Category: Blog

Returning to School: How to Prepare

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As well all know, it is hard to confidently say what the future holds when it comes to this pandemic. One of the areas with the most uncertainty is school. Many schools are deciding to not physically open at all, while some are exploring alternative precautions, including a mix of online and in-class lessons with extensive sanitizing resources and social distancing.

Staying Home

As a parent, teacher or child it’s hard to know exactly what to prepare for. That’s why we want to make sure we can help for any scenario. For those that will continue to stay at home this coming school year, we have all the supplies your child may need to keep up with their studies and activities. We’ve compiled a great collection of wholesale school kits, arts and craft supplies and activity books to keep your kids active and engaged.

Partial Return or Full In-classroom

Many schools are trying to figure out the best way to open for the new school year. That means buying the needed school supplies and taking proper safety precautions to protect both teachers and students. Buying wholesale is also going to make life a little easier when working on a budget. We want to make sure you have access to any school supplies and PPE items you need this year.

Outreach groups have started to rethink their backpack drives as well by incorporating more PPE and masks. We have PPE kits ready to go that can be packaged with our wholesale Big Box school supplies and Forward backpacks.

Whatever this year ends up looking like, we want you all to know that we are here help and be a resource. If you need some extra help you can always call one of our Account Managers who can walk you through what others are doing to prepare and build the best assortment. We want to make sure everyone stays prepared and safe.

Call Our Team Today! We’re Here to Help (888) 969-6301.

The Big Deal about Big Box™ School Supplies

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At DollarDays, our goal is to always be the best partner possible for all wholesale needs. Because of that, we often work with schools, nonprofits and small businesses for all kinds of projects and missions. To make things even easier we have our personal line of school supplies called Big Box™.

Shopping online, especially shopping in bulk, shouldn’t be a stressful process. Whether buying for a classroom or for a large service project, many people cannot afford to find all of their needed items individually at retail prices. That’s why it makes sense to have a customer-friendly, wholesale option.

Our Big Box™ line was made to keep things clean, simple and affordable. We are so proud of the quality of our 2020 line and know that these items are perfect for things like schools buying for the upcoming school year or nonprofits assembling outreach kits.

At DollarDays, we know that many are working with limited budgets and that’s why we believe in “stretching your dollars” to make the most impact possible. We invite you to explore our 2020 Big Box™ products and reach out with any questions! We’re excited about the impact these items will have in your community and would love to hear your feedback!

Explore our full selection:

Introducing our Back to School Catalog!

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The time has come once again for teachers to start planning their needs for the coming school year. At DollarDays, we are always trying to provide the best possible service to make our customers’ lives easier. That is why we are so excited to announce our Back to School catalog!

We have assembled a curated selection of school supplies that will be sure to cover any classroom need. We also have brand new lines of our Big Box school supplies and our Forward backpacks! Explore our new catalog below!

Announcing the Winners of the Teacher Appreciation Contest!

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First, a big thank you is in order. We received hundreds of submissions from across the country with nominees for fantastic teachers. It was wonderful reading all of the kind words parents and fellow teachers had to say about these wonderful individuals. The winners of the contest will each receive a prize package of $1000 worth of school supplies for their classroom!

With that being said, we have tallied the votes and are very excited to announce our three winners!

And the winners are…

“She is an excellent human being that cares about her students. She values their education and wants them to succeed in their future endeavors.”

“She’s the best! My daughter has grown exponentially since she’s been in Ms. Giddens class. Not only educationally but socially as well. Ms. Giddens sets a high standard. I appreciate her beyond words.”

“Mr. Mitchell is among the finest educators my children have had teach them over the past 4 years. Mr. Mitchell is a kind and thoughtful teacher that gets the very best out of his students.”

Once again we want to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who submitted a nominee. Now and always we need to recognize the impact teachers have on the world and show our appreciation.

Contest Winner Updates

At DollarDays, we love giving back whenever we can, but we love seeing the impact even more! Thank you to the winners of our Teacher Appreciation Contest for all the thank you comments and pics!

Back to School 2020: Planning for the Future

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By Michael Campbell

It’s hard to ignore the fact that the spread of COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the country and the way we are living our day-to-day lives. One area that was hit almost immediately was our school system, with many schools shutting down for the year in March. As these changes have gone into effect, parents and teachers have been incredibly resourceful in continuing to educate their children and students.

Big Box School Supplies

We, at DollarDays, have always made it our mission to be a partner for schools and teachers. As things continue to change we are committed to being a valuable resource and that is why we are officially launching our Back to School season! This year we are bringing back our Big Box brand of affordable, bulk school supplies, as well as our wholesale backpack brand, Forward. On top of that, we have also put together low-cost, individual school kits for everyone trying to navigate homeschooling.

Back to School Catalog

Even though normal schedules have been thrown out the window, we want to make sure that when schools are ready to prepare for the next school year, they won’t have to scramble to find what they need. To make things even easier we will soon be releasing our Back to School Catalog. Our catalog of curated school supplies easily breaks down our assortment into the categories teachers need.

Teacher Appreciation Week Contest

We also want to make sure teachers know how much they are appreciated. May 4th – 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week and, in honor of that, we are hosting a prize giveaway. We will be asking people to submit nominations of their favorite teacher. The top three winners will receive close to $1000 of school supplies for their classroom! You can nominate your favorite teacher here!

What’s Next?

We know that when buying school supplies in bulk, you might have a lot of questions about your order and how it will be shipped to you. That is why we have a dedicated representative who understands the buying needs of those in the education field. You can email Joe Pearson at jpearson@dollardays.com or call him at 480 922-8155 x 119. He would love to hear from you! And don’t forget, all teachers and educators always get a 10% discount on DollarDays.com through ID.me.

Times are especially strange right now, but we want to make sure our teachers and schools know we support them. We’re here to provide the resources they’ll need, wherever at home or in the classroom.

Teacher Appreciation Week Giveaway!

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We all know our school systems have been thrown a lot recently. With sweeping school closures, parents and teachers are adjusting to the new norm. Many parents have bravely jumped into homeschooling as teachers continue to send learning materials and some are even still conducting classes through video conferencing. It is safe that say that we are all appreciating our teachers more than ever.

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher!

The week of May 4th – 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week and we couldn’t think of a better time to express our gratitude to teachers. That is why we will be hosting a prize giveaway in which three lucky teachers will each receive $1000 worth of school supplies for their classroom for the coming school year. But we need your help!

Please fill out the form below to nominate your favorite teacher for the prize. Once all nominations are in, we’ll select the three winners! Now is the perfect time to let our teachers know how important they are.

To nominate a teacher, click here.

Arizona Gives Day: Why It Matters

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What is Arizona Gives Day?

April 7th, 2020 marks the seventh annual Arizona Gives Day. Arizona Gives Day is an online event started in 2013 through a collaboration between the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers. On the day, people are encouraged to donate to Arizona nonprofit organizations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to these great missions. DollarDays is headquartered in Arizona, so we felt it important to highlight the great work being done in our own backyard.

The Need in Arizona

Unfortunately, the reason there are so many great outreach programs is because the need is high.

To illustrate the need in Arizona:

These are just a few examples, but they show how much local communities need nonprofit outreach.

What Now?

It can be stressful to think about where to begin if you decide give back. That is why events like Arizona Gives Day are extremely valuable for shining a light on what is currently happening in the community and pointing you in the right direction.

We are trying to do our part by providing a Wishlist platform for nonprofits to showcase their specific, needed items and enlist their supporters to donate in bulk. Nonprofits are not always able to rely on steady financial support. The ability to communicate exactly is needed and receive those items in wholesale quantities is invaluable.

Explore current Arizona Wishlists:

We encourage everyone, in any state, to see what is going on in your community and how you can help. We guarantee they would love the support.

Working, Playing & Staying at Home

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Now that working from home and home schooling the kids is the new normal for a while, we wanted put together a collection of products that will help you “Stay At Home” and keep all those plates spinning. The first part that is the most important is keeping the kids active, entertained and learning.

Keeping the Kids Busy

Even if they are stuck inside, we have lots of ideas to keep the family busy. From board games to puzzles, we have the best selection of wholesale toys and games. We even have paint sets and sketch pads to keep them creative. Need more ideas? Check out our Kids & Families Activity Guide.

STEM Tool

If that doesn’t keep their little minds busy, we have wholesale STEM toys as well for the older kids. If they are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics you should check out some of the items we have available in small case sizes.

Mental Health

Now that we have the kids busy, you need to make sure to make time for yourself. Maintaining your mental health during this ‘stay at home’ period can be challenging. Try the new trend of adult coloring books. Or you can go for puzzle books like Soduku or crossword puzzles. And if none of that works, you can buy yourself a case of stress balls.

Snacks

With more and more kids at home through the rest of the year, just feeding your family every day can become a daunting task. We have plenty of snacks available to keep your pantry stocked up. But we are most excited to announce our new line of food that your kids will love! The new assortment includes soups, ramen and other great lunch ideas for the kids.

Cleaning Supplies

One thing to reduce anxiety during this time is to keep your environment clean and sanitary. We still have good variety of soaps, hygiene items and other wholesale cleaning supplies to help you keep your home clean and germ free!

Electronics

Now that you are working from home, juggling conference calls and fending off questions from the kids you might need some extra accessories to keep all your electronics charged and working. We have power strips, power banks and other accessories to get your home office running smoothly.

This time can be difficult to navigate as we all find ourselves making adjustments to stay safe. We, at DollarDays, want to help provide some normalcy as best we can. Stay safe, everyone.

Best Products to Keep the Kids Busy at Home

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The combination of self-quarantine and the upcoming summer means you are looking at a lot of time at home with the kids. Luckily, we have a ton of ideas and products to keep your kids learning and busy. You might be asking why you should be buying wholesale items by the case. The answer is simple: it’s a great way to save you money.

Buying in Bulk

At DollarDays we sell most of our items in small cases which make them perfect for large families and classrooms. However, if you don’t have a large family but are still looking to save money we have several ideas on how to still buy in bulk. First, consider teaming up with your neighbors and splitting cases of coloring and activity books. You could also partner with parents from your school or local PTA to buy items in bulk.

STEM and Learning

While many schools are closed, it is important to make sure kids are still learning every day. If you are homeschooling your kids right now, we have a large variety of wholesale school supplies to keep stocked up. We have a large selection of STEM and learning tools that will make learning fun. We currently stock everything from musical instruments, math tools and modeling clay.

Arts and Crafts

Nothing can engage kids more than creative arts and crafts projects. This is where buying in bulk can make sense even for a small family. Stock up on everything from glue sticks, glitter glue, googley eyes, paper products and craft sticks. We stock some of the favorites from Crayola and Play-doh.

Puzzles and Board Games

This could be another great way to save money by purchasing in bulk with other families in your community. Or think about going in together a buying a case of puzzles and board games. You can donate anything extra to a Boys and Girls Club or even to your local Retirement Home. There are many people stuck inside that could benefit from donations at this time.

Still not sure where to start? Check out our Activities for Kids and Families page where we have put together a great assortment of learning and entertainment products. These small cases are perfect for classrooms, families and those in your community.

Stuck Inside? Work on those New Year Resolutions

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New Year’s Resolution Products: Become a Better You

It’s okay, we forgot about ours too. Many people set New Year’s resolutions — but they often have trouble keeping them. Multiple studies by the University of Scranton have concluded that, over a two-year period, up to 80 percent of people fail to keep their resolutions. While the success rate is still much higher than those who don’t make resolutions, sticking to a goal clearly can be a challenge.
There are several ways to improve your chances of holding to a New Year’s resolution. They include making specific and realistic goals, getting support from others and not letting an occasional slip-up throw you off-track. You’ll also need the correct New Year resolution products to help you achieve your goal.
DollarDays has put together a list of the best products for five popular New Year’s resolutions. Whether you want to eat better, get in shape or save money, you’ll have the right tools. Readers might even get a few New Year’s resolution ideas for themselves! The best part is that all of these can be done from home! Read on for ideas on how to become a better you.

1. Getting in Shape: Exercise Gear

Resistance Bands: Many professional athletes use resistance band training to improve strength and flexibility. Elastic exercise bands add variety to workouts and can be used to work the entire body. The bands are color-coded to indicate resistance for different training levels. It’s a great way to keep your at-home workout interesting!
Activewear: You can only do so much exercise in jeans and flip-flops. Activewear for men and women is lightweight, provides support and helps wick away sweat so you’ll be comfortable as you work out. Stock up on performance T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, shorts, joggers, yoga pants and other athletic gear.

2. Eating Better: Healthy Food Options

Healthy Snacks: There are many options other than candy bars and cookies for eating between meals. Nuts and seeds are packed with nutrients and take longer to digest so the cravings don’t come right back. Instead of highly-processed junk food that spikes your blood sugar, consider granola bars, energy bars and other snack bars.
Tea: Get the energy boost you need without the added calories of soda and energy drinks. Black teas, green teas and herbal teas have many proven health benefits. Drinking a daily cup of tea can help with weight loss, support cardiovascular health, soothing the digestive system and more.
Protein Shakes & Bars: High-protein drinks such as whey protein shakes are excellent for weight management. The protein keeps you fuller longer, they help with digestion and they don’t cause blood sugar spikes. If you’re also trying to get in shape (above), extra protein will help you build muscle.

3. Saving Money: Ways to Cut Costs

Savings Banks: It may seem like a children’s item, but having a place to put your loose change and dollar bills can add up. Set a savings bank on your desk or dresser, and if you’ve committed to saving a certain amount, add a little bit every day to reach your goal.
Food Storage Sets: Making food ahead of time and pre-packaging it for the week is a great way to save time and money. Make sure to get reusable food storage containers to save even more. If you are also dieting, food storage sets are great for portion control.
Budget-Tracking Notebooks: In the age of credit cards and electronic bank statements, it’s easy to buy things without thinking about the cost. Get a notebook and manually track everything you spend. You’ll quickly learn where most of your money is going and where you might be able to curb spending.

4. Self-Care: Beauty & Personal Care

Cosmetics & Fragrances: When you look beautiful, you’ll feel more confident. Something as simple as the right lip gloss or eyeliner can do wonders. Other cosmetics options include body spray, acne removers, nail polish sets and make-up brushes.
Sleep Aids: A big part of personal care is a good night’s sleep. If you’ve resolved to get better rest, consider investing in sleep aids. There are sleep masks to block out light, earplugs for noisy apartment complexes, tablets to help you doze off and other sleep treatments to wake up refreshed.
Bags & Totes: You’ll have everything you need to take care of yourself when you own a nice bag to put things in. Get a backpack, tote, handbag, briefcase or messenger bag for personal belongings. They’re great for business or personal use to keep you organized.

5. Tidying Up: Cleaning Products

All-Purpose Cleaners: If you’re going to be stuck at home, you might as well keep things fresh and clean. It’s also easier to clean the house when you don’t have 20 different cleansers to sort through. All-purpose cleaning supplies can be used for many rooms and surfaces, including kitchen tables, bathroom sinks, living room floors and office desks. There are liquids, sprays and foams for whatever suits your household.
Vacuums: With a good vacuum, you can clean carpets and dry spills on any carpet or hardwood floor. Many home vacuums now have advanced cleaning power and easily fit in a closet. A handheld wet/dry vacuum can be used on couches, counters and car floors to keep everything dirt-free.

Turn your annual resolution into a lifelong commitment with the help of DollarDays. We offer many New Year’s resolution products in bulk so you’ll have what you need for years of setting and keeping goals.