Hosting a prom after-party for my high school senior—while juggling a packed schedule—required some strategic planning (and a well-timed checklist or two). I’m sharing the hits, the misses, the shortcuts, and the helping hands that made it all possible—so I could spend less time stressing over streamers and more time soaking up the fun!
It’s the home stretch of Dylan’s senior year in high school, and the calendar is packed with milestone moments. In a last push to make a few more memories before college life begins, I convinced him to let me host a prom ‘after party’.
Now, I love a good party plan. But let’s be honest: pulling off a Pinterest-worthy evening while juggling a full-time job is… ambitious. So I’m sharing what worked, what flopped, and the shortcuts (and saintly helpers) that made it possible—because even the best intentions need a backup plan and maybe a Costco run.
The Invite: Keeping It Simple (and Teen-Approved)
With the help of my creative director (aka daughter Mia), we whipped up a digital invite that Dylan could text to his friends. It was low-key enough to pass the teenage cool test but gave me just enough visibility into how many people would show up—critical when deciding how many mini cans of soda to buy.
The Vibe: Night Lights & School Spirit
Since the party kicked off after dark, I added outdoor lighting for the entry along with walkway lights, and Kate Spade décor in school colors (thank you, Target!). These “PROM” letters doubled as both decorations and a great photo op—they were affordable and once I plugged in the batteries, they were ready to go. Hint…they also have grad letters available.
The balloon arch, powered by a blow-up machine and sheer willpower, made for a fun backdrop. Pro tip: balloon arches are not for the faint of heart—or anyone running short on time!
As for the décor flop? I ordered these light-up balloons thinking they’d be a cool touch, but when I took them to fill them up with helium, they didn’t float with the weight of the plastic. I scrapped them and saved that idea for another time.
The Food: Teen Favorites with a Few Shortcuts
I stuck with crowd favorites and had Dylan and his friends help choose the menu—so the food hit the mark and didn’t just sit there looking pretty. Here’s what we served:
Chocolate Fountain: This cute, inexpensive fountain was a bit of a gamble but paired with ready-
to-go melted chocolate and dipping treats from The Melting Pot, it turned out to be a hit. Tip: we had to reheat the chocolate on the stove and add a splash of olive oil to get the right consistency. Once it was flowing, it was a total crowd-pleaser.
Soft pretzels + warm cheese dip: This one’s a definite do-again. I picked up frozen soft pretzels at the grocery store, baked them fresh, and served them on a big tray with two kinds of cheese dip. Simple, crowd-friendly, and completely gone by the end of the night.
Fruit Tray: I ordered a fruit tray to include a healthier option, but it didn’t get much love compared to the carbs and sweets. That said, I still think it’s worth offering some healthy options!
Cupcakes: Store-bought and stress-free, these were an easy addition—and my backup plan in case the chocolate fountain didn’t cooperate. Luckily, both were a hit.
Pigs in a blanket: For teen boys, these are a must. Super easy to make with crescent roll dough and mini sausages—12 minutes in the oven and done. They’ve become a go-to favorite, and unsurprisingly, they disappeared fast.
Drinks: We kept it simple with a big ice bucket filled with mini cans of soda, lemonade, and a few pitchers of water—easy to set up and perfect for self-serve.
1. Prom Lights / 2. Balloon Arch / 3. Streamers / 4. Electric Balloon Pump / 5. Globe Outdoor Lighting / Not pictured: Chocolate Fountain / Walkway lights
The Real MVP: Set-Up Support
If you’ve ever tried to hang streamers and inflate 30 balloons while also making pigs in a blanket, you’ll understand why I was beyond grateful to meet Joni Thurber from Juggle Source. She came to our house the morning of the party to help set up decorations—and saved my sanity. Highly recommend for anyone in the Portland area if you need an extra set of hands (or two).
Final Thoughts
Was it perfect? No. Did I learn that balloon arches are both my party nemesis and my cardio? Yes. But it was completely worth it to see the kids laughing, snacking, and winding down after prom in a space that felt a little special.
Would I do it again? Ask me after graduation! 🎓 I’m always on the hunt for tips to make hosting easier so feel free to share any other great tips you have in the comments below.
As always, Thanks for reading and sharing! xx
One of the biggest hits at our kids party was the blowup floppy wiener that they have at used car lots and cotton candy machine.
The pro tip about the helium filled lighted balloons is interesting! I like knowing the hits and misses from someone who experienced them first hand. And I’m really glad I was free that Saturday morning to help! BTW… I think we got into a groove with the balloon arch, and we could do another one in much less time!