Having grown up in Germany...I am still in love with TRADITION! It is something to look forward to and even more than that, it is something dear to you that you can not wait to pass down to your children and to their children!
On our first day of school, we {no pig in my pocket...my twinsie and I} got our very own "SCHULTUETE". It was like Christmas morning! Typically, they are filled with lots of sweet treats and erasers, pencils, crayons etc. but you could really fill them with whatever you would like!
If any of you are teachers, I am sure YOU could imagine how hyper your little students might be on the first day of school.
Since Laurissa's first day of college is this next week, I wanted to do something special for her...so, I filled her "SWEET SCHOOL CONE" with some things she will need in college...white washcloths, soap, post it notes, gift cards, a book of stamps and envelopes, chapstick, straws and some other little things that she loves! I can NOT wait to give it to my little bunny.
Her Daddy gives her flowers every year on the first day, so we included a little vase from him to her. That is when I "lost it" today...and I was doing sooo good!
On her tag, I stamped "with GRATITUDE" because I am so thankful for the daughter she has been, is and will continue to be...she challenges me, loves me unconditionally, takes Sunday afternoon naps with me, but most of all she loves the LORD with all her heart, and she shares it with everybody she meets. I know that if you met her, your life would be THAT MUCH better...just for knowing her. SO, my heart is full of gratitude and am reminded every day of God's grace in blessing me with the sweetest daughter ever!
This year will be the first year since she started preschool that we have not had our annual back-to-school dinner, so I am going to have to find something creative to do...not sure, yet. SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!
BY THE WAY, my parents have a picture of my twinsie and I on our first day of school in Germany with our "SWEET SCHOOL CONES", so I will post that when my Dad finds it.
Do you have a favorite back-to-school memory or SWEET TRADITION?
I just guesstimated and used what I had on hand to make mine. That's why it's a bit Christmassy looking!
Directions for a Sweet School Cone:
1. Cut poster board to desired size. I left mine BIG.
2. Cut wrapping paper to the same size.
3. Using Elmers Spray Adhesive, spray a thin coat over poster board. Do NOT spray adhesive on flimsy paper. You will have a big.ol.mess!
4. Place wrapping paper on top of glued poster board. Working quickly, be sure to line up paper and gently smoothe out wrinkles and ridges.
5. Working from the bottom up, form cone shape. Be sure to have a pointy bottom, so that nothing falls through...or you can add a pom pom...like I did.
6. Using a large metal clip or clips, secure the top of the cone. Heavy duty paper clips may also be used. Use the clips to adjust it the way you want it.
7. Glue gun the seam.
8. Trim the top so that it is even and straight across the top. It will look just like a sugar cone.
9. Add the finishing touches with ball fringe, ribbons, grommets, fabric initials, stickers, stamps, photos...whatever. Use your imagination! If you made a mistake, this is your chance to embellish away!
10. Using your hot glue gun, glue small sections at a time across the top, inside lip. Quickly pleat tissue paper to the inside on top of the glue.
11. Fill with healthy school snacks, sweet treats, paint, stickers, fun papers, etc.
12. Present to your little ones {or BIG ones!} on the morning of their first day of school!
OH.THE.POSSIBILITIES: It may be fun to make mini burlap cones and tie them with jute for Thanksgiving favors...I think it woupld be a fun twist on the ol' cornucopia...hmmm!
Or for a different birthday present, you could fill the sweet cone with ice cream toppings, fun bowls, napkins and spoons!...and make homemade ice cream together!
My twinsie and I on the first day of school...1970's :}
***Posted from the archives!
Shared with: picket fence, women living well
That is quite a huge cone in both photos....lol...Congrats to your new college girl.
ReplyDeleteThis is so ultra sweet!! I love it!! You mom must be so proud to have you as her daughter and o see the passing on of traditions she started with you.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain about your girl leaving for college, I have one that is 20 she will be going to Multnomah this year and my son just graduated and is off to college as well.
Thank you. This was written last year and our daughter went to multnomah, too! It is a great school!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! :) What a wonderful tradition!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to start the year off!
ReplyDeleteI love this....wonder if I could actually make this...since I am not on the creative side. I want to start traditions for my kids for starting school and we really haven't so love this idea and the dinner idea and the daddy flower idea!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteKaren...it really is easy. You could easily just buy a 12x12 piece of craft paper with a fun design...make a paper funnel, tape it, trim it and call it good. Just put a few goodies into a cellphone bag and drop it into the cone. I hope you try it!
ReplyDeleteHow neat...what a good idea! I LOVE that picture of you and your twisie. :) Are you the one on the left in the pic? xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea...and tradition! I wish I had known to do things like this when my kids were growing up. Your daughter must be just like her mom ~ :-)
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
Tam...thank you! You are right...it is me on the right...in PINK!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Pat...HOW SWEET! Actually, she is more like her Daddy! :}
ReplyDeleteLisa
What a wonderful idea, I love the old photo as well!! These look like so much fun- my children go back to school next Monday- I may have to try and make these (even though they are in high school). I love that you made one for your daughter in college!
ReplyDelete