While we may lament summer coming to an end, there’s one upcoming event that’ll have many parents jumping for joy: the beginning of the school season. Although you may be happy that your students will soon be off to further their education (and give you a bit of a break), there’s one part of the back-to-school season that isn’t so sweet. Save yourself from multiple trips to the store and dropping loads of money on your student’s school supplies with these tips.

Crayons, Pencils, Pens, Oh My

Your student’s going to need some supplies for the classroom, and these supplies will vary depending on his or her age. While you’ll be able to think of most of the things he or she will need–think notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers–it wouldn’t hurt to ask the student for some input here. If you’re really struggling, you could even consult with other parents or with the teachers beforehand to make sure you student will be well-prepared. Keep in mind that, while it’ll be cheaper to buy in bulk, you’ll want to be sure that your student’s tried and tested the specific brand before you buy. What happens when he or she doesn’t like the type of pencil you bought and you’ve stockpiled a jumbo box of them?

Make an Appearance With an Updated Wardrobe

It isn’t just the supplies that go into your student’s backpack that you’ll need to consider. If summer activities have taken their toll on shoes and shirts, it’s probably time to get some fresh new duds. It’s a little silly to get caught up in appearances, but there is something to be said about being dressed to impress, especially on the first day of class. You need not necessarily limit your shopping to brick-and-mortar stores, as you can find plenty of options online these days, especially on Amazon. If you choose to buy online, it wouldn’t hurt to make your purchases a little in advance so you can change out clothing that doesn’t fit as you thought it would. And if you’re not willing to drop big money on something as simple as clothing, you’d be surprised at the quality items you can find at thrift and consignment stores.

The Big Expenses

Along with all the small stuff, the older your student gets, the bigger the purchases you may need to make. For example, do this year’s math classes require a graphing calculator? Will your family need a new laptop to help him or her get essays finished? These types of purchases can range anywhere from a hundred to several hundred dollars, and while you may be able to finance them with a credit card, it’s understandable if you don’t want to go into debt for something you’d be trusting a child with. For a compromise, consider buying these large purchases refurbished or secondhand. Typically these devices will be only slightly used and in perfect working condition for a student, but at a fraction of the cost of a new item.

It takes a little finesse and a lot of patience, but once you’ve got the back-to-school shopping routine down, you’ll be able to do it in your sleep. For best results, try to keep your student in the loop as much as possible. Not only will you save yourself from making unnecessary purchases, but it’ll also help him or her get back into the school spirit. And the back-to-school resupply may teach a thing or two about shopping smart – consider it a learning experience.

In all honesty, planning an adequate Fourth of July cookout isn’t too difficult: get a grill, make some food, invite some friends, and sit around and eat. But to host a cookout that really stands out, you need to be willing to do a little extra work to prepare for the party and keep your guests entertained. Thankfully, it’s easier than it sounds. Consider including these fun details in your cookout to make an Independence Day party your guests won’t soon forget.

Get Your Decorations on Point

They may not seem like much, but the right decorations can have a subtle yet distinctive effect on the proceedings. Luckily, you don’t need to spend all day with a hot-glue gun to achieve a little decorative inspiration. There are quite a few DIY decoration ideas that are perfect for your Fourth of July cookout and will surely get everyone in the mood to have a good time. And if you need help putting some of the decorations together, considering wrangling the children together for a fun crafts session.

Think Outside the Grill

Burgers, brats, and hot dogs are staples of the Independence Day cookout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment a little. Surprise your guests by bringing some unexpected tastes to the cookout, such as these smoked ribs glazed in cherries, currants, and onions. Or, for your vegetarian friends, consider grilling up some kebabs with vegetables and fruit. Yes, that’s right – strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi look especially good after spending a little time on the barbecue. Top it all off with some clever Fourth of July themed desserts to wow your guests.

Plan Activities to Keep Your Guests Entertained

There’s going to be some down time while your guests continue to arrive, the food is being cooked, and you’re all waiting for the fireworks show to begin. Some folks will be perfectly content to mix and mingle, but for your guests who want a little more activity, children especially, it wouldn’t hurt to have some activities planned out in advance. Consider some of these Fourth-appropriate games to hold during your party’s off-time. If all else fails, break out the bocce ball set.

Make Some Memories

If you’re planning to have a good time at your Independence Day cookout, why not strive to document some of the memories you’ll be making? Here’s an idea: leave out some disposable cameras and encourage your guests to take pictures of the proceedings. Better yet, if there are going to be sparklers around, you and your guests can try your hand at some sparkler photography. Try writing your names or even making a flag out of the sparkler light trails. It’s the perfect way to have some Fourth of July fun while also creating some keepsakes.

It doesn’t take a lot of work to make a get a good cookout going, but, with a little extra elbow grease, you can make your event unforgettable. Just be careful not to be too successful – then your guests will always be asking when your next party is!

Father’s Day wasn’t always a nationally recognized holiday, and it certainly didn’t begin as a day on which we’re expected to buy gifts for our fathers. In fact, it has a long and twisty history, with origins dating back to the early 1900s. This Father’s Day, take a moment to note the history of why we celebrate this day.

Inspiration from Mother’s Day

To understand the beginnings of Father’s Day, we have to look back at an earlier holiday: Mother’s Day. That’s right, the two holidays didn’t begin at the same time, and in fact, Mother’s Day was an official holiday decades before Father’s Day became official. As Mother’s Day started to spread throughout the country in the early 20th century, some were inspired to hold events honoring their fathers as well.

One of these events was organized by a Western Virginian woman named Grace Golden Clayton, whose father had been killed in a mining accident that killed hundreds of other men. While Clayton’s event was meant to be more of a remembrance of the fathers who had lost their lives in the accident, this one-time celebration went on to inspire another woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, years later. Dodd, along with her several siblings, had been raised by a single father, and she wanted a day to celebrate all male parents. The first such celebration was held in Spokane in 1910.

Seeking the President’s’ Approval

Six years later, President Woodrow Wilson visited Spokane to speak at the then-annual Father’s Day event, and he expressed a desire to make the event an official holiday. Similarly, President Calvin Coolidge also wished for the holiday to become nationally recognized. However, those in Congress–and civilians throughout the country–derided the idea of an official Father’s Day. The detractors believed that such a holiday was too sentimental for men, and they also feared that the holiday would become overly commercialized, as Mother’s Day was becoming at the time.

The Great Depression and World War II changed the public opinion of Father’s Day. Businesses that were hard up for customers began to market Father’s Day in an attempt to drum up business, and during the war, companies advertised the day as a way to celebrate the troops. Over the years, the public got used to Father’s Day and it became widely accepted. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the holiday into law.

A Commercial Success

Nowadays, Father’s Day is celebrated throughout the world. While some countries have similar holidays or combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day into a single Parent’s Day, many others celebrate the same holiday as Americans do, and on the same day. Not only has the holiday spread, but it’s also become a huge financial event.

While Americans spend about double on Mother’s Day than they do on Father’s Day, they’re still willing to shell out a lot of money – it’s been estimated that Americans spend about $12 billion each year on Father’s Day. Ironically, it’s the very commercialization of the holiday that people feared a hundred years ago that keeps Father’s Day going.

Looking back at the origins of Father’s Day, we can see that it was created with wholehearted intentions. While the modern Father’s Day may be tied to gift-giving and retail sales, it’s worth remembering the true heart of the holiday: honoring the men who stand by their duties as fathers.