The homecoming “mum” began as a sweet Texan token of affection given to a girl by her date in honor of the high school homecoming football game and surrounding events. Often in-season during the early fall months in Texas, chrysanthemums became the unofficial flower of high school homecoming events.
Are mums just a Texas thing?
But the tradition’s origin is largely obscure—and surprisingly, not Texan. Homecoming mums are said to have appeared in Texas during the 1930s, but the first known homecoming mums were worn in Missouri, which also hosted the first-ever homecoming football game in 1911.
What is a mum in high school?
Here’s a little background on the flower and how it became one of the most important parts of a student’s high school years: Mum is short for Chrysanthemums, daisy-like flowers that come in various forms and colors. Chrysanthemums were first introduced in the U.S. during Colonial times.
How much does a mum cost?
A basic mum can start at $30, Sandy said, and with extra boas, ribbons, chains, bells and whistles, mums can cost up to more than $100. On average, most parents pay between $70 and $80, Sandy said.
What is a hoco mum?
Made of mostly ribbon, the homecoming mum is given to a girl at Homecoming to wear to school then to the Homecoming game and dance, if any. Males wear a mum as well referred to as a “garter”, the mum is attached to a garter worn on the arm.
What states wear mums?
According to The Mum Shop, homecoming mums were exclusively a Texas tradition but it has since expanded into neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana in recent years.
Are senior mums supposed to be white?
Mums are made with the spirit colors of the high school, and often the addition of silver or gold if it’s not an official color. Black is often added as an accent color to silver schools. Senior mums are white and usually the metallic color of the school, silver or gold.
What is the mum tradition?
A Texas tradition
Traditionally, the mum was designed and ordered by the male date and the garter was designed and ordered by the female date, to be later exchanged on the night before the homecoming football game. However, many high school students now buy their own.
What is the meaning of a mum in Texas?
In Texas, a mum is a rather large arrangement of ribbons, bells, charms, and a button sewn together and designed to be worn around a woman’s neck. The male counterpart to a mum is the garter, which is a smaller, less flashy version of the mum designed to fit around a man’s arm.
Why is it called a mum?
The modern English ‘mother’ comes from the Old English term modor. And ‘mum’, along with other of informal or shortened terms such as ‘mommy’ and ‘ma’, are often traced to this root. Interestingly, though, these shorter words may be even older.
Do freshmen wear mums?
You need a Homecoming Mum or Garter:
Well here are a few tips: Freshman Homecoming Mum: If you are buying/making a homecoming mum for a Freshman, you need a Single Mum (meaning only 1 flower). The flower can be any size you would like as long as it is only 1 flower.
Is Texas the only state that does homecoming mums?
The short answer is no, Texas isn’t the only state that does homecoming mums. There are several schools across the country that do have homecoming mum traditions, but Texas is the biggest followers of the tradition.
What is the point of homecoming mums?
The purpose of giving and wearing homecoming mums can be summed up in one word. TRADITION. Mums are a token of affection between a boy and a girl, or between a parent and a child. Let’s admit it, it is just plain FUN and it gives you the opportunity to showcase your personality and school spirit!
How do you grow mums in Texas?
Growing Mums in Texas
Chrysanthemums are much more common in the Midwest and Northeast, so you know they will be completely winter-hardy to all Texas cold. Grow them where they will receive full sun during the growing season, and plant them into well-draining, highly organic garden soils.
How long do mums last?
Each variety differs, but most mums will continue to bloom for four to eight weeks. There are many ways to extend the flowering of chrysanthemums. Deadheading spent blooms, fertilizing in the spring and avoiding overcrowding will help your mums produce more blooms over a longer period of time.
Are mums profitable?
The net profit margin analysis for garden mums is presented in Table 6. Based on a price of $2.25 per pot, delivered plants had a profit margin of 36.8% and non-delivered plants had 44.2% profit margin. Garden mums offer the potential of a profitable summer crop.
Are mums for fall?
A favorite for outdoor fall decor, mums burst into bloom just when many other summer-flowering plants like zinnias and petunias start winding down in the cooler autumn weather.
