Back to School Shopping at Staples {Review & Giveaway}

In our household back to school shopping for supplies is a big event.  I really try to allow my kids to pick the items themselves based on the provided list from the teacher.  It gets them excited about the new year and it really allows them to express themselves.  Since my kids wear uniforms to school, I think this takes on even more importance to them.

This year, Staples has proven to be a huge hit with my three oldest (ages 9, 11, & 15).  They sent a sampling of their back to school goods for us to check out and the kids were impressed.  Staples seems to be on top of many of the major trends currently popular with the teen and tween crowd.

Some of our favorites were from the "Supplies for a Cause" line.  This exclusive to Staples collection includes planners, notebooks, comp books, pocket portfolios and 3-ring pencil pouches.  Each item features a cool design such as a peace symbol or tree graphic.  However, these supplies go beyond function and design and dare to motivate and inspire by including background on social issues and tips on how students can make a difference.  Teens can be encouraged to convert their energy and ideas into positive action by their new DoSomething.org inspired products.

My daughter was all about bringing some ‘bling’ to the classroom with the new Staples "Glam Rocks" Collection.  This collection includes hand-crafted Glam Rocks Staplers, Glam Rocks Pens, and even Glam Rocks Calculators all for under $5.  The Designs include a purple floral, a pink color fade, aroyal blue and a crystal clear.  Cordelia's declared the Glam Rock pen her favorite pen of all time.



Other really fun finds at Staples would include their Omnitech 2GB Swivel Flash Drives for $12.99.  They are designed to keep the cap in place and are available in some snazzy designs including black and white, multi-colored dots, and peace-sign patterns.  Trend Alert!  Peace Signs are huge this year.

And finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Zip-it.  It's a pencil case everyone will want to a try at zipping and unzipping.  The entire thing is made from a single long zipper.  You just pull it and watch it zip into it's pencil case shape and fill it up.  There is even a cuite story behind it.  The Zip-it is the brainchild of an Israeli student whose class project called for turning an everyday item into something new.  The Zip It "Unzip Your Mind" pencil pouch ($5.99) is available in black, purple, and pink with exclusive rainbow-zipper design for Staples. 

Enter to Win:  What's on your list from Staples this year?  Visit Staples.com and return to tell us for a chance to win a $50 Staples Gift Card to purchase your own BTS supplies.  One winner will be randomly selected.

Optional Additional Entries for:
1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you "like" And twins make 5! on Facebook.
1 extra entry if you "like" Staples on facebook.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this giveaway and include @andtwinsmake5 and @StaplesTweets
1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and link back to it.

Rules:
An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling us which options you have used. Please limit your tweets to once daily.  A winner will be chosen via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen.  This contest is open to 18 + USA only.  Ends on 8/19/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

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Staples fans should also check out:
The Staples Back-to-School Twitter Bash
Date:  Tuesday, August 10th
Time:  8 p.m. EST
Location:  #StaplesBTS
Host:  @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect and Mom of 4)