Do you think Prom is overdone these days?

I think it is overdone if the people cannot reasonably afford such expenses. If it is done to impress and outdo others, then that is not right either. If parents can afford to spend this kind of money, then I see no problem. But I think that some parents will overspend to keep up with the Joneses. I think 20 or 30 years from now, this is an event that will have little meaning. I can agree that spending close to $1,000 on a one night event like this is a bit wacky. Think of what you could do with the money that would be much more meaningful and productive.

I have to agree with you it does seem to be a bit out of control. It's crazy in my opinion to pay all that money for a night out....lol I am so thankful I don't have any children. I don't know how parents afford all the extras these days....lol Just to get kids in sports and music is expensive enough and that starts in grade school. My kids would have to start with a lemonaide stand at 5 for crying out loud... I would never be able to afford teenagers..lol My moms friend just had to take out a 1500 dollar loan because she has twins in 11th grade going to a prom....crazy I say, just crazy.

I have no kids, but I wouldn't think of spending that much green on a prom! Those bucks can go into an investment account so the brats could make their own money, sadly 500 bucks is about what people spend on gas money for about a month... what a world! Good one! Expert Village for you! :) http://www.expertvillage.com

WOW!! That does seem like a lot. God only knows how much it will cost by the time my kids graduate in 10 years. I hope they find themselves a nice part time job so that they'll be able to afford all that stuff as I sure as heck won't pay that....my cheap-a$$ Scottish blood boils at the thought of doling out that kind of cash...LOL

My daughter goes to a private school. She is in the 8th grade. Last year was her first formal dance. We probably spent a few hundred dollars. This year we are looking for "recycled" dresses; we just can't afford great things since I'm not working full time. I hope we can find something soon, because the formal dance is in 2 weeks. We still have a couple of avenues to cross... wish us luck!

I agree with you 100%, now day's everything has to be expensive for kids. If it's not expensive then you not "cool". This year is my prom, and my friend just had to get an expensive dress so when people asked her where she got it they would "think" she is rich and blah blah... I dont think that's the point at all. Who cares how much your dress is or anything, as long as it looks good then get it. I think that spending 500-800 dollars on a dress, is way over priced. If parents are willing to pay it, then I guess do it. You can get a dress made that for cheap. Prom is overrated for four hours.

Well, if you're ancient, then I'm older than Methusula! I think this whole prom thing has gotten totally out of hand. No wonder lots of kids don't bother to go, who can afford it?! What an insane waste of money for something that is such a short deal! Just when they're supposed to be beginning to learn how to be responsible they are learning it's ok to be spending outlandishly for immediate (temporary) gratification. It seems like nowadays, it's not about the fun of the first formal dance, it's about who can out-do who with the cost of the costume. And when you really think about it, it's the parents who allow this to be who have the power to stop it...but they don't, and they won't. Too bad, as it's totally sending the wrong message to the young folk about what's really important in life.

Absolutely ridiculous! I wouldn't have that kind of money to spend and don't think I would if I had it. Sounds like the kind of expenses you have in planning a wedding! Good grief!

I think it is totally over the top anymore with the prom. I can remember when the auditorium or the gym was decorated, your wore the fancy dress, a few kids rented limos, and you had the expense of flowers and you had your picture taken. One of the teens I worked with last year spent over $800.00. I can't imagine spending that much on one evening! I've also noticed now that many schools have made their homecoming a formal dance now also. It was semi-formal when I went to school. You wore a nice dress, had flowers, but nothing to over the top.

Well I can see the hair and the nails as it is a special night. As far as the dress and jewelry go I don't think it is needed to spend more than what my wedding dress cost! I could see $100-$150 for a dress but even that is pushing it a little. I can tell you that my future children will not be spending this kind of money!

Color me ancient too CrazyNurse. I certainly wouldn't spend that on a prom. I think it is WAY out of control. I wouldn't even HAVE that kind of money for a prom!! LOL!

My daughter graduated grade eight almost three years ago now. We spent almost $300 on her grad. We could have saved $50 had I just did her hair myself. My son graduates grade eight next year and my daughter will be graduating high school the year after, lucky for us she will be paying the large chunk of high school grad herself, but you are right it is crazy and there are so many ways that you can cut cost.

I think it really depends on the school and stuff like that. The school I went to was horrible and they pretty much picked out which kind of dresses the girls can wear and stuff like that. I personally think it's stupid and a waste of money.

I agree totally with you. My daughter spends about $600 on prom by the time it is done. My parents would have thrown a fit before spending that kind of money on a dance. And its no inexpensive thing for the boy either! This year we thought about offering her $100 not to go but since it is her senior year---

I agree, that kind of spending is out of control. I have 3 daughters and I limited them to max of $200.00 for a dress. There were a lot of girls spending $500 on dresses (this was 3-5 years ago) and will all the other things...it is just too much for a normal family to handle if you ask me. They all expect to have a limo these days, have to go get hair done and nails, new shoes, jewelry, tiaras, you name it! In my day, we did our own nails and hair most of the time.

Definitely, proms are overdone nowadays. I would spend that much if my daughter will be going. She is still 3...and when the time comes, I will design and sew her own clothes and do her hair and makeup coz more or less I know how to do these things. I will tell her that simplicity is beauty and that it depends on the wearer how to carry a prom dress even if it will not cost hundreds of dollars. If she is not too keen on me sewing it, then she can go to a consignment store and have things altered...=)

We don't have proms here in the UK and I'm so glad. I can't imagine having had to put my parents through having to fork out all that money just for a few hours, after all, who at the age of 16 or 18 (not sure how old you are when you have your prom) can afford to spend that much money on clothes and limousines, etc? I don't think you sound ancient, you just sound practical. I think parents of kids attending proms must find it a nightmare to get together the money to spend on just one evening and of course, they wouldn't want their child to feel left out so God knows how many parents go into debt to raise the funds to pay all the expenses. Any teens reading this should think about how much all this is going to cost and how their parents are going to afford it, after all, there's years of college to come too and that costs a lot of money. Parents tend to have a college fund but I never heard of a "prom fund" LOL! Another thing to remember is teenagers are generally quite selfish when it comes to stuff like money, they assume their parents have a never ending supply of cash just to spend on them. They have no concept of paying rent, mortgage, bills, etc... I think you can see which side of the fence I'm sitting on with regards to this debate :)

Wow! If my child wanted to spend that much, I'd tell them to get a job and buy all that themselves. I worked for my $50 prom dress, paid $20 for my hair, painted my own nails, and we went to a fast food restaurant in my high school sweethearts moms car lol. I still had a great time even though we didn't drop that much money.

I think if its the first time you go to a prom, it is just okay to spend but not that BIG! you can afford to buy things in a cheaper amount and don't spent hundreds of bucks just for one night event. When I attended our prom, we just borrowed a car from a relative and then me and my friends ride on it. Our gowns are not that expensive. The pedicure and manicure is a dirt cheap for we have it on our long time pedicurist and manicurist he he.. What important is what will happen in the real event and not the things or materials you need. In the parent's case, I think they will understand it for they have gone to that situation also.

first of all.. i agree with you.. nowadays prom is overdone.. those teenagers... have no rules in attire.. they just wear what they like.. and they call that fashion.. if you were to comment about their dressing.. tehy will say that you're outdated.. this and that. .bla bla bla....furthermore.. these day.. the prom are more expensive compared to those day.. which i believe is much more cheaper.. teenagers are spending lots of money just to attend such prom. .and who's paying for the bill? their parents also.. haha... i know that's alot for proms.. but it's kind of common nowadays.. so... just bear with it.. =) .. sorry but i'm meaning teenagers in my country =)