Freshmen Semi "flower etiquette"

[HelloChum]

New parenting territory here...Oldest DS is going to first semi with a friend of a friend. He plans to buy a wristlet for her...should he go ahead and just buy the matching boutonnière? What goes nowadays?

Thanks!!

 

[java]

My son went to a dance last year(8th grade) and he bought his date a coursage and she bought him a boutonnière. I would say just buy the wristlet. TAKE PICTURES!

 

[tnkr mom]

Our freshman semi-formal here in PA; the guy bought my DD small wristlet (but only because his mother made him) and she bought him a boutonniere (because I found out they were buying flowers). But MOST kids did NOT have flowers at all, and my DD wound up putting wristlet on her purse under the table!!)

 

[DisneyPoly]

Having both teenage boys and girls, we always purchase the girl a corsage for our Freshman and Sophomore semi-formals and I always order my sons a boutonniere just in case the girl forgot. I would say out of 7 or 8 times, only once did the girl forget, so we were covered. Also, in the past I've had to use the extra one for one of my daughter's friends who forgot to order one for her date. I feel it never hurts to have an extra.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

DD always got a boutonnière for her dates. But most of the florists in our area will include a small matching flower and a pin with the corsage in case the girl does not buy one.

 

[WeRblam]

Our freshman semi-formal here in PA; the guy bought my DD small wristlet (but only because his mother made him) and she bought him a boutonniere (because I found out they were buying flowers). But MOST kids did NOT have flowers at all, and my DD wound up putting wristlet on her purse under the table!!)

I agree - check with your school or parents whose childrens have already gone. The Freshman and Sophmore Semi-s around here are not very formal. Most of the time, the go in groups - like a bunch of girls or a bunch of guys. Few have dates but most do not have any flowers at all.

Now the prom (Junior and Senior) is where all the $$$ goes. Flowers are mandatory for both girl and guy. Usually the color of her dress is what the florist will ask you so they can incorporate the color in. Also, an extra buttonaire is always safe! Good Luck!

 

[Disney Ron]

Not sure about area where you are from but I know around here wristlets are not popular at all anymore. My DN was so disappointed when her date showed up with one. I know it is the thought that counts and she did where it proudly...but handheld flowers seem to be the trend around here lately.

Just food for thought.
Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[All American]

I don't know what you'll think about this, but a group of girls and I did this in college and it was a HUGE hit.

We found a florist who made the boo-tin-ear confused3 ) with tootsie roll pops. It's a little out there, but if you could find someone who could make a corsage and the aforementioned-and-impossible-to-spell-male-floral-adornment out of the lollipop, or any candy, would be really fun.

 

[HelloChum]

Thanks everyone! I do know that the boys were told they do need to get flowers...it's an all boys high school...no solos, they must have a date to go. A group is going to a pre-party at a friend's house for photos...

Maybe I'll get a boutonnière to have just in case...i know he would feel bad not having one...

of course, I'm sure my DS has all of this figured out and has yet to share it with me!!

thanks again

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Thanks everyone! I do know that the boys were told they do need to get flowers...it's an all boys high school...no solos, they must have a date to go. A group is going to a pre-party at a friend's house for photos...

Maybe I'll get a boutonnière to have just in case...i know he would feel bad not having one...

of course, I'm sure my DS has all of this figured out and has yet to share it with me!!

thanks again

Another thing that you might want to do is call the girl's mother. Find out what color dress she is wearing and mention the florist that you plan to use. Then ask her if you should also order a boutonière or has she already done this? You wouldn't want your DS to show up to pick up his date with a boutonière on his lapel already if she took the initiative and got one for him.

 

[HelloChum]

Another thing that you might want to do is call the girl's mother. Find out what color dress she is wearing and mention the florist that you plan to use. Then ask her if you should also order a boutonière or has she already done this? You wouldn't want your DS to show up to pick up his date with a boutonière on his lapel already if she took the initiative and got one for him.

My son hopes to find out the dress color...thought it would be good idea to know in order to figure out what kind of flowers would be prettiest...if I did get a boutonière for a "just in case", we would just keep it aside in the event he needed one. (I would just say the florist gave it to us as a courtesy.) I'm sure once all the discussion about the dress color, etc. happens, everything will fall into place and my "worry" will have been for nothing!!! Always happens with the oldest child and these "firsts"!!