Homecoming mums are mainly a Texas tradition, with each year’s mums being bigger than the last. This year Floral Design teacher Shelly Salazar has offered to provide workshops after school the week of Sept. 8-12 for anyone wanting to make their own mum and needs help or guidance in the process. The workshop is free to anyone bringing their own supplies, but costs $5.35 to anyone that cannot bring their own supplies. Students that need to bring their own supplies should bring 10 to 25 or more 2-foot long ribbons as well as any other charms or trinkets they want on their mum.

Workshops will be held in Salazar’s room and will be held by Salazar and students in her Floral Design class. If you are unable to attend the afterschool workshops see Salazar to find another time and date to receive assistance.

“Most people up North have no idea what a mum is,” said Salazar. “I had a friend from Stony Point that was from another state who had no idea what a mum was.”

Homecoming mums began as fresh mums decorated with ribbons, but are now often made with silk flowers and decorated with stuffed animals trinkets or even LED lights alongside the traditional ribbons. Originally, a mum was made by a boy and given to his date the night of the Homecoming game. In return the girl gave the boy a boutonniere or garter. The couple would wear the gifts through the game and any events before or after the game.

“This is something that everybody can get involved in,” Salazar said. “Especially in small schools, people wear mums or garters to every game to show support for the football team.”