Back to School is one of my favorite times of year. Besides being a school supply nerd (give me those freshly sharpened pencils!), I also love being back in a routine. Getting back into that routine can take a little bit of practice though, and I like to set myself up for success by getting prepared for the season ahead. My friends at Christmas Tree Shops and That! recently invited me into their store to check out some of the fall trends, and while I was there I did a major stock up on supplies for back to school lunches. I thought I’d share a few of the things I keep on hand to make lunchbox packing fast, fun, and affordable!
Stocking Snacks! Christmas Tree Shops and That! is a go-to spot for stocking up on all our affordable favorite snacks – from big boxes of goldfish and veggie sticks to mini bags of pretzels and popcorn. I found some great nut-free mini-cookie bags too that will be a perfect treat for the first week of school. Having a big back stock of snacks on hand means I have options to mix up in lunches, and I’m not running to the grocery store every week for those staples.
All the Containers! I love exploring all the smart container options available at Christmas Tree Shops and That! for lunch packing! There are so many adorable water bottle options for kids, and I like to have a few back-ups on hand so I’m not scrambling to clean and dry them out every night. I also picked up some dip and snack containers that have a separate compartment to separate things like carrots and pretzels from hummus – a smart way to get some healthy foods into kid-lunches!
Cookie Cutters! Yes, I’m that mom. I love to use cookie cutters to stamp out different shaped fruits, toasts, and sandwiches. I know it’s an extra step in the lunch packing process but I’m all about adding to joy to mealtime, and I swear it makes picky toddlers eat more of what’s in their lunch box. The Christmas Tree Shops and That! always has an awesome selection of very affordable seasonal and classic cookie cutters from major brands like Wilton.
Baking Cups! Can we agree that there is nothing more horrendous to a toddler than when one type of food touches another type of food? I like to use paper baking cups inside larger containers to divide up fruit, veggies, cheeses, and snacks. It keeps things neat in the lunchbox and prevents things from getting soggy. I grab different patterns and sizes of baking cups when I visit Christmas Tree Shops and That! – bonus: they often have cartoon characters options that kids love!
If you’re heading to Christmas Tree Shops and That! for back to school shopping, be sure to visit their website and sign up for emails to get at $10 off $50 coupon!
Please note: This post was created in partnership with Christmas Tree Shops and That! All opinions, images and content are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support this site.
