Frequently Asked Questions
What is homecoming?
Homecoming is a yearly tradition in high schools and colleges/universities across the United States. A time for students, alumni, and the community to come together, homecoming typically involves a rivalry football game plus other activities on the days leading up to, including, and following the game such as pep rallies, parades, dances, and more. At schools where there’s no football program, homecoming is often held in conjunction with a basketball game. Learn more about the tradition of homecoming.
What is a homecoming mum in Texas?
Today’s Texas-style homecoming mum is an often-elaborate decoration that high school students wear on the day of the homecoming game. The word “mum” is short for “chrysanthemum,” which is the kind of flower that traditionally anchors the entire arrangement.
In the photos below, you can see the three primary styles of homecoming mums: mums, garter mums, and sash mums. See those white flowers in the designs? They are artificial (silk) chrysanthemums. Everything else—including ribbons and assorted decorations—is attached to and/or hanging down from the flower(s).
Mums and sash mums are almost always worn on the front of the body. Garters are usually worn on the arm, but sometimes cheerleaders and other spirit squad members will wear them on their legs. Usually, mums are worn by girls and garter mums are worn by boys, but this is a convention and not a rule. Note that each students’ mums reflect their school colors.
Get into more details by reading the blog: What is a homecoming mum in Texas in 2025?
What are the rules for homecoming mums?
I know this is a terrible answer, but it depends. First, nearly everything related to how the homecoming mum tradition is practiced today in Texas (and beyond) is steeped in convention, but there are few hard-and-fast rules. Second, mum conventions/traditions vary from high school to high school. Also, what’s on trend at one high school might be considered tacky at another. To further complicate matters, some high schools actually do impose rules on homecoming mums, such as rules against incorporating bells. Confused? Click here for some clarity and more “rules.”
What goes on a homecoming mum?
A homecoming mum design is divided into two main parts: a floral anchor (the “top”), and everything that hangs down from that floral center (the “skirt”). Materials used to create a mum can include artificial (or sometimes real) flowers, ribbons, plastic trinkets, bells, die cuts, charms, feature boas, whistles, plush toys, lights, and more. Read the blog for way more details.
Do all homecoming mums look alike?
Yes and no. To be considered a homecoming mum, there has to be a floral top (or sash) and skirt. Beyond that, mum design is incredibly varied!
Some mums are huge and others are tiny. The top of the mum might be round or in the shape of a heart, square, bow, paw print, or even the state of Texas! The color(s) of a mum reflects class year, traditions of the school, and/or personal preference. The many embellishments and symbols woven into a mum tell the story of the person wearing it, such as school activities, sports, hobbies, clubs, interests, career goals, personal relationships, religion, causes, class year, inside jokes, and more. Check out the photogallery featuring fifteen (!) different types of homecoming mums in Texas and beyond.
Are senior mums bigger than other class year mums?
Typically, yes. Class year is incorporated into nearly every mum design and very often, the class year is implied by the size of the mum. Junior mums are typically larger than sophomore mums, for instance, and senior mums are the biggest of all. Learn more about senior mums.
How do you get a homecoming mum?
The homecoming mum tradition in Texas goes like this: a boy asks a girl to go to homecoming with him. “Going” to homecoming usually means, at minimum, attending the game together, going to the dance together if there is one, and exchanging a homecoming mum and garter. This implies that the boy will give his date a mum and the girl will give her date a garter. This is an important detail can be lost on Texas newcomers. In reality, oftentimes parents or other family members buy or make homecoming mums for their sons and daughters, or for their sons and daughter’s dates. If you’re not sure what to do, a quick conversation with everyone involved will help set expectations. The couple arranges in advance to exchange the mum and garter a couple days before homecoming day.
Once plans are made, there are three ways to get a mum: buy one ready-made, make one yourself, or order a custom mum. Whatever you do, please don’t wait until homecoming week to get started. Take a deeper dive.
Do you have to “go” to homecoming a date in order to have a mum?
Decades ago, it used to be that the only way to get a mum and garter was to exchange them with a date. Not any more. Friends can make mums for each other. Students can buy or DIY their own mums with help from their mom, dad, or other relative. Parents can make or purchase their child’s mum as a gift.
When do you wear a homecoming mum?
Homecoming mums are worn to the homecoming game. In many high schools across Texas, students are also permitted to wear their mums and garters to classes during the day and to the homecoming pep rally. Sometimes mums are worn by students participating in the homecoming parade.
Where do you get a homecoming mum?
Learn more about making a mum yourself or buying a custom mum or one that’s ready-made.
How did homecoming mums get started as a tradition in the first place?
The tradition began in the early 1910s as a real chrysanthemum corsage, which was given to a girl by her date to wear or carry to the homecoming football game and/or dance. This tradition spread across the United States, first at the college level and then into high schools. Then, only in Texas during the 1950s and 1960s, high school homecoming mums began to evolve beyond a simple corsage for a number of reasons particular to the Lone Star State. By the early 2000s, high school homecoming mums in Texas had completely differentiated themselves from their humble roots, while live chrysanthemum corsages in the other 49 states were waning in popularity.
Are homecoming mums only in Texas?
Texas-style homecoming mums have “migrated” into Oklahoma, New Mexico, Florida, and other states! Read more.
I’m fascinated! How can I learn more about the heritage and history of homecoming mums?
Check out Amy Schultz’s book! It’s called Mumentous: Original Photos and Mostly-True Stories about Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition that was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.
“Aside from my own experiences with mums, this book scratched an itch that is very particular to me (it might be to you too, but I digress) - I absolutely love works that show the passion or obsession we have with places, things, or events. Where there is passion, there is a deep dive into something I didn't even know I wanted to know.”— Celia, Book Fidelity
Autographed hardback copies of MUMENTOUS are now available at L&M Wholesale and Manufacturing! This special L&M offer is only available in-store on their website. For information call L&M at 254-897-9978, or buy now at mumsupplies.com.
MUMENTOUS is also available on Amazon, and as an ebook and audiobook.