Cost of Throwing a College “Bed Party”: See the Receipts

Welcome to Show the Receipts, a series where we ask interesting people to share exactly how much it costs to get shit done. No matter the task, we're tracking every last dollar from start to finish. Up next: throwing a college bed party.

The college application process is arguably one of the most stressful times in a teen's life. Many are gearing up to leave home for the first time, which is nerve-racking in itself, and freshman enrollment continues to rise year after year, making it harder to get into your “dream school.” So what if you could make a senior's college acceptance just a little more special? Well, that's exactly what Kimberlee Ewing did when she threw her daughter a college “bed party.”

If you're unfamiliar with a bed party, they essentially involve decking-out the bedroom of a high school senior to celebrate a college acceptance. For Ewing's daughter Kinslee, it was honoring her commitment to the University of Central Florida. The decor matches the colors of the top-choice school in question (in this case, black and gold), and typically includes school gear, clothes, balloons, streamers, blankets, snacks, and sometimes even custom shoes. Oh, and it's all meant to be a surprise.

With college decision day quickly approaching, lavish bed parties are seemingly all the rage. So we can't help but wonder, how much do these things cost? According to The New York Times, some bed parties are valued at thousands of dollars, but what is that money going toward, exactly?

Here's the full cost breakdown.

Task: Throwing a college bed party
Occupation: Insurance agent
Location: Palm City, FL
Timeline: One month

The Receipts

Food and drink: $108
Balloons: $32
Backdrops and banners: $15
Light-up letters: $20
Helium: $53
UCF gear: $114
Total: $342

How I Did It

Being a parent to a high school senior is rewarding, but it certainly isn't cheap. Here, Ewing shares her insights and the advice she'd give to those throwing a college bed party.

PS: Why did you decide to throw a bed party?
Kimberlee Ewing: To be perfectly honest, I initially thought the entire concept of a bed party was silly. I had seen photos of over-the-top, extravagant spreads on social media, and I just couldn't fathom the idea of spending thousands of dollars when college and the entire application process is already so expensive. But the days with my daughter at home are fleeting, and I want to celebrate her success so she knows how proud we are of her hard work. So, when I gave the idea of a bed party a little more thought, I figured, hey, why not? It's my job to celebrate her wins — and going to college is a really big win.

PS: How did you bring your bed party vision to life?
KE: I got most of my inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram, taking a little bit of this and a little bit of that from each one I saw. I also had a few of my girlfriends come over to help decorate, because I'm the least crafty person there is. We brainstormed ideas and had fun with it. Fortunately, there's no wrong way to throw a bed party.

PS: What was the most surprising expense?
KE: Helium. My husband went to Walmart to buy the helium tank for the balloons, and when he told me it was over $50, I was shocked . . . and it was a small tank.

PS: Where were you able to save?
KE: School gear. I know some bed parties provide an entire new wardrobe, but I only wanted to give my daughter UCF items she would actually use and like. I was more focused on gifting a few thoughtful sweatshirts and shirts that were her style, rather than buying a ton of random clothes just because they say the school's logo.

PS: What was your daughter's reaction?
KE: Kinslee knew I thought the concept of a bed party was kind of outrageous, and I was adamant it wasn't my speed, so she was totally shocked. She was beaming from ear to ear and wholeheartedly appreciative of the surprise. It was also extra special that her closest family and friends were there to celebrate with us.

PS: What advice would you give other parents interested in throwing a bed party?
KE: Do it. You don't have to spend a fortune to make an impact, and it doesn't have to be extravagant, but I believe you should celebrate every win for your senior. The college application process is so stressful, and I know leaving home for the first time is exciting and scary and nerve-racking, but being able to wrap your arms around your kid with something as trivial as a bed party is so special. Trust me — I don't regret a thing.

Final Thoughts

For Ewing, the price of a bed party was totally worth it to celebrate Kinslee and her hard-earned success. But again, she reiterates it doesn't matter how much money you spend or how elaborate the decor. “A bed party is not about the clout or the Instagram-worthy photo,” she says. “It's about celebrating hard work and an exciting new chapter.”

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.