Homecoming Mums

[janette]

Is this just a Texas thing? My oldest DD is in HS this year and this will be our first Homecoming experience. Looks fun I've gotten a couple of shopping hints and my DD and her friends are planning to make theirs so it shouldn't be too bad but seems like they easily go over the top.

Anyone in the DFW area and know of a good place to buy all the stuff cheap please share!

For those not familiar a few pictures:

http://www.mumsandgarters.com/

 

[CEDmom]

I've never heard of this. What exactly do you do with it?

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm not even sure I understand what it is...We definitely don't do them in Western NC, but I'd love to see your finished product!!

 

[janette]

My understanding is they wear them to school the day of the homecoming game. Not sure if they wear them to the dance, I'll have to ask my DD. Seems like they'd spoil the look of the dresses they are wearing so maybe not.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

never heard of this...

 

[Pam]

Janette,
I have seen lots of these posted from Texas DISers around Homecoming time.

I had never heard of them before until a couple of years ago on this board.

I can't think of any of the posters names offhand - sorry.

 

[janette]

All the websites I find are from TX - Looks like it must be a TX thing. Here is a picture of someone with it on, I know people who have made & sold them. One even includes lights so they can be very elaborate.

 

[camreesmom]

Wow, I didn't realize it was a Texas thing. I guess since I went to college here also and we even had them at A&M. Anyway, our middle schoolers wanted them last year for their girlfriends. Be prepared because even making them yourself, they are not cheap. Compared to buying them from a florist though, you'll save half to 2/3's so it is worth it. Buying all of the supplies usually runs me about $50. I usually go to Hobby Lobby.

Julie

 

[scoutsmom99]

I have never heard of these. They look very interesting though. Do they weigh a lot? I don't know if I could wear that around school all day. I always remember we had homecoming week and the day of the game all of the hallways would be decked to the tens with tons of decor from all of the various sports teams. The most elaborate hallway was always done by the football cheerleaders. On that Friday it was a major school spirit event and we had a pep rally at the end of the day.

 

[DaisyD]

Gosh they are ugly! Why would anyone want to wear that? LOL! What's the point? When you mentioned Homecoming I thought you were talking about the dance and the pretty dresses.

 

[sugarpie]

I opened this thread thinking homecoming mums were flowers, maybe in school colors or something. I'm kind of glad we don't do these here.

 

[janette]

Texas has always done gaudy well. It does seem like something my fashionette wouldn't be caught near but I guess if it's the thing to do it's okay. She did mention there is a Homecoming T-shirt so she can wear that to school the same day when she wears it. I said she'd need something strong enough to hold the thing up.

 

[DaisyD]

Or maybe if you buy the t-shirt big enough she can wear it over that thing!

 

[Pugdog007]

It isn't just a TX thing. We've always had them here in AL, but they are about half the size of the picture that's posted. That's over the top. We wore them to the homecoming game & dance here. A boy would buy one for his date.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When we moved here from Missouri last year I was like WHAT?

We made dd's from the supplies at Michael's. She wore it to school that day and since she is in band she wore it to the game. Not on the field, however...

I know that alot of the boyfriend's make one for their girlfriend's apparently, it is like what guy can outdo their gifts to their gals.

You can make it as expensive as you want. Michael's has the basic ribbon for your school and then you add to it.

 

[Beca]

Yes...they are a Texas tradition...and I was thrilled when we moved back home to Texas, so maybe my dd can enjoy the experience. Mums were one of my favorite memories from school.

No...they don't weigh much at all. My school (and many others) did not have the traditional homecoming dance. Mums were worn to the football game (which almost EVERY student attends here in Texas), and then out to dinner with your dates...although some schools did have dances after the game.
Most girls asked their dates/boyfriends for the fake flowers, because the other tradition is that you hang them on your bedroom wall once the day is over....it's kind of like adding your "school spirit" to your room.

The great thing about them is the "toys" you add to them. Whatever activity you and your boyfriend/date are involved in....they actually make a little gold or silver "toy" for that. The toys get tied to the ribbons, along with little jingle bells. Then, your name goes on one ribbon, and your date's name on the other; and, finally "Homecoming '06" (or, whatever year) gets added to another ribbon. When all is said and done, it is a great souvenier of your high school days. My mom still has all of mine and my sister's mums.

Most florists make them, and I have even seen them at the grocery stores recently. If you want to make them for less $$$$$, go to a Michael's nearest your dd's school. They will have all the supplies you need, including ribbons embossed with your dd's school name on them.

Everyone else in the civilized world thinks they look really stupid...and, they kind of are. But, it is a grand Texas tradition...and seriously, when you see 400 girls in the stadium wearing them all at once....it makes for a very festive evening!!

Oh...you definitely have to attach them to the bra strap. Otherwise, they ruin your clothing.

I am really happy to hear that girls are making these for themselves. That never happened in my day.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Gosh they are ugly! Why would anyone want to wear that? LOL! What's the point? When you mentioned Homecoming I thought you were talking about the dance and the pretty dresses.

I've never heard of them. While I wouldn't wear them to the mall or anything, I think they look like fun! Anything that fosters school spirit among high-schoolers really can't go wrong.

As far as it being ugly, I'll take a homecoming mum over typical teen attire anyday, lol.

 

[froglady]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and I was in high school (in New England) The alumnae would wear a "mum" corsage of school colors to the game. It might have a ribbon with homecoming and school name added.

I can see this expending to the extreme shown in these photos. Supersize fast food, supersize proms (some of these kids spend more than I did on my wedding!) supersized cars, and now, supersized corsages.

 

[DaisyD]

I've never heard of them. While I wouldn't wear them to the mall or anything, I think they look like fun! Anything that fosters school spirit among high-schoolers really can't go wrong.

As far as it being ugly, I'll take a homecoming mum over typical teen attire anyday, lol.

I guess it depends on the teens. Mine always wore nice, classy, stylish clothing. None of that crap where you see pants hanging down their knees or that sleeze wear. I see nothing wrong with school spirit either but still think that is the ugliest spirit I've seen! LOL!

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

supersized corsages

No kidding. When I went to high school (about 10 years ago..geeze I'm old! ), it was always who can make the biggest mum. I never had a date, but I wanted to feel included in the school spirit, so I usually made one that was very big, had LOTS of bells and toys and whatnot. Some girls really, really went over the top though. I remember my senior year, one sophmore girl had a mum with 4 giant white flowers on her chest, which were linked via ribbon to a smaller, 2 flower mum on her back which led via ribbon to a teeny little flower attached to a belt loop in the middle of her back (directly over the butt).

Very popular (among the cheerleaders anyway) were also these things called "Spirit Sticks" which were decorated with school colors and usually had a boot (drill team) or a teddy bear (cheerleaders) on top.

TOV