Homecoming is probably one of my favorite times of the school year. Walking through department stores and seeing racks of dresses and finding those six inch heels that would most likely paralyze you after standing in them for more than ten minutes without a care. This is what I love about homecoming.

Girls, including myself, look forward to this time at the beginning of the school year to have fun and enjoy a night of dolling yourself up. But, there are those who look at this night as a time of mockery because of the fact that they are single.

“Oh I’m not going to homecoming because I have no date.”

“What’s the point of going to homecoming when you have no date? You’ll look stupid!”

The definition of homecoming is to ‘return to one’s home; arrival at home’ (thank you dictionary.com for giving me the actual definition). If you want to get technical about it, it does not even say that there is a dance involved. Personally, I see this night as a time for fun and a real way to kick off the school year.

As it was mentioned in my ‘Private for a Reason’ column, I am in a relationship. You might think that I should not have an opinion on this topic because of the fact that I do not need to worry about that problem; but at this time last year, I was going stag and not whining.

[vision_pullquote style=”1″ align=”center”] Sometimes guys would prefer if a girl at least offered to pay for any of the necessities for a perfect night. [/vision_pullquote]

While it is cute to have that special someone to share a slow dance to “Blue Jeans” by Lana Del Rey, that is one of the only real advantages of attending a school dance with a date. Other than that, in the guy’s case, you have to deal with having to pay for the dinner before, a corsage for your date, and providing a fancy limo to take the two of you to the dance. Of course, the girl does not have to pay a dime, besides her attire for the night, which is probably why they see no problem in having a date.

This brings another issue to the table: some girls have become too accustomed to having a date pay for them. Some should not depend on guys to pick up the tab. Sometimes guys would prefer if a girl at least offered to pay for any of the necessities for a perfect night.

Guys, who I applaud, are the ones most pressured to ask someone to the dance. Do not stress it, men! It is definitely okay to attend the dance going stag with a couple of good friends, whether boy or girl. You do not need to put yourself through the embarrassment of awkwardly asking someone to be your date when you are not that interested. You will be able to dance with as many people as you want without even needing to spend money or be bothered to share an awkward slow dance with a date you are not comfortable with.

Honestly, I feel like it would be a lot of work to have to go to homecoming, or any dance, with a date. To those of you who are going to homecoming, or any dance for that matter, by yourself, should enjoy it. Think of not going with a date as a way to save money, dance with whomever you please, and spend time with your friends without worries. Dance on, fellow homecomers!