You've been assigned prom duty. Not just attending it, or chaperoning it or guarding the punch bowl. This season you're in charge of decorating the prom. The whole shebang.

Step 1: Don't despair. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it can also be fun.

Step 2: Start coming up with ideas for decorations.

Where do you find prom decorating ideas?

Ideas for Decorating a Prom Are All Around You

Once you accept the idea that the prom depends on your efforts and turn your thoughts to how to decorate for it, you'll look at the world differently. As you're shopping, notice the trendy colors this year. In a card shop, look over the messages, the illustrations and notice the colors that catch your eye. Is sparkle "in" this year? Are sequins? Big, gaudy beads? Raffia? What are teens wearing? Is pretty fashion in or out? How about Gothic looks? What are celebs wearing? Do the kids at your school march to the tune of popular music, television, movies or follow certain trends? Watch what your school's students watch. Ideas for prom decorating will begin to appear.

Check Out Magazines for Prom Decorating Ideas

Advertisers spend megabucks on just what you're looking to find: precisely what appeals to consumers in the current market. The ad people have done the research. Their ads target the same audiences you are targeting. They have narrowed their decisions and made decisions based on solid research. Take advantage of their work. Look for opportunities to convert moods, fashion, backdrops, colors and pop culture into parts of your prom decorating plans. If the Red Carpet turned pink or fuchsia this year, try renting a pink carpet runner instead and building prom decorations around a trendy Hollywood theme. And yes, there are places that rent pink carpet runners, as well as red carpet ones.

Gather Materials from Last Year's Prom Decorating Advisers

Most likely person in charge of last year's event is delighted to turn over the reigns of the prom to you. Ask her advice, especially about prom decorations. She and those who worked with her are a treasure trove of ideas and suggestions for what works, what doesn't work and for what goes wrong. Not only can they save you time and energy, but they can step over to an unmarked file cabinet and pull out a folder of notes, clippings and magazines geared toward decorating a prom. A word of caution: Be nice. Some people love to share. Others don't. The file cabinet drawer is unmarked and she doesn't have to tell you what treasures she has tucked away.

Surf the Internet to Find Ideas for Prom Decorations and Ideas

Visit websites devoted to prom planning, prom decorating ideas and event planning. Bookmark a few of the ones that sound promising so you can find them later. These days great sites and blogs can get lost amid commercial advertisements. Both arenas have their purposes, but some of the best ideas make their way into blogs where the writers offer just the tips and advice you need. These websites are not static. Bloggers add to them regularly, so be sure to check back. Better yet, sign up for their newsletters or jot them a note. Chances are they'll write the next blog entry specifically to answer your question.

New and emerging website owners appreciate inquiries that include specific questions you might have related to prom decorations and prom decorating ideas. They welcome questions and are more likely to respond to you directly than some of the ones that have been around for awhile. Seek them out while prom planning.

Remember the first rule of decorating a prom: Have fun with it. You'll be making memories not only for the students. You'll be taking away your own, so make them good ones.