Homecoming & the Prom

Published on November 3, 2005 By foreverserenity In Home & Family

My eldest daughter recently attended her high school Homecoming. It was a happy and rewarding outcome for her and a hectic and breath of relief for me.

She’s a Junior in high school and is on the Junior/Senior Committee and she could not miss the big event. She, along with her friends on the committee planned the entire homecoming event.

The theme they decided on was Old Hollywood and since the event was being held in the school gym, which recently had new floors, no high heels would be allowed for the girls. They made the decision to still wear their heels, because they were getting dressed up and didn’t want to wear flats, but to have flip flops to change into when they get to the gym.

It was an intense time of shopping that should have been a pleasure for both of us but it was pretty difficult. I then realized my daughter no longer have to like what I choose for her when it comes to clothing anymore, although there are some types of clothing and style I draw a line at, but when I thought she would like something, nope, she didn’t! And that was very frustrating. She couldn’t find the “perfect” dress to wear. Her colors were going to be gold and brown and it had to be chocolate brown.

At first we chose brown pants that was pretty dressy, and decided to purchase it and then search for a wrap blouse to go with it. You would think that would be an easy thing to do. It wasn’t. We finally decided on a dress she found and we both liked a lot. It looked great on her. We got the dress on sale marked down from $150 to $79.99 and an extra 10 percent off! Then we found a pair of gold heels for $25. I also had to purchase the right foundation garments (read underwear) to go with the dress, that was about $35 and they were on sale. We purchased make up, but I don’t’ remember the cost. She ended up wearing my jewelry and I had the perfect pocket book for her to wear with the outfit. The flip flop she wore also were mine, they were gold Chinese slippers. I did her hair myself and her make up. We also purchased pressed on nails because I didn’t want her to have acrylics done like her other friends were. Those actually turned out a lot better looking than her friends nail salon nails!

All in all, I made out really well with not spending too much purchasing the items she wore. I gave her money for dinner because they were going to a restaurant prior to the prom, that cost was $20 and my friend wanted to give her the gift of the cost of the picture she took that night, which was also $20.

I know a few parents spent a lot more than I did. Their costs were minimum $200. Some students even hired a Limo. One of my daughter’s friends parent took them to the restaurant, then my husband picked them up and dropped them off at the school for the event. While another parent took each child home.

I guess it just depends on how the parents handle their expenses. Although I know some teenagers would want to have more than they could afford, especially the girls. My daughter and I worked out ahead of time what we would budget for so that there wouldn’t be any problems. Oh yes, we paid for the homecoming
tickets that only cost $25 because she was a committee member.

I asked Brandie to upload a picture for me which I will link to at the end of this article.

I wonder though about these rites of passage for high schoolers. Homecoming and the Prom, are they too expensive? Most importantly, are they worth the money we spend?

It was worth the money spent to see her happy and feeling confident in looking so good. Some parents do go overboard with the money they spend. But is that not their right to do it? So I won’t be a stick in the mud about it.

Retailers do know how to get us though. The varieties of items that are in the stores marketed towards young people for these occasions are astounding. Thank heavens for the large retailers that have good sales. Otherwise I would have ended up spending more than I did.

My grand total was approximately $177, not too bad compared to others. I have to remember though the Prom is next Spring! HELP!!!!!

Here's the photo, my daughter Jessica is on the left and she’s with two of her very good friends.

Link

[Thanks again Tex!!! Smooches!]

Comments

foreverserenity

on Nov 03, 2005

Oh yea, her friends are Gladys and Niko. Gladys is one of her very best friends, and Niko is Gladys' boyfriend.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Your article sounded a little sad too. Sad that your baby is now a young lady?

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to keep them our little babies, they do grow up!

foreverserenity

on Nov 03, 2005

Your article sounded a little sad too. Sad that your baby is now a young lady?Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to keep them our little babies, they do grow up!

Really? Perhaps because I did realise how much she's grown. Yea, they do grow up fast don't they?! I can't wait til my 4 year old is 12.......she already acts like she's 30!

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

I can't wait til my 4 year old is 12.......she already acts like she's 30!!

I have one like that. But he is 12 now, and still acts like 25 at times!

foreverserenity

on Nov 03, 2005

But he is 12 now, and still acts like 25 at times!

...something for me to look forward to!

Dan Kaschel

on Nov 03, 2005

Old school hollywood, washed up hollywood... oh, sorry. Just singing.

Junior and Senior year are good times. She'll need a lot of support- and it sounds like you're giving it.

Dan

Texas Wahine

on Nov 03, 2005

What a sweet tale, ForeverSerenity.

The way I look at it, what is money for if not for using it to enhance the experiences you share with the people you care about?

Obviously we have to plan ahead and not spend beyond our means, but I think the experience of shopping and planning with your daughter and the confidence and enjoyment she got from the items you purchased make it well worth it.

As parents I think we have to be careful not to give our children too much so that they understand the value of things...that money comes from hard work...and because of that we should take good care of our things, but I also think that being a Scrooge with our money when it comes to our family is sad.

It sounds like you've got it just right. And your daughter looked fabulous! She has the sweetest, most radiant face. What a doll!

foreverserenity

on Nov 03, 2005

Junior and Senior year are good times. She'll need a lot of support- and it sounds like you're giving it.

Thanks Dan...I try. And yep, she does need a lot of support...high school is still gruelling!

Obviously we have to plan ahead and not spend beyond our means,

Oh yes, there's a lot of planning some of the time! But you know kids, they tell you when they need something the day before.....

As parents I think we have to be careful not to give our children too much so that they understand the value of things...that money comes from hard work...and because of that we should take good care of our things, but I also think that being a Scrooge with our money when it comes to our family is sad.

I agree with you on this totally.

It sounds like you've got it just right. And your daughter looked fabulous! She has the sweetest, most radiant face. What a doll!

Thanks, thanks, and yes she is! Thanks!

KellyW0498

on Nov 03, 2005

FS... your daughter is beautiful and she is absolutely glowing. Nice looking friends too.

That is the one thing I miss out with in having sons, shopping for clothes. Although, I think that may be a good thing with my fashion sense!

I think you did pretty well on the shopping. Good deals. I need you with me when I shop!

foreverserenity

on Nov 04, 2005

FS... your daughter is beautiful and she is absolutely glowing. Nice looking friends too.

Thanks Kelly!

That is the one thing I miss out with in having sons, shopping for clothes. Although, I think that may be a good thing with my fashion sense!

My son is 11 now and even he doesn't like my choices anymore. He has to approve them you know cause they might not be cool enough!LOL! Consider yourself lucky,LOL!

I think you did pretty well on the shopping. Good deals. I need you with me when I shop!

Thanks I always look for good deals when I shop! And if I can get a brand name at less cost, priceless!

Hey, we would have fun too. We can take Tex with us she's a bargain shopper too!

- I say we go to Vegas on a "pretend" shop outing!

InBloom

on Nov 04, 2005

wow...only $177 spent? She looks like a million bucks to me.

foreverserenity

on Nov 04, 2005

wow...only $177 spent? She looks like a million bucks to me.

Yea, thank heavens for sales! Thanks, she turned out well!

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