[email protected], this is my 14 yr old sons first semi formal. 4 guys-4 girls.. the boys have all gone to school together and have been best buds since pre-school, now in 9th grade. They all have attended a small private school, now moved on to hi-school with kids coming from other schools. They would like to do something other then flowers for both the young ladies and themselves. I guess to show their united front! Any cool suggestions would truly help this old tired mother out. We only have 10 days!! Thanks tons:

[email protected], this is my 14 yr old sons first semi formal. 4 guys-4 girls..the boys have all gone to school together and have been best buds since pre-school, now in 9th grade. they all have attended a small private school, now moved on to hi-school with kids coming from other schools. they would like to do something other then flowers for both the young ladies and themselves. i guess to show their united front! any cool suggestions would truly help this old tired mother out. we only have 10 days!!! thanks tons:
Well giving a gift to a girl is easy there so many choices. Here are a few ideas I came up with:
- with the expenses for a girl to get ready for prom maybe it would be nice to have the guys pay for their hair appointments or something like that
- there isn't a girl around that wouldn't appreciate a visit to a Spa = Spa gift cert.
- make an easy but inexpensive corsage from good quality artificial flowers and then her corsage is a keepsake too(a large flower, some tiny ones, florist tape and wire,ribbon)
- a nice necklace and bracelet combo can be nice but make sure it's trendy - doesn't have to be fancy or expensive aim for a silver chain with dangle progression of beads(clear) this also is a great way to remember the prom

Since this is a semi-formal, that might make it way easier in some ways.

I'm assuming you're looking at replacing the boutiniers/corsages?

You might try the craft section of a department store for some ideas... maybe something like patches of a specific animal/bug (like butterflies, cats, dragonflies, fish, whatever) attached to a small pin that could be fancy for the girls and attached to a ribbon wrapped piece of elastic, and pinned on the lapels for the guys. (we did butterflies and dragonflies for my wedding in a similar manner)

I think the idea of some kind of pin that they can keep, perhaps something that is a reference to whatever they are interested in as a group, or something that is a reference to their school. The craft store is a great idea.