With over 100,000 of them taking place nationwide each year, prom is just around the corner. The special event is a celebration of coming of age and a huge milestone in life. It’s time to take a look at one of the oldest traditions when it comes to the dance: flowers.

Corsages and boutonnieres have been around since the 1700s. They are both French words and come from the tradition of wearing flowers to important events. The sweet smell was thought to keep away evil spirits, bad smells, and to ward off diseases. Corsages were often worn in the middle of a woman’s dress; now they are either pinned to her shoulder or on her wrist. Although many things like portion sizes and prices have grown over the years, the flower arrangements have actually shrunk in size.

In today’s age, the flowers are not used to “protect” the person wearing it, instead, they are just a fashion accessory. Couples typically buy corsages and boutonnieres to match their outfits and to coordinate. A common combination is baby’s breath and a rose or a carnation. A corsage or a boutonniere can be anywhere from $5-45 depending on which flowers are used.

Hillsborough’s junior prom is next Friday, April 12 and senior prom is May 17. When students buy their tickets their information packet has an order form for flowers attached. The school paired with a local florist to provide the students with an opportunity to buy affordable arrangements for themselves and/or their dates.