Back To School Gift Guide

There’s something quite exciting about getting ready for a new school year, whether your child is home schooled, just starting school or even transitioning from primary to secondary! If you’re looking for a little something to make the first day feel special, a treat for a stationery-loving child or a useful gift for an older child or teenager, I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite back-to-school finds.

Muddy Puddles EcoSplash Waterproof Fleece Lined Jacket

A good waterproof coat is one of those things you really have to purchase wisely, and the Muddy Puddles EcoSplash is one of our favourites. Many raincoats claim to be waterproof or weatherproof when they aren't, this one is actually waterproof. We definitely put that to the test recently when we got caught in the first proper storm we'd had in months, with absolutely torrential rain, and they stayed completely dry & cosy too.

It's fleece lined, which I really like because it makes it lovely and warm without turning it into a huge, bulky winter coat. I also really like the little reflective details, particularly as the mornings and afternoons are starting to get darker again, and the fact that it's made using recycled materials is a nice touch. It's just a really good everyday coat that can deal with wet school runs, cold playgrounds and, of course, children who can't possibly walk past a puddle without jumping in it.

Available from Muddy Puddles

Four Candies Stationery Set

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only mum who thinks new stationery makes going back to school feel a little bit more exciting. There's just something about a completely new pencil case full of shiny new pens! The Four Candies Stationery Set is especially cute, with a lovely cream pencil case containing everything you need to get started, including pastel highlighters, mechanical pencils, gel pens and refills. It's a really easy little back-to-school gift, particularly for a child who loves stationery and enjoys having all their things looking nice and organised. 

Available from Amazon

nonni Electrolyte Drinks

We've been trying the Sicilian Lemon with Mint and Pomelo Grapefruit cans from nonni, and I think they'd make a really nice addition to a back-to-school gift or first day treat. I'm always on the lookout for drinks that feel a bit more like a treat without being absolutely packed with sugar or caffeine, and these are really refreshing.

They're lightly sparkling and the flavours are much more grown-up than your usual fizzy drinks. The lemon is lovely and fresh, while the grapefruit has that slightly bitter taste that I really like. They're also caffeine-free and under 20 calories, with electrolytes, so they're a nice thing to have in the fridge when you're rushing around on a busy school morning, need something refreshing after school, or just fancy something a little different.

Available from lots of fab stockists

First Day at School Gift Set

I think this is such a sweet idea for a little one starting school for the first time. Starting school is such a huge milestone, and sometimes a tiny little gift can mean much more than something expensive. The set comes with a knitted yellow star keyring with a little face on it, along with a first-day card and a little drawstring pouch. The keyring can be clipped onto their school bag, lunch bag or pencil case, so they can take it with them on that rather scary first day. I bought my eldest a similar keychain when they started school, and they still treasure it to this day - she's going into year 8 this year!

Available from Amazon

Gorgeous Fountain Pens from Pen Heaven

LAMY Lx Blue Fountain Pen

For older children and teenagers who are properly into their stationery, a nice pen can make a surprisingly good gift. The LAMY Lx in blue is definitely a step up from the pens they're likely to pick up in a supermarket, and it looks really smart. It's a lovely blue metal fountain pen and comes in its own little metal case, which makes it feel much more like a present than simply buying someone a pen. It's also lightweight and comfortable to write with.

It's not a cheap school pen, but I think that's rather the point. This is one for the stationery-loving teenager who would genuinely appreciate having something a bit special. It would make a lovely gift for someone starting secondary school, college or university, and it's still practical enough that they can actually use it rather than putting it away in a drawer.

Available from Pen Heaven

Tom Hessin Rebel Collection Garrison Green Fountain Pen

The Garrison Green fountain pen from the Rebel Collection is absolutely gorgeous. Now, I know absolutely nothing about the technical side of fountain pens, but I do know whether one feels nice to write with, and this one really does. It's smooth, comfortable and feels like something that could become a favourite rather than just another pen thrown into the bottom of a pencil case. It comes in a lovely presentation box with an ink cartridge and converter, and you can even have it engraved, which I think makes it a particularly nice gift for an older child or teenager.

Again, this is very much a special stationery gift rather than an everyday school supply. But if you have a teenager who loves notebooks, pens and all those little stationery things, I think this is the sort of present they'd be genuinely excited to open.

Available from Pen Heaven

Hopefully there’s something here to suit all sorts of children, from little ones nervously heading off to school for the first time to older children getting ready for another year. And, of course, anything that makes the back-to-school chaos feel just a tiny bit more enjoyable has to be a good thing!

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