It's time to buy school supplies and I'm supposed to get 15 JUMBO stretchable book covers. I will have to probably get more since we don't know what the high school guy needs until his first day.
They say they are reusable, but these things are falling apart by the end of the year. They are on sale this week, but I'm wondering if other people use these, get a good deal on them somewhere, blow off book covers or what. I was at Staples this morning and they had them for $5 a piece! No way am I paying that.
I tried using paper bags to cover a few books last year (no cost there) and the boys really gave me a hard time and then the covers mysteriously disappeared.
So what do you do?
M.
I found some at Walgreens for $1, so I stocked up and hopefully they will last. I plan to keep checking them out when I go to Super Target since they have to go on clearance some time! I will follow the suggestion that if something happens to the stretchy ones, they will have to get the paper bag ones. Those don't last too long in my house either. I don't know what the heck these guys do to their books! We are not allowed to use contact paper, so that option is out. Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear that covering the books is a pain for others besides me!
M.,
My son is going to 6th grade this year and they also are requesting book covers. We got his at Target last week for 50 cents. Otherwise Walmart has them for under 1.00 each. These covers are nylon/polyester and different colors. They had plain colors as well as some with different designs.
Hope this helps and happy shopping!
L.
I aways used paper bags for book covers and then decorated them with markers and stickers. But I'm a girl, so I could see how the boys wouldn't be that into it. Other boys at school used the paper bags, but then completely covered the paper with duct tape, so the book was all gray. Then decorated with permanent markers. I think fabric is a good idea too. You can get cheap remnants at the craft store and use fabric glue to secure the ends. Maybe your boys would like to pick out the fabric? Good luck!
Keep your eyes open for the back-to-school sales flyers in the Sunday papers. I wait until they are 25 cents apiece and then buy the limit (and I'll sometimes send my oldest in line with some cash to get *her* limit as well ;^) I stocked up last year at Office Max. You need to go the day of the sale, however, or they'll be out.
M.,
When I was in school I used brown paper bags to cover them, it works great, then I could draw on them and make them my own. For my oldest, we did the same. For my daughter last year I made some from fabric, they held up great and were adorable. She just informed me she CUT them off and threw them out on her last day of school!!! Oy,guess we're back to paper bags! I found this
tutorialhttp://www.cynthiareeg.com/kids/paperbag.html
Good luck!
D.
ps, you might have them cover the paper covers with tape so they will be more durable. I liked the other mom's suggestion of duct tape, I was thinking packing tape after they decorate them. It is remarkably durable.
MaryJ, I am mom to 4 kids so I know your pain about multiple bookcovers. Here is the solution we came to in our house. Kids got to pick one name brand item for school supplies (lunchbox, backpack, bookcovers etc...) I got all the rest and they chose from them. We got brownpaper bags from the grocery store that we made bookcovers with. Kids got to use the new markers to design there own covers. Then there was no question about who's mathbook, english book etc was. also same goes at school when a book gets left out the kids can identify it immediatly. good luck
S.
I always used brown paper bags and either decorated them markers, stickers or I even put wrapping paper on them but I can see how some kids might think that's not the "cool" think to do.
You can also make covers out of scrap cloth or even old tee shirts! I have a pattern for that in one of my "uses for old tee shirts" books. It's cool if you use a really neat tee shirt that's worn. You make it just the same as you would with a paper bag except you secure it with a glue gun.
If I were you I'd buy whatever at the beginning of the year. If it gets ruined during the year the boys have to either replace them with their own money or use brown paper bags. This might make them be a little more responsible about them!
i use cling wrap or wrapping paper i get from dollar store and clear packing tape. also try the dollar store for the covers sometime they have them or family dollar.
We buy ours at Walgreens for under $2, sometimes $1 on sale. Watch for a coupon in their ad paper that comes out every Sunday. Sometimes they run out right when the ad comes out, but ask when their next shipment comes in. My Walgreens get shipments on Wednesdays and restock on floor on Thursdays.
I was in Walmart yesterday and they had the large-sized covers for $1.99 each; regular-sized covers were .99. Good luck.
walgreens has stretchable book covers and they are inexpensive
I do buy the stretchable book covers but, closer to school time. I have never paid more than $1.50, for each (that's the large size) and I believe I have either bought them at CVS, Walgreens or Target, which is where I get most of my school supplies.
Target had them last year and I think that they were 2 for $5. Book covers brought back memories of childhood and my mom covering our books. lol Try contact paper. It comes in tons of different colors and designs. It will stick to the book but when you are ready to pull it off it doesn't hurt the book. If there is some stickiness after you take it off it will come off with a little WD40 on a rag. Also, if they write on the covers, you can easily change the contact paper without spending a ton. YOu can probably cover all the books with one roll. Kids don't like to be different and that is why the paper bag covers that you made last year vanished. Good luck!
Walmart sells them. I believe they were less than a dollar there.
