Homecoming is a big deal… from the wacky dress-up days like “Senior Citizen Day” and “80s Day” and the endless pomping and sticky fingers from float decorating to the Friday night lights at the big football game and the HOCO dance (with 1,000 pictures taken beforehand, by a professional photographer, of course). There are what feels like five million events that all require their own costume, lest your teen appear to have no school spirit—and it all adds up fast. Homecoming can quickly become positively overwhelming, not to mention overwhelmingly expensive, but it needn’t be. Make your teen’s homecoming special with these tips and tricks to make the most of homecoming without busting the bank.

BUDGET PLANNING: START WITH A CAP

It may feel cruel to set a limit on how much your teen can spend on their homecoming week, but it’s actually a kindness because you’re teaching them how to strategically manage money. Sit down with your child and let them know how much you’re willing to shell out for their costumes, formalwear, pictures, and more. Don’t be surprised if they look at you bug-eyed, shocked at how much it all actually costs. Feel free to let them decide how they want to divvy it all up—they can pick their priorities. Just make it clear that there is a cap, and if they want to go over that, they’re more than welcome to use their money. (It’s amazing how much they decide they don’t actually need when it’s their own money they’re spending!) 

BE THRIFTY: “DRESS” FOR SUCCESS

You’d be surprised at the gold mine of formalwear you can find at the secondhand shop located just down the road. Will you have to sift through the mud to find it? Likely. But good news! The hobby “thrifting” is trendy (which you can remind your teen when they roll their eyes at your suggestion). Thrift your teen’s dress at consignment shops, antique stores, or even your local Goodwill. You don’t even have to leave your house if you don’t want to—shop online on sites like Poshmark, Mercari, ThredUp, and Facebook groups. My sister has found dozens of gorgeous, unique dresses for HOCO dances and even for when she was on homecoming court at little mom-and-pop consignment stores or online. Remember, no one can see the tag inside… it doesn’t need to be “designer” to look nice. Not a “thrifter”? Never fear: You can still save by shopping sales, buying dresses in the off-season (hello, after-Christmas and New Year’s sales, it’s me again!), and renting dresses on sites like RentTheRunway or Nuuly.

GET CRAFTY: COSTUME BUCKET FOR THE WIN

Growing up, it’s not uncommon for kids to have a dress-up box filled with costumes: grandpa’s old Hawaiian shirts, previous years’ Halloween cowboy getups, princess dresses, and more. Along the way, however, they grew out of playing pretend (or simply grew out of the clothes), and the costume bucket got tossed to make room for other things. Well, it’s time to rebuild! Before you purchase anything for your teen’s dress-up days, go through your closet to see if you have anything that works. Don’t forget to check grandma’s house, too, in the closet where she kept old homecoming and bridesmaid dresses. Then head to Hobby Lobby to get crafty. You wouldn’t believe what a little paint or ribbon can do to spice up an outfit! 

Make sure to keep the costumes—they’ll need one in college, trust me! You can also thrift for costumes—Goodwill is filled with Hawaiian shirts and iconic ’fits from decades past. Amazon can also come in clutch for securing one or two small items that can make a big difference, like colorful wigs, an eye patch, or a bald cap.

SNAPS WITHOUT THE SPLURGE

Mom snapping shots on her phone just doesn’t cut it anymore—anything less than a professional photographer is not acceptable (at least, according to your teen). You can save money by using a free location, though: Parks, gardens, and well-manicured (or decorated) backyards make great free backdrops. There are a few ways to navigate the hefty price of homecoming dance photos:

  • Talk to parents in other friend groups and see if you can split the photographer’s fee with them. Typically, the photographer has a time range and a certain number of photos they will take and edit, so see if both groups want to take photos at the same location and just take turns, going halfsies. 
  • Bring your own camera or borrow one from a friend. You might can even loan one from your public library.
  • Talk to the other parents in your teen’s friend group and see if any are photographers who would want to take and share pictures of the group. (My sister’s benefitted from a parent photographer before!)
  • Try to find a budding photographer. Let’s be real: This isn’t their wedding, the pictures don’t have to be immaculate. Their prices will be cheaper and you’ll probably get more bang for your buck.

HOST A POTLUCK DINNER

While, sure, it’s fun for teens to go out to eat before the dance, it will be loads easier and more affordable to have everyone bring a dish and have a potluck dinner at the house or a picnic spot before heading to the dance floor. If you’re feeling lazy, just order a couple of pizzas (which are also perfect for taking to a scenic overlook—very “Instagrammable”). If your teen really wants to eat out, make reservations at a budget-friendly restaurant like a diner or pizza joint.

THE GET-READY GAME PLAN

For girls, getting ready can be the most fun part of HOCO (and often the most stressful, if we’re being honest). There are three routes you can take to save money: First, you can check the nearby beauty schools for a discounted rate to get her hair and makeup done. Second, you can throw a “get-ready party” at your house before pictures and have all the girls do each other’s hair and makeup. (Everyone can bring their favorite “tool” and supplies so the girls have lots to choose from!) Third, your teen can do it herself. If this is the plan, make sure to practice ahead of time so she knows what hairstyle she’s going to do and how to style it (thank you, YouTube tutorials!). 

IT’S IN THE DETAILS

The little things add up. Encourage the kids to decorate each others’ cars and carpool instead of renting a limo (especially if the venue requires paying for parking). Suggest a movie night, bonfire, or late-night breakfast at your house for a safe, cheap “after party” post-game or post-dance. Emphasize that it’s about the fun and memories they’ll make with their friends, not about the fancy designer labels. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute splurges. You can even make a Trader Joe’s flower run and help your teen create their own corsage or bouquet. You can also throw a flower arranging party so all their friends can help each other.

Between the float decorating, costume wearing, and formal wear buying (not to mention if your teen is on homecoming court), there’s no question that homecoming will eat your wallet if you let it. But by being proactive and getting creative, your teen’s homecoming week can be memorable and fun while still being affordable. Make sure to snap photos of them each theme day so you can show your friends all your creative hard work! (Phew!)