Did You Know Homecoming Mums Are A Texas Thing? Here’s Why We Wear Them!

It's football season in West Texas, so you know that means one special Friday night of the season will be homecoming, where alumni come back to their hometowns to celebrate and the senior class crowns a queen. Some schools have already had their homecoming festivities that include parades, bonfires, and pep rallies. Last Friday was Seminole's homecoming and my 25th class reunion. I cannot believe I have been out of school for 25 years! I didn't even realize it was my 25th until I got a message from someone letting me know that a time capsule from the class of 1999 had been found and would be interested in coming back and opening it at the pep rally. I was unable to make it but I would have if I had been here. Another thing that goes hand in hand with homecoming games are mums. Did you know that mums are typically a Texas thing? The tradition of wearing a mum has spread into some parts of Louisiana and Oklahoma, but it's mainly a Texas thing, however, it did not originate in Texas. As a whole Texas is the only state where you find mums as a staple of the day.

According to Texas Highways, the first mums were worn at homecoming games in  Missouri in 1911. It was considered a token of affection. The tradition of wearing chrysanthemums did not become popular in Texas until the 1930s.  In the 1950s and 60's the average cost of a mum was $3. Now they can cost up to $200 or more. The Chrysanthemums, later shortened to "MUMS" went from real fresh flowers to artificial flowers.

Early on the mum was a simple chrysanthemum with a few ribbons. Over the years they have grown bigger and bigger. Some mums will have more than one flower, some will have one flower on the front and another flower over the shoulder. You will also now see mums with not just a few ribbons but tons, of braids, stuffed animals, and different trinkets. I remember adding bells to mine.

Of course, the guys couldn't be left out, since the guys would give girls a mum the girls will give the boys garters.

I miss those days of getting a mum. Just like anything else, it was always who had the biggest or the prettiest, or the best. It is so crazy how wild mums can get for homecoming. Sometimes mums weigh more than the girl wearing them.  I want to see pics of your mums. Share them with me.

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