You Get an A+ for Cashing in on the Back to School Season

By Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. | August 7, 2008

My children think I’m weird because I love school. I always have.

I couldn’t wait to start kindergarten when I was 4-1/2 years old. When I heard the teacher inform my mother that I was too young and would have to wait until I turned five, I went into such a fit of crying that the teacher succumbed, bent the rules and enrolled me promptly.

When I was expecting my first child I took a one year leave from teaching. I looked forward to this new baby, but on the first day of school as I watched the kids in my neighborhood filing out of their homes and walking toward the local elementary, I began to feel sad that I wasn’t returning to school. So, I promptly called the school district and arranged to go back to do some substitute teaching for at least a few months.

You may not feel as passionate about school as I do , but as a gift basket designer you can still benefit from the back-to-school season. Here are some theme ideas you could offer through your retail store or gift basket service.

Freshman college survival gifts
Monthly birthday gift program for students in boarding schools and college
Final exam study snacks
Teacher, bus driver and PTA appreciation
Thank you gifts for computer salesmen, textbook representatives and other vendors to give school personnel following big orders
Dormitory move-in day
Military care packages
Tailgate parties
Fraternity and sorority orientations and celebrations

School start times vary, so you’ll have to research for schedules of school opening, testing times, sports and holiday events in your area.

Contact the coordinator of the programs you’d like to approach to discover their needs and budget.

Check out how the following gift basket companies have designed for this season then get busy creating your own back to school program.

http://www.hipkits.com/

http://www.sendasmilegifts.com/noname.html

http://www.pizzaandpajamas.com/