A Prom is the biggest social event of the school year, and if you are a Senior it is the last hurrah before graduation.

Proms, however, is expensive to put on, so many schools hold fundraisers in order to raise the money to keep the ticket costs down.

Fundraisers can be held at lunch time, after school, or on weekends, and there are a variety of different things that can be done in order to raise the money. Here are a few examples:

• A car washes or bake sale (doesn’t raise a lot of money)
• Large yard sale - where people donate items they don’t want and the Prom committee keeps the proceeds.
• Personalized Water bottles with the school name and logo, or special design and text, or sell other favors that are fairly inexpensive when purchased in quantities, and can be sold at a higher price for profit.
• Entirely edible Picture cookies
• Sponsor a street dance in the school’s parking lot or in the gym (more casual than the prom, and charge admission at the door)
• Have a talent show – give a prize to the winner (or book them as part of the talent at your prom)
• Hold a mini-500 – where students ride tricycles around the school track.

Any of these will help you bring in some bucks, and nothing says raising money can’t be fun!

Your Prom is one of the most memorable times in your school life, and you plan forever on what to wear, who you will be going with, how you do your hair and all the fun you will have.

Each year styles are taken from the Red Carpet of the SAG Awards, the Oscars, and People's Choice Awards. Many young girls will try to emulate their favorite teen star. This year Selena Gomez, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice and Taylor Swift lead the pack of talented teens who look gorgeous and stand out.

Most popular this year are strapless or one-shoulder gowns - long or short, with flirty skirts and bright colors. They highlight the face and shoulders, and are modest with a touch of the devil.

Eye-catching gowns that hug the top and flow past the waist are a definite stand out as well as short flirty dresses with multiple layers of mesh  skirting. This year there is definitive length that stands out, and all holds are barred.

Jewelry is a bit bare, at least around the neck. A simple stone or none at all seems to be the norm. Earrings, however, are the rage! Chandelier or dangle earrings in Swarovski crystal or cubic zirconia enhance the face and show off a youthful neckline.

Simple or ornate bracelets replace the necklace as the centerpiece of the jewelry collection. Another very popular accessory is the brooch , worn at the shoulder, on the waist, or in the hair.

Hair is usually worn back - in an upsweep or sleek ponytail, which shows off the neckline of the dress as well as opens up the view to some exoctic backs and dress designs. A glittery comb could be an accent as well.

Don't miss the other accessories to compliment the ensemble. An evening bag , and matching shoes complete the look - and you will be as dazzling as the stars on the runway!

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a special someone on Valentine’s Day. Some may even think this is a good thing. That doesn’t mean you can’t party and celebrate love – friendship – sisterhood.

Luckily Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday this year, so a Non-Valentine’s Day or Sisterhood Day Party celebration on Friday or Saturday is perfect. Gather all your girlfriends together – either at a home with a large room for entertaining or rent a suite at a local motel. Send invites to bring their “jimmies” and favorite nail polish and spa treatments. If the place has a pool or hot tub, even better!

In order for it not to turn into a man-bashing party, have uplifting things in mind to do – give each other a facial and manicure/pedicure, a make-over hair-do.

You all can bring finger foods (feel good food like cheese and crackers, chocolate) and essentials for party drinks (margaritas, fuzzy navels, pink martinis, etc.) including the blender, ice, party glasses and cheese knife .

If you want to get even more festive, have each one bring a gag or spa gift . In the end, if anyone asks, you won't be lying when you say you got a Valentine from someone special!

There are an assortment of fabulous gift baskets designed for romance, and perfect for Valentine's Day.

Add the magic of massage to your special someone with a gift of the Romantic Massage Romance Gift Basket . Your special loved one will long remember the treats in store in this basket of loving gifts, including massage oil, an acrylic massager, and a massage booklet. And we've included plenty of chocolate to say I love you in good taste! 

There are the basic baskets, with candy and stuffed animals, like the Hugs & Kisses Bear with Chocolates - appropriate for any age group.  A tower of chocolates in heart-shaped boxes - A Love Affair with Chocolate Tower is a loving tribute to your favorite chocola-holic. Or there is the Celebration of Love and Romance picnic hamper that is perfect for a romantic afternoon.

For those with a little more fun on their mind the Naughty Weekender Lovers Kit or Love is meant to be Shared - Deluxe Kama Sutra Romance Gift Set would make interesting gift baskets with romance in clearly in mind.

These are excellent suggestions for Valentine's Day gifts, or for a gift basket to present to newlyweds. Fun, unusual and romantic gift ideas.

For men, Valentine’s Day is the worst day of the year. They pick up a last minute bunch of flowers and candy and think that’s enough. Some actually go out and get jewelry. It’s more of a guilt-trip though than an intimate desire to please your mate. There is that nagging thought of a lo-ong year if they get caught empty-handed on Valentine’s Day! They shop like robots, and it looses the fun and special feeling the day was intended to have.

Valentine’s Day is more of a woman’s holiday. Their idea of showing love is to be showered and pampered by the one they love. Flowers, jewelry and chocolates are a symbol of their affection. While they pretend they don’t care if their mate forgets, but are heartbroken.

Gender is not specific to romance – men enjoy an intimate evening just as much as women do (they just don’t like to admit it). The execution is where their views seem to take a different direction. 

Take all the hard feelings out of this special day by planning together to do something you each will enjoy.

The man can plan ahead by sending a romantic gift basket - full of chocolates, the Kama Sutra, and even intimate paint-boxes of chocolate.

Prepare his favorite meal and drink, light some candles around the room, send the kids off for the evening, and dress up as if you were going out (make-up, jewelry and all). It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, the intimacy and chance to relax together makes it special.

For a special touch - put on your favorite music and dance together. Sit down and snuggle together to a movie you both have been wanting to see. Then go hand-in-hand to your bedroom - following a path strew with red, heart-shaped silk petals .

It will be one of the most romantic evenings in your life, and it didn't cost a fortune.

As children most of us looked forward to the annual Valentine’s Day Party at school. We shopped with our mother’s for the perfect assortment, and spent hours deciding whom in the class got what Valentine. You always saved the special one for the crush in your life, without everyone knowing it. And, have one even for that icky kid who was always pulling your hair!

Valentine’s Day also is a day you should think about being sensitive to the feelings of others. It is a time of anxiety for children who don’t have money for cards of their own, or who feel out of place in the class. As a matter of fact, it should be a rule that if they bring cards they have to have one for everyone in the class. A nice idea would be to ask other parents to purchase an extra box of cards and send them in a week before the party so the teacher can discreetly give them to children who can’t afford to get some of their own.

Kid’s love Valentine’s Day! They love the cards, the chocolates and candy hearts, and they like the break in the normally boring winter by celebrating anything. This is the perfect time to get out the craft supplies and let your kid’s creativity take hold!

Perhaps a few days ahead of time the teacher can have children bring in empty Kleenex boxes and decorate them for the Valentine’s they will get at the party, or give them a homework assignment to decorate and bring in their own boxes to put their Valentines in.

Get together with the teacher to work out the length of time the party will be, and what supplies you will need to bring. Plan at least one craft, a game, and snacks.

Let them put together their own Valentine cards to take home to their parent(s). You and the teacher supply colored paper, glue, glitter, valentine shapes, stamps, yarn and whatever you can find to decorate the cards.

Keep in mind that some kids, who don’t feel like they are popular, may feel out of place at a party. Go out of your way to include these children. Let them be your assistant and pass out the supplies, or set up chairs for musical chairs, etc.

Plan a game or activity – musical chairs, Pictionary (have each child draw a picture of a Valentine-related object, life a bow and arrow or cupid).

For a treat you can bring sugar cookies cut out in the shape of a Valentine, and the kids can decorate their own. Supply frosting (simple powdered sugar mixed with butter and milk and colored in red, pink or left white) and Popsicle sticks to decorate the top. Add sprinkles and you have a treat they will love, and have fun making.

As long as everyone is included, you have the room under control, and the kids are having fun you will have a successful party!

The adults shouldn’t have all the fun during the Super Bowl. You’ll want something to keep the kids occupied – or for those who are not particularly interested in the NFL or football.

Let the kids put together their own celebration. Decorate a room, or a section of a room, just for the kids – footballs, goal posts, jerseys in their favorite team colors. Have balloons and streamers in the same color scheme.  Have them dressed in team colors or jerseys. Hang footballs from the ceiling. Let the kids help with the décor, and let them have their own snack table, decorated with a green tablecloth and make it look like a football field.

Place juice packs in a tub filled with ice. Make philly cheese-steak quesadillas - a fried tortilla filled with roast beef and cheese (you can leave out the onions for the kids), or have a large plate full of slider sandwiches – miniature versions of what you are making for the adults. You can also put a taco bar out for them to make their own.

Nachos are always fun to eat, and have a bowl of chex party mix, puppy chow (chocolate Chex cereal mixed with melted peanut butter and dusted with powdered sugar) or seasoned popcorn for snacks.

For an activity you can have the kids decorate their own cupcakes or sugar cookies. Give them each a Popsicle stick to spread different color frostings, making clean-up easier.

You may want to print some pages out of football subject so kids can draw and color (supply them with washable markers, water color pain or crayons that only show up on paper, just in case).

Even if your favorite team isn’t playing in the Super Bowl you can’t let the fans of those two teams have all the fun! If your teams are in the Super Bowl, even better! Either way, you can celebrate the main event with a fabulous party!

If you think half-time isn't what it used to be – plan some activities to keep your guest entertained.

If the weather is mild, hold a football toss. You can award guest for the longest throw, or set up a hula hoop target they can toss the ball through – or a field goal area to kick the football through.

If the weather does not permit, clear out a section where they can toss a foam football or football shaped bean bags (they are easy to make – cut out football shapes out of brown fabric, sew together – leaving an open are to add dried beans, then sew the hole closed) through a hula-hoop or into a basket. The best of 5 attempts wins!

There is also Sports trivia pursuit, football charades (using a common football term), or “hot football” (similar to “hot potato, but with a football). Prizes can be food, an NFL - themed gift , or just an extra beer - depending on your budget!

Standard fare for a football party: pizzas, hot wings, sausages, submarine (hoagie) sandwiches, tortilla chips, nachos, football shaped and decorated brownies or cake. Finger foods are the best bet. You can also be creative, and can find all sorts of ideas online.

Don't forget drinks. Beer is the usual drink of choice for a Super Bowl party, served in a frosty mug is even better! You can, of course, have  a non-alcohol line of beverages on hand to keep the party under control, or those who do not drink or are too young.

No matter what you serve - It's Always Time for Football!!!

Holiday parties, whether they are just family or for a large group of friends and family, are something you want to do up in a special way. There are the extra holiday decorations, the special food you usually make only once a year, and the warm glow of fun, anticipation and joy this season brings.

You want to be prepared when the guests arrive and not have to spend the whole night in the kitchen. Trying to get everything done a few minutes before the guests arrive leaves no time for you to get ready (I have been stuck with no shower and in work clothes as early guests started to arrive. I had to leave them alone as I got ready!) Planning ahead will take the stress off of you and let you relax and enjoy your guests.

Make a checklist of what you are going to need. Shop a few days before, and not on a week-end. Then pace yourself on what you can prepare ahead of time and what has to go into the oven a few hours before. Make the do-ahead items and refrigerate or even freeze them if you can. 

I would suggest you have a fountain or punch bowl that holds a basic non-alcohol punch. Another bowl could be used for an alcoholic drink - unless you are having a bar and serving cocktails.

Have the house decorated and all the serving platters and dishes out at least the day before. These things don’t require last minute placement. Plan to end all your meal preparations at least three hours before the guests are due to arrive so you have time to get yourself ready, attend to any last-minute things, and sit back and enjoy a relaxing few moments – perhaps with a glass of wine.

Right before the guests are due to arrive, turn on the party lights and light some candles. You will be able to enjoy the party along with your guests, and have a stress-free celebration.

There’s nothing as much fun, and exciting, as anticipating the possibilities of a New Year with a large group of people. Pull out the top hats and feathered tiaras, pop the cork, and toast the new year in style.

A New Year’s Eve party gives most women a reason to buy a beautiful cocktail dress and some sparkling jewelry. For some it’s the only time all year they get to dress up, and they don’t want to pull any punches.

Have your champagne chilled in a nice acrylic or aluminum ice bucket , uncork the bottle, and enjoy the evening. Those with money to spread around can use real glass champagne flutes for everyone, others resort to plastic to make their toasts. Either way, the spirit is the same.

Having a special party favor, such as a timer that is shaped like a champagne glass in an ice bucket. Each guest can set their timer to go off at midnight (synchronize the timers to all go off at the same time). What an original and fun way to send off the New Year!

Toast can be personal, directed to the host/hostess of the party, or intimate. Use humor, poetry, or off the cuff (as long as you don’t embarrass anyone) relating of a personal moment.  When you have completed your toast, lift your champagne glass and sip to the honoree and the New Year.

Just remember, if you are going to drink either have a designated driver, or get a room within walking distance of the party. You don’t want to end the new year before it gets started.