2009-12-10T16:41:00.000Z

Santa baby ...

Less than a month till Christmas - time to hook up with 'Santa', check you're on the good list!! and, all being well, negotiate your stocking contents.

If your Prom is in 2010 we've a couple of ideas for presents to get your Prom preparations off to an awesome start.

It's great fun getting dressed up to the nines for Prom Night, but if you're a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, or the only smart dress you've worn was as an 8 year old bridesmaid at your cousin's wedding, you might not know where to start when it comes to picking out a great look for your big night. A session with a fashion expert doesn't have to blow the budget, and could save you hours of trailing round TopShop looking for something stunning. Ok, so Santa's not going to put Gok Wan in your Christmas stocking but a personal shopper at your local department store could be the next best thing. Most stores offer a free service with no obligation to buy, and this Christmas Debenhams are offering a VIP Gift Card which comes with a Personal Shopper, a beauty consultation, a treat in the restaurant and £100 to spend in store. Priced at, yes you've guessed it, £100!

A store Personal Shopper will be limited to that store's ranges but a Personal Stylist has unlimited choice. We spoke to Bristol based Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle, about how she helps clients.
"I begin with a mini consultation in the comfort of the client's home which lasts about 30 minutes. I have a brief look at their wardrobe and style, discuss trends and how they might adapt them to suit and compile a shopping list. We arrange a shopping trip day and the day before I go round the shops and source the outfits I want to show them. I do all the hard work and when the client joins me the next day it's all ready and waiting to be tried on. They discover a new way of shopping and styling and try on clothes they might not have considered before." Niki charges £60 an hour whilst the client is with her on the shopping day but does not charge for the initial consultation nor for the time it takes her to pick out the clothes in advance.

Looking buffed and beautiful on Prom Night is a must. So asking for, spa, beauty salon, or nail studio vouchers to be used on treatments for the big day is a great forward planning strategy.

Accessories make gorgeous gifts too. A tiara will ensure you sparkle on the night and there are lots of inexpensive ones on the high street from around £10. It's easier to choose things like shoes and jewellery once you've found your dress but you could ask for gift vouchers for your favourite store.

Lastly, your Prom Night will hopefully be one you want to remember always so why not ask for a Prom Keepsake Box to store all your memories and photos in? Prom-specific ones can be hard to find but East of India make a range of wooden keepsake boxes generally available in stores or search online for keepsake or memories boxes - we found Prom boxes online at www.tiaradreams.co.uk and special prom photo albums at www.perfectdayweddingshop.co.uk. Or you could ask Santa to make you one which would be even more special.

Don't just scribble your wish list on a scrap of paper, get organised. Go to www.myperfectprom.co.uk now and download your free Prom Planner and Prom Budget Sheet.

2009-12-10T16:33:00.000Z

Prom Fundraising

Halloween has gone and the festive season is just around the corner which means it’s still months till Prom Night. So, what can you do right now Prom-wise …other than bookmarking the best dresses and dreaming of your perfect prom date?

Fundraising that’s what. Now is the ideal time to raise money for Prom Night - the run up to the holiday season offers some great fundraising opportunities as everyone gets busy with their festive preparations.

Make a list of all the things which need doing before the holiday then transform yourself into ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ and work out which you can do to raise money. Come on – use your imagination.

Gift wrapping - a chore often left to the last minute by desperate parents. Offer a present wrapping service either within your local shopping centre (check permissions) or have a special Saturday wrap up in school. Buy all the paper, sticky tape and ribbons and charge to wrap.

Babysitting – this doesn’t have to be at night. A daytime babysitting service offered on Saturdays and Sundays in December, allowing busy mums to shop, will be popular – might be easier to work in pairs and do festive activities with the kids like making cards or decorations.

Photos with Santa – if your school’s having a Christmas Fair then make sure it includes a Grotto, a Santa, some elves and a camera.

2010 Calendar – got some seriously buff students? Course you have. Get students to vote for the 12 they would like to see or just force the 12 most popular seniors in front of a camera. To ensure bigger sales do group photos – the rugby team, school bands, senior prefects, chess club even the male teachers!! Print to order and make up using ready bought custom calendars.

Snow angels – if you're sure of snow this winter then organise a 'Snow Clearing Service' for drives and pavements. Some advertising agencies advertise their clients in fresh snow using stencils. Contact your local ad agencies to ask if they'd employ you to trudge through the snow leaving their little stencil imprints.

Carol singing – easy, obvious and no one expects you to be that good. Could dress up Dickens style to make it more festive.

That should get you started. We have lots of other ideas for fundraisers and will tell you all about them in the New Year. In the meantime bookmark www.myperfectprom.co.uk for all the advice and information you need when planning the perfect prom night.