Tuck Boxes... please explain to me what in the world these are for.

[CoastalMummy]

Just as the title says. What is a tuck box used for and do I genuinely need to spend £100 on one?

The boarders at DDs school just take tupperware boxes for tuck.

I still have mine. It’s a glorious Pakistani colourful small wedding trunk. My parents lived around there at the time. Some girls had matching trunks and tuck boxes. They weren’t passé when I was at school but then we weren’t walking distance to any shops really. When I lift the lid of mine I can still smell sweets and toffees.

And tins of sardines and Carnation milk 🤢

Given that you're spaffing multiple thousands on his school fees, it seems a bit churlish to not spend £100 on the recommended trunk.

At my school, if your tuck box wasn't locked, stuff got nicked out of it.

My DBro’s went to boarding - they had what looked like dictionaries but were actually lock boxes to store their money and a few small bits in. Probably would have been about the equivalent of €25-30 in today’s money. Could hold a couple of packets of biscuits or a few sharing bags of sweets, although not massive.

Get him things he can share around, as well as his own favourites, so he has something to offer if other boys are sharing.

Thanks for making me understand that at 44 😅😅😅

Aaah you're all amazing. Thank you for the comments and suggestions. @HonoriaBulstrode I will absolutely get some sharing treats.

@Charabanc Thanks to our friend VAT, we are at the very limits of our budget. So if I can save £100, I sadly have to.

Mmmm, digestive biscuits and golden syrup. What a trip down memory lane

And tins of sardines

I still have my daughter’s from boarding school. It’s just a painted pine box with a lock on it.

You can buy reasonably inexpensive pine boxes from Amazon, varying sizes and add your own lock from the DIY shop. Just have a good rummage on Amazon.

My daughter kept “sharing treats” in it and later, used it for private personal items. For example, In 6th form she kept a diary. It was good that she had a private space.

I hope your child enjoys boarding. Mine loved it!

We used my DH's old one and my dad's which were locked wooden boxes although a little less fancy than the ones suggested by school. The lock is handy as its likely all the food will be pinched rapidly by the older years if not. Stuff that went in them are everything your child might like to eat that school don't provide and that don't go into the fridge so don't get too tiny a box!

And nothing too new or fancy that might mark you out as flashy. My boys loved their tatty old.family ones mainly I think to the hilarious insults that had been scribbled on them!

I wonder how many other niggling questions lie forgotten in dusty corners of my brain, that need answering? Thanks for clearing this one up!

Spa? Or Spar? Or is that genuinely how the other half live?

😂 Slip up. Spar.

I didn't think it looked right when I typed it!

Read Boy bit Rhold Dhal. (Wrong spelling) he explains exactly what they are.

At DS's boarding prep the boys have to hand tuck into Matron, but they still all have slightly shabby tuck boxes for keeping their accumulated crap treasures. I think it's quite nice to see them and they do come in handy for the boys.

That said, they are a nightmare to lug down stairs and to the car.

i’m not convinced jam sandwich in Enid Blyton meant cakes. Wouldn’t she have called it a Victoria sponge if that’s what she meant? Bit odd to keep either in a tuck box thinking about it now!

Also quite shocked that the kids have to lock their food away to stop other kids nicking it. Are they hungry or just light-fingered?!

Back in the day, 90s, they were bought from Shepherd's Bush Market - can't remember the price.

For keeping tuck in obviously but mainly a lockable box to keep thieving hands out!

I think my sons, now 40-somethings, still have theirs.

🤣 good job i didn't go to boarding school. There's no way i would have the self control to ration treats!!

Ohhhhh my penny has just dropped! 😂

Surprised people surprised about looking stuff away. Makes me think of when I was a student having to put your name on stuff in the fridge🙄

@BettyEagleton they’re just young kids, probably helps the staff when someone claims their nutella or bracelet is missing; was it locked away in your box?