Shopping Siren’s pretty sure her love of shopping started in the back-to-school aisle when she was 5. Shiny new lunch boxes. Backpacks in pretty colors. Fresh boxes of crayons just begging to be torn into.

What’s not to love?

As the years went by, though, I noticed that no matter how well I shopped for school, I always forgot something. In first grade I found myself glue-less. In junior high school I was missing a locker lock. On the first day of my freshman year of college, my roommate and I lugged in approximately a bazillion dollars worth of dorm room decor. . . only to realize that neither of us had thought to bring a rug.

So back to the store I went. Some years, more than once. (My college roommate and I also forgot a broom, laundry detergent and a desk lamp. We did, however, remember the TV, mini-fridge and more posters than could decorate three dorm rooms. Priorities.)

It’s just a fact of life that no matter how much you shop for an event, you’ll always forget something. (Think Christmas Eve.) With area public schools starting this week and colleges starting soon, I predict stores will be packed this weekend with dazed students grabbing supplies they’ve completely forgotten and totally need.

Like these:

• The Board Dudes magnetic locker mirror, OfficeMax, $2.99

In middle school, bad hair days can wreck a person’s promising popularity. Give yourself a quick look in the morning with this locker mirror and never be caught with that windblown, leaves-in-your-hair look again. Unless that’s what you’re going for. In which case, good luck with that.

• LapGear lap desk, OfficeMax, $9.99

Perfect for pretending to do your homework while lounging in front of the TV. Um. But you didn’t read that here.

• Crayola telescoping crayon tower, OfficeMax, $14.99

OK, so maybe no one needs a telescoping crayon tower. Sure, you can get a basic box of crayons for less than $1 and it’ll have 24 perfectly lovely colors to choose from. But this set has 150 crayons! Sixteen of them glitter! And they form a tower! Need it now?

• Toshiba 4GB flash drive, OfficeMax, $9.99 (regularly $29.99)

Because that $2,000 computer you just bought for school? Can crash.

• Post-it notes cube, OfficeMax, $1

Stick these little 2-by-2-inch notes on homework (Due Tuesday!), the car dashboard (soccer practice, 3 p.m.) and in lunch bags (Love you, Mom). Think of it as low-tech Twitter.

• Fluffie throw by Berkshire Blankets, various colors, T.J. Maxx, $14.99

As soft as a basket of baby bunnies, this blanket adds the perfect bit of comfort to a chilly dorm room. An actual basket of baby bunnies would just cause trouble.

• Crust and sandwich cutter, Dollar Tree, $1

Have a grade-schooler who loves peanut butter and jelly but hates the crust? Press this plastic cutter into the sandwich and voila! Not only will it do away with those evil edges, but it will also turn a boring square sandwich into a heart or star. Pack it in a superhero lunchbox and never worry about junior going hungry again.

• Assured hand sanitizer, various sizes and scents, Dollar Tree, $1

Schools are great, but let’s face it: They’re little germ factories. Stop germs in their tracks — or at least put up a speed bump — with this hand sanitizer. The mini sizes fit easily in backpack pockets, while the bigger bottles are great for desks. All contain 62 percent ethyl alcohol. Hand sanitizer won’t replace a good old-fashioned hand washing, but you can’t carry soap and water in your pocket. Well. Not without drawing some odd looks.

Best Find: Two-pocket folders, various colors, OfficeMax, 1 cent (regularly 25 cents; limit six)

For a paltry penny you can get a folder that’s perfect for everything from kindergarten drawings to thesis notes. Or, you know, this column and a comprehensive list of school supplies so you won’t forget anything next year.

Think Twice: 12-pack erasers, Dollar Store, $1

Sure, little round erasers with motivational sayings seem like a good idea. But let’s say you’ve spent an hour on a complicated algebraic equation only to realize it’s completely wrong. You’re tired. You’re frustrated. You’re scrubbing an hour’s worth of work with an eraser that proclaims “You’re #1!” or “Wonderful!” or “Keep it up!” Hmm. Instead, maybe: “Only 170 more days of school.”

Shopping Siren’s true identity is protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who wish obedience school required a shopping trip) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach her at [email protected].