Family Photo Card

Once you've wrapped up the leftovers and the food coma sets in, you might cuddle up on the couch to review the holiday circulars to plan your shopping, make your lists, and think about all the things that need to get done before now and then.  This year, the holiday season is shorter than normal.  Yikes, we only have 28 days shopping days left! I know you can relate to the crunch this puts on our planning, so it makes sense to order early for any items on your list that need shipped.

One of the first items you should be thinking about is Holiday cards. So many of us try to capture that perfect family picture and order photo cards.  If like me, you haven't gotten started yet, we need to remember that we have to take the photos, order the cards, address and sign the cards, then mail then back out.  If were lucky we get them back out in time to reach our loved ones before New Years.  So lets get started!

When you're ready to order cards, here are links to a few major retailers with great selection of options.  Since I partner with these retailers as an affiliate, I'll keep this post updated with the latest coupons and specials to make it easier for you to find good deals.

Disclosure - Affiliate Links in Use

Thanks for Supporting uniform Mom

Tiny Prints

• Thanksgiving Sitewide Sale: 25% off Any Order! Now through November 28, 2013. Promo Code: TG13.
• Black Friday Sitewide Sale - 30% Off Everything Effective - November 29 through December 1, 2013. Promo Code: BF13.
• Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sitewide Sale - 30% Off Everything 
When: December 2-3, 2013. Promo Code: CB13
• Cyber Week Sitewide Sale - 30% Off Everything When: December 4-5, 2013. Promo Code: SW1205. 
• Enjoy Free Shipping for All US Orders! Limited time only. Promo Code: FS13.
• Super Rush Delivery-Reduced for a Limited Time! Limited Time. No Promo Code required.
• Sitewide Sale: Up to 25% Off Everything. Ends 12/12 at 11:59pm PT. Promo Code: SW1212.
• Enjoy Free Shipping for Orders of $49+ (You can stack this with all coupons) Promo Code: HOLFS13.

Mixbooks

• Get Free Shipping
• Save 20% off Cards

123 Print

• 11/29 - 12/1: 29% off Sitewide! Black Friday Deal.
• 40% off Custom Holiday Cards + Free Shipping! Use code JINGLE.
• 12/3 - 12/31: 25% off Holiday Cards + Free 2nd Day Air Shipping

Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

Got a uniform wearing kid on your holiday gift list?  Here are a few gift ideas for school aged kids:



Girl's America Doll Plaid Dress
sold by the Ideal Uniform Store

These doll sized dropped waist jumper fits any 18" doll. It come in a wide variety of plaids and solid navy. Girls love when their doll looks and dresses like them. It would be perfect your child to bring to picture day at school.











Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll
sold by Walmart

When my daughter saw the commercial for this toy, she immediately added it to her Santa Wish List.  However, she changed her mind when she say a similar product that is marketed to boys called the Air Hogs RC Atmosphere. They look to be the hot new toys of the season.  The kids can control the movement with the palm of their hand.



Flipeez
sold by Amazon
Last year it was Stompeez, this year it's Flipeez.  If you have kids in the house, you've seen and heard the commercials.  These cute fleece lined hats move when the kids push the button located in the long ears.  These are a MUST GET list for many kids this season.  Before you order, it might be a good idea to check with the relatives to make sure there aren't doubles under the tree.






Personalized Lunch Boxes

sold by Frecklebox

Would your uniform kids like to show a bit of individuality and personality.  These lunch boxes are sure to make your kids stand out from the crowd. There are a variety of styles for boys and girls, so you're sure to find one that reflects your kid's personality.  They even have coordinating stationary items like binders, folders and notebooks.

ECOlunchbox Three-in-One: Stainless Steel Bento
sold by ECOlunchbox

If the kid on your list is more of an eco-warrior, then check out this stainless steel three-in-one bento box. Older kids would also favor the classic simplicity of this lunch set.  They also carry great eco-friendly accessories including bags and napkins.

The Happy Trunk Gift Subscription

sold by The Happy Trunk

If your uniform kid likes to get packages in the mail and enjoys arts, crafts and science experiences, then check out the Happy Trunk subscription service. They offer plans as a month-to-month, 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions for age groups 3 - 7 or 7 - 11. 

The Christmas Box of Questions
sold by Melissa and Doug

Here's a great idea for a stocking stuffer that you can use to get the kids involved with dinner conversation. If you'd prefer to use this tactic  throughout the year, check out the general Family Dinner Box instead.




Long John Pajamas In Organic Cotton
sold by Hanna Anderson

Since the uniform kids wear the same standard uniforms day after day to school, at night, they can cut loose in these bright, cozy, and fun designs.  If you're the type to give the kids special PJs to wear while they open holiday gifts, there are many holiday themed options.  If you'd prefer a playful design that are likely to be worn longer into the winter season, there are many other designs to choose from.



Chevron Box Clip
sold by Hanna Anderson

Accessories are a great stocking stuffer idea. Girls love to pair hair accessories in colors and patterns that compliment the school uniform. Chevron is all the rage right now, so this is sure to be a big hit. Also be sure to check out this post for other uniform ideas for boys and girls.

Ideal Uniforms: Retail Round Up

Ideal Uniforms has been a family owned and operated business for over 80 years. They have two locations in New York City and have a newly redesigned website with an online store. Below is a quote from their web site:

"Ideal Uniforms is your one stop shop for all your educational, medical, corporate and scouting needs. Ideal presently outfits hundreds of schools, hospitals, boy and girl scout troops, and businesses. This allows us to retain a vast inventory which is stocked year round. Ideal manufactures many of its own products to ensure that customers get what they need when they need it."

They carry the following brands in children's uniform clothing: A+ School Apparel, Classroom, Elderwear, French Toast, Rifle Kaynee, Becky Thatcher, Dickies, as well as their own brand Ideal brand. They also sell scouts uniforms, dancewear, backpacks, and caps and gowns.

Boys bottoms include four different brands of flat front pants, two brands of pleated pants or pull on pants. Boys shirts include polos in short and long sleeve, turtlenecks, and short and long sleeve button up dress and oxford shirts. In sweaters, they carry acrylic vests, cardigans, and v-neck pullovers. Finally, they carry the Rifle Kaynee Unisex Blazer in five colors. Boys accessories include a variety of ties and belts.

Girls bottoms include French Toast, Becky Thatcher and Dickies flat fronts and basic shorts. In skirts, they carry a basic kick pleat in solids and plaids, plaid knife pleats, and plaid kilts. Girls tops include polos, turtlenecks, peter pan blouses in short and long sleeve, pointed collar blouses and oxfords in short and long sleeve. In sweaters, they carry acrylic vests, cardigans, and v-neck pullovers. They also have two options for vests, a bolero (open in the front) and a pointed (button up). The v-neck jumpers are available in solids and plaids and the slit neck jumper in plaids. Finally, they carry a wrap around kilt in solids. Finally, they carry a fun selection of coordinating criss-cross ties, scruncies, head bands, bike shorts and tights.

They have a typical return policy, or most items, for a full refund with a receipt within 14 days for items in their original condition, unwashed and unworn. Exchanges can be made within 30 days.

Uniform Mom Back to School Spending Survey

According to Statistics Brain, the average annual cost to parents for outfit their kids with school uniforms is $249. Unfortunately, this source doesn't provide any background on what they include as school uniforms. When buying my daughter's Kindergarten wardrobe, I found that I spent about that amount of clothing alone, not including shoes, coat, backpack and lunchbox. The additional items she needed cost me around another $150. This year, I didn't have to get many items for Back to School, but I'm finding myself buying school clothes a few items at a time as she outgrows the ones she had. I'd like to learn more about experiences of Uniform Mom readers. Please take a minute to tell me about your spend on Back to School shopping this fall. I'll leave this survey open for a while, and when we just a decent number of responses, I'll summarize and share with you all. All answers are confidential. No identifying information collected.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Tiny Prints PTA School Fundraiser

If the holiday cards you receive look like the ones I receive, you are about to purchase and receive photo cards over the holiday season.  Instead of the annual family letter with highlights of the past year, many of us opt to send a photo card so distant relatives can see for themselves how much the kids have grown.

School PTA and PTO groups looking for a passive fundraiser should consider Tiny Prints. Tiny Prints is an online store for cards, invitations, stationary and photo books.  They are known for fresh, updated designs and high quality products.

Few parents enjoy selling typical fundraiser items to friends, family and co-workers, so passive fundraising options like this one are an easy sell.Tiny Prints pays a generous 13% commission on every order placed through a co-branded online storefront.   So many of us are planning to order holiday cards or invitations over the course of the year anyway, it is an easy way for the PTA to raise funds.

If you are not involved with your PTA or PTO, please share this article with them.  Email it to the person heading up fundraising and the other officers. If you are the PTA representative in charge of fundraising, below are the steps you'll need to get started.

Disclosure - Affiliate Links in Use

Thank you for Supporting Uniform Mom

Here's how your school can partner with Tiny Prints during this peak buying season to create a co-branded online store that you can promote through the normal PTA communication channels:

1. Tiny Prints manages this program through an affiliate partner.  So the first step is to create an affiliate account with ShareASale.  If the PTA has a unique email address that is regularly monitored which travels with the new officers each year, I'd advise you use it to set up the account.  This can help ensure a smooth transition from year to year.
2. The next step is to register with Tiny Prints for a custom storefront web page for the school PTA or PTO group. They will then contact you with instructions to set up the site with some basic information.
3. Once the site is up and running, you'll need to promote the site and it's unique web address through the PTA at meetings, in newsletters, on the school's website.  You can also encourage parents to share the information with their friends and family via social media so even more people can order through the co-branded storefront.
4. Lastly, collect commissions.  

Related Posts:

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French Toast Dollars in Uniform Fundraiser Program

Myself Belts School Fundraiser Program

CookiesKids School Uniform Fundraiser Program