Rachel's Back to School Picks

Back to school party ideas, hand-picked by our founder. Rachel's edit turns the first day of school into an occasion, from a photo-ready breakfast table to an after-school celebration, with the pieces she reaches for first each season.

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First Day of School Party Pennant

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$28.00

Alphabet small plate with colorful scattered letters and a gold rim, shown flat on a white background

Alphabet plate layered on a blue striped plate beside a yellow Yay pennant and pencil napkins

Alphabet Soup Small Plates

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$7.95

Apple party tablescape with red apple-shaped plates, gingham napkins, and red cups for a back to school celebration

Cherry Red Apple Small Plates

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$7.95

Apple and pink checker large napkin with red apples on a pink checkerboard print, shown flat and unfolded

Back to school place setting with a colorful alphabet plate, red charger, and apple checker napkin and runner

Apple & Pink Checker Large Napkins

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$6.95

Light blue striped guest towel with colorful pencils for a back to school or first day of school party

Back to school party table with balloon garland, pencil pennant, alphabet plates, and pencil stripe napkins

Pencil Stripe Guest Towels

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$7.95

Multicolor pencil-shaped taper birthday candles for a back to school or art-themed cake

Multicolor Pencil Taper Candles

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$40.00

Pink gingham apple guest towel with red ricrac border and red apple for a back to school or teacher appreciation party

Outdoor summer picnic table with strawberry cake, apples, and gingham apple plates for a fruit and berry party

Gingham Apple Guest Towels

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$7.95

Back to school party ideas start here, with an edit hand-picked by Bonjour Fête founder Rachel Huntington. Each season, Rachel pulls together the pieces she would set out for her own family: a first day of school breakfast table, an after-school celebration, or a back to school party with classmates before the year kicks off. The picks rotate as new arrivals land, so this page always reflects what she is loving right now.

Use the edit to build first day of school traditions worth repeating: a celebratory breakfast moment, the annual photo with a pennant or sign, a surprise tucked into the lunchbox. These small rituals are what kids remember, and a well-set table does most of the work.

Shopping the whole occasion? Explore our back to school party supplies and decorations for the full assortment, and our teacher gifts for a thoughtful start-of-year thank you. For what comes next on the calendar, Rachel's Fall Picks carries the same curated eye into autumn.

FAQs

Popular back to school party ideas include a first day of school breakfast with themed plates and napkins, an after-school celebration with a banner or pennant for the annual photo, and a weekend party with classmates before the year kicks off. Pencil, apple, and alphabet motifs keep the table on theme, and small favors that double as school supplies send everyone home happy.

Start with a simple tradition you can repeat every year: a celebratory breakfast table, a first day photo with a sign or pennant, and a note tucked into the lunchbox. Consistency is what turns a morning into a tradition, and kids look forward to the ritual as much as the celebration itself.

Every pick is chosen by founder Rachel Huntington, who has spent more than a decade setting trends in celebration and party design. She curates this edit the way she plans her own family's first day of school, choosing pieces that photograph beautifully, set a joyful table, and turn back to school into an occasion. The edit rotates through the season, so check back for what she is loving now.

Explore More Celebrations

Apple and pink checker table runner for a back to school or fall party

Back to School Party Supplies & Decorations

Teacher Gifts

Cozy fall party table with warm-toned plates, plaid napkins, and candles styled for Thanksgiving and autumn dinners.

Rachel's Fall Picks