When I was in grade school, everybody who was anybody had a character lunchbox. 
I had this awesome Snoopy one in fifth grade. You could put a lot of lunch in a lunchbox as big as this! Plus it had Snoopy on it--what could be better?
Character lunchbox aren't as easy to find as they used to be. Most lunchboxes are solid colors or have designs like stripes or camo. My kids don't seem to mind what's on the outside of their lunchbox, as long as they like what they find on the inside. Lunchboxes are soft now too--I'm guessing that this is so that students can't use them as weapons on the playground.
There are mornings when I really wish that the hot lunches at their schools were more affordable ($5 per day at the high school; $3 per day at the grade school for an entree only). I didn't spend $5 per day on my lunch when I had a full-time job! Before the coffee kicks in, it's a challenge to remember which kid wants PB&J, who wants tuna in a cup--not on the bread, and who wants a thermos of leftover chili, unless she changes her mind at the last minute and eats that chili for breakfast.
My high-schooler has a double-bagged lunch: a brown bag with the whole lunch in it, sitting inside a lunchbox with an icy pack to keep the Dr. Pepper cold. This way he can leave the lunchbox in his locker and eat with his dignity intact. My daughter's lunchbox is cute, but oddly-shaped and it really doesn't hold a lot. I've been getting creative with different containers so I can maximize the space she has available. And the seven-year-old is only happy if I remember to add a fruit roll-up for his snack.
Maybe I should pack lunches the night before, when I'm not so caffeine-deprived!
COUPON TIME
Are you packing lunch for yourself or your kids? You'll find great deals on these sites for containers, gadgets and other items to make that task a little easier in the mornings.
10% off your order at Brylane Home 
Enter code BHASUMMER2 in the Promotional Code box in your shopping bag and click APPLY.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
See other Brylane Home coupons!
Up to $10 off with Click-and-Save Coupons at Solutions.com 
Use this link to access eligible items. The coupon code appears on the item pages.
Valid through: October 1, 2009
While supplies last.
See other Solutions coupon codes!
