Back to school: your very own planner, pencil tin and other school supplies

September is just around the corner, and whether your little one is counting down the days or dragging their feet at the thought of leaving summer behind, a personalised back to school gift can make all the difference. Something with their name on it, their favourite holiday photo, or a design made just for them can help transitioning into the new school year.

In this guide, you'll find the best personalised school supplies to gift (or treat yourself to), from backpacks and lunch boxes to planners and water bottles, all customisable with a photo, name, or message.

Why personalised back to school supplies can make all the difference

Generic stationery from the supermarket does the job. But there's something about opening a backpack or lunchbox that has your name on it…Iit feels like it was made just for you. Because it was.

Personalised school supplies do a few things that generic ones simply can't:

• They reduce the "who owns this?" chaos. Two siblings, one pink lunchbox. Sound familiar? When a name is on it, the argument ends before it starts.
• They give little ones a sense of ownership. When something feels truly theirs, they take better care of it — and feel more confident carrying it.
• They make the first day feel like an occasion. That moment your child walks through the school gates with a backpack printed with their favourite summer photo? That's a memory right there.

And honestly? Back to school supplies make brilliant gifts for the little ones in your life too, whether it's a niece starting the first year of school, a neighbour's child heading off to secondary school, or your own mum who could do with a personalised planner to keep the chaos in check.

Back to school supplies to start the year

Personalised backpacks

A backpack is the one thing every child carries every single day. So why settle for something off the shelf when you can make it uniquely theirs?

There are many options for every age and style:

• Teddy Backpack: Perfect for toddlers heading to nursery or their first days at primary school. Soft, cuddly and available in beige teddy. Add their name and it becomes something they'll want to show off to everyone.
• Children's Backpack — Available in several colours with multiple compartments. A solid, practical choice that you can personalise with a name, design, or photo.
• Trixie Children's Backpack — These adorable animal-themed bags (think dinosaurs and foxes) come personalised with your little one's name. Is your child a dinosaur fan? They'll be over the moon.
• Cabin Backpack — For the older student heading to sixth form or university, this 40x30x15 cm backpack is practical, stylish, and fully customisable.

Lunch boxes and water bottles

There's something quietly lovely about opening a lunchbox that has your name on it. It's a small thing, but it feels special every time.

• Personalised Lunch Box: Available in pink, blue, and green, these are a brilliant option for little ones at primary school. Add a name and you'll never mix up the lunchboxes again.
• Mepal Lunchbox: The Mepal range is a favourite with parents. These are durable, well-designed, and come in cool colours. Personalise with a name or photo.
• Trixie Water Bottle: Featuring beloved Trixie animal characters like Mr. Fox, these are the water bottles little ones will actually want to use.
• Insulated Water Bottle: For older students and adults alike, this is the keep-cold-all-day bottle. Available in multiple colours and styles, personalised with a name or photo.
• Cool Bag: Does your child eat a packed lunch that needs to stay fresh? This personalised cool bag is the practical upgrade they didn't know they needed.

School planners and notebooks

There's something genuinely exciting about starting a new planner on the first day of term. Make that feeling even better with one that's been personalised just for them.

• School Planner— Available in hardcover and softcover, this planner shows each week across two pages with space for grades, schedules and notes. Upload a favourite photo or choose from fun designs — tigers, hearts, tropical prints — and add a name for the finishing touch.
• Personalised Notebook — Whether it's for jotting down lecture notes, journalling, or sketching, a personalised notebook is always a thoughtful gift. Choose a photo design or a pattern cover and customise with a name or message.

Other essential supplies

Pencil cases might feel old-school, but there's something genuinely lovely about having one that's completely your own. Add a favourite photo, a name, or a fun design and it goes from a basic essential to something that makes the school bag feel a little more personal every single day.

And for attending gym classes, swimming lessons and after school clubs, a gym bag is the ultimate essential that help you carry around all your belongings, such as extra clothing and shoes.

Back to School ideas for adults

Back to school isn't just for primary age little ones. University students, teachers, and professionals returning from the summer break deserve something personal too.

For a student heading to university

The first time your little one heads off to uni is a moment you won't forget. Mark it with something they'll actually use:

• PU Leather laptop bag — Stylish, practical and personalised. A brilliant gift for a student starting their first year.
• Insulated water bottle — Keeps drinks cold (or hot) all day through lectures, seminars, and library sessions.
• Personalised travel mug — Because students run on tea and coffee. A big mug with their name on it is the gift that gives every single morning.
• Personalised notebook — For the student who still believes in writing things down.

For teachers starting a new year

A class of 30 new faces every September is a lot to take on. A personalised gift from a parent or colleague: a mug, a notebook, or even a box of chocolates with their name on, is a warm, personal way to say "thank you for everything you do."

Make back to school a moment to remember

Going back to school doesn't have to feel like the end of something, it can feel like the start of something brilliant. The right backpack. The lunchbox with their name on it. The planner that opens every week to a photo of their favourite holiday memory.

Those are the little things that make a difference, every single day.