It happens every year like clockwork. Masses of teenage girls spend an ungodly amount of money on hairstyles they will only wear once and hair that will fall out in five minutes and be a five-year expression.
All of a sudden, teenage guys need to know how to coordinate (which is far from matching their cough with the habit of dactyls!), and the difference between a wrist or a needle in, and a rose or carnation, or something else.
Parents are bribed, begged, or outright tortured into extending curfews, handing out plastic, or giving away homes for loud after-hours bathers who wake up the neighborhood. No, it’s not another episode of “My Sweet Sixteen.” This experience is called prom, and if you’re a teenager, your prom-nights can be one of the greatest nights of your life.
I said so. That can be. In high school I attended 5 proms, 2 homecomings, 2 birthday parties, and a few ROTC officers. things (thanks to my high school boyfriend). Please allow me to share some tried and true tips for a prom night to remember.
- ask
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Yes, women. It can be as simple or complex as you want, but ask. Not sure if he feels otherwise. He went to bail. For the guy who goes to your school, you kind of talk and have a machine on, a line like “Can you believe the promo takes so much (time) off?” that’s all you need to get the details.
“But it’s a guy’s choice…” I hear. Well then, a dude from the same school may not be the best way to get into these situations. Expand your circle. How about that guy friend who doesn’t go to your school? Or maybe a cute minister (as long as your job is not a day clerk or one of those who can’t rule modern day corworkers)? Go to church? How is one of the guys your age? The list can be endless.
If you don’t have a date yet, get in groups with your girls. Chances are at least 2 or 3 will be in the same boat, and you can all skip the added pressure of impressing the guy.
Just don’t make your prom about chips and remotes, whatever you do.
- plan, plan, plan
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If the system occurs to you and should be an active part. Don’t be afraid to say what you want to do. Just be sensitive to what others in the group want to do as well. Especially if you are in a group, the night is not about you, it should be about everyone having a great time. While on the planning side… they are minute about the details because you also need to ……….
- So, budget, budget………
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make extra cash. One of the Sadie Hawkins dances, we also hired buggies to drive us to the park on the plains. What my friend who ordered neglected to tell the rest of us, if we were late, who were ours, loaded the vehicles outside the waiting list. Extra 20.00 indeed. While 20.00 wasn’t a big deal, it wasn’t the closest machine I could run if I didn’t have enough cash. (which I had to do later, before dinner). Horse-drawn carriages are considerably smaller than limousines, and some restaurants offer free automatic parking for certain areas. Not to mention the myriad of other expenses that could creep up depending on your plans. Budget concerns also have a just cause. . . .
- Think outside the box
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When I went to Homecoming my junior year, we guys fell in love with the froufrou restaurant. Instead they took us to a secret place where they had a picnic table set up with a candle and a picnic table. This is honestly one of the best pre dance dinners ever. We didn’t have to deal with overpriced menus and lines with other dancers. It was just our group, and it was very nice. We ate on a hill overlooking the city.
Another inspiration for my friends and I was thinking outside the box our senior year, going to a junior program that was the elite girls in my high school. Instead of renting a limo, I rented this – a U-Haul!!!! No one else had a U-bolt, which was a great night. Our clothes did not perish. We borrowed furniture to sit on, and it was cool to have our whole group hanging out there.
5. Rolls with the punches!
Not everything will be picture perfect. If so, congratulations. But the rest of us have little bumps here and there.
For example, my senior year, despite my pleading, instead of a senior pledge, I wore my helmet tie. Instead of throwing a tantrum and not being seen anywhere with him, we had a pretty good time. I can honestly tell you that there is no other helmet tie.
Last but not least – don’t forget to have fun. Make it a night to remember. Now go and shake the dead!!!!!!!!!!!!
