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

[Uuaww]

No reason not to do it. The bragging is a bit much, though. JMO and I am entitled to it!

Just because you have an opinion doesn't mean you have to state it or it is correct. Some things are better left unsaid.

Personally I am in favor of the BCS system (if you watch college football, you know what I mean). Its a topic some people will argue with me for hours for but I stopped because pissing people off for no reason isn't the way to go.

 

[rapriebe]

Prom is tonight for my twin DD's. They have a junior/senior prom so we will be doing it again next year. Just like we did 2 & 3 years ago for oldest DD.

We haven't spent anywhere near what the OP did, but that's just my/our choice. We did their nails last night. $5.99 for 2 sets of press on nails from Target. Those things stick like they were put on with cement!!! Someone at school today told them they looked like they were professionally done. We'll do the toes right after lunch this afternoon.

Just got back from getting their hair done & getting the boys bouttenieres. Plain white carnation bouttenieres (sp?) $2 each!!!!!

Hair was $30 for one updo & $35 for the other including tip. They paid for that themselves, as I gave them a choice on what I would pay for........limo or hair. They chose hair as limo was $50 each!!!

Only had to pay for one dress which was on sale for $99. Other DD is wearing one of her older sister's dresses. One set of shoes & garter were free with gift certificate. Had the other pair from homecoming, but did have to buy a garter. Bought the charms for the garter at a craft store. (still not sure why they need the charm, but whatever.............)

I'm sure they'll have a great time. I hope all prom goers are careful and stay safe.

Hope your DD's have a great time at the prom. Sounds like you had a great strategy for $$ for the prom. Nothing too excessive and the girls will have just as good a time as if you had spend $$$$$$$$$ on it. I guess what I'm saying is - spending alot of $$ doesn't mean that the night will be memorable.

 

[MELSMICE]

Hope your DD's have a great time at the prom. Sounds like you had a great strategy for $$ for the prom. Nothing too excessive and the girls will have just as good a time as if you had spend $$$$$$$$$ on it. I guess what I'm saying is - spending alot of $$ doesn't mean that the night will be memorable.

I'm sure they will. Here are some pictures at our house before heading to the pre-prom parties............

 

[powellrj]

I'm sure they will. Here are some pictures at our house before heading to the pre-prom parties............

Your DDs are lovely! What beautiful pictures!

 

[kellyg403]

I agree with a few others, everybody is different on how they view prom. I will say if my dd ONLY went to her sr prom, I wouldn't mind spending a little bit more money. However, nowadays these girls go to several and I can't see spending too much each year. My dd is a jr and this year went to prom. She was on a tight budget since the 'free' program she got into this summer at a college 6 hours away was not so 'free' The program was important for her education and while prom is definitely important for her social status I had too slow her down a little.

OP Hope your dd has a memorable evening. I still look back and remember how much I loved that evening. Back in the day you had to be a sr to go and I remember my mom scrimping and saving for that special day. We didn't have a lot of money and there were 5 more kids after me so we were raised very budget conscience. But, prom was the one time my mom didn't look at the price tags to much and said a few times, if that is what you want!

I wish I knew how to post pictures so I could show off my dd too!

kelly

 

[bjgrazi]

Only had to pay for one dress which was on sale for $99. Other DD is wearing one of her older sister's dresses. One set of shoes & garter were free with gift certificate. Had the other pair from homecoming, but did have to buy a garter. Bought the charms for the garter at a craft store. (still not sure why they need the charm, but whatever.............)

I'm sure they'll have a great time. I hope all prom goers are careful and stay safe.

I'm just curious, why garters?

 

[gina2000]

Beautiful pictures! Hope everyone has had a wonderful prom!

And to the snarky naysayers.......I wonder if any of you would have the guts to utter your comments to your best friend as she prepares for her daughter's prom........entitled or not, some thoughts are just better left unsaid.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

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

I have twin girls going to junior/senior prom this year. My limit is about $100 for a dress - give or take a few $'s (I'll go to about $120 if they completely fall in love with the dress).

Here's our cost so far:

$99 + tax for dress = $108 total
$00 for shoes & garter for one DD with a gift certificate someone gave us
$50 for limo that I said I would pay
$00 deal is she'll pay for her own hair
$25 for prom pics for her & date
$3 for boutteniere (sp?)
$00 for make-up. She has her own & will do her own (older sister may help)
DD #1 = $185

$25 for dress because DH promised each of them $25 if they found a dress out of their sister's closet!!!
$00 for shoes - using ones we bought for homecoming
$45 for limo (they're in separate limos )
$00 deal is she'll pay for her own hair
$25 for prom pics for her & date
$3 for boutteniere for her date
$00 for make-up - works the same for her as it does for sis
DD #2 - $98

$30 for dress alterations for both of them.

I will probably have to get charms for the garters - $10 each maybe.

My cost is about $333 in & that is more than enough for me. I'm sure there will be little incidentals. We'll probably give them money to go out to eat with after the prom or something, but seriously, it's prom, not a wedding.

I even think some of the things the OP priced out are ridiculous for a wedding, but that's JMO.

Like I said - I'm speechless.

GARTERS???? Why are teenagers wearing garters????

 

[MELSMICE]

I'm just curious, why garters?

Honestly, I have no idea. We did the same thing back when I was in high school. It's just the norm here, but I'm not sure why. The guy wears the garter on his arm the remainder of the night.
Someone probably started it years ago & it just stuck. It's kind of goofy.

I think it's something they could do away with & having 3 DD's, I KNOW that DH wants that tradition to be lost forever.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Hi all,

I'm checking in again...prom is tomorrow and I will post pics.

First, I just have to say all of the pic posted of your precious daughters and sons are so wonderful and I have really enjoyed looking at all the gowns and tux's and the smiling faces!

Second, I want to (again) say that I appreciate all of the support regarding the snarky comments about money and "being a good mom"....I don't think what you spend is what makes you a good mom....I think doing your best (defined however it is for you) for your child is what makes you a good mom.

So we have everything all set....dress was picked up and so were the shoes.....for those that have been interested here are some cost tabulations...


Dress.....$229
Alterations.....$65
Undergarment for dress.....$80
Shoes...dyed.....$100
Jewlery......$20
Hair clips......$20
Evening bag.....$35

After prom dress.....$50
After prom shoes......$35
After prom evening bag.....borrowed from me

Makeup......$175
Hair.......$300 (included $150 for the highlights and updo)
Manicure, Pedicure, Eyebrow......$40
Perfume.....already had
Flower for BF......$15

Limo......$240 (per girl 5 couples.....12 hours)
Prom Tickets ..... $250
After Prom Comedy Club......$60
Pictures at the Prom......$30

Trip to Wildwood.....$700


I think that wraps up the cost...I haven't added it up and I dont want to! Before the snarky attacks start...I'll say that she works at Stop and Shop and she has paid for quite a bit of this herself as she has been saving and it is her choice to spend her money in this way!


I'd also like to add that we HAVE HAD the BEST time with this. Again, we have gotten closer and we are really beginning to see and understand how we both think and feel differently on a variety of subjects. The time I have spent with her planning this has been invaluable to me.

So tomorrow it is off to the nail salon, then the hair salon, then the make up artist will come to our house and then she gets dressed....she's off to take pictures at the pre prom and then her prom gets under way.

This week is "Senior" Week in her school. Yesterday they went to Great Adventure and today they get yearbooks. Wed. of course is Prom. Thursday is the Sr. BBQ (although alot are off to the NJ Shore) and Friday they are off. Next Monday and Tuesday is graduation practice and then they graduate on Wed, the 17th. They are really celebrating four years of hard work!

I am just curious..and really not be snarky...because I want to see pics and I hope your daughter had a great time.... Is there anything that your daughter requested that you said "no" to? or said "that's too much.." ??

 

[Just Jan]

anxiously awaiting pictures

 

[allison443]

Melsmice, your daughters look beautiful and so happy!
My dd also used the press on nails-from CVS! $6 and they looked great!
Our biggest budget buster was the prom tickets, it was $140 per person and since she invited her date who is not in her class, she paid for his ticket as well. So $280 right there! The prom was held a very upscale catering hall (I remember it was way out of my price range for my wedding years ago) and includes dinner.

 

[MELSMICE]

Melsmice, your daughters look beautiful and so happy!
My dd also used the press on nails-from CVS! $6 and they looked great!
Our biggest budget buster was the prom tickets, it was $140 per person and since she invited her date who is not in her class, she paid for his ticket as well. So $280 right there! The prom was held a very upscale catering hall (I remember it was way out of my price range for my wedding years ago) and includes dinner.

Thank you. They both had a very good time. Now it's time to focus on exams next week!

 

[4nana]

I LOVE your dress! My parents had their proms in 1962 and 1964 (they took each other to their proms!) and my mom's dress from her prom in '64 was almost identical to yours. Hers was pink, though. She didn't save it or I would have worn hers to my prom in 1986.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you for the nice comment ! My dress was blue and I'll always remember feeling like a princess being escorted by her prince!

I just have to say, you and your DH look just as much in love in your sig pics as you do in your prom photos Warms my heart.

Awwww, thx bunches, we are indeed blessed ! I'm a thankful lady he is still my 'knight in shining armour' after all these years!

Prom is tonight for my twin DD's. They have a junior/senior prom so we will be doing it again next year. Just like we did 2 & 3 years ago for oldest DD.

Just want to comment how beautiful your twin daughters are! I'm glad they both had a great time making special memories!

Hi all
I think that wraps up the cost...I haven't added it up and I dont want to! Before the snarky attacks start...I'll say that she works at Stop and Shop and she has paid for quite a bit of this herself as she has been saving and it is her choice to spend her money in this way!


I'd also like to add that we HAVE HAD the BEST time with this. Again, we have gotten closer and we are really beginning to see and understand how we both think and feel differently on a variety of subjects. The time I have spent with her planning this has been invaluable to me.

I'm in total agreement with kids helping pay for prom expenses! Senior year is a big ticket year with prom, class rings, graduation photos, class trip, college entrance fees, etc. Altho it's been many moons ago, our four all had jobs in high school and learned the value of a dollar early on. Like your DD, they more than willing to chip in when it came to big ticket items like the prom. It's lessons in life like this that help make them responsible adults.

Glad you had a great time with all the pre-prom hustle bustle and activities. Ours are long since proms and college formals, but it's a wonderful mother daughter bonding experience (be it on a budget or OTT) and great memories like these will last a lifetime!!!

The weather started out misty in the morning and by night it was not raining at all. It wasn't hot either.....turned out nice...although cloudy.

I have lots of pics and I'll post a few soon. The make up artist did a great job....she looked really pretty.

Yes, bring them on, don't keep us in suspense ! We very much look forward to seeing the prom photos!! Hopefully your DD had a wonderful time!

 

[MrsPete]

Amen! Daughter is pitching in and mom is happy to contribute what she can and wants to. Obviously mom has the financial means to do so.

This thinking can be applied to everything. Why on earth would you get a CAT 3 for a cruise when you can sail in CAT 12?

Sorry, the tone I got from the OP was that your daughter (and you) were stressing that things wouldn't be JUST PERFECT for the prom, and that the sky's the limit when it comes to expenses. I'm allowed to think (and state) that I believe it's excessive. You are allowed to be defensive about it, if you wish!

How much is appropriate to spend? Should you spend $$$ just because you have it? I think American in general has a hard time with that question these days -- advertising is very effective, and temptation is everywhere -- and numerous factors have led us as a nation to massive consumer debt and negative savings rates.

I think the right answer is that your spending -- not just on prom, but on everything -- needs to be in balance with your whole budget. Just because you HAVE $$$ to send doesn't mean you can really AFFORD to spend it on on prom. Keggy mentioned cruising -- I just reserved a cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary; I have well over $20K in my short-term savings account, but I reserved two oceanview rooms instead of two balconies or a family suite -- the money's there, and I expect to continue adding to it every month, but I couldn't justify the extra money for balconies, not when my youngest is about to get braces and the oldest is about to head off to college. Kids tend not to see the big picture, and it's a parent's job to help them learn that skill. Something I tell my girls all the time: Never trade what you want most for what you want most right now.

Prom could be a good opportunity to set a budget (could be a small budget, could be a huge one) and help the child learn to stay within it. Actually, make that bigger: Senior year is a very expensive time, but the whole experience is a good opportunity to help kids learn to budget. It's a great opportunity to tell the child, "I'll give you X amount this senior year. You decide how you want to spend it. Senior pictures, senior tee-shirts, homecoming, yearbook, yearbook ad, prom, fees, beach trip after graduation. But when it's gone, it's gone." Learning to budget before heading away to college is vital.

 

[DisneyGemma]

Cannot wait to see pics!

 

[Just Jan]

Still Waiting

 

[Just Jan]

I guess we'll never know how she looked the evening of her prom.