Off Topic Prom

[Muddlethru]

My son is not the party type either. Did not want and still does not want to go to the prom. He prefers for his dad to pay for a ski trip or some "cool" things. His girlfriend is a real sweet beautiful girl. The limo was prematurely rented by one of her close friends months ago. There were 8 of them and were all hoping to have a date to fill the limo. Only two got dates. My son is going just to please his girlfriend. Chivalry is not dead in our house. So, we do not mind paying for his girlfriend. It is $125 per head/$250 per couple to attend the prom at their school. That is why the ride is also so short. I hope the food is good. And since there are only 11 people and they rented a limo that seats 20, the cost is much higher. They told me they cannot cancel. They are trying to fill it but the prom is very close. So, as it stands each person (not couple) has to pay $200. That is $400 for my son and his date. Luckily, his girlfriend paid her part as part of the deposit. Either way, chivalry stops at the ticket.

 

[Muddlethru]

I told my son after we pay for the tickets and his share of the limo, the corsage, after party, we will have no money to rent a tux or buy a suit. So, he'll have to go to the prom in his boxers!

 

[Muddlethru]

This news was sprung to me last night. I got more accurate details today. Hence the change in logistics! The house they all will be meeting at is 5 mins from the school. So, the ride is even shorter! And they are going back to the same house. They did say that often times they sit in the limo for an hour because the prom is set up like the academy awards where everyone steps out for their ride (50% rent limos, others drive themselves) and walks up the red carpet and then moved to a photo area. They even have a bleachers set up for parents/spectators to watch them as they get out of their cars.

 

[Muddlethru]

So, 12 single girls plus 2 couples = 18 kids x $200 = $3600. Does the $200/seat cover both the limo and the rental house? Personally I think I'd have more of a problem with the "house by the beach" part than the limo.

It sounds like your son would be more than okay with backing out. But, if social commitments have already been made, I think you may be stuck.

Yes. I think she can back out. He was not part of the planning and did not commit to the limo. That is why it is tough decision.

 

[Muddlethru]

Have him tell his girlfriend that she can have fun in the limo with her friends and he will meet her at the prom. The girls will have more fun in the limo by themselves anyway without any boys. I am so glad mine are home schooled, and they have shown no interest in dances. Lol

My son is happy to,do that. But last night,a I overheard his girlfriend trying very hard to convince him, almost pleading.

 

[Muddlethru]

how much is that limo!?? $200x 10 = $2000 for the night - NO WAY WOULD MY SON OR DAUGHTER be in on that one.

I researched limos myself. The going rate during peak season, which is prom season, is $300-$400/hour with an 8 hour minimum. Luckily, that includes tip. It is like roses. You can get them for $20 a doz anytime of the year and then have to pay $80/doz on Valentines Day. Nonetheless, the quote these girls are giving me is still high at $3,000 for the evening. My son is not "in". We are still deciding.

 

[Muddlethru]

I thought prom glory was really for those who were never going to amount to anything...you know the kid who 20 years down the track all their class mates have degrees/successful jobs and happy families. Meanwhile they are working at Walmart living with their 18yo child, baby-parent is long gone and has since been replaced with several drop kicks. A least they have prom to look back on

I'd hate to hear what you have to say about the prom set up I stated above!

 

[Muddlethru]

So, 12 single girls plus 2 couples = 18 kids x $200 = $3600. Does the $200/seat cover both the limo and the rental house? Personally I think I'd have more of a problem with the "house by the beach" part than the limo.

It sounds like your son would be more than okay with backing out. But, if social commitments have already been made, I think you may be stuck.

My son is only going to the beach house for the day. He is not staying overnight. He is going to the after party. We are picking him up and he will drive to the beach house after he gets some sleep.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Its totally unnecessary over-commercialisation, and what it more it leads to a blatant dis-regard for things of real value. A limo is just a method of transport, like a cart, car, bike, or a pair of legs.

It astounds me that anyone of sound mind would pay that money for a 5 minute trip. How about cancelling the limo, getting a lift in a normal car with a sign in the window saying Limo money donated to Charity ?

 

[Muddlethru]

Its totally unnecessary over-commercialisation, and what it more it leads to a blatant dis-regard for things of real value. A limo is just a method of transport, like a cart, car, bike, or a pair of legs.

It astounds me that anyone of sound mind would pay that money for a 5 minute trip. How about cancelling the limo, getting a lift in a normal car with a sign in the window saying Limo money donated to Charity ?

The parents are as into it as the kids. Funny you mention "charity". I have a mouthful to say about how things are misguided where we live. Many believe they can and should dictate how other people should spend their money. And yet they don't like to be told how to spend theirs.

 

[Midwestmommy]

$3,000 is absolutely nuts. I am NOT joking when I say this. I think you should get as many of them together as you can and bring in someone from a local charity for some pizza and a talk at your house in the next few days---special meeting. Have the parents offer to drive and buy 20-30---TWENTY TO THIRTY!!!!!!--bikes for kids in need at said charity. Ask the school principle if you can put them all in the lobby at school to take pictures with the group the week of prom. I think you should make lemonade out of this lemon of a situation. Turn this into something they can be proud of. Do you know the other parents? At least in my group of friends, they would jump on that bandwagon so fast it would make your head spin.

 

[Midwestmommy]

OK, sweeten the pot for those teeny boppers. Call your local paper and have them take pictures of the kids with those 20 bikes! I can practially guarantee they will make the front page. That beats a good vehicle exit onto any old red carpet! In fact, they will probably be most "famous" ones on the red carpet that day!!

 

[Iwannabemargo]

love your thinking @Midwestmommy

 

[Muddlethru]

Midwestmommy, apparently, they can't cancel the reservations or they lose a size able deposit. Also, my son was not part of the "planning committee". He knew about the limo a couple months ago and had already expressed he was not interested. He is just now being pressured to join in, I am guessing because with only 11 people they stand to pay even more that $200 each. We are as of yet not part of this crazy bandwagon. My son has an option to ride to the prom with a friend (even if he thinks it may sound "xxxxxx") and just meet his girlfriend.





Edited by Bog......You just cannot use that word here.

 

[gymgymgymnast08]

I have the unpopular opinion that prom is worth it! I never got to do "normal" high school because I was so busy with gymnastics. I was really excited that I got to go to prom!

My boyfriend was a year older so I went to his senior prom when I was a junior. I didn't have to pay for anything. My physical therapist actually gave me one of her prom dresses and I wore that!

My senior year I had to pay for everything since it was my prom. Tickets were $225 per couple limo was $200 per couple. My dress cost something like $400. $825 was a lot of money but prom was such a great experience! I thought about not going my senior year since I had already been the year before but I wanted to be with all my friends before we graduated!

Maybe it wasn't worth $825 but it was our last hurrah before we graduated! My friend and I were actually reminiscing about prom today, two years after our senior prom!

 

[raenndrops]

Had to share this pic... as I was reading this thread, this is the ad I saw:

 

[Muddlethru]

Had to share this pic... as I was reading this thread, this is the ad I saw:
View attachment 4558

I checked that website for comparison. If try and get a direct quote with the specific date of the prom, you'll get a much different quote. The cheapest was $2,460. We all know ads are come ons. There is always the fine print and if you get specific needs met, the price always doubles.

 

[cbifoja]

My girls spent from $500 to $800 on their dresses. Most of them had their hair "done" and have been tanning for weeks. Nails done as well.

Most of them rented a party bus or a limo at several thousand dollars and a couple of hundred dollars per person. Tickets to the dance were free because they earned enough prom points over the past four years to do so.

The senior class rented out a mansion and used the ball room to host their prom. After prom parties consisted of renting hotel rooms or field parties complete with the requisite stories of drug use and alcohol overuse....including someone who got high, committed grand theft auto, and ended up swimming in the river to run away from the cops.

One of my girls was "at prom" for 20 minutes.

Total racket and made me sick to think of all that money just so some of these entitled little princesses can have a practice wedding.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

yes but its not them paying for it - its the daft parents who foot the bill.

 

[bookworm]

You only live once...I think if your son's girlfriend (and not just a random date for the prom) committed to the limo, then I would have him riding in the limo...even for the 200 bucks a head it will cost you. You may want to have him work it off in the summer.....

It is his prom , and think about all the money you spend on gymnastics ...do you want him to think you nickled and dimed him on this (and before I am attacked , I know 200 a head is not a nickle or a dime) but fly off to your daughter's meets despite their costs..,..he probably already feels bad enough getting into the situation and all the angst it's caused you...let him off the hook and tell him to have a good time!