So, You Aren't Going to Prom

With so much Prom buzz in retail stores across the Nation and news covering the latest trends, it's high time someone talk about the girls not going to prom. Whether it is a girl who rejects mainstream, stereotypical events such as the prom, or the girl who didn't get invited - the question is, what will they do on prom night? Perhaps they are wondering the same thing. If you are this girl, here is a small collection of great ideas for Prom Night for the "good sport" and "spoiled sports" who won't be going to prom this year.

Good Sport

If you are the type to bounce off emotions pretty quick and just accept reality for what it is, you may be in a place to be a very good sport about missing out on Prom Night. If this is you, here are some great ways to spend the evening adding to the magic for your friends that are going, or creating magic with your friends that aren't.

Play the Role of Fashion Photographer
Make it your mission for the evening to capture the event for your friends, the yearbook or school paper. Photographing the scene is way to get involved and be a part of the action without having to go. Don't just photograph the cheesy mom and dad shot of the couple standing awkwardly side by side, study up! Look at bridal magazine and make a note of the poses then copy those later with your friends. Have all your girlfriends meet early to do a "pre-guy" photo shoot, mimicking fashion models. Even before that, take candids of your friends getting ready. They might think you are ridiculous and annoying but they will love you for it later. Take a lot before the affair, and then when everyone shoves off, spend your night editing your photos and creating albums for your friends. They will love you for it!

Write
If you are in fairly good spirits, write an article called, "I didn't go to Prom and I didn't die." Or something like that to encourage girls like you. Look up editors of local papers online and ask if they would be interested in running a teenage girl's perspective to capture a younger audience. You might be surprised how fast the press could pounce on something like that during prom season. Your hours spent at the computer may change your future as a writer.

Surround Yourself
Surround yourself with friends that aren't going (even if it is just one) and create a list of 100 things you'd rather do than go to prom. This will be a fun keepsake for your high school memory box. Not only that, you could post your favorites on Facebook. Shoot, why not start an account under a name like "Promless" for girls across the world to comment on what they'd rather do than go to Prom!

Pix and Text
Ladies, you could really have fun with this one. Plan to send your best guy and gal pals a couple texts or picture messages throughout the night. Get creative. Don't just send, "Have Fun" take a picture of yourself holding a sign that says it. Or take a picture of yourself doing something silly or boring and say, "Wish U were Here." Or start the text with the words, "Would you rather...." Then offer two outcomes to her prom night for her to pick. There are lots of high humor things you could send to a friend at a formal affair. Who knows, it may be that you are having more fun than her!

If all else fails, go to a movie. Odds are that it won't be crowded. (And good for you for moving on.)

Spoiled Sport

Maybe you aren't spoiled, you just wanted to go to Prom and you are not getting over the fact that you will not be there. If this is you, and you are settling in to a rebellious night alone to have a private pity party, there are still things even you can do to create lifetime memories of your own...and keep you preoccupied while you listen to sappy love songs and lament over being left out.

Write A Letter
There are two angles you could take with a letter that would be positive so you don't get bitter; you just lay out your heart. First, write your husband. Oh, you may not know who that is, but assume one day you will marry a man that will love you for exactly who you are. So, write him and tell him exactly how you feel. Another letter you could write is to your daughter. You may not have one, but assume you do. Assume she is your age and is suffering over not going to the prom. What would you tell her? Write it! Get it out. And save the letter. Seal it and save it for when you DO have a daughter. Maybe it will remind you one day of feelings long forgotten - and you will relate to your kids on a refreshed level hearing the voice of your younger self.

Make a Collage
Get out all of your magazines and start clipping. Make it a standard size so you can buy a frame for it later. Throw your heart into it and create a college that depicts exactly how you feel. Title it, "A moment in Time" or "For Everything There is A Season"" no matter how dreary it is. Days later when things are better, you will look at it and know that things do get better. You can always take the other angle in the same vein as 100 things you'd rather do than go to prom - except Collage it. When you look upon it later, it may help you focus on your dreams or help you reconnect to the things in life you hope to do.

Go to the Grocer
That's right. Go to the grocery store with this list: Hot Oil Hair Treatment, a single rose, a cheap scented candle, chocolate and a romance novel that is loaded with smut (or a really sappy DVD.) The goal is to come home, complete the hot oil treatment, sit in a hot bath with fresh rose petals in the dark (except for the candle) and read about someone else's drama. If you skip the book, after the bath, put on the greyest sweatshirt and fuzziest socks you can find, grab a blanket and fall asleep to the movie in the dark, on the couch.

And if all else fails, scratch everything and go to the movie...and get a jumbo popcorn. Odds are it won't be crowded and you can cry all you want in the dark.

Just remember, this is just a moment in time, among many in a wonderful life - yours.