Monday, August 4

More Big Ole Texas Homecoming Mums


Here in Texas, and virtually unknown in other parts of the country, our high school students have developed a tradition of wearing elaborate, ever-growing-larger Homecoming Mums. Mums are worn to high school homecoming spirit days, the homecoming football game and in some cases to the homecoming dance. I don't know how in the world they dance with these monster artificial and shiny symbols of school spirit, but dance they do.

Since my first child started high school in Texas in 2003, I've watched the growth of homecoming mum sales, popularity and their SIZE skyrocket. To outsiders — non-Texans, or even just non-teenagers — they might look weird or impractical to wear. But that's not the point. To Texas guys and gals, they are a key part of the high school experience.

Normally, mums are made with silk flowers, particularly chrysanthemums, trailing ribbons and feather boas that can reach the floor, and trinkets that represent the student's interests and activities. Some mums even have battery-powered lights or play recorded sound through hidden speakers. Typically worn by girls, they can weigh up to a staggering 50 lbs. Crazy, right? They can be exchanged between sweethearts, friends or simply from a parent to a student. 

For some, it is tempting to dismiss high school homecoming mums as a petty indulgence. But mums are markers of identity during adolescence, and a unique part of our Texas heritage. I say embrace it and ENJOY! 

10 comments:

  1. This post made me smile. Oh what memories! Some of those dang mums weighed more than I did!

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    1. It makes me smile too Jaelan - love that name! I miss having a daughter in high school to make mums for, but I help a girlfriend that owns a busy florist though! It get's crazy during homecoming! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I still have all of my mums hanging on my childhood bedroom wall at my parents' house! I love this time of year + mums. I personally made all of my mums (about 8 or 9). None of mine were quite as extravagant as those featured in this post, though!

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    1. Kristy, I still have all of my daughter's. I asked her how long were we going to keep them all! I made all of her mums and my son's girlfriends as well - I do miss that. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Wow! I graduated in '97 and the mums were nowhere near that big. Nuts. :)

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    1. Melissa, I had a friend remind me that the tradition is to have one mum as a freshman, two as a sophomore.....until you end up with four as a senior. She asked me if this poor girl in the last photo had been held back a few years.....so funny! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. That sounds like a fun tradition! Thanks for sharing with Hump Day Happenings.

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  5. These are so pretty!! I didn't even know such a thing existed. Did we have homecoming mums at my high school? I don't even know, haha!

    xo

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    1. Vanessa, you must not be from the great state of Texas! Mums actually started out as simple corsages back in the 20's and have evolved into these monster-sized mums! I enjoyed making all of my kids mums, I miss it! Thanks for stopping by!

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