The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
School supplies surprise with colors and patterns
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be all about the list. You know, the required list of supplies that sends your parents hunting for binders and folders in specific sizes and colors. But there is room for a bit of individuality. If you enjoy colors and patterns, you’re in luck. They’re turning up even on supplies that are usually hohum. (Prices are manufacturers’ suggested price, when available.)
• Binders
Binders are terrific for keeping loose papers from ending up crumpled at the bottom of your backpack. If certain colors aren’t mandatory, why not pick one with emoji (Avery Peek a View Binder, $4.99 for a one-inch at Staples) or palm trees (Tropical Palm Round-Ring Fashion Binder, $6.29 for a 11/2-inch at Office Depot)?
Glitter is also popular this year. The Avery Glitter Binder is a standard oneinch binder in three glittery colors ($3.99 at Staples) and the Better Non View Binderone-inch and 11/2-inch versions in glittery pink, white and black ($7.99 to $8.99 at Staples).
If you must pick a plain binder, try patterned binder dividers, including Avery’s Big Tab Reversible Fashion Dividers, which feature polka dots, emoji, and cats and dogs (five tabs for $2.99 to $4.99 at Staples, Target and Walmart).
Colorful binder organizers can provide pockets for items that don’t work well with a three-hole punch. Flamingoes and sharks were among the options at Staples (six pockets for $1.99).
• Pencil Pouches
Teachers often don’t require specific pencil pouches, but sometimes whatever you choose must feature holes to fit a threering binder. If that’s the case - or even if it isn’t one fun option is the ZipitTalking Monster 3-Ring Pouch ($6.99 at Office Depot and Staples). The pouches, which come in colors such as lime green or royal blue, feature a zipper that looks like teeth. The case is actually a single zipper that can be completely unzipped. Of course, you would want to empty it before unzipping.
If you prefer a pouch with more than one compartment, Yoobi’s Triple Zip Binder Zip Case includes three zippered pockets and comesinfourpatterns ($4.99 at Target and Yoobi.com).
Pens and pencils are seeing a burst of color inside and out.
Tul Retractable Gel Ink Brights offer smooth writing and an easy grip. The colors are fun but dark enough that a page of notes won’t hurt your eyes. (You might want to go easy on pink.) The stylish pens come in packs of four and eight. ($7.99 to $12.74 at Amazon and Office Depot).
Paper Mate’s Clearpoint Color Lead Mechanical Pencils are thicker than traditional mechanical pencils and feature a textured grip so that they won’t slip out of your fingers. The button to advance the lead is on the side, and the eraser at the end twists up. Although you could use them for math problems, they might be more helpful for art projects. They come in packages of two to six bright colors ($3.97 to $25.99 at Office Depot, Staples, Target and Walmart).
If you’re a traditionalpencil person, you probably know Dixon Ticonderoga, which has been making pencils for more than a century. Even this company has a colorful alternative to its classic yellow pencil with a pink eraser. Its 10-pack of multicolored striped pencilswith coordinating erasers at the end is a nice change of pace ($2.99-$4.49 at Kmart, Office Depot and Staples).
• Erasers
Food-shaped erasers have been popular for a while. This year’s focus is on sweets. You’ll find colorful macarons (12 for $4 at Staples), ice cream cones (three for $1.99 at Office Depot) and doughnuts (six for $2.99 at Yoobi).
Even scissors are dressed up with prints. Fiskars’s six-inch scissors have a comfort handle with “Splash” prints in several colors ($3.99 at Staples and Target). And Up and Up offers a pair with geometric shapes on the handle ($2.99 at Target).
So when you’re shopping for school supplies, add a few colorful items to the shopping cart. But don’t forget about the list.