Back-to-school Rituals ― For Parents

CELEBRATIONS | by KAT SPELLMAN

SUMMER ENDS and the kids get the new clothes, the shiny lunch box, the new notebooks and more. And the parents ― what do they get? They get the kids in school all day. Yeehaw!

Planning a morning gathering the first day of school is a fun way to kick off the scholastic year to celebrate from the parent’s perspective. If your home’s close to school, all the better.

• Get invitations out well in advance and invite men and women, spouses and partners for a fun mix. Indicate you’ll be ready for quick visits and coffee to-go for those on their way to work, and more leisurely festivities for those looking to linger over a light brunch and conversation.


The classic Pee Chee folder

• Work in old-school themes on the table by scanning classic Pee Chee folders or yearbook pages.
• Put out a variety of fresh juices, sparkling waters and carafes of hot coffee and tea with cream and sugar nearby.
• Stock up on to-go cups with lids for folks on the run and offer a basket of fresh-baked muffins with a stack of brown paper or waxed bags nearby.
• For friends looking to stay, pop a breakfast casserole in the oven, put out a gorgeous bowl of fresh fruit salad and sneak out a bottle or two of cider and bubbly for a toast to the “new” year.
• Don’t forget the music: Depending on the average age of parents in your school, and whether it’s elementary or high school, play a custom mix of the popular hits from your time in grade school or high school. Whether it’s Sonny & Cher and the Jackson Five, Zeppelin or Prince, the subtly themed music will make your parent-focused back-to-school party a real hit.