Something I never knew existed: "Homecoming Mums"

So I was at the Michael's Arts and Crafts store the other day and saw a whole section dedicated to making "homecoming mums." "What's that?" I thought. There were ribbons and stuffed animals and bells and all sorts of colored items in this section of the store. I asked the Young Women in my ward what a "homecoming Mum" is and they told me all about them.......

I found some pictures online for you to see what a homecoming mum is:

People typically spend $50-$100 making them. You either make one for yourself, or your date makes yours and gives it to you. You wear them to the homecoming football game, and all day in school. Dates also wear them to the homecoming dance. The longer the ribbons, the better...most of the ribbons go all the way to the floor. They typically weigh about 12 pounds! Ha! I had NO idea these even existed. But they are HUGE in Texas! I mean, Michaels had a whole section of the store devoted to them!
The Mums just get bigger and bigger every year. They first were the size of corsages and boutonnieres...but have evolved to being as big as possible. They even make Mum straps to carry the mums around! Wow.
So the girls wear the mums on their chest, and the guys wear mums from a garter on their arm. Homecoming Mums are huge here....everyone who is anyone has one. I never even knew they existed! You learn something new every day. :)