It’s the end of your high school life. You invested four years of blood, sweat, and sleepless nights in this institution, developing relationships bound to last a lifetime. The last few months of school, in the warm summer heat, you’re thinking about one thing and one thing only—The Prom. The courting ritual, the lurid expenses, and the preposterous expectations are sometimes overbearing. While the Prom is great for some people, others may want to take a more laid back approach to celebrating the end of their high school years. The Prom doesn’t have to be about dates, dresses, and hair. It is just a matter of using your creativity and style.

1. For those who just want to hang loose and be casual…
Spend a night out tearing up the town! Truly enjoy the essence and culture of Manhattan. Not the boring museums but the eclectic restaurants and the funky cultural opportunities. Maybe go to a salsa dance club. Tango the night away!

2. For those who just want to laugh or chuckle….or both!...
The greatest comics have comedy clubs in NYC. Reserve in advance some cheap tickets to watch your favorites. Maybe you might even be picked on to be roasted! How great would that be? Order dinner and have a well deserved evening with your friends or significant others.

3. For those who crave formality…
Reserve a table at that restaurant that you’ve always had your eye on but never dared to step inside! Dispel of your ideas of formal dining when dining with your friends for the night. Have fun and make the atmosphere a little less dull. Trust me, people will thank you for being less uptight. Sometimes, it’s great to dress up and go out with a bunch of your closes buddies.

4. For those looking for a more creative path…
Plan your own party! Invite other friends who prefer not to do the “prom thing”. A great idea is having an outdoor party during a warm summer night under the midnight blue sky. A local park would be a great location. Pick a theme to go with your party, such as a Hawaiian Luau, Ancient Roman Festival, or a “Just-Be-Yourself” party. A very helpful accessory to the party can be a great big bonfire. Exercise caution and toast some marshmallows or burn those horrible high school photos, erasing memories of beastly braces and ghastly glasses. Have fun!

Hopefully these few alternatives have sparked your imagination for Prom Night. If you have more ideas and would like to share it with the teen population of NYC, please email us at newsletter@chumz.net. Thank you and remember your final high school celebration is what you make it to be! Have fun!