Laugh or Cry....HS Senior Prom 2009 Long Sorry

[Christine]

Wow...............I'm speechless.

$3 for boutteniere (sp?)

I just want to know how you get this for $3!!!

I haven't gotten one for under $10. I just had to pay a $2 "upcharge" on the one I got today because they are in high demand this weekend. At least the florist was honest about it.

 

[figment52]

My DS is attending his last prom, this is the 3rd year he has gone and all 3 years together didn't have that much drama or cost anywhere near that much.

In fact, the group he runs around with has decided to drive their own cars and have a progressive dinner at their homes. They figured they had done the limo and dinner out thing so this year they are just going to enjoy the evening for what it is.

Last year his date was the Prom Queen, and one of his best friends was the King, so they figured it doesn't get any better than that!

What a cool idea! That would be a nice trend to start.

 

[okeydokey]

Thank goodness my DD is not high maintenance. She wouldn't dream of spending $300 on makeup for a prom. I think my prom cost me 100 or maybe 150 in total for everything.

 

[bunny]

Do the kids really stay out all night and then go to breakfast the following morning? My dad would have had a heart attack. I wonder how many of these kids are filling out their college financial aid packages and spending $1000 on prom at the same time. That amount of money is crazy!

 

[englishteacha]

Whoa...my wedding total was $2000. That was for my dress, DH's tux, the church, the flowers, the hall, DJ, food....I can't imagine $1500 for a prom.

My proms cost $50 per couple. Jr. year I wore my sister's dress ("vintage" from 1981-it was 1997) and $10 shoes. I did my own hair and makeup. Ate dinner at home. Got the guy a boutineer around $5. Dad bought me earrings and a necklace-silver for around $15. My date paid a fortune for his tux, silly boy.

Senior year I wore a dress I got for $10 at a salvage store, same shoes as jr. year, jewelry I had already. Paid $20 for my hair, which I didn't like so I had to fix it at home anyway. We got Chinese takeout and ate at a friend's. My date borrowed his parents' car, which was way nicer than his beater car. The best part financially? My boyfriend bought the tickets, broke up with me 3 weeks before prom, and told me to keep the tickets and go with someone else. So I did. And I had a wonderful time!

 

[MichelleVW]

--------------------------------

Beautiful!!

Boy - times sure have changed.. DD attended 2 proms - junior and senior - and the entire cost for both didn't even come close to $500..

I think DGD (10) needs to start saving for her proms now.. LOL

Michelle - your daughter is stunning!

Thanks!! I think she's something special!

 

[diskids2]

Wow....that's alot of drama!

Last year cost me

$500 for dress
$40 for shoes
$80 for hair
did her own make up
$20-25 for jewerly
$20 prom ticket

Last year's prom dress

This year she is going to 2 proms...one in ND with hr friends and one in Texas with her school.

$75 for dress on sale
$? for shoes...I think she already had them
prom ticket is bought from shool
riding to prom with some friends
doing her own hair make up
$? getting dress drycleaned for prom 2

Here's Prom #1 this year in North Dakota

She looks beautiful in both pictures!

 

[diskids2]

I paid $40 for my prom dress (9 years ago) and used shoes I already had and I think he paid for the tickets and dinner ($150). Then I got left by my date (boyfriend) at the prom and he took my cell phone (he didn't go to the school). Ah memories

Oh that is so funny......I've had so many memories of my proms come back to me as I go through this with her....I am truly having a ball watching the experience.

You know what is really priceless though the amount of mom and daughter time we have had. Being a senior and having turned 18....the last few years....well you all know....mom's know nothing....and it's actually fun spending time with her even if it is stressful.

 

[diskids2]

Over $1500 for Prom??? I think I'd try to talk her into a trip to wdw instead

I think I'm glad I had all boys!

I hope she has a fantastic time!
Katy

Funny thing as I read these posts....I haven't added in the prom pic that the photographer will take at the prom and I didn't add in the flowers for her bf.

 

[diskids2]

I cannot imagine spending this kind of money on a Prom. I mean, it's not like she's getting married. Did you not give her a budget?

My DD16 is a sophomore, but there is no way she would even ask for this much. She knows our money is tight. In fact, I asked her about prom next year--she plans to wear a lovely burnt orange-with-gold-sequins-and-kicky-gold-shoes that she wore to my brother's wedding. The total was $69(dress) +$20(shoes) + hair & makeup($50) + nails($16)=$155. Oh, and $118 for airfare. She turned a lot of heads, I must say.

Personally, I think Prom is over-rated. I know, I know, it's important to the kids. But like any other activity, I set a budget. Anything over the budget is on their dime.

No,to tell you the truth, I didn't set a budget. But as I mentioned in my first reply....she works PT at a local grocery store and she has worked since she was 16. She has paid for almost half of these things and as we move along I tell her....ok I'll pay this out of that and so on.

Our school system does not have a junior prom or formals at any other time so the senior prom is it. The HS doesn't even have school dances from time to time. As overated as it may or may not be...it's how they do it and I am having the best time watching her be so excited!

 

[diskids2]

That's the way it was for my son's GF. Her mom's a single working mother and they live in low-income housing. She did so well for her gown considering their budget constraints. She's such a sweetie and I'm glad they were able to pull something together. I would have helped more if they'd needed it.

Oh want to hear something a bit outrageous? I was talking to a friend of mine today and her son came to her almost in tears this morning. He and his GF have been planning on going to the prom for months now -- everything is paid for, etc. The GF got into a fight with him last night because he hadn't "officially" asked her and bought her a gift.

A GIFT??? To ask her to go??? What else, an engraved invitation? My friend is so ticked off and I don't blame her.

Wow....Never heard of a gift for asking someone to go....That is a new one!

 

[diskids2]

What struck me most about the original post was the info on the limo. Wow, it sounds like limo drivers these days do a lot more than just drive and open doors. You'd have to pay me a million bucks to keep track of 10 teenagers before AND after the prom.

Actually you are right. If you think about it....10 teens are getting into this one vehicle and the limo driver has to make sure they are safe.

ALL backpacks go in the trunk...oh I forgot to mention before they go to the after party they change into more of a "going out" outfit....in other words no gown...just a cute dress (we didn't get that yet...it will be another expense)....anyway these backpacks go into the trunk....water is provided so noone can sneak any alcohol in....all the kids have to stay together...no one can leave the limo....stops are prearranged.

Remember they are either 17 or 18 for the most part....but certainly Underage when it comes to NYC nightlife.

I'm glad our limo company is so strict.

 

[diskids2]

My little sister and her friends just left for her junior prom. Mom took them to the rose garden for pictures, and I stayed at their place to recover from the prom drama.

I am going to make sure I don't visit for senior prom, lol.

Very funny!

 

[diskids2]

Dresses sure are cheaper now than they were in the late 80's/early 90's, though!

I went to one prom my sophomore year, two in my junior year, and two in my senior year. That's three dresses that cost between $400 - $600 apiece!! That was when the handbeaded silk dresses were in style.

Of course, each year I had to wear the same dress to both proms, and in the beauty pageant that year, and anything else that required a formal dress. They weighed more than I did!! (I'm in the blue...BTW..don't laugh, it was 1994!)

I was relieved when I got to college and the simpler, cheaper dresses came in style. I had to have at least two per year for sorority functions, and it was a lot cheaper to go to Macy's or Dillards and pluck one off the rack for around $100 apiece!

OMG I remember those dresses.....Good for weight training!

 

[diskids2]

I think that sounds pretty typical for a prom in NYC. And to have it at the Hammerstein Ballroom It sure beats the local Hilton mine was at

OP I'm sure your dd will have a night she'll always remember and to her it will be worth every penny.

Yes...I know....it's different all around the country...but honestly....this is cheap I know most of you can't believe that. Of course, things could have been cut down ....but things could have been more....For example, a hummer limo is costing 16 kids about $300 a piece.

 

[diskids2]

I'm not even that nice of a childless aunt!

WOW! just WOW!!

I don't want to the see the bill for her wedding.

Oh I don't either! Friend of mine just had a wedding for her daughter and it was a standard wedding around here and it was (just for the catering hall) $250 a head.

 

[diskids2]

Thank goodness my DD is not high maintenance. She wouldn't dream of spending $300 on makeup for a prom. I think my prom cost me 100 or maybe 150 in total for everything.

Actually she's not high maintenance. She usually wears blue jeans, t shirts, sneakers or flats and she's not into designer everything either.

This is just a special event for her and she wants to spend some money on herself.

 

[diskids2]

Do the kids really stay out all night and then go to breakfast the following morning? My dad would have had a heart attack. I wonder how many of these kids are filling out their college financial aid packages and spending $1000 on prom at the same time. That amount of money is crazy!

I remember begging my mom and dad to stay out all night and I graduated HS in 1980!

Typically.....limo picks couples up at a central location (where the pre prom party is...usually someone's home) around 6 pm.....Prom starts at 8 pm...must account for NYC traffic. Prom goes until midnight. After prom club parties are from midnight to 4 am. Kids then go to breakfast. Then get dropped off in a central location about 6 am. The limo they have is for 12 hours.

Then....some kids go to the New Jersey shore for the weekend. DD prom is on Wednesday. Some kids use their prom limos and go straight to the shore after prom or after the after party. This costs even more. Then they all come home on Sunday.

Graduation is the following Wednesday.

 

[babytrees]

Actually she's not high maintenance. She usually wears blue jeans, t shirts, sneakers or flats and she's not into designer everything either.

This is just a special event for her and she wants to spend some money on herself.

sounds like a wonderful way to make some memories...for her and you.

 

[MELSMICE]

I just want to know how you get this for $3!!!

I haven't gotten one for under $10. I just had to pay a $2 "upcharge" on the one I got today because they are in high demand this weekend. At least the florist was honest about it.

Actually, it was about $2.50 last year. I only get the single bouttenierre carnation for the boy. I've seen the ones with the roses...............they're pretty, they cost about $15 each.

Why would I pay $15 for a boy to wear a rose on his tux lapel that will just get tossed on to a table or back of a chair, crushed & then thrown in the garbage by the end of the night.

I told my DD's to tell their dates to also just get them the most inexpensive wrist corsage they had. There is no reason to have some expensive corsage. They will wear them for a few hours, then go to change somewhere, leaving them laying on a table to wilt & get thrown away.

Maybe I'm just too practical, but it's like throwing money in the trash to me. They're pretty & all, but you can get something nice for a reasonable price.