the next, says Your Mom Village. Have your #kids empty their backpacks and sort out the supplies. Broken crayons and used-up pencils and pens can go in the trash; notebooks can be saved if they still have lots of unused sheets left. Group useful items together for storage — and into bins labeled by child, if necessary — until the #fall. Launder the backpacks, and start shopping for any #school supplies you’ll need in the fall to beat the #back-to-school rush. #SchoolsOut

Shop for Back-to-School Supplies Before Clothing

Posted on by Jordank

This year’s elementary #school supply list typically includes Post-it notes, glue sticks, headsets and other tech accessories, according to The New York Times. Add basics such as paper, facial tissues and plastic storage bags, and the tally can easily reach nearly $200. To economize, shop for needed supplies first (accepting generic brands), budgeting expert Andrea Woroch says, and look for #back-to-school clothing as growth and need dictate: “Don’t assume you need a brand-new wardrobe on Day 1.” You can always find quality used goods to fit your growing child at the #thrift and #secondhand shops supplied by #donations to ClothingDonations.org. #BackToSchool #Inflation

Consumers Tighten Belts at Back-to-School Time

Posted on by Jordank

A survey performed by the Mall of America recently asked more than 500 consumers how they plan to handle the #back-to-school #shopping season, finding that more than half (51%) will focus on deals rather than labels when making purchase decisions. Three out of 5 (61%) say they plan to spend less this year due to economic concerns, though a greater majority (70%) estimate their spending will be in the $100-$499 range. And even in the days of AI-fueled bargain-hunting, the vast majority of respondents said they would do at least some of their shopping in person at a physical store. #BackToSchool #Inflation