Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
If you’ve been following my blog posts and tweets, you’ll know that this is – GULP – the first “back” to school shopping I’ve ever experienced… yup, my little guy is starting JK next week!
(Sit tight… I feel an emotional moment coming on. False alarm, it was just a sneeze.)
Hence, it’s been pretty surreal for me – because let’s face it, I really don’t know what I’m doing with this whole school shopping thing. Clothes? Shoes? Lunch box? Do they still make lunch boxes? Or is it all about the lunch bags now?
( ← This was the lunch box I wanted when I was small. Pretty sure I never would’ve used that flask, though.)
As you know, 99% of the time I’m on online shopping ninja, preferring to surf in the comfort of my own yoga pants home. I’m not alone; according to a July 2012 survey of Canadian online shoppers commissioned by Visa Canada for back-to-school, a whopping 72% of Canadian shoppers plan to take their shopping online.
This number does not surprise me at all. I mean, who wants to brave the mall crowds? And, it’s not like Christmas shopping when adults go alone; this time, they’re dragging their whiny kids with them! It’s actually quite daunting.
Well, the good news is that Ryder is enrolled in a swanky school which requires a swanky uniform, so I didn’t have to put much thought into his clothes. Did you know that the average Canadian spends $677 on back to school shopping? Yep, his FALL uniform alone certainly put a dent in that. #firstworldproblems
When that was taken care of, I did something very uncharacteristic… I crossed the border and shopped in person. Scandalous! I actually went against the norm for most people – this year, Canadians plan to keep the majority of their online spend within Canadian borders (72%), while 83% of their in-store purchases will also be local. However, we happened to be in Niagara Falls over the weekend, and no trip to The Falls is complete without making a run for the border – and Target, to be exact.
SO happy we popped in. Found two perfect pairs of shoes (for under $20 each!). First, a pair of black uniform shoes for just $19.99, and next, Paul Frank for Target (!) sneakers for just $18.99. Coupled with a lunch bag for $4.99, I’d say he’s ready for his first day of school!
(Side note: THIS is why I can’t wait for Target to arrive in Canada. I mean, c’mon, Paul Frank for Target? So awesome. When was the last time you saw “Insert Celebrity Designer Here” for The Bay?)
If you are shopping online (or in-store) for back to school items this year (hint: try the first week after school starts for even better sales and savings!) be sure to check Visaperks.ca first. Yes, it’s safe to say I’ve had a love affair with the site for some time. Habitual Visa-slinging shoppers such as myself will appreciate the perks that come with being a patron; the discounts are often an unexpected, sweet incentive. Case in point:
- Purchase any regular-priced merchandise totaling $99 or more at scholarschoice.ca with your Visa card and receive a $15 discount
- Purchase from an assortment of select Dell PC’s, such as XPS Notebooks (LOVE my #XPS13!) and Desktops with your Visa card, and save up to $200
- Purchase select regular-priced adidas merchandise with your Visa card and receive a 20% discount
Click here for more Visaperks.ca offers.
This September, although I’m still a little shaky emotionally, I’m quick tickled with my first foray into back to school shopping. With just under a week to go, best of luck to all my readers and their kiddos!
Want to offset some of those shopping bills? One lucky reader will win a $50 Prepaid Visa Gift Card courtesy of Visa Canada! Simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck!