Homecoming season is right around the corner — but if you’re from Texas, you know it’s more than just ribbons, football, and alumni events.
Homecoming mums have been a tradition in Texas since the early 1900s and have since become a statement-making hallmark of high school life in the Lone Star State.
What is a homecoming mum?
For those of you who are new to the area, you might be wondering what we’re talking about. Mums are considered a token of affection — typically given to a girl by her date in honor of homecoming celebrations.
Traditionally, students will wear a mum to school on homecoming Friday, the football game, and other alumni events.
Whataburger got creative with their mum using stuffed burgers, ribbons, and footballs.
Photo via Whataburger
The start of a Texas tradition
According to Texas Highways, the first mums were worn at homecoming in Missouri in 1911. The tradition became popular in Texas in the 1930s when Baylor University hosted the first-ever homecoming celebration in the state.
Back in the day, a mum was a simple chrysanthemum with a few ribbons pinned to a girl’s clothing. Nowadays, the gaudier the better.
Artificial flowers have replaced real ones so students can have the mum as a keepsake. Accessories include school-colored ribbons, stuffed animals, bells, battery-operated lights, feathers, and different trinkets highlighting the student’s hobbies.
Although not as elaborate as a girl’s mum, boys will receive a garter to wear on their arm with ribbons and other smaller trinkets similar to a mum.
A blooming business
Today, Texans can turn to professional mum makers to create their homecoming masterpiece. Depending on size and accessories, mums can range anywhere from $10 to upwards of $600 — yes, really $600.
If you’re looking to get one made, here are a few local shops around San Antonio:
Share a photo of your mum for a chance to be featured in a future edition of the newsletter.
