It seems like I like to age myself because today I thought I would share Trapper Keepers, Lisa Franks Stickers and School Shopping back in the day when I went to school. When Dinosaurs roamed the Earth as Charlie likes to say. LOL Not.. Eye roll.
For me there was a very specific kind of excitement that used to come with school shopping, and most of it had nothing to do with actual school supplies. It was the feeling of standing in an aisle surrounded by bright folders, shiny pens, themed binders, and sticker packs that somehow made the idea of homework feel almost fun for a minute.
Did you know Trapper Keepers had that satisfying snap when they closed? Like you were organizing your entire life into one place. Lisa Frank made everything feel louder, brighter, and just a little bit magical in a way that didn’t ask for explanation. Even something as simple as picking out a notebook felt like a personality decision instead of a supply list.
That same feeling is what inspired this post in our series, because it turns out that sense of excitement doesn’t disappear—it just shows up differently now. If you love Trapper Keepers and Lisa Frank as much as I did I hope you enjoy this series.
Back then there was a certain kind of excitement that only came from being a teenager at back-to-school time, and it had very little to do with the actual return to classes. It was the feeling of walking into a store and being surrounded by color—rows of folders, binders, pens, stickers, and notebooks that somehow made everything feel new again.
Trapper Keepers were at the center of that experience. They weren’t just binders. They were organizers, status symbols, and personal statement pieces all at once. The snap of the closure felt important, like you were locking away your entire school life in one place that somehow made sense of it all.
And then there was Lisa Franks, where everything was louder, brighter, and completely unapologetic about it. Neon dolphins, rainbow tigers, sparkles everywhere—designs that didn’t ask for minimalism or subtlety. They just existed in full color, and that was the point. You didn’t just carry your schoolwork in a Lisa Frank folder—you carried a personality.
For me personally school shopping wasn’t something I rushed through. It was an event. I went aisle by aisle, comparing designs, choosing the “right” notebook like it mattered in a way that went beyond paper. Even pencils had personality. Everything felt like it was part of building the version of yourself you were going to be for the year.
Looking back, it wasn’t really about supplies at all. It was about anticipation. It was about possibility. It was about starting over in small, colorful ways. That feeling is harder to find now as an adult, but it hasn’t disappeared. It just shows up differently.
Sometimes it’s in the things we choose for our homes or the small moments of excitement we share with our kids when something new arrives. It’s the same kind of spark, just packaged differently like the school supplies from my day to school supplies of today.
There’s something about those old-school school supplies that felt like they invited you to interact with them. You didn’t just store papers in a Trapper Keepers, you organized your world. You didn’t just look at a Lisa Frank folder—you opened it, closed it, showed it off, and made it part of your identity for a while.
That’s probably why they’re remembered so strongly now. They weren’t just functional. They were emotional. They marked time in a way that felt personal instead of scheduled.
And even though styles have changed, that same desire for something fun, expressive, and a little over-the-top hasn’t really gone anywhere. It just shows up in different forms now—through creativity, nostalgia, and the things we still reach for when we want a little spark of that old excitement back.
What we really miss isn’t just the supplies themselves. It’s the feeling that came with them. The feeling that something new was starting, and it might actually be fun. And maybe that’s why those memories stick. Not because they were simpler, but because they were full of color at exactly the right time in life.
Trapper Keepers-It’s time to get nostalgic Remember leg warmers, bold colors, big hair and oversized blazers? This original Trapper Keeper keeps the 80s and 90s vibe alive. The hook and loop closure helps trap all your stuff inside – even if you drop it Two folders help keep your papers secure. Each folder has a vertical pocket that holds loose sheets so they won’t fall out. Common stats are printed right on the folders so you don’t forget the basics. Store the folders and other 3-hold punched 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets in the sturdy 1″ metal binder rings. A metal clip on the back of the Trapper Keeper secures loose papers and notes while on the go. Store even more in the inside pocket, perfect for keeping hand-outs, assignments and extra paper close at hand. Available in Paint Splatter design.
Lisa Frank Over 600 Stickers (Original Version)- Lisa Frank Over 600 Stickers
About this item
- INCLUDES: Coloring fun with Cut-out Photo Frame
- 64 PAGES: Artwork featuring your child’s favorite Lisa Frank characters
- LICENSED: Official Lisa Frank licensed product
- IDEAL FOR: Children ages 3 and up
Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products you purchase from.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
