Help for Homecoming…

Natty Bumppo

This year, our school's theme for homecoming is "Oriental Garden"….the would have named it Japanese Garden, but out Student Coucil advisor said that "Oriental Garden" wouldnt be offending as much as "Japanese Garden".

Anyway, the Student Council pres. and VP have come to me for help. They think I am into the whole Japanese cultrue because I like anime. I mean, I am but not as much as to plan a WHOLE banquet by myself. Now....the banquet is in 2 weeks so...I am bascially screwed if I dont come up with something.

I know many here are more into Japanese culture than I am and know more than I do. Therefore I need a bit of help. I am not trying to tell anyone here to plan out the entire thing. I just need ideas that can help me. Dont worry, Ill be doing all the decorating, and arranging, and other crap.

What I have to work with: Half of Half a basketball court that I need to turn into an "Oriental Garden". About 50% of the whole High School will be there so that is about........35-40 people. Cheap Budget....VERY CHEAP. And an idea for a dess code....I was thinking that everyone can come dressed with Kimono's and those shoes that Mugen, from Samurai Champloo, wears. The problem with this is that Kimons are about...$100 a piece....so I need something more cheaper that fits the theme. I mean the alternate idea is that they all come in suits and dresses, like normal, but I think we should try something different. Music......what kind of music should I play? Its a Christian school, so nothing too......."controversial".

What ideas I have so far: Round tables (rectangular tables dont fit the theme), pillows as chairs, and sushi, terryaki chicken, miso soup, tea, and Green Tea Ice Cream as our menu.

Any ideas are welcome. Thanks for any help.

P.S. Does anyone know of a place online where I can get a cheap Kimono or something that a guy can wear?

Fleur

Woah woah, there. hang on.
Kimonos are more like $1,000-$3,000 a piece, you know?
What you're looking for should be a Yukata, which is like a cheaper, summer kimono that's made of cotton.

But even then, I don't you can afford to buy so many Yukatas and Mugen, and I doubt most people will want to bother with buying them.

How about just dresses that just seem kind of oriental to them- and to those who do have a Kimono or Yukata, bring them. I've seen thin, Japanese looking sandals that have the texture of bamboo on the top surface, and you can find them cheap at Wal-mart, Fred Meyers, so on.

I would suggest round, paper lanterns for lights.

The food items are good, except will students be willing to buy miso soup at a dance? ^^; I guess it depends on your school.

Umm…Maybe some round, paper/real bushes around the place...The colors could include Gold, Red, and Green, or just blue and green. I know the red and gold are more chinese, (And the green is for the garden) but there isn't really a stereotypical Japanese color.

Hmm. Maybe a small, wooden bridge going over some paper water on the floor...and if anyone has a buddah statue, then they should bring that.

That's all the ideas I have for now, I don't know if I really helped. ^^;

Roz

@Fleur:

…and if anyone has a buddah statue, then they should bring that.

I'm not sure how well that would go at a Christian school.

Fleur

@Roz:

I'm not sure how well that would go at a Christian school.

Completely slipped my mind.

…Scratch that.

GearSecond

No it's a good idea, it should be fine.

In general jut get Japanese plants and such. for dress code, sandals and whatever else was suggested. round paper lights ect should be fine.

Not surwe how you'll pull off sometihng nice on a tight budget for only 40 kids, which seems kinda dumb. And use Japanese garden or it may be offensive to use oriental, which I beleive is a general term for part sof Asia, and it's a Japanese garden. People don't like the differences, ya know?

On a tight budget in two weeks, not sure you can really pull it off with the budget.

captain usopp

I would have told them I'm offended that you Asume I'm an expert on japanese..(oops I mean "oriental") gardens because I watch some foregn cartoons.

Well what about some origami like paper cranes and stuff at the tables. Kind of like a centerpiece. And since it is garden themed, you need flowers at the table. Hey, what about some fake cherry blossoms scattered nicely at the tables.

Plus, about the Buddah; I went to a catholic school, and I don't think my school would have cared. If they are celebraiting the orient then they have to acknowledge that Budism is a part of asain culture.

I wouldn't go to japan and yell at them for showing me a Buddah statue becasue I'm catholic. That's just stupid. It's not like your worshiping Buddah because your using him for a decoration at a "themed" party.

Go look at some pictures online Natty. That will help.

Cr4zy

http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/kimono_Cultures-Ethnicities_W0QQfromZR34QQsacatZ3913
eBay knows best. But I dont know if this is the kind of kimonos you need. Maybe you want longer ones.