The Mums

Last weekend I went to Texas to hang with my family, more pics and stories to come. One of the best parts was that I was there for Homecoming weekend and could have a front row seat for the unveiling and wearing of the mums. What is a mum you ask, and what does it have to do with Homecoming. Clearly you must not be from Texas. They are pretty tough to describe, but Google found plenty of people who are oh so happy to clue us in on the celebration. So, what is a mum?


When it’s homecoming season across the nation, only in parts of Texas and Oklahoma is it also homecoming mum season. Some students take homecoming mums just as seriously as the homecoming football game itself.For the uninitiated, a homecoming mum is an oversize mum corsage decorated with three-foot long streamers in the school colors, bells, charms, banners, little plush animals done up in bows, sparkly letters, even Christmas tree lights. It is usually worn in the middle of the chest like a breastplate with the streamers flowing down the front of the body almost touching the ankles. It is, in short, a fashion statement.But homecoming mums are so much more than that. They are a sign that somebody loves you. They’re no longer given only by boyfriends. Mums can come from friends, your mom, dad, aunt, or even a booster boy (a boy-friend who is not your date).Anybody who's anybody wears one, or two. These days, a homecoming mum can cost more than $100 and weigh as much as 12 pounds!Homecoming mums have become a status symbol for many junior high and high school students. Designs change every year. The more original, the better.

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. My niece had all her friends sleep over the night before so they could have proper pics before going to school.

Sydney, Kelly, Jessice (can you tell we are related), and Nikki Sydney's lights up, no worries if the power goes out. I think they would be more comfortable if worn as capes.
Julie, Jess, and me. Nothing like work out clothes and a pink boa.

So has anyone else had experience with a Homecoming mum? Please tell me that you have your own photos.