Prom Theme Ideas for Your DIY Quarantine Home Prom
“Twilight at Ted Kaczynski’s”
Turn your patio or front porch or crumbling gazebo into an exquisite and austere garden haven any loner would envy. Find some old boards and strewn your manifesto about the dancefloor and you’ve got a prom! Add a balloon arch and some streamers for extra whimsy. It won’t matter – you’re the only one there! Playlist suggestions: Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself”; “Ally By Myself” by Eric Carmen; “Dancing on my Own” by Robyn; “Lonely Boy” by Black Keys.
“The Oscars Red Carpet”
Lights! Camera! Action! Nothing captures the glamour of prom night like a star-studded red-carpet themed prom. Unfortunately, this is the Oscars from 2000 when Angelina Jolie and her brother James Haven made out. Fashion some Oscar statuettes from tin foil, make a custom movie marquee sign from an Amazon box and prepare to dance the night away in your family room. Falling in love with your sibling never felt so grand! Prom song suggestions: “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell and “If Loving You is Wrong, I Don’t Want to Be Right” by Luther Ingram; “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett.
“J.D. Salinger’s Enchanted Cabin”
Make your special night a magical world of elegance, whimsy, isolation, and seclusion. Find some leaves and twigs and some intrusive tourists and you’re ready. You won’t even need a dress – just cinch one of your dad’s flannel shirts. Playlist suggestion: Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More”; “Goodbye to Love” by Carpenters; “All out of Love” by Air Supply; “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond.
“Hollywood Nights”
Turn your living room into a star-studded Hollywood extravaganza with some creative lighting, some stars, and some glitter and pretend you’re in Hollywood. Unfortunately, the movie is “Marley & Me” and your only dance partner is your dog. We include a bow tie for him. And while we hope your dog doesn’t die at the end, this night promises to be just as sad! Playlist suggestions: “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men; “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley.
“Grey Gardens”
The excess of the roaring twenties comes to life. Grab your mom, several feral kittens, and some cans of corn and prepare to dance the night away. Playlist suggestions: “Solitaire” by Laura Branigan; “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince; “Crazy for You” by Madonna; “Old Money” by Lana del Ray.
“Charlie & the Chocolate Factory”
Want to turn your living room into an elegant prom space for prom but can’t because you have one or more invalid or recuperating grandparents sleeping there in a makeshift hospital bed? A few colorful set pieces like candy trees, chocolate rivers, and sweet candy arches will turn your living room into a Wonka-esque fun land. Playlist suggestions: “How Sweet it Is” by James Taylor and “Grandpa Told Me So” by Kenny Chesney
“London Nights”
Photo backdrops with ancient castle turrets, Greek columns, and Eiffel towers are du rigueur at prom. Party in London on prom night with British themed streamers (old 4th of July decorations work fine here) and call the clock in your living room Big Ben. When the music starts, just sit on a bench, call yourself Eleanor Rigby, and you will feel British. Spend the evening throwing some rice at yourself, darning some socks, and listening to a Sunday sermon no one else will hear. Suggested playlist: “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles on repeat until your Spotify subscription expires.
“Sweet Home Alabama”
Plan a prom with lots of down-home southern charm! There’s nothing like a wild southern party with lots of southern touches. Unfortunately, you’re Alabama resident Boo Radley and it’s just you. Spend the night whittling soap figurines, and when the music stops, putting the freshly whittled soap figurines in neighborhood trees. Playlist suggestions: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynrd Skynrd; “Mockingbird” by James Taylor & Carly Simon; “When Doves Cry” by Prince.
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Gary M. Almeter is an attorney who lives in a quaint and cozy neighborhood in Baltimore, MD with his wife, three children and beagle. His short stories, essays and humor pieces have appeared in McSweeney’s, Writer’s Bone, the Good Men Project, 1966, and Splitsider. He is the recipient of the Maryland Writer’s Association’s 2015 Creative Nonfiction Award. His first book “The Emperor of Ice-Cream” will be published in March 2019.
