2025-05-01T09:07:02Z

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Melinda Long, a 48-year-old entrepreneur from Lloyd Harbor, New York, who owns a health and fitness company called Grit and Glow, recently organized an unforgettable celebration for her daughter, Sienna, after she was accepted to the University of Miami through the early decision process. This event, known as a bed partya trend gaining popularity among high school seniorswas a heartfelt way to honor Sienna's achievement and share the joy with family and friends.

The bed party concept, which Melinda was introduced to three years ago when her son, Dylan, received several invitations, has evolved into a charming tradition. A bed party is essentially a festive gathering where students reveal their college choices in a lively and often social media-savvy manner. In this case, Melinda felt that her daughter deserved a grand celebration after the hard work she put into securing her spot at her dream school.

Melinda devoted approximately 30 hours to meticulously plan the event, dedicating an additional two hours on the day of the party for setup. She wanted to create an extraordinary experience that Sienna would cherish. Understanding her daughters love for the spotlight, Melinda went above and beyond, transforming their home into a vibrant celebration space. In total, she spent around $2,000, a figure that she acknowledged could easily be adjusted to fit a more modest budget. Nevertheless, she felt compelled to invest in the celebration as a token of appreciation for her daughters achievements.

The must-have items for a college bed party are relatively easy to identify, thanks to social media's influence. From branded blankets to extravagant champagne bottles, the essentials for hosting a memorable event are widely available. For Siennas bed party, Melinda sourced a variety of decorations, including marquee letters and personalized balloon boxes. To really capture the essence of the University of Miami, she even splurged on a $200 inflatable mascot and vibrant blow-up palm trees, inspired by her mothers residence in Florida and her sons current enrollment at the university.

The party itself was an hour-long affair that welcomed 25 of Sienna's closest friends. The first 15 minutes were filled with excitement, characterized by a social media frenzy where the girls posed for pictures against a backdrop of music and laughter. After the initial excitement, it was time to indulge in an array of culinary treats. The spread was impressive, featuring a charcuterie board adorned with the school's initials, a whimsical candy sushi platter, and even cheese shaped in the schools colors of orange and green.

Although the celebration wrapped up quickly, it left a lasting impression. The girls departed shortly after, returning home to their studies, but not before sharing in the joy of Sienna's accomplishment.

As the season of college commitments continues, Sienna has been busy attending bed parties herself. To date, she has participated in at least 15 celebrations and is likely to attend more. Each time, she presents a gift to the host, which typically consists of school merchandise or items in the schools colors. A popular choice for gifts among her friends is a baseball cap featuring a patch of the schoolan affordable yet meaningful present.

Melinda has received a mix of feedback regarding her extravagant bed party, particularly after her TikTok video showcasing the event garnered over half a million views. Despite the varied responsesfrom praise to criticismshe remains steadfast in her decision to celebrate her daughter in such a grand fashion. For Melinda, the joy on Sienna's face was worth every ounce of effort, and she expressed her willingness to recreate the experience for her other child in the future.

If you have a unique expense story to share, Business Insider invites you to reach out to editor Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.