Flowers, ribbons, bells, lights and much more.

When it comes to Homecoming, this Texas tradition gets bigger and bigger with every year.

“I have been making mums for over 30 years,” Craigslist mum maker Jennifer Garrett said. “They truly are a passion and I’m glad that high schoolers have continued what I did growing up.”

The name comes from the real flowers that were originally used, Chrysanthemums. Originally, mums were given to a girl by a boyfriend and they used a real flower and had a few ribbons attached. But throughout the years, mums have evolved. They’ve given from friends, parents and of course, boyfriends.

They’ve also gained in size and popularity. Guys wear a garter, a miniature version, while girls’ mums have gone all out, with multiple colored ribbons, trinkets and flashy extras.

“Me and Nate gave them to each other the day of the parade,” freshman Kat Patterson said. “He even added a personal touch for me; a cheetah patterned ribbon and Star Wars pin because those things are special to us. I remember when we gave them to each other it was in my house, I had my eyes closed and when I saw, I freaked out screaming.”

The mums average about 2.5 pounds of ribbons, lace and extras that make the mum stand out including lights, teddy bears and jingling bells.

“My boyfriend Oscar gave me my mum,” sophomore Aubrey Burnett said. “He really went all out and we’ve been dating since last year so it was really special.”

With the Texas-size tradition, the cost is just as big.

“The mum my friend made me was around $160,” junior Tiffany Slocum said. “I wish they were cheaper because bigger is better.”

Slocum missed out on the experience last year because she transferred from Leander last year after Rouse had already had their Homecoming. And while she loves the elaborate mums, those extras can be taxing. Having multiple flowers and heavy bells and extras requires a sturdy cardboard backing for the flower portion and multiple pins to keep the mum from drooping.

“If they’re so long they cover your body, then it’s definitely crazy,” senior Mango Dominguez said. “Too big is too crazy.”

Throughout the day, the tinkling of little bells and the clanging of cow bells can be heard as students rustle up and down the hallways.

“I like the mums, I just don’t like the bells,” junior Megan Gripentrog said. “It’s like Christmas in the halls.”

Not everyone knows and understands the Texas craze over Homecoming mums.

“I tried to explain it to my friend who moved down here from Michigan,” Gripentrog said. “He had no clue.”

But the tradition is a strong one in the Lone Star State, particularly for seniors.

“It’s my last year of high school,” Dominguez said. “I wanted to have memories to look back on.”

Mums have become a real statement for in Texas, a tradition that looks like it’ll be a high school tradition for a long time.

“It’s something hard to replace, it’s something original, and I don’t see the tradition fading at all.” Garrett said. “From what I’ve seen in recent years, it’s just beginning.”