boys' school supplies...what is the deal?!?!?

[sadiegirl]

Ok, I would like to scream discrimination but that still won't solve my dilemma with the blatant disregard for boys who love really cool school supplies as much as girls!!!

I spent this past Monday hitting all the big stops(K-Mart,Wal-Mart,Target,Office Max and Depot and Staples) and I could have spent hundreds of $$$$ on the coolest, cutest, hippiest fun supplies for girls. But for boys...unless you like soccer or any ball-related sport(no offense but my boys are into hunting and fishing, insects and outdoor-theme) or superheros, CARS(too young), then you are pretty much left to pick basic solid items.

 

My boys are going into 6th and 7th grade so the thing with themes can be a little too young. They are in the stage where they are "too old" for some themes but still young enough to play Lincoln logs when their younger nieces come to town!!!

Anyway, just wanted to rant a bit as I know girls really get into new notebooks and all the accessories so the industry caters to that...but hey just come out with one really cool line for boys!!!! I promise I will buy!!!!!

[Jean in Newcastle]

Have you thought about going to a craft or scrapbooking store and getting stickers that fit their interests? Then decorate the solid color items with the neat personalized stickers!

[elegantlion]

I understand that dilemma. I think it runs through all kind of boys items.

 

Have you look at your local sporting good store. Do you have a Cabela's or Bass Pro. Would they carry some type of supplies?

[Caroline]

We decorate our own. It's fun.

[kat19]

I did find some camouflage 5 tab dividers for my son at Wal*Mart. That was about all I could find for boys.

I know it stinks..

I plan on making my kids that cone thingy(don't know what it's called) for the first day of school but I need to find some cool things for DS.

 

We are going on vacation in August before we start school, so where ever we go I am hoping to find some better things there :001_smile: Here's to hoping!

[Sugarfoot]

My DS likes to get neat stickers and stuff and really make things his own. You're right--there are all of these great purple, pink, and patterned things all over the place. It's just like with clothes--girls get WAY more to choose from. (although much of it isn't worth choosing:)

[Old Dominion Heather]

I feel your pain... we should start a revolt!

[clwcain]

Try a local cigar shop. They often have actual cigar boxes for sale dirt cheap, or even free. That might cover the pencil box problem.

 

What about a tackle or gear box? I used one for a while in grad school to lug around all the art supplies I needed.

 

But, in general, I'm in agreement. There is very little cool school stuff for boys. Probably because we're not supposed to like it. And of course [tongue planted in cheek] we all know that boys oppress girls, so they need cool stuff to help redress the grievance.

 

You might also want to see if Lulu has anything. I'm sure by now that someone else with hunting interests has felt the same need and done something about it.

 

Just my $0.02, fwiw.

 

HTH

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

Yep, try looking for thank you cards for boys, nary a one without a flower somewhere on it. Isn't it good for boys to send thank you cards too?

[In The Great White North]

Lucky for me, ds likes PLAIN notebooks, pens, etc and they're hard enough to find.

 

I won't buy most of the "girl" stuff for my dd's either.

[clwcain]

Yep, try looking for thank you cards for boys, nary a one without a flower somewhere on it. Isn't it good for boys to send thank you cards too?

 

FWIW, I was taught that plain, high quality notecards and informals are the right way to go for stationary. I get mine in ivory with blue trim from Crane.

 

I've found that you can get really nice stationary in ivory or grey from office supply stores. Look in the section for "resume paper". Much less expensive than fine stationary, but with the same impact to the recipient of an actual letter. :D

[Sue G in PA]

My boys like to get the binders that have clear plastic over them in which to put your own "cover". They print out what they like (it is Star Wars now) and slide it in. Instant decoration. I guess we're lucky b/c Star Wars stuff abounds now and my littles are still in to Cars and action figures stuff.

[Christine]

boys' school supplies...what is the deal?!?!?

 

*sigh*

 

I find this true in nearly everything. . .clothing, toys (arts & crafts).

 

*sigh*

[OnTheBrink]

And of course [tongue planted in cheek] we all know that boys oppress girls, so they need cool stuff to help redress the grievance.

 

 

 

DANGIT! You have figured out the feminist plot to counter the blatant oppression of females! Sheesh. We SHALL overcome! (running off giggling)

 

Seriously, though. I honestly see men painted unfavorably in society more than women. Look at what's on TV. Men are usually the goofy, not-too-bright, doofuses who get no respect from their families and resort to being lying cads to attain any satisfaction in their lives. They're portrayed as having nagging, whining, conniving wives who rule the home, and of course, are naturally smarter than their men. It irks me.

 

Sorry to hijack. To keep on topic, my dd is into paisley and polka-dots, and my son is far too old for cool school supplies, so I've not noticed. However, I'd think that any sports team's website might have notebooks, etc, with the team logo. I know around here, you can find Cubs, Cardinals, Illini, Rams stuff fairly easily.

[sadiegirl]

I'm glad that some others feel my pain. I guess it just goes back to my school days of anticipating buying new notebooks, pencils and other supplies. I may be dating myself but I just remembered after looking at the various posts recommending designing your own notebooks---we used to ModgePodge our clipboards with things cut out of magazines, etc. It was a competition between my friends and I to make the most creative graffiti and boards.

Thanks so much for the ideas.

[angela in ohio]

Seriously, though. I honestly see men painted unfavorably in society more than women. Look at what's on TV. Men are usually the goofy, not-too-bright, doofuses who get no respect from their families and resort to being lying cads to attain any satisfaction in their lives. They're portrayed as having nagging, whining, conniving wives who rule the home, and of course, are naturally smarter than their men. It irks me.

 

 

:iagree:

 

I saw a book review for Save the Males in World magazine about this very issue. Looks like a good book.

 

We had a Sunday School class on this at church, and the teacher was pointing out that The Berenstain (sp?) Bears is guilty of this. I never thought about it, but it's true. I have brainwashed since childhood, LOL - no wonder it took me a few years to have a good marriage...

[Jenny in Florida]

I have a boy who is into ballet. He's been dancing for three and a half years now and really loves it. Driving around town and when we pull into the dance school parking lot, we see all of these cars with ballet-themed stickers and window clings on them . . . pretty much all of which feature artwork of a tutu-wearing ballerina or pointe shoes.

 

I really, really want something comparable, but without the girly stuff. Apparently, no such thing exists.

 

And even the gift shop of our ballet school/company--which is known for its great boys' program and the male dancers they produce--is just aggressively pink. Try as I might, there's almost never anything cool or fun to buy for a boy who dances.

 

Now, I know this is kind of a niche audience, but still . . .

[clwcain]

Try as I might, there's almost never anything cool or fun to buy for a boy who dances.

 

Now, I know this is kind of a niche audience, but still . . .

 

As a male (former) ballet dancer, I completely agree. At least I could get black shoes and dance belts. *sigh*

 

FWIW, it wasn't any better 10 years ago. And, as far as I can tell, it wasn't any better a century ago. Men who dance, especially ballet, have always been at the mercy of public opinion and effeminate merchandise. But that's another rant... :D

 

I'll note, on topic, that I loved having the binders with clear plastic sleeves on the front. I found artwork in my assorted Dungeons & Dragons books, movie posters and magazines, rock magazines, etc. (can you tell I went to school before the Internet?). I could put in what I wanted, take out what I wanted, etc.

 

Even the plain manila or white divider tabs could be dressed up with judicious use of color photocopies and ContacPaper.