1. Enlist either the help from their elder siblings to watch and stop any unacceptable behavior or hire a few college students to do so. I am not telling you to go to bed and forget about it, but they will have a lot more fun if they do not feel an adult is hovering around. Be in charge of the grill and refreshments and with that you can keep an eye on things. Ask one of the teens parents to help and when not busy grilling you could enjoy a game of gin rummy or bridge. When sending invitations state that only those with an invitation (plus prom date) can enter the backyard, they must arrive within a certain time, no leaving and returning and no alcohol or drugs will be tolerated. It is probably a good idea to send a letter to your neighbors asking for their indulgence and why, as well as an invitation to a backyard barbecue party within the next few weeks!



2. Make sure there is plenty of seating for everyone. Teens spend a lot of time at the prom dancing and on their feet. By the time they get to the after prom party, they may just want to put up their feet and relax for awhile. If you need more outdoor furniture, you can get wicker, wood, or wrought iron furniture for the patio or deck online.

3. Have plenty of beverages on hand. You can order refreshment centers or beverage coolers online. They come in large and small sizes, but you will want to make sure you have one large enough for your party. It should have room for plenty of cold sodas and ice for those who like ice in their beverage glasses.

4. Have enough tableware and real flatware. They need something to put their food on that will not fall apart and ruin their prom clothes... You can choose from a variety of wood, melamine, or china plates for food holders. For many this is the first time they have been dressed up and they are feeling very grown up. Grown ups enjoy real tableware when in black tie apparel. Make the little things special. Little extravagances like ornamental napkin and plate holders make the table look so much more appealing. Having real glass drinking glasses is much preferable to having throw-away plastic cups. It makes the night seem all the more special.

5. Use mood lighting to set the tone. You can get solar lights that float on the surface of your swimming pool, or scattered around the garden. They glow with beautiful colors and create a festive atmosphere. There are also fiber optic lighting designs, fun string lights and lighted palm trees. It will help keep the mood of the prom going with the right lighting choices.

6. For foods have teenager favorite foods such as pizza or burgers. Buy a couple of pizza pans for the grill, prepared pizza crusts and the ingredients they love on their pizza. Chips, salsas, green salad with choices in dressing and fruit should make everyone happy.

7. Fire pits help create romance. Buy one if you do not own one and beg and borrow a few more. The teens will gather around these fire pits and enjoy conversations that can last into the night. Couples can sit together and forge bonds that may last a lifetime. On the other hand, it may be a magical night that will never be replayed.