Homecoming (HoCo) planning is stressful, to say the least: purchasing a dress, making sure your date has the same color tie as said dress, ordering and arranging flowers, booking a photographer, figuring out where you and your friends are going to eat, and on top of that, trying to participate in as many HoCo week activities as physically possible all while being overwhelmed with schoolwork.
Despite going to HoCo every year of my four-year high school career, the week before the dance never gets easier: the planning is always tedious, and there always seems to be something left to do at the last minute.
Not to mention the stress of the day of. For us girls, we have to do our makeup, get dressed, do our hair, and try not to break down completely about how “ugly” we look right before we leave.
It also doesn’t help that I don’t have anyone to guide me, since, for my parents, this is all a bit of a culture shock, and I’m the oldest in my family. For four years now, I’ve handled most HoCo planning independently, especially the disaster my first year of HoCo was (if you could even call it a HoCo). Since I struggled quite a bit and I don’t want you to, here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way that help me survive the chaos that is this week:
1) Get your group together
Most importantly, get your friend group together if you haven’t done so already, and make sure to create a group chat or some kind of communication system and plan where you will eat at least a week in advance. For instance, if you’re reading this on Monday, you have a little less than a week left, but you’ll still be fine if you make reservations soon.
2) Secure your outfit early
Don’t wait until the last second to find a dress. Shopping in-store can be stressful if you don’t already have a clear vision, so looking online can save you a lot of time and stress. Once you have your dress, start planning accessories (shoes, jewelry, nails, flowers, etc.) wisely so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
3) Plan your photos
This step is optional, but I definitely recommend figuring out who’s going to take pictures. This person could either be a friend with photography experience, a family member, or a professional, but regardless, book them or ask them ahead of time and make sure expectations and payment are clear.
4) Practice hair and makeup
My mom always tells me: don’t experiment with a brand-new look the morning of a big event and as much as I hate to admit it, she’s 100% right on this. Practice beforehand to know exactly what you want, saving time and stress, and helping you continue your HoCo plans confidently.
5) Make a checklist
Having everything written down and tracking all the little details has helped immensely this year. There is something about checking off things one by one that makes stressful planning much easier. So, if you are anything like me, write down everything you need to finish and break it into smaller pieces.
At the end of the day, HoCo isn’t about the details. It’s about enjoying yourself and making memories with your friends. If something doesn’t go according to plan, you can always try again next year, and if you’re a senior like me, you can always laugh about it.
Before I Lea-ve,
Remember to have fun, relax, and enjoy your homecoming!
