Just Musing: Prom season is here - and it's not cheap
Prom season is here. Some schools in the area have already held the momentous occasion and others were held last night and a few in coming weeks.
Either way, for many it is their first dress up and formal occasion much like the coming out parties from several decades in the past. I, personally, have enjoyed seeing the many photos on social media of the young folks all spruced up for the big night.
I must say, though, prom dresses have sure changed since my high school days. Lots of sequins on form fitting dresses, many of them with an extra long slit to expose their slender legs. Some even have a train of sorts at the bottom. For me that would be a "trip me up" when walking or dancing — or even worse have someone accidentally step on it while dancing.
And the guys. I know you can’t be too unique with a tuxedo but I have seen how they coordinate colors of their tie, vest and/or cummerbund with their date's dress — some even going as far as coordinating their socks to the same bright color. I love seeing their individuality and personality come through wither choices.
My neighbors have a son who will be a junior next year. Their daughter graduated four years ago. His dad stated he was glad he only had to rent a tux compared to the cost of getting a daughter ready for the big night. I’m not so sure that is true.
Usually with a girl there is the expense of the dress which can run from $100 and up, shoes, purse, hair updo, makeup, nails, boutonnière and sometimes tanning sessions. If I remember right, with our youngest daughter— and this was 25 years ago — the cost was more than $300. With today’s inflation, I’m sure it would be $500 or more.
With our sons, there was the cost of renting a tux which was about $70, corsage, haircuts, dinner out, gas to drive out of town for the dinner, prom tickets and other incidentals. Cost about the same as for our daughter.
I told my neighbors I found the senior year of high school to be the year you left the checkbook out on the kitchen table ready to write out checks for all the necessities in readiness for graduation — rings, cap and gown, announcements, thank you nods, special t-shirts and anything else that came along.
But when it is all said and done, those days are the best years of their lives and worth every penny.
Today is May Day or as astronomers refer to it as the halfway point between green spring equinox and green summer solstice.
May Day has long had many traditions and history including making and delivering Mayday baskets and the maypole dance — neither of which I have heard being celebrated in recent years.
As I was growing up, my mother helped my brothers and me make cone-shaped “baskets” to place the wildflowers we later would go to the woods to pick. Once we had our baskets ready, we would go hang them on neighbors doorknobs, knock on the door, then run away to hide and watch them retrieve their special remembrance. I remember seeing the maypole dance but never participated in it. Another tradition that has gone by the wayside.
Looking ahead, next Sunday is Mother’s Day — the day to honor mother’s for their love and devotion. Many will take mom out for dinner. If you plan to do this, I suggest making reservations today — or wait until mid-afternoon, about 3 or so, to avoid waiting in long lines.
Let me leave you with this quotation by Frances Hodgkin Burnett: “Is the spring coming?” he Said. “what is it like?” … ”It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine …”
Until next week, be safe,
Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached at brendadonegan55@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Just Musing: The cost of proms and celebrating May Day
