Let's Ring in the New School Year

Ready, set, fall! It's that time of year to bid a fond farewell to the kickback days of summer and hello to fall's back-to-school season, full of new friends, new teachers and new routines for the kids. Are you looking for an idea on how to get in the groove of back to school that really makes the grade? One of my favorites is a back-to-school party that's in a class of its own. I call it "Cookies Old School."

The party is a fun meet-and-greet for parents that could be hosted by a homeroom mom or another take-charge parent. It gives parents a chance to hear about opportunities to help in the classroom, learn important school dates and have plenty of fun, too!

"Cookies Old School" can be held at school (make arrangements well in advance!) or at home. Each parent brings two dozen of their favorite cookies for a cookie exchange and leaves with a variety of them tucked away in a charming vintage lunchbox (characters like Snoopy, Popeye and the Flintstones add whimsy-and a shot of nostalgia for us "old schoolers"!). Get ready for a little reminiscing about each parent's first school days, but don't forget to swap e-mails, cell phone numbers and addresses. You may want them for organizing bake sales, play dates or carpooling.

If you want all the how-to tips on "Cookies Old School" - from easy DIY instructions for clever invitations to ideas for great party favors - stay tuned. It's just one of 46 parties that will be featured on our brand-new website launching mid-October! For more fun party ideas, visit our blog.