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Original poster

New school bag and lunchbox every September?

590 replies

AvocadoHo · 14/08/2021 18:06

Light hearted debate with OH.

Making a list of school uniform needed for daughter (8) going back to school.

He rolled his eyes snd asked "why does she need a new bag? What's wrong with the one she has?"

Nothing is wrong with it, it's just a bit grubby and battered. But when I was growing up we had a new bag and lunch box every year. He feels this is excessive.

Is it really that uncommon?

OP posts:
CecilyP · 14/08/2021 19:24

Always new for the new school year. I always charity shop or give away the old ones - it's not like I bin them!

If it’s not good enough for your kids to continue to use even though it’s no further cost to you, I doubt if charity shops will be able to sell them. The only exception would be if they’re still in very good condition but in a theme your child has grown out of.

Member984815 · 14/08/2021 19:25

Replace as needed

User135792468 · 14/08/2021 19:25

Of course she needs a new one for a September start? I can’t believe how tight people are. It’s part of the fun of getting ready for the new school year, plus picking out a new water bottle, pencil case and stationary etc. Unless you don’t actually have the money to do it, I don’t see why you wouldn’t.

ineedaholidaynow · 14/08/2021 19:27

It’s not being tight it’s thinking of the environment @User135792468

MoggyP · 14/08/2021 19:28

Unless you don’t actually have the money to do it, I don’t see why you wouldn’t

Environmental concerns

Dislike of unnecessary/conspicuous consumption

Parker231 · 14/08/2021 19:28

It’s not about being tight but not being wasteful. DT’s were at a private international school. No school uniform so thankfully none of the back to school shopping. They just wore their normal clothes - jeans, trainers and a hoodie. Only replaced when they grew out of them. School bag lasted from 11-18 as did those used by their friends.

Whinge · 14/08/2021 19:28

@User135792468

Of course she needs a new one for a September start? I can’t believe how tight people are. It’s part of the fun of getting ready for the new school year, plus picking out a new water bottle, pencil case and stationary etc. Unless you don’t actually have the money to do it, I don’t see why you wouldn’t.
She really doesn't.

Just because it's nice to have, doesn't mean she has to get a new one every year.

BobaFettOnMyBedsideTable · 14/08/2021 19:28

In years gone by I think it was the norm, and I certainly remember being kitted out with new pencil case, bag etc. In today's world I just can't see how it's justified or viable unless the item really is worn out or broken. We need to ensure the next generation is not a 'throwaway society'.

My kids have the same bag and lunchboxes as last year.

DelurkingAJ · 14/08/2021 19:29

I do buy new uniform in September but that’s because DS1 sprouted suddenly in January in Reception and I couldn’t find uniform to fit him anywhere…so now I buy the next size up when it’s available and put it away until needed (often overnight, somehow).

olidora63 · 14/08/2021 19:29

@Luckyelephant1

I get the point about the environment etc but some of my best school memories as a kid was getting a new lunchbox, pencil case, stationery and school shoes. Don't really remember how often I got a new bag but that wasn't as exciting. But nothing beat the thrill of opening a pristine new pencil case full of scented gel pens and novelty sharpeners etc. My child isn't school age yet but I can't wait to do this every September with them.
My children were 1990/20 s children…and agree that the excitement of a new pencil case and lunch bag made them really happy…they also enjoyed school and appreciated the effort I made for school to be a fun place to go to.Am sure if I asked them now they would have happy memories.
BarbaraofSeville · 14/08/2021 19:32

@pollylocketpickedapocket

No every September I get new. Not sending my kid off to school being the scruffy one with last years tatty stuff.
I don't understand how bags and lunchboxes are scruffy after less than a year's use Confused

But as an illustration of how long I keep things, the scientific calculator I was given for GCSEs or possibly earlier and I've used regularly since is starting to fail. I'm 48.

lannistunut · 14/08/2021 19:34

I replace when things are needed, think it is wasteful to replace on a time scale. I agree with your OH.

Onestep2021 · 14/08/2021 19:35

In secondary school we HAD to have new trainers every September. Plus bag and stationary. There would be no greater shame than not. In my head, a new school year was a HUGE transition from the last. Now I can see just how short that 6 week break is and how ridiculous it was. Fortunately for me, my parents indulged.
It’s hard as I think ideally you want to support any enthusiasm for a new school year but environmentally it’s just so unreasonable.

Whinge · 14/08/2021 19:35

I don't understand how bags and lunchboxes are scruffy after less than a year's use

Me either. Especially after the last 2 years, where many were out of school for months due to school closures / lockdowns.

Nicolastar78 · 14/08/2021 19:36

I've had 5 kids and every child has had new every August for returning..

My 3 youngest will he returning with new , my 2DS are S5 and YS3 and the way they are growing both ways I'd be lucky if the socks still fitted them.. DD is going in to S1 and again has took a big stretch..

I however DONT throw away their old stuff, what I do is take each child's uniform at end of term and if it's still ok I pack it in to their school bag with a note of the sizes etc and hand back in to school for the uniform swap or for any child the school thinks needs them, this year due to lock down most of the kids clothes are still in packets/ tagged, but sadly didn't fit anymore, and the kids love knowing they have helped .

ElephantOfRisk · 14/08/2021 19:37

Surely before they go back you just look at what they have and replace anything that is either worn out or doesn't fit? So that usually means new shoes and socks, probably trousers, tops might be okay, jacket same, bag generally fine, pencil cases can get a bit worn out/broken and the contents usually need refreshed a bit, lunchbag depends and drinks bottle might be done as well. I think a 9 year old with a peppa pig bag might get a bit of grief but if the bag is plain or just with a pattern rather than a character then it's good to go.

icelollycraving · 14/08/2021 19:37

I have always bought new new each year. The smiggle backpack is in very good condition though so won’t replace this year. Ds only had a year of primary left and I’m guessing all the smiggle stuff will be too cutesy by then and replaced for a cooler brand.
Buy what you want if you have the money.

Whinge · 14/08/2021 19:39

@Nicolastar78

I've had 5 kids and every child has had new every August for returning..

My 3 youngest will he returning with new , my 2DS are S5 and YS3 and the way they are growing both ways I'd be lucky if the socks still fitted them.. DD is going in to S1 and again has took a big stretch..

I however DONT throw away their old stuff, what I do is take each child's uniform at end of term and if it's still ok I pack it in to their school bag with a note of the sizes etc and hand back in to school for the uniform swap or for any child the school thinks needs them, this year due to lock down most of the kids clothes are still in packets/ tagged, but sadly didn't fit anymore, and the kids love knowing they have helped .

Don't you pass outgrown clothes down to the younger children?
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 14/08/2021 19:40

These things won't have had a 'year of use' though, will they? Covid happened. Nobody at school?

I understand the appeal but it's just horrendously wasteful.

DariaMorgendorffer · 14/08/2021 19:40

@MorganHunt

Once a year my Mum took us out for a new schoolbag and lunchbox. It was a nice day and we ended up on a cafe having lunch. Wasteful? Some people buy cigarettes and destroy the planet that way. We got new annual bags. I follow my Mum's example with a good conscience. There is such a thing as being too uptight.
I absolutely hate tight people, and am far from being one. This is not about penny-pinching, it's about mindless consumption which, globally, has had a devastating effect on our planet.
BarbaraofSeville · 14/08/2021 19:41

We've also only just thrown away some plastic lunchboxes we bought in Spain from the 50 peseta shop, and we paid in pesetas, not Euros.

No idea how long Spain has had the Euro but it's since well before all these DC and their wasteful new stuff every year were born.

But we keep hearing about how environmentally conscious your children's generation is. Maybe instead of having to get all new 'in' stuff all the time, that will be seen as an embarrassment and to fit in you'll need to keep your stuff for ever?

HalloHello · 14/08/2021 19:41

One of the best things about the end of the summer hols was going shopping for a new bag, pencil case, stuff to put in it etc. After a year of solid use, things get lost, battered, dirty. Maybe I was just really lucky but everyone I knew always got a new bag. My daughter is just starting nursery and I'll be the same with her! Doesn't have to cost the earth.

L1ttleSeahorse · 14/08/2021 19:42

Wow what a waste. Certainly not the case here. A few people do but we're not really that type!

AntiSocialDistancer · 14/08/2021 19:43

I used to think it was excessive and unnecessary but the bags are trash by the end of the year.

CecilyP · 14/08/2021 19:43

Of course she needs a new one for a September start?

Of course she doesn’t need a new one; she might like a new one or she might not be bothered but her mum thinks it’s a must.

As someone said upthread, considering how little kids have been in school this year, does any child need new this year if they got new last year?