Prom is approaching and you are most likely scrambling to find a date or relaxing with your significant other while the rest of the school panics. Either way, you or your date must make one very important decision before embarking on the prom-preparation adventure: how to ask. These days, saying “Will you go to prom with me?” is simply not enough, even when accompanied with a few roses or candy. If you still do not know how to ask your date or just want a more original idea, use one of these methods and hope for a “yes!”

• First arrange with your potential date’s parents to keep him or her occupied for at least two hours to ensure they stay completely in or out of the house during this time. Then, draw “PROM?” in colorful chalk with a creative font. If this is done during the day, draw on the sidewalk in front of his or her house. If this is done during the night, feel free to use the street for more room, but watch out for cars.

• Go to Build-A-Bear Workshop and choose the stuffed animal you think your potential date would like best. When the time comes to put a “heart” in the toy, choose one in which you can record a message, which can later be played by hugging it. Record “[Insert Date’s name], will you go to prom with me? Love, [your name].” Then, send the stuffed animal to your date any way you choose: in class, by mail, in person, etc.

• If you are asking your girlfriend or boyfriend or just a friend with whom you are comfortable, invite him or her over for breakfast one day. Say you will make him or her pancakes, and send him or her into a different room with some kind of activity to preoccupy him or her with T.V., a magazine, etc. while you cook. Pour the batter into the pan in the shape of the letters “P,” “R,” “O,” “M” and add a “?” if you want to be even more creative. Serve your date the pancakes and watch him or her be deliciously satisfied and pleasantly surprised!

While getting asked to prom is inherently exciting, using creative tactics like these is sure to make this special time even more memorable, in addition to the millions of pictures you will take!