If you have a child starting preschool or school in the new year you may want to consider gifting a few practical items for Christmas. A lunch box and personalised stickers may seem like every day items to us but to little kids, they’re rather wonderful. New beginnings require new essentials (and perhaps a few special items to offer comfort when everything gets a bit overwhelming). Here’s my pick of tried and tested school items:

1. Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren* : I consider this mandatory reading if you’re about to send your child off to school. Gift it to yourself (or add it to your wish list) and set aside some time over the New Year to prepare yourself (mentally, emotionally, spiritually) for the imminent transition / 2. a pirate bucket hat with toggles / 3. …or a floral alternative / 4. I swear by lunchbots lunchboxes* – stainless steel, good-sized compartments for little hands, good as new after two years of daily use. Consider them an investment / 5. a lunchbots round container*, these are great for mini fruit salads or carrots with hummus / 6 + 7. organic cotton singlet or cami to keep the core warm / 8 + 9 quality boxers + undies made from organic cotton (best purchased after the toilet training + accident prone years / 10. My friend Emma aka Hazyjane* has the most beautiful collection of vintage fabrics and as well as making sweet pants (with pockets!) and bloomers, she often takes orders for personalised bags. Poet takes hers to Montessori and when she starts school it will be the perfect library bag. Such a sweet (and very special) handmade gift / 11. a waterproof pencil case* that makes the perfect pouch for stationery, swimmers, sunscreen etc / 12. a personalised bag tag / 13. stainless steel drink bottle -the klean kanteen range* is great and we also like the thermos funtainer with straw* (replacement straws can be purchased separately) / 14. a spork* is essential if you’re going to pack pasta, rice or salad for lunch / 15. the thermos funtainer keeps food warm for 5 hours and cool for 7 … I send them to school with the kids at least twice a week / 16. Starting School* is one of my very favourite books on the topic but then again, I love anything that Jane Godwin and Anna Walker* create / 17. Our set of Lyra Pencils* live in a jug on the dining table and get used every day. We love them! / 18. If you like the idea of one lunchbox with multiple compartments that can be prettied up with stickers….planetbox* is for you / 19. If you’re sending your child off to school you really do need to label, label, label. Buy one set of these stickers and you’ll have enough for a good 3 years. Iron-on labels are a good idea, too.

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