How to Choose a Prom Theme

Picking your prom theme can be a long process. It requires research, creativity, budgeting consideration and input from your peers. Speaking to your advisors and getting volunteers before choosing a theme can save headaches and time when it comes time to bring the dream to life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Budget
• School yearbooks for the last 10 years

1. Form a prom committee. This is usually done through the student body government, as members have a stated interest in participating in social activity planning. The committee should have 8 to 10 members, but not more than 12.
2. Call a meeting of the committee, making sure your advisor is available and present. Select a committee secretary and assign him the tasks of taking minutes. Brainstorm ideas for the prom's theme. Have the secretary write all the ideas down. No idea is rejected outright.
3. Research the past 10 years of prom themes at your school. Cross off any items on the committee list that are similar, Discuss the remaining list. Also, delete the themes that are derogatory, racist, tacky, too broad, outdated and overdone. Do so politely.
4. Continue whittling down the list by discussing the ideas as a committee. Ask your prom committee advisor what the budget is and factor this into the discussion, noting what is and isn't feasible. Make sure to give everyone equal time to share her least favorite and most favorite theme. Keep track of the results. Eliminate along these lines until you've narrowed the list to three or four top choices.
5. Ask the members who suggested each of the top ideas to write a couple paragraphs about the theme. Have the other members of the committee aid them. Include ideas about such things as decorations, music, lighting and special features.
6. Present the list to the voting community. Make the short descriptions (with sketches, if possible) available for viewing before the vote. Some schools allow all grades to vote; others allow only the class that's throwing the prom to vote.
7. Announce the winner in a big way that's theme-appropriate.

Tips & Warnings

• Conduct straw polls with students who aren't on the committee. If someone is excited about a particular theme, be sure to recruit him to help with the planning and setup if that theme wins.
• Avoid disclosing everything in the descriptions. Leave some mystery and surprises for the big night.