Homecoming is a memorable time in the life of high school students. Here in the Lone Star State we have a peculiar Texas tradition that folks from out of state just don't understand, namely: Homecoming mums.
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Simply referred to as "mums" by Texans, these creations are works of gaudy art. A really elaborate mum might feature multiple fake chrysanthemums, a teddy bear, a feather boa, lights, noisemakers and more.
You can usually get a pre-made mum in your school colors in a local grocery store, florist shop or craft store. However, there are professional crafters who create custom mums that can cost hundreds of dollars.
There is even a version for guys, called "arm garters." Kids exchange mums and garters and wear them to the football game and homecoming dance.
Texas homecoming mums first started as corsages using real flowers, but since this is Texas and flowers wilt in the heat (even in the Fall) we now use silk flowers.
We first covered this topic in 2016 and, apparently, it shocked many non-Texans. Some people from England read it and thought "mums" meant "mothers" rather than "chrysanthemums." Every place has its odd traditions though, and here in the Lone Star State, ours is mums. So here are 10 times from 2017 when homecoming mums were too awesome for their own good.
10. That time a New Yorker Did as the Texans do:
The homecoming mum that was given to Rashad?s special someone! This New Yorker still doesn?t know the deal with the mum? buts it?s HUGE!! pic.twitter.com/OXbQyzGoWW
