For years I was able to withstand the draw of clipping box tops. I mean, I had better things to do with my time than pull apart empty boxes and collect tiny coupons for ‘education’. I ignored the occasional plea, “Send in your Box Tops and your child gets a gold star”, sent home by way of a flyer stuffed into every unsuspecting child’s backpack. I told myself, “We pay taxes, man! Why do I have to send in box tops?”
Then one day my Asher came home with a story. His friends had gotten their ‘prize’ for sending back a full box tops sheet. “A prize?” I asked, almost afraid of the potential magnificence of said prize. The prize my precious son did not also ‘win’. “Yeah,” he replied, “Connor got to pick out of the treasure box. He got a ring with a ball on it and you flip it up. It’s not like attached to the ring… you throw it up in the air and try to catch it.” Okayyyy, I can see why you’re so devastated. A plastic ring. With a ball. Probably cost a few pennies and it’s ruined your day. More to the point, your non-clippin’ mama ruined your day.
That was the last day I turned a blind eye to the power of the box tops. I collect them. I clip them. I save them up until it’s ‘prize’ day at the elementary school and I dutifully tape the box tops into the tiny outline transposed over each letter of the alphabet on the box top sheet (they are SO smart… they want at least 26 of those babies to make it a count-er). I also celebrate on the days my kids bring home a sticker or a pencil ‘prize’. I gaze, with somewhat feigned excitement, at their for-the-moment treasure. And I remind them to show daddy when he comes home, so daddy doesn’t miss out on all the feigned-excitement-fun 😉
And the people who put the heavy sell on the kids at school are artists, I tell ya’. Gone are the days of the lame-o gold star stickers. They fill the children’s heads with thoughts of prizes, toys and even promises of ice cream parties for the most tops collected by a class. That’s right, they get you with the individual effort for the ‘prize’, then they hit you again with the group effort for the ice cream party. I told you… these people are pros.
I often wonder, wouldn’t it be easier (and less laborious) for me to just buy some cheap-o prizes at the dollar store and give them out on a monthly basis? Would my kids get that sparkle in their eye and that spring in their step if they were to get their ‘prize’ from my junk drawer? Somehow I doubt it.
So far this box top collecting, clipping and taping has been a labor of love. And not all that painful, to be honest. From Toaster Strudels boxes alone we generate at least a half dozen box tops a month. Yeah *grin*… my kids are good. We do a lot of cereal around here too. I think we have, single-handedly, afforded our school at least a computer or two. And I must confess, the effort is totally worth it. As is every pencil, sticker and plastic ring that they lovingly tote home. They got me… they sure did 🙂
too funny! As a teacher, I collect those box-tops from the kids in my class (but I don’t give prizes out…just send the one letter from the school). As a parent of a child in the same school, I have yet to clip one box top. (sshh! don’t tell the people at my school!) But, she’s only 4 and in the PreK class and I keep thinking in the next year or two she’ll CARE about all this and then I’ll have to do it – so I might as well enjoy this year where I’m off the hook since she doesn’t yet care about it.
I love reading your blog and I LOVED the update on Isabelle!
DeEtte (traveling to China in 6 days!!!)
The power of numbers.. you certainly have more “boxes” than most families, of that I am sure! And it’s nice to know you’re helping provide stuff that’s needed, you know? Prize or no prize :O)
Way back when I was in elementary school we collected Campbell’s Soup labels. My mom was even the label collector for our class one year. It’s the same idea, getting things for education. But much easier to remove the label 🙂 And pizza party for the class with the most labels.
Too Funny!!!! We sometimes collect he box-tops but not regularly
I love this post. 🙂 I can so relate. I made an effort at one time to do box tops. I really did. I wanted my kids to have that pizza party and be able to duct tape their principal to the gym wall. My poor babies… Mommy didn’t clip enough and Mrs. Arnold’s class won. Boo!!!
Rebecca 🙂
P.S. I agree with you. They keep upping the ante with the prizes!!! What’s it going to be next?? A trip to Disney for the whole class???
Great post, Stefanie! You need to get published! 🙂
As a teacher, I am guilty of giving the “individual prize” as well as one for the “group effort” (pizza parties always worked!)…as a mom, man I need to get some prizes in my house!! lol!
Nothing compares to the thrill of getting a “prize” in school…it’s the type of thing that is so unexpected, the “treasure box” is an exciting concept & it’s a bit competitive (not every kid gets one, right?)…it’s all about the process not the prize…I think that’s why the kids love it so much. 😉
Too funny! I remember the year I signed up to “manage” the box tops, OMG!! I didn’t get a prize!
Thinking of you in your wait.
Too funny! I remember the year I signed up to “manage” the box tops, OMG!!! I didn’t get a prize!
Thinking of you during your wait, it’s coming!!
I used to not collect them either, even though the school I teach at collects them. Then my daughter’s school started collecting them and I became an avid collector. The preschool she is at is run by our church, so I know any bit of funds can help. I figure every time I throw one away, that is a DIME that I’m throwing away that could go to something my baby’s school can use.
So I just keep a littlee cup in the saran wrap/tinfoil/ziplock bag drawer and in they go until I have enough to send in.
I didn’t realize that Pull Ups have them too, so we get plenty from there as well.
(Our school also does the parties for pizza, popsicle, etc. for the winners)
I laughed out loud before I started even reading what you wrote. I have long LOATHED cutting these little buggars out. Silly huh since it takes roughly 1.2 seconds to do. We forget to send them in for the longest time and then the boys argue over who gets them all. Sigh, roll of the eyes. But, as my sister-in-law who is a kindergarten teacher keeps reminding me….every small step helps.
Wow, I can identify with so many of these experiences. Not cutting them out for a while, cutting them out then forgetting about them and having the argument over who they belong to, and the soup can labels.
My little sister, who isn’t so little anymore, used to collect these, but she would go into the pantry and take off all the labels so she could take them to school. It was anyone’ guess what kind of soup was in the can. 🙂
Oh, yeah – I DO have that junk collection for my kids!! Anytime they do a fundrasier or something (if I don’t feel compelled by it) I say…would you rather go to McDonalds?! They light up pretty fast!!
SO cute – we are a box top family here too – EM goes to a magnificent Christian school and they use the funds to get supplies for students who cannot get them and for all kinds of community based and educationally based items for our kids and others – love the concept of it – there is alwyas a small pile of tops sitting on our sunny windowsill:)
Keep on clippin’ mom!
Love to you Stef –
Heather