Prom Spot - Guarantee Your Best Prom Ever

Of course you want prom night to be the “perfect”…but those are some pretty high expectations, missy! Here are five tips to make sure that you really do have the best night ever -- “perfect?or not.

Learn to negotiate
You want to stay out all night partying with your pals, but your parents want you home by midnight. Start discussing details with them well before the date -- and be realistic about what your parents will actually agree to. If staying out overnight is just not going to happen, don't waste time arguing over it. Instead, focus on the stuff they're more likely to be flexible about, such as changing your curfew or letting you attend parties without a chaperone. And put their minds at ease by agreeing to check in during the night and letting them meet your date beforehand. For what to say to them, check out our negotiation tips.

Rest up
Of course you’re totally excited, but you don't want to risk getting sick and missing the whole night entirely. Make sure you're well rested when the big day arrives. Forgo those late-night phone calls with friends during the days leading up to prom in favor of some serious shut-eye.

Choose your date wisely
It might seem like a good idea to go to prom with the hot guy who you've barely spoken to (hey, you want good photos!), but think twice before committing to someone you barely know. There’s nothing worse than sitting at the table in silence because you have absolutely nothing in common. At the very least, go out for a slice of pizza beforehand to see if there's any chemistry. If the answer is no, you're probably better off going with a guy friend.

Don't sweat the small stuff
No doubt you've put a lot of work into choosing the perfect dress, finding a great deal on a limo, and booking reservations at a nice restaurant. But things don't always go according to schedule. If you hit a little speed bump (your date arrives dressed in the wrong vest color or your limo gets a flat), allow yourself about five minutes to be upset and then move on. Remember, this night is all about having fun with your friends!

Spend time outside your clique
If you're a senior, this is one of the last times you'll be surrounded by all of your classmates in one place. So make the rounds and talk to as many of them as possible. And don't forget to take a ton of photos!

Other Articles You'll Love
How To Avoid Prom Drama
How To Be Prom Confident
How To Book a Limo

--Linda DiProperzio

Special thanks to Carol Weston, author of Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You (Harper Paperbacks, 2004)