RD: Hi, I’m Radhika.

NG: And I’m Nylah.

RD: And today, we’re going to be talking about affordable ways to ask someone to prom, which are also really creative.

NG: On our promcast! So, to start out, we want to address that nowadays, promposals often involve a poster with a lot of side gifts like makeup, stuffed animals or snacks, and that can really drain someone’s wallet because it all adds up. Since a lot of high schoolers often don’t have the budget for a promposal like that, it becomes a reason for students to not ask each other at all.

RD: Yeah, definitely. I also want to address gender stereotypes when it comes to asking people out at events like this. Girls are usually made to feel like they are not allowed to prompose.

NG: Yeah, I think girls are made to feel like that’s not their place, which is unfair because it’s not true at all. I think that brings us to the flip side of that situation, where the guys often feel a lot of pressure that they are the ones who have to initiate everything, even if they have a more shy personality. But they might feel just as afraid of rejection as girls or other people expecting to be asked. 

RD: Yes, that’s a really good point. Also, gender non-conforming people might face a certain external pressure since prom is seen in such a heteronormative light, so it’s important we make room for everyone to feel included in the tradition of promposals by destigmatizing the notion that it’s for boys and girls only. It’s important to think about how each person in this situation feels. At the end of the day, prom should be about having a good time with the people you love, whether that’s friends or a little more than that… am I right?

NG: Yes.

RD: So these concerns really matter because at the end of the day, prom is a really fun event, and it can be even more fun with a date. It’s kind of nice to be able to follow the long, universal tradition of going with a date, even if it’s just for the night!

NG: Yeah! While hanging out with your friends is the best, it can also be a wonderful experience to have someone by your side throughout the whole event who you can count on. It doesn’t have to be a long-term thing. 

RD: And, your friend can also be your date! All of these stereotypes and expectations just hold people back from being able to have this memorable experience, when they don’t have to. Prom isn’t just for couples, and doesn’t have to be going all out!

NG: Now, let’s talk about affordable ways to prompose that don’t just fit stereotypes of the guy asking the girl.

RD: Or that doesn’t require you to spend your life savings away. So, to begin with, there is the simple idea of going up to their door with flowers. These flowers could be handpicked or store-bought, whichever suits you. This is really simple but meaningful in the sense that it shows the person you’re asking that you’ve put thought into coming to their home with a sweet gift, and mustered up the courage to ask them to prom in the first place.

NG: I think something else that can substitute for the flowers, or be something on its own, is a handmade poster. I know we talked about that in the beginning, and I think that on its own, it shows so much about you and the person you’re asking’s relationship. Firstly, the effort is so meaningful, especially since art doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Secondly, I think what you choose to do with the poster displays how much you know about the person you’re asking and provides a literal canvas to show them how much you pay attention to detail.

RD: Another really great way could be a handwritten letter. This can be a good way to express yourself in a more presentable way and can be really intimate with the person you’re asking. Another idea is to take your person to their favorite place or spot and ask. Both of these require little to no material at all, yet show how much you observe and care about them, and make the ask meaningful for them.

NG: I would love it if someone did those things for me, even though they need no money to execute. It kind of makes it even more meaningful since they’re relying on thought rather than materialistic items. These are all super sweet and affordable ways, but let’s go even deeper and talk about creative, affordable ways that show you’re going the extra mile, without spending a dime. 

RD: Now, let’s talk about a scavenger hunt. I see this going in so many ways. You could play around doing a hunt where you go around to places you’ve been together, or even just in one place, and hide photos of you two. Or writing things on the sidewalk with chalk in different places that you two go, that would be cool and very artistic. 

NG: Totally, there is a lot of potential here; it doesn’t have to be hunting for materialistic items, it could be memories or things you admire about them written down on paper. It could also be more light-hearted if you guys are just friends and find funny inside jokes. 

RD: Another way I want to bring up that is really special because it forces you to put yourself out there would be to sing a song, with an instrument or speaker or even acapella, however you prefer. That is priceless, yet it costs no money!

NG: That’s a really sweet idea and so creative. Especially if they did a movie reference, or maybe wrote their own song. I think the last two are really niche, but also pretty fitting for the category of affordable and creative. Baking and photo collages or photographs are really great ways to take hobbies and utilize them to show care for someone you want to ask. A super casual ask could be baking something for someone. It shows you care because you took the time, but also it doesn’t force you to say that you care out loud because it is really shown through what you made. 

RD: Now, to address our other idea, photo collages are really cute and creative, and they show your favorite moments with your person. Using a good photo you’ve taken of or with the person you’re asking is also really nice and unique because it captures how you see them, and it shows that you’ve taken the time to capture them well.

NG: So let’s reiterate some key things to remember when asking people to prom in affordable, creative ways. Okay, so I’ll start with the fact that it’s important to gauge what the person you’re asking would want. Would they want you to make it a public asking, or a private one? And overall, just keep in mind how they would react to the things you’re planning. 

RD: That truly is the best way to prompose. Just thinking about them will result in a good promposal, specific to the two of you. Also just another reminder, that this can be for people who are just friends. You don’t even have to know each other super well, you can just go for the sake of having a prom date. 

NG: Yeah, at the end of the day, it’s about you and the other person, so do what speaks to both of you. Don’t forget to just show them you care, and it will be a promposal well done!

RD: Well, thanks for listening to our podcast. We hope it inspired you for something, whether it be prom or a completely separate event.

NG: Wait, Radhika, one more thing before we close the podcast, will you go to prom with me?

RD: Oh my god! Yes, I thought you’d never ask! 

RD&NG: Thank you, and good luck on your promposals!