A homecoming mum is a Texas tradition that began as a simple chrysanthemum flower given by a boy to his homecoming date, just like a corsage for prom. Over the years, the tradition has evolved into a large arrangement of ribbons, bells, charms, and a button sewn together and designed to be worn pinned to a womans dress or, if it gets too big, 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.

The mums have become more elaborate and larger in size over the years, with decor like students graduation year, high school mascot, charms, bells, ribbons, and even LED lights. The most popular piece of decoration, however, has been the small stuffed teddy bear. The tradition of giving a homecoming mum has expanded out to other states such as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota, and Virginia.

The tradition is for the guy to give his date a mum, and for the most part, guys get them either by asking their mom to make one or buying one from a professional mum maker. The cost of a mum can range anywhere from $10 to upwards of $600, depending on size and accessories.

In summary, a homecoming mum is a large arrangement of ribbons, bells, charms, and a button sewn together and designed to be worn pinned to a womans dress or around a woman’s neck. It is a Texas tradition that has evolved over the years and has become more elaborate and larger in size. 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. The tradition is for the guy to give his date a mum, and the cost of a mum can range anywhere from $10 to upwards of $600.