Every fall is now considered “Hoco Season,” with its many preparations that have to be completed in a timely manner. However, with all these expenses constantly adding to the cart, it’s all building up to be too much money.

First, you start with your dress and suit. I know people who spent $1,000 on their homecoming dress last year, and that’s just too much. Prices for Homecoming dresses have increased on the most popular sites to shop at such as Princess Polly, Lucy in the Sky and Lulus. I started shopping for my dresses online because they were cheaper, but now I’ll have to rethink my options.

On a side note, I spent $30 on a tie for my date. This tie was more expensive than my Homecoming dress last year. I’ll let you sit with that. After you are finally able to settle on a dress, you have to find a boutonniere and corsage. The stores who sell these have prices that are becoming ridiculous.

Then, most people attend an after party that has an iconic theme you need to buy a costume for. This really adds up after the dress, suit and flowers.

And you can’t forget about dinner. Trying to find a pseudo-fancy, but inexpensive place is becoming impossible. Even if you’re just going with you and your date, the prices become unbearable when both of you order a steak and a dessert.

Finally, the main event: the Homecoming Dance you’ll have to spend $20 per person on. I know this money is going toward the school, but the consistently expensive prices are causing people to skip this part of the Homecoming tradition all together.

Then, of course, you have to buy food on your way back from the Homecoming Dance for the afterparty, which is the real reason people go through these Homecoming festivities. The afterparty gives them a chance to host their own party and not charge people $20 to get in.

Blue Valley schools should lower their ticket prices to $10. Maybe more people will actually go to the school hosted event if the tickets were cheaper, so Homecoming can become a fun and stress free experience again.