This is my beautiful bonus daughter, Kelli. Her front is just as gorgeous as her back, but I posted a pic from this angle just to show you the fabulous job Claire did on her hair for prom. Yes, I am a proud mama. It's obvious Claire is going into the right profession!
Prom season is upon us! One of my favorite things about Facebook is getting to see everyone's prom pictures. The dresses! The tuxes! The flowers! The jewelry! Love them all.
Even though prom is a blast, it can also be soooo expensive. Those pretties add up fast! For a girl, you've got the dress. You've got the nails and hair. Then there's jewelry. Makeup. Shoes! Don't forget the shoes! For guys, unless they have a nice, neutral suit, there's a tux to rent, with shoes. Flowers for the girl. Dinner out, and gas for the car (sometimes there's a group that rents a limo.........and THAT'S expensive).
Wait. We haven't even discussed the prom ticket prices. Claire's run $35 a piece.
Most parents want the prom experience for their kid. I know I do. How can you ensure they have a fabulous night, without bankrupting you (or themselves?).
First of all, I'm big on kids paying for their own stuff. If they have a job, please let them pay for most of their expenses. Always handing your kids goodies does nothing to instill a sense of pride and financial wisdom.
Next, sit down with your kid and find out just what their expections are for prom. What kind of dress does your daughter want? What's a realistic price for the dress, and your budget? What kind of accessories does she want?
Will grandma chip in? LOL.
Ok, so you know Claire and I are the reigning princess and queen of The Thrift Store Formal. We're not being egotistic, it's the truth. Since her first formal dance when she was in 7th grade, we have managed to find breathtaking gowns and accessories for next to nothing at Goodwill and other resale shops. We've also paid no more than $40 for a dress. When you shell out an average of $10 per gown, dry cleaning, alterations and accessories are no big deal. Through our years here in Delaware, we've managed to find the best cleaners and seamstress. Now when we find a dress second hand, we know without a doubt we have the resources at hand to make it a show stopper. Can't wait to show you the latest ensemble next weekend!
Why stop at the dress to save money, yet look beautiful? Do you have a friend who makes corsages? We do, and she's the best. How about having the dinner before the prom at your house, instead of an expensive foray out?. That's what Kelli and her date and their group did last night. One of the moms graciously cooked a wonderful meal to share.
Have a talented friend do your hair or nails! Or, YouTube a how to video. There are hundreds out there. Get together with your friends and give each other a little pampering! Check out the literally millions of nail color choices out there, often for $1.99. Frugal fun and lots of memories!
For the guys, having a neutral suit on hand DOES save money. Claire's boyfriend her freshman year had a great black suit, and he would buy a dress shirt and tie to coordinate with his date. You can get a lot of mileage out of a suit that way!
Claire has been blessed with a bonus mama who has excellent fashion sense, and has not only supplied her with beautiful prom jewelry, but also made some pieces! How about raiding your own mom's jewelry? Or a friend's, or grandma's? Claire has a grandma with the most extensive costume jewelry collection EVER, and she is so generous to not only loan but give pieces to Claire.
The options for frugal prom ideas are endless. Please don't limit yourself, or miss out on prom all together, thinking you must pay top dollar at the mall, bridal stores and expensive boutiques.
And keep those prom pictures coming! I love to see what you come up with!!
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