It’s that time of year again . . . back to school time! To get the kids off on a positive note, throw a special Back To School Party. It doesn’t have to be a big affair. It could be just a low-key family dinner or a little party with the neighborhood kids. However you celebrate, decorate your table with school-themed motifs like pencils, apples, or chalkboards. Here are a few table setting ideas that are affordable and adorable.

Start off with an apple napkin fold from Blossoms And Posies. Patti gives excellent instructions accompanied by photographs. Just follow her easy instructions using a bright red napkin then add a green leaf at the end. I love it!

Add some Number 2 pencils to a “You’re So Sharp” tag and you’ve got a great little napkin ring. Jamie from Eighteen25 Blog even provides free printable tags.

Catch My Party always rounds up good party ideas. These free “Back to School” printables are provided by Ana from Love Party Printable who has Facebook and Etsy sites. They make cute and quick napkin rings.

I love this napkin & plastic utensil holder idea from Merry B Events. The yellow envelopes are reminiscent of card pockets found in the back of library books. Add a ribbon in your school colors and you’re all set.

The Glamorous Housewife has some wonderful back to school party ideas including these placemats. They’re made with scrapbooking paper that looks like lined notebook paper. I really like the apple flower vases too.

The Lund Family let their kids know how important school is by having a special back to school dinner complete with these great place settings. Each child had a chalkboard-like placemat with the grade he was entering printed on it. Scroll down Jen’s blog post to see many more ideas to make a family back-to-school dinner special.

Here’s a cool Ruler Placemat DIY idea that uses yellow Stiff Foam sheets available at craft stores. Kandy Kreations has step-by-step instructions for the whole place setting.

Kristi from . . . And Babies Make Four made these place cards with inexpensive chalkboards. The kids could keep them as a party favors.

The Party Dress set this table with a chalkboard tablecloth. You can buy chalkboard fabric at fabric stores and make any size tablecloth you need – or maybe just a quick table runner. The chalkboard fabric can be used over and over again by cleaning it with a soft, damp cloth. Give the kids some chalk and let them scribble away at the dinner table!

It’s important to instill the value of a good education in kids. Take the opportunity to celebrate the momentous occasion of going back to school. Show your enthusiasm by decorating your kids’ back to school table with any of these table setting ideas.