Top 5 Outdated Things You No Longer Need for Back-To-School Shopping In 2024
Back-to-school shopping has evolved significantly over the years, and what was once considered essential for students might no longer be necessary in today’s tech-driven and environmentally conscious world. If you’re gearing up for the new school year, here are 5 things you can leave off your back-to-school shopping list, along with reasons why they’ve become obsolete.
Top 5 Outdated Things You No Longer Need for Back-to-School Shopping
1. Trapper Keepers
Remember the days when Trapper Keepers were the pinnacle of organization? These multi-pocketed binders, adorned with colorful covers and velcro closures, were once a must-have for every student. However, with the rise of digital note-taking and cloud storage solutions, physical binders have lost their place as essential school supplies. Students now use tablets, laptops, and apps like Microsoft OneNote or Google Keep to organize notes and assignments, making Trapper Keepers largely unnecessary.
- Why It’s No Longer Needed: Digital organization tools are more efficient and environmentally friendly, reducing the need for bulky binders.
2. Mechanical Pencils
Mechanical pencils were once a student favorite, celebrated for their convenience and the ability to produce a consistently fine line. However, with the increasing use of laptops and tablets for writing and note-taking, and the fact that many schools are now implementing more paperless systems, mechanical pencils are not as critical as they used to be.
- Why It’s No Longer Needed: Digital devices and fewer paper-based assignments reduce the reliance on mechanical pencils.
3. Loose-Leaf Paper
Loose-leaf paper was a staple for taking notes and completing assignments, but its necessity has diminished in the face of digital advancements. With more schools adopting digital classrooms and students using laptops and tablets for their work, the need for stacks of loose-leaf paper has decreased. Many students now submit assignments electronically or take notes directly on their devices. Rather than choosing the correct font, I remember the struggle of trying to decide if I wanted wide-ruled or college-ruled papers for the upcoming school year.
- Why It’s No Longer Needed: Digital note-taking and submission systems minimize the need for traditional paper.
4. Book Covers
Book covers, whether they’re made from paper bags or cotton, were once used to protect textbooks and notebooks from wear and tear. However, with the increasing use of digital textbooks and e-readers, physical book covers have become less relevant. Many students now access their reading materials electronically, making book covers largely redundant. If you knew me in middle school, I was the one sporting neon pink book covers!
- Why It’s No Longer Needed: The shift to digital textbooks and devices reduces the need for traditional book covers.
5. Contact Paper
Contact paper, often used to decorate and protect notebooks and textbooks, was once a popular choice for personalizing school supplies. However, as students increasingly use digital devices for note-taking and organizing, the need for contact paper has declined. Digital tools provide a more practical and customizable approach to managing school materials. Ah, how I do not long for the days of asking my Dad to help me wrap my Wordly Wise textbooks. 🙂
- Why It’s No Longer Needed: Digital solutions and minimalistic approaches reduce the need for decorative contact paper.
Goodbye Back To School Staples
Back-to-school shopping has adapted to reflect technological advancements and changing educational practices. As students and schools embrace digital tools and more streamlined approaches, our top 5 outdated items like Trapper Keepers, mechanical pencils, loose-leaf paper, book covers, and contact paper are becoming relics of the past. By understanding these changes, you can streamline your back-to-school shopping list and focus on essentials that align with modern educational needs and eco-friendly practices. Happy 2024-25 school year, students!
7 Affordable Back to School Essentials for Parents
First Day of School Sign with Liquid Chalk Markers Pack
For parents sending their kid to school for the first time, it can be a bittersweet experience. It’s hard to accept that their once little bundle of joy is now preparing for their first day of school (cue in proud mama tears of joy). Nevertheless, we should capture this picture-perfect moment. Commemorate important milestones with Momo & Nashi double-sided and reusable first and last day of school sign that comes with 6 vibrantly colored, non-toxic liquid chalk markers. This back-to-school essential ensures you’ll have a colorful keepsake to remember the start of another academic year.
Bentgo Lunch Boxes
Say goodbye to the stress of constantly losing your kid’s lunch box lid. Featuring several compartments specifically proportioned to satisfy your child’s appetite, the tight and leak proof lid ensures a mess-free lunch every time. With kid-friendly easy to open and close latches, these lunch boxes make it easy for your child to feed themselves, giving them a sense of independence. The durable construction, complete with rubber edges, ensures they can withstand countless drops. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe, making cleaning up a little bit easier!
Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater
How many times have you dropped your kid off at school looking pristine only to have them come home looking like they picked up all kinds of grime and dirt at the school’s playground? For this academic year, you wouldn’t need to worry about juice box spills, ketchup accidents, and other mystery stains. Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater is a portable, water-based cleaning solution that not only works on clothes, it’s also effective in removing carpet and upholstery stains. With just a few spritzes, you won’t have to spend your weekend washing and scrubbing stubborn stains. It’s every parent’s favorite tool in dealing with any mealtime mess.
Rowenta Travel Steam Handheld Steamer
Parents know the struggle of hauling numerous costumes and a tantrum-throwing toddler to the school talent show. As a result, the costume ends up wrinkled and you feel like every parent is judging you and giving you the side eye. Fortunately, with the Rowenta Travel Steam Handheld Steamer, you can effortlessly remove any wrinkles in your child’s costume (including the wrinkles in every judgmental parent’s forehead). This sleek and compact steamer is not only for creases, but also for removing odor in garments, making it a perfect companion as well to travelers who don’t want their clothes smelling like their suitcases.
Tear-off Lunch Box Love Notes
For parents who don’t have the time or are not Shakespearean with their words, these tear-off lunch box love notes are Godsend. With 101 tear-off 4” x 4” unique love notes, you could still make your kid feel loved and appreciated during their lunch break. These messages are specifically written to provide motivation and to let your kids know you’re always thinking of them.
Waterproof Name Labels
In this economy, we need to make sure the school supplies we buy our children will last them the end of the school year. Of course, this isn’t always the case. To make sure your kids’ belongings make it back home, use these durable and customizable waterproof name labels. These versatile name labels are ideal for labeling your child’s school items such as lunch boxes, water bottles, pencil cases, book bags, and more.
Teacher Appreciation Gifts with 20 OZ Wine Tumbler
Let’s be honest, your kid might be one of the reasons why their teacher drinks. So, gifting them with a gift set that includes a wine tumbler is practical. Aside from the tumbler, this set also includes a pen, bookmark, lanyard, pouch, socks, and a greeting card. All these come in a pretty gift box because who has the time to wrap gifts? Ideal as a back-to-school gift, gift for teacher appreciation week, birthday or graduation season.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at [email protected].
