Prom and graduation souvenirs
Prom-themed photo frames, water bottles, sunglasses, candles, mugs, mint tins — in a couple of years, who’s going to care? Heck, in a couple of weeks, who’s going to care? Ditto high-school graduation ephemera like a bow in your school colors to display on the mailbox, a “Class of 2017” tassel to hang from the rear-view mirror, a “Congratulations, Graduate!” sign for the front yard. Why do we let the Prom and Graduation Industrial Complex determine how we celebrate our children’s milestones? The money you’d sink into this kind of schlock would do a lot more good in your student’s higher education fund. Will your kids feel left out if they don’t get all the prom and graduation favors? Maybe. But in a very short time, they’ll move on.