The Legend Of The Homecoming Mum! Do You Know The History Of The Homecoming Mum?

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. There is one other thing that is a staple of homecoming and that is the mum. Did you know that mums are typically only worn in Texas? 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.

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.