Appropriate corsage for 8th grader?

alum · #1 06-11-2008, 11:19 PM

My clueless son is taking a girl to the 8th grade dance. She must be somewhat desperate (although her yearbook pic is cute) since he asked her today and the dance is Friday. He was just going to go with a bunch of friends (a much more age-appropriate method IMO) but then found out that people are pairing off. Nothing like waiting until the last minute....

So anyway, given that the girl is still a 14 y.o. GIRL and not an adult-sized 18 y.o., what size corsage would not look too overwhelming on her wrist? I figure the wrist is safer than him trying to pin a corsage to her chest. I did make him call her and found out the dress is black so what would be appropriate flowers in terms of coordinating color and species?

I really wish the school coordinated this dance as they did 6 years ago: directly after school and there were no "dates" allowed. I think I am going to have much rougher teenage years ahead with this kid vs my oldest.

honeychile · #2 06-11-2008, 11:47 PM

For eighth grade, I would think that white rosebuds would look elegant, yet still young. For that matter, any kind of rosebud - except red! Red roses mean "I Love You" in the language of flowers, and that's definitely not appropriate in this case.

Good luck, alum!

OhSoVeryLadylike · #3 06-11-2008, 11:59 PM

something simple

honeychile · #4 06-12-2008, 12:05 AM

^^ I like both! A gardenia or magnolia would look great, too.

alum · #5 06-12-2008, 12:47 AM

Hmm, I like BOTH of those a lot better than what we ordered. I may have to cancel the order and try to recreate one of your pics. I'll have to ask my kid in the morning but I doubt that he will care. Actually, I'll ask his sister. She has a much higher coolness factor than either GEN Alum or me as he asked her to drive him and the girl. Somehow I don't think the girl's parents will like that.

christiangirl · #6 06-12-2008, 01:31 AM

Both of those are gorgeous! And I wouldn't worry about the color too much--I gave my prom date a red boutonniere to match my red ball gown (plus he was in all white, I had to break up the color so he wouldn't look like a marshmallow

). I do agree that white rosebuds would be the best on a black dress, especially if he's wearing a black suit/white shirt.

ETA: And who says she's desperate just because she didn't have a date already? Maybe your son's a looker and she was holding out for him.

OhSoVeryLadylike · #7 06-12-2008, 02:16 AM

All it really involves is a hot glue gun some plastic OR fresh flowers (will florist tape), some ribbon, beading on a string from wally work, michaels, or hobby lobby

EE-BO · #8 06-12-2008, 03:01 AM

For this time of year I would recommend Cymbidiums (orchids) or Cattleyas (also orchids) if available. Both are suitable for a wrist corsage in the hands of the right florist.

But FWIW I think anything less than orchids is unacceptable except in very specific circumstances. So take that grain of salt with my advice as opinions will vary.

AGDee · #9 06-12-2008, 05:38 AM

My daughter's 8th grade dance was a couple weeks ago. Most of the girls went in large groups and my daughter said the only boys who were there were those with girlfriends already (and they all had to be 8th graders, no older/younger allowed).. so the ratio of girls to boys was like 15:1.. lol. I like the single rose with the ribbon.

kddani · #10 06-12-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

She must be somewhat desperate

That's pretty harsh, she's only a kid. God forbid the day your son brings home a woman he wants to marry. I can't imagine the criticism you'd have about a future daughter-in-law.

8th graders don't really know how this whole dating this is supposed to work yet. As is evidenced by your son being last minute in asking someone.

As has been stated above, 8th grade dances aren't really something kids pair up for. People go with friends, and only the established "couples" (not too many in 8th grade) go in pairs. Most of the relationships probably meet up once they're there!

Educatingblue · #11 06-12-2008, 08:08 AM

My students just had their 8th grade dance and it is very informal. I do not know if any students actually came together. They met up and even if they were "coupled" off, everyone danced with their friends.

We gave all the girls who did not have corsages one when they arrived since many did not have a date!

FSUZeta · #12 06-12-2008, 08:45 AM

alum was making a joke and as the mother of a son, i could appreciate it!

kids today aren't wearing corsages as much. when my son was in 10th grade i ordered a wrist corsage for his homecoming dance date. she ended up being the only girl with a corsage, and my son forbade me from ordering another corsage ever! you may want to check with some of the other mothers to see what they are doing.

ohsoveryladylike, both corsages are just beautiful! i especially like the one paired with the pearls. are you a floral designer or is this just a hobby?

Army Wife'79 · #13 06-12-2008, 08:56 AM

Alum this brings back memories of Ft. Leavenworth where all the kids were going with pals then at the 11th hour, they all started asking the girls. grrrr. Last minute scrambling for flowers I'm sure on the Mom's part. I called the boy's mom and said we would drive if they would pick up. We were already chaperones at the dance so had to go early anyway. When we arrived at his house we all took pics of them at their quarters. Each girl who came in was given a long stemmed flower (carnation maybe?) in case she didn't have a "date". It was funny tho, b/c the boys immed. split off into one direction and the girls in another and they hung with their friends most of the night except for slow dances. Now they're both Facebook friends. It's funny how Facebook brings you back together with other Army brats you were stationed with all over the country.

alum · #14 06-12-2008, 09:10 AM

I was tired and cranky last night. I'm sure this little girl is a lovely young lady. I'm annoyed at the middle school for scheduling the dance in the evening vs. right after school AND allowing "dates". If it had been directly after school, it would have much more age-appropriate.

Since the whole scenario in terms of asking the girl is fait accompli, I asked him about flowers. He said nobody would do this but I had my doubts so I did call 2 moms with social-butterfly boys. Corsages are being bought. Now we have to go shopping tonight as he grown a lot since Easter and the arms on his dress shirts are annoyingly just slightly too short. Again, a little bit more head's up on this would have been nice.

OhSoVeryLadylike · #15 06-12-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

alum was making a joke and as the mother of a son, i could appreciate it!

kids today aren't wearing corsages as much. when my son was in 10th grade i ordered a wrist corsage for his homecoming dance date. she ended up being the only girl with a corsage, and my son forbade me from ordering another corsage ever! you may want to check with some of the other mothers to see what they are doing.

ohsoveryladylike, both corsages are just beautiful! i especially like the one paired with the pearls. are you a floral designer or is this just a hobby?

Hobby. All my life I loved crafts, but after my heart transplant I found myself with LOTS free time to learn new painting, wood/glass cutting techniques. I just like pretty things.