Creative ways to ask someone to prom!

You don’t want to be ordinary and simply just ask someone to go to prom with you. Here are some ways to get imaginative!

1.      Fortune Cookie- Take your significant other to a nice Chinese restaurant. Insert a slip of paper into the cookie wrapper asking them to go to prom with you.

2.      Hershey kisses- Arrange Hershey kisses on your special someone’s doorstep. Leave a note saying, “Would you go to prom with me since I have kissed the ground you walk on?”

3.      Piñata- Insert the question into a piñata with lots of their favorite candy.

4.      Egg- Insert the question into a plastic egg of their favorite color. Hide the egg somewhere they are sure to find it.

5.      Goldfish- Buy your significant other a small fishbowl with one goldfish and sit it on the counter for them to see when they come home. As Light Planet suggests, leave a note saying, “Out of all the fish in the sea, I want you to come to prom with me.”

6.      Remote Control Car- hide somewhere in your significant other’s home and wait for them to get there.  Steer the car up to them with the note asking them to prom taped to it.

7.      Balloon- Have a few balloons delivered to your special someone’s house. In one of the balloons, insert a note asking them to prom.


8.  Bake a treat- Bake them their favorite dessert and get creative! Use icing or sprinkles to write out the question on the treat.

    Picture Courtesy of: http://www.tipjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/41.jpg

9.      Chalk- Use chalk to write the question in big letters on their driveway. Make sure it is large enough that they can read when they pull up.

10.  Banana Suit- Dress up in a banana suit and visit your special someone while they are out in public (work, school, grocery store, mall, etc.) and tell them, “I will go bananas if you do not go to prom with me!”

Prom date or stag?

There are many different views on whether it is more enjoyable to go to prom alone to hangout with friends, or with a date. Hard decision? Well, they both have their pros and cons.

Going to prom alone has many benefits. As Amanda Lee says, “You have no obligations”. You don’t have to feel like you are tied down to one specific person. I mean, think about it. If you go to prom with a date, you can’t just ditch them and start dancing with someone else, can you? Of course not! Since you and your friends are comfortable with each other, you can dance freely without being too shy or feeling guilty. 

You do not have to ask your date to come to the refreshment stand or bathroom with you. There will be no obligation to buy expensive pictures, flowers, or chocolates for your date. Also, when going by yourself, you don't have to worry about you and a date wearing matching outfits.

You can feel free to wear whatever you want. It doesn’t have to be any certain style outfit. You can dress formal, tacky, exotic, or sleazy and you have no date to tell you otherwise! This can be a benefit to your pocket considering it may cost more to pre-order and package the matching formal wear. Wait! The process isn't done yet. It also has to be delivered. Did you forget that you and your date need a corsage and a boutonniere? Sounds exhausting, huh? 

Image available at http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/3116P64DG7L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Going to prom with a date can be delightful as well. It doesn't have to be a boyfriend/girlfriend. Most people get the wrong perception when they think of the word “date”. According to Logan Murray, prom and date go together like cookies and milk. 

You can go to dinner with your date before prom starts. This gives you some spare time to chat and get to know each other a bit better. You guys can let loose and laugh a little. If you like attention, going with a date would be better for you.  Your date is who you will be rolling with for the night.

 If you and your date plan on getting serious anytime soon, this could fix the awkwardness and create a more comfortable foundation between the two of you. You and your date will be able to spend lots of time together like going shopping for your outfit and accessories, getting your picture taken, and going to an after party or a movie. 


If you can’t handle being around one person for a long period of time, this is probably not for you. You won’t have to worry about not having someone to dance with. Your date will surely be down for some movin’ and groovin’!

As you can see, both going to prom with a date and with your friends has its’ benefits and disadvantages. When it all comes down to it, it’s whatever you prefer. If it were me, I would choose to go hangout my friends. I’m not really a committed person. I don’t like feeling like I owe my date something in return for him taking me out to dinner and buying me things for prom. 

Interview: worst case scenario

Prom may or may or may not be the best night of your high school life, but it will surely be remembered. I have conducted an over-the-phone interview with my aunt Lisa on her worst date night ever, freshman prom.  Also, I have included a funny video relating to prom worst case scenarios. Enjoy!

Hey Lisa, I have a few questions for you about your freshman prom night. You know from my email that I’m going to be writing an article regarding your experience.

Hi, Rikki! I am aware of the interview and pleased to share with you. Go ahead.

Was your prom date late picking you up?

He was fashionably late. The plan was to pick me up at 6:00pm so we would have plenty of time to go out for dinner. He showed up at 7:23pm. Prom was starting in half an hour! We didn’t even have time to go to Outback, as we previously planned. Wanna know where we sped to for a quick meal? McDonald’s!

Did he/she dress inappropriately?

If you call a Corona t-shirt and denim jeans appropriate, then of course. I was expecting a purple tux with black converses to match my purple and white flowery dress, the outfit we both decided on. No expectations, no disappointments, I guess.

Was there anything your date forgot?

Oh, yes! He forgot to take the key out of the ignition when he walked up to my doorstep. After ignoring the polite manner of opening the door for me, he walked over to his side of the car and attempted opening the door. After tugging at it for four or five seconds, he finally realized he locked the keys inside the car. We had to call a locksmith to come and unlock the door. We were an hour late to prom.

What happened that seemed to make things worse for the two of you?

When we pulled into the parking lot, I realized he had not given me my corsage he promised to order two weeks beforehand. His excuse was “I called them and they said they wouldn’t have it ready by tonight”. I knew that was a lie because it does not take more than two weeks for a corsage to be made.

Did your date overdo anything?

I don’t know what was running through his mind at that point! I guess he thought he needed a haircut since prom is a special occasion, although that makes no sense what so ever considering he was dressed in casual clothing. His hair looked ridiculous! If someone didn’t know any better, they would have assumed his little brother or sister cut it for fun. I was embarrassed to be seen with him.

PLEASE tell me your date could dance!

Oh my god. I don’t expect much out of a guy when it comes to dancing, but at least move! He didn't even ask me to dance. He sat there talking about how bad he wanted to leave and go to the after party.

Did your date forget to use manners?

Let’s just say he didn’t treat me like a lady. He treated me like one of his douche bag friends.

Did he/she make any rude gestures or comments?

He told me that he was bored and didn’t want to be there. He rarely made eye contact with me. He just kept looking around the room like he was trying to find someone.

Was any profane language used?

Yes. I didn’t necessarily mind this too much because it was normal for him to use such language. I do it too.

Explain how your date ended your revolting night.

Well, after twenty minutes or so of him begging to leave, we did. We went to my friend Billy Jo’s house. Her parents didn’t really care what she did, as long as she cleaned up after herself and her friends. We invited the whole school. That was actually pretty fun at first. Not long after, my date got drunk off his ass and threw up all over the refreshments! Of course, it was I who had to babysit him. After seeing and cleaning up the deluxe Angus burger with mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and extra Mac sauce he had earlier that evening, I drove him home in his car and then had a friend pick me up. I could not wait to get away from him!

Oh, my.  It sounds like you didn’t have the best night of your life, but one that will definitely be remembered years from now! Thanks for letting me know how it went for you.

It’s alright, I’ve experienced worse. You’re welcome.

Safety tips for prom

Prom is one of the most fun nights of your high school experience. Prom night usually includes reports of driving while under the influence, accidents and deaths, date rape, pregnancies, and STDs.  You want to have a blast and make it a night that will be remembered, but you want to be safe too, right?

•      Alcohol is illegal and slows reaction time, blurs vision, and impairs coordination
•       You’re better off staying above the influence
•       Plan ahead
• Don't go to parties where you don't know anyone
•        Have a designated driver
•      Make your own drinks! You never know what could be in your cup after you leave it unattended
•       Make sure your phone is charged in case of an emergency
•       Take extra money just to be safe
•       Keep your parents informed about where you are at all times
•       Don’t allow any friends with drugs or alcohol into your vehicle
•        Listen to your head. If you feel unsafe or comfortable, LEAVE!
•        Establish a reasonable curfew with your parents
•        Don’t attempt to use any false ID, you will probably get caught.
•        Remember, this night is not Vegas. Don’t let it affect your future!

Here are some statistics you should consider! 

·         39% of high school males believe it is acceptable to force sex with a girl who is drunk or high (US Department of Health and Human Services, 1992).

·         Alcohol kills six times more people under the age of 21 than all other drugs combined (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 1996).

·         70% of teen deaths on prom night resulted from not wearing seatbelts (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1999).

·         Teens that choose to drink are seven times more likely to have sex and go unprotected (HHS, 1992).

Picture available at http://api.ning.com/files/VAEHWCWSVl9-sbZv4SEzzkxn*pX16ZxS7jGfCYhyaXuXmVrdBGHzCgtmbXbhbIj6oOWdkNmx-UwusNT1GbLVHZo3Jd3eLDrs/Red_Cupcopy.jpg

How to prepare for prom

Here is a planner to have you prepared for your special night! No last minute errands or stresses. You don’t want anything to worry about besides how stunning you look and how great of a time you will be having, right?

One to three months before:

·         Go ahead and begin thinking about the look you want. Procrastinating does not get you anywhere! If you wait too long, you’re going to have to choose something quick, typical, and easy. You want to put some effort into this and stand out in the crowd, right?

·         Don’t forget to browse for a matching purse, shoes, and jewelry too!

·         Calculate your budget and an estimate of the cost of the dress, purse, and other accessories. Know your limit.

·         Begin eating healthy to keep your body in good shape for your perfect night.

One month before:

·         After deciding on and purchasing your complete etiquette, try everything on to make sure you like how it looks on you. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s better than waiting until the last minute and realizing you are completely unsatisfied with your look. Make sure to do this ASAP. You have no time to lose!

·         If you prefer ordering online, remember to have a credit card handy.

·         If you plan on getting your hair and/or makeup done professionally at a salon, make appointments now. Do not rely on walk-ins! Attempt to schedule them in the morning, because noon and afternoons are usually very busy. This way, you will also have plenty of time to get ready.

·         If you plan on doing your hair and/or makeup yourself, go out and buy the products you will need. They may be on short supply if you wait until a few days before. That’d be just your luck, right?

Picture available at: http://www.stumpsparty.com/graphics/subCatImages/47724/Discounted-Prom-Supplies.jpg

Two weeks before:

·         Browse for a boutonniere for your prom date. Make sure it clashes well with your dress. You may want to schedule an appointment for a florist so you can take your time and have the florist’s full attention.

·         Try walking in your heels to make sure they are comfortable for dancing and moving around in. Try on your dress as well to make sure it fits properly.

One day before:

·         Charge you camera/cell phone battery or purchase a disposable one. Got to have plenty of pictures of your perfect night!

·         Pick up your date’s boutonniere from the florist. Keep it in a cool place.

Day of:

·         Cleanse your skin thoroughly before applying makeup.

·         Before going to a beauty salon, make sure you are wearing a loose t-shirt so that when you take it off, you don’t mess up your hair or makeup.

Michelle Obama's embarrassing prom moment

On the Ellen DeGeneres Show in Jacksonville Fla., she and Michelle Obama had a push-up contest to see who could do the most in a given amount of time. Michelle, completing twenty five when Ellen had only managed twenty, blew her right out of the water! Ellen was a little embarrassed by this.

On the following show, before gifting three lady guests with $250 gift cards to J.C. Penney for a new prom dress, she and Michelle Obama compared their prom pictures from back in high school. DeGeneres knew everyone would get a kick out of this, with Michelle being the First Lady and what not.

Ellen teased that her old-fashioned prom dress was once a tablecloth. Michelle’s dress, on the other hand, was very revealing, with a slit in the leg that succeeded up a bit too far.

According to JessicaDerschowitz in the Celebrity Circuit article, this is how the conversation played out:

 “Now, Mrs. Obama, I don't think I've ever shown you my prom picture," DeGeneres said. "I just wanted to - I want to show you my prom picture first.” Ellen playfully joked that her prom dress “was a tablecloth at one point." The audience got a good laugh out of Ellen’s comment. Not long after, the show’s anxious viewers thoroughly examined Michelle Obama’s prom dress, which consists of her seated in a chair wearing a metallic gold dress with a slit travelling up past the thigh. The audience was very well speechless! “Were you shopping at Pier 1 or something?” Ellen asked. "That split was a little high," the first lady admitted. "I don't know if I'd let my kids go out in a split that high, so let's not show this to Malia and Sasha." Obviously, the First Lady was embarrassed of the picture.

Picture available at http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/16/article-2130669-12A074E7000005DC-124_306x533.jpg and http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/16/article-2130669-129FBE51000005DC-876_306x533.jpg

 Courtesy of: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2130740/Michelle-Obama-Ellen-DeGeneres-compete-cringe-worthy-prom-dress.html and http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57415404-10391698/michelle-obamas-prom-photo-revealed-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show/

History of Prom

History of prom
Prom is short for the term promenade, which means to “stroll”. Prom was originally created for college universities graduating classes, but was later continued by high school students. Back then, when a man was interested in a woman, he would court her to an event with the permission of her parents. 


He would bring a gift of some sort to her parents, usually flowers. The man would pull a flower from the bouquet and attach it to the woman’s dress. This was the creation of the prom corsage. Around 1950, high schools began hosting prom in the gymnasiums. 


Some scholars believe prom originated from upper-class women who were escorted to these balls to be introduced to dating in the mid 1800’s. Not just anyone could get into these formal dances. It depended on your wealth. Prom was considered the first social event for young adults. It was one of the most important days of a teenager’s life. 


Pictures were taken and savored as if it were those from a wedding. In the 1900’s, prom became a more casual event where teens wore church etiquette and had tea. Closer to the 1930’s, girls started wearing more revealing dresses, high heels, and party clothes. It became more ornamented during the 1950’s. Ladies competed to have the best dress as well as the best date. Gentlemen competed to have the latest, most spunky  transportation.


Prom “king” and “queen” was prominent around this time. The corsage is a french word meaning “a bouquet of the bodice”. It began with ancient Greek women wearing them on their wedding day. They believed it scared off evil spirits. Corsages consist of many different types of flowers and have been around for quite some time. 


They have been worn many ways. Today, most girls wear them on their wrists and guys wear them on their tux. They can be worn in hair, on handbags, the shoulders, ankle, and many other areas. According to Gwen Bruno who wrote this article on Garden Guides, the tradition is to “wear them on the left side of the chest, closest to the heart."







Picture available at http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/BVDC/bvdc0804/bvdc080400061/2885942-prom-corsage.jpg