Winter dance wow: maybe it's your first school dance. Maybe it's your friend's bat-mitzvah. No matter what the occasion, here's how to have the perfect big night out!

Girls' Life, Dec, 2003 by Jennifer Pangyanszki

SLOW-DANCE LIKE A CHAMP. You're about to put your arms around each other for THE dance. This is the moment you've been waiting for, right? So first of all, breathe! And to be sure you savor every moment, familiarize yourself with our tried-and-true steppin'-out-slowly tips.

* Lay your hands loosely over his shoulders, or clasp them lightly behind his neck. He'll probably put his hands around your waist. Your closeness depends on your comfort level (and those PDA rules), but you'll be safe leaving a few inches between your shoes (you won't trample each other, either!).

* Get a light conversation going. Comment on the song or the decorations, like "Who knew all the creative uses for toilet paper?", or ask him his plans for the holiday break.

* If you step on his foot or something, it's not a big deal. Apologize in a lighthearted way, and laugh it off by turning it into a joke. "Oh, sorry. That was my other left foot."

* Don't dismiss powder of a good compliment. Feel free to say something like, "You're a good slow dancer." Even if he's no JT, guys love those little strokes to the ego.

ENDING IT SOFTLY Song's over. If you didn't dig dancing with him, smile, say "Thanks," and walk back to your crew. If you did dig it, resist the urge to dash over to your friends and deliver the full twirl-by-twirl report. Instead, pull away slightly, but stay close enough to dance again if the song is right. If he's giving off how-about-another-one signal, smile and say, "Oh, want to dance again?" and find your groove together. Afterward, let him know you're up for another: "Thanks. Maybe we can dance again later!" Repeat as necessary!

Evening bag must-have's! It's impossible to dance with a clutch under your arm (plus, you'll get deodorant stains on it--eww). And baby backpacks are just awful for dress-up. For an elegant night, pick a small bag with a long strap you can toss over your shoulder (never across your body--not flattering). Pack right, with just the essentials....

* Oil-blotting papers (for busting shine)

* Lip gloss (shiny=inviting)

* Bobby pins (if you're wearing that fancy up-'do)

* Mints (you could find yourself up close and personal)

* Money (you never know when it will come in handy)

* Band-Aids (if you're wearing new blister-causing shoes, these could keep you off the sidelines)

Slow Motion

In your dreams, your slow-dance with that certain someone may be totally planned out, down to the perfect B2K song playing in the background. Well, girlie--stop dreaming and make it real!

FIVE STEPS TO THE SLOW DANCE OF YOUR DREAMS. Don't wait all night for your dream guy to ask you. He could be shy, or just blowing a great chance to slow-dance because he doesn't know how to ask you. Why can't you ask him? No way, you say? To help you muster up some slow-dance courage, we surveyed guys on the secret to getting them on the floor. Here's our fool-proof five-step slow-dance approach.

STEP ONE: GET TOGETHER. It's best to get your guy and girl groups mingling. Some girls are more comfortable approaching when a guy is alone or with only a few members of his group, but don't be fooled. Just like you, he may find safety in numbers, and he might not know what to say, either.