Posted by Grab your wand, pack your robes, and brush up on the Hogwarts school song, because it’s September 1st. This year instead of flocking to King’s Cross in London or Universal Studios Orlando, fans participated in a digital version of Back to Hogwarts. If you missed the live event you can still access it on Wizarding World’s YouTube channel and all the Back to Hogwarts magical activities on WizardingWorld.com.
In case you haven’t packed your bags yet — you’ve missed the train and you’ll have to take the Knight Bus or perhaps a flying Ford Anglia to school — I’ve complied a list of seven back-to-school items to pack in your trunk.
Every student and functioning adult needs a bag. I love this black and gold tote from Out of Print. It’s deep enough to fit my muggle electronics, like my laptop, and has a little pocket that I use for pens. It features the quote from Ron regarding Hermione: “When in doubt, go to the library.”
I keep a daily morning ritual where I sit down with a cup of earl grey tea and a pumpkin apple candle, and I write my morning pages. (If you’re interested in what that is, check out The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.) While it is suggested to write your morning pages on loose leaf paper and hide them away in an envelope, I have found I am more likely to write them if I have a pretty or unique journal. This journal, designed by MinaLima, is one of the prettiest I own. It appears to be an old edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard with gilded pages. Even if you’re not a writer, it could house the prettiest to-do lists you’ve ever written! I found it at Scribbulus.
Earmuffs on! He’s the cutest little Mandrake you ever did see! This fussy Mandrake card holder will hold your muggle plastic as well as your DA coin. It’s small enough to shove in my robe pocket when I want to travel light. This adorable little guy is a BoxLunch exclusive from Loungefly. “Argh!”
Every bedroom, dormitory, office, or kitchen can use a little bit of greenery. This cactus is masquerading as a mandrake and brightening up my windowsill. You can buy a decorative pot, like mine, or get crafty and DIY. Make sure to check what type of plant you are purchasing you wouldn’t want to petrify your roommates!
Show off your spirit with a Chudley Cannons pin on your robe or bag. I get a new pin every time I visit Wizarding World; this one was from my very first visit. I am always excited to see the new pins they’ve come out with; I even have several from the Celebration of Harry Potter event that Universal previously hosted (I miss it so much!). The pins make great gifts as they are some of the most inexpensive items in Diagon Alley.
We have come to our seventh and final item, a good book. I find it best to have a comforting and well-loved book on hand where ever I go. You never know when a case of the blues might hit, and having a trusty book by my side is always a good pick-me-up. These books illustrated by Jim Kay are gorgeous, but I cannot wait for the MinaLima edition to be released in October! Currently I own the British versions, the American versions, the illustrated versions, and the Jim Dale audiobooks. How many versions of Harry Potter do you own? I’d love to see pictures of any cool editions you might own!
Thank you for reading! If you have any comments on vomit flavored Bertie Bott’s Beans, your favorite Wizarding World journals, or your favorite magical pins I would love to hear them!
Good luck on your magical journey.
Jones and Bennet 