As high school seniors across the country approach the end of their school year, graduation, and proms, they face yet another trend... and this trend is sweeping the country like it is nobody's business.
Marriage proposals have always been expected to be beautiful, creative, and memorable events. Well, now too, prom proposals or invitations are expected to be equally creative.
This is no surprise as prom photos and wedding photos are often proudly displayed next to each other in homes across the country.
This year simply being invited to the prom is not adequate. The person asked must be invited in a creative, surprising, high-impact, out-of-the box, sort of way.
Related: Prom: What Your Teen Should/Shouldn't Take
This is one area where asking via Facebook or texting is simply unacceptable... and, teens should not even consider asking a friend or a "wingman" to do the asking for them.
Such "abysmal" ways of asking may lead to a prom invitation being rejected. That is simply not what anyone who wants to go to this big time event wants to experience.
Last year, a senior in Alabama went to a Build-A-Bear workshop and created a bear in which he installed a recording of his voice asking, "Will you go to the prom with me?"
That is so sweet. I certainly hope his intended accepted his invitation.
Search "best prom invites" on YouTube and the creativity and grandiose gestures will blow your mind.
Head about 3:30 into this video and check out how far this boy went in his talent competition to impress his girlfriend.
For some the sky's the limit. There's one lucky lady whose beau literally took flight to show her how much he wanted to take her to the big dance.
Related: Prom Night: Don't Forget About the Boys
Now, I have to say that I am a little jealous. Yes, I was asked to go the my senior prom and was delighted to simply be asked.
There were no balloons, no banners, no great hoopla involved in my invitation. I was, however, so grateful to be able to go.
I guess things really do change over time. The prom seems to be not a single event, but instead a series of steps including: the invitation process, the preparation process including finding a dress that your teen likes, transportation arrangements, deciding on the group of kids that you will go with, and oh yeah, the prom itself!
I hope that your kids have a safe and memorable time. What do you think of the latest trend?
More from GalTime:
- The Things Moms Miss When the Nest Empty
- Mother's Day Musts
- Teens and the Silent Treatment
- Mother's Day: From a Teen's Perspective
Barbara Greenberg and Jennifer Powell-Lunder are authors of the hit book, "Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent's Guide to Becoming Bilingual." They've set up an interactive website for parents and teens to listen, learn and discuss hot topics and daily dilemmas. You can find it at www.talkingteenage.com.
