This post is excerpted loosely from the book, MUMENTOUS: Original Photos and Mostly-True Stories about Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition that was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas by Amy J. Schultz.

You can buy mums ready-made, you can hire a mum-maker (I like to call them “mumtrepreneurs”) to create a custom mum, or you can do-it-yourself. If you’re ready to wield a glue gun, this blog’s for you.

Today’s homecoming mums seem wildly varied, but you can actually boil them all down to a single design choice based on the personality of the wearer: traditionalist vs. rebel.

Ask yourself: “Is the mum going to follow tradition, or is the mum going to make a statement?”

To help you decide, I recommend you begin the entire process by familiarizing yourself with the conventions of the school. Then let your imagination run wild. Unlike the mostly standardized chrysanthemum corsages of the past, today’s homecoming mums have unlimited conceptual potential. I’ve seen mums based on Spider-Man and Stranger Things and Disney characters and a Mexican serape. Some mums are all black, some have angel wings, and I’ve even seen one made of plastic grass skirts instead of ribbons. Some mums are humongous, and others can fit on your finger or dangle from your backpack.

So, what’s the right kind of mum for her, him, them, or you? Pro Tip: If you’re buying or making a mum or garter for someone else, get together with the other person in advance to brainstorm ideas and talk about expectations.

Get Inspired

Visit this page for a photogallery of 13 different types of homecoming mums.

For more design and theme ideas, there are videos aplenty on YouTube and TikTok. Pinterest boards and other online resources can also inspire. Some professional mum-makers are willing to offer creative consultation.

Before you start spending money on supplies, I recommend you go on a reconnaissance mission to your local craft or fabric store, or if you live in the vicinity of one, a retailer or wholesaler of mum-making supplies (search “homecoming mum supplies wholesale” + the name of the closest big city near you). Even if you end up sourcing materials online, the experience of walking through aisles and aisles of homecoming mum supplies is totally eye-opening.

Make your list, check it twice

Once you’ve decided on a size, theme, colors, and style of mum, and you’ve factored in your budget and time constraints (hopefully, homecoming isn’t tomorrow), I suggest you make a shopping list. Your list could include some, most, or all of these supplies:

1. Hot glue gun(s)

2. Extra glue

3. A long reach stapler

4. A full box(es) of staples

5. Floral or other thin wire

6. Cardboard backers

7. Artificial mum(s)

8. Mum harness or heavy-duty ribbon

9. Various kinds of decorative ribbon

10. Trinkets such as stickers, charms, and other assorted doodads

11. Battery-powered lights

12. Stuffed animal(s)

13. Bells

14. Feather boas

15. Cricut (optional, but handy)

16. Wine (for mom)

Get Inspired

Visit this page to see What goes on a homecoming mum.

Wherever you shop, keep an open mind. Most plans evolve as they’re being executed, and mums are no different. And when the clerk says she’ll see you again, don’t scoff. She knows what she’s talking about. You’ll be back.

The big three: Ribbons, glue guns, and staples

Before you hit the stores, please note:

1. A mum or garter that’s built to last requires an astonishing amount of hot glue and staples. Buy more than you think you’ll need. You don’t want to be the one who must beg the school’s front office staff for emergency staples or glue on homecoming day.

2. What separates amateurs from pros is braided ribbon. Braiding takes many forms, such as loops, diamondbacks, heart chains, military braids, cube chains, champion braids, curling braids, triangle links, spirit chains, and the victory chain. You can buy pre-braided ribbon or you can learn to do it yourself, but please note that it takes a LOT to create a braided ribbon. For instance, I hear it takes three #5 ribbons that are 3 yards long each to make a 36" long box braid.

Mum Central

At home with supplies in hand, thoughtfully choose your mum-making workspace and stick with it. Moving a mum under construction is like picking up a half-built jigsaw puzzle. A very large table is ideal; spare bedroom beds are tricky (you could set fire to the quilt with your hot glue gun); card tables are tempting but too small.

From conception to completion, a mum under construction becomes like another family member.

“Our dining room table served as mum central,” a DIY mum maker remarked. “You need that much width and length. I learned to allow about three weeks from start to finish because of all the extra trips to the craft store for one more charm or another roll of ribbon.”

Ready, steady… GO!

You’re as ready as you’ll ever be, so (gulp) it’s time to begin. Lay all the elements out on your working surface to be sure you are clear on where you’re heading, then take a picture of it. Hmmm, that’s a pretty big hole in your design. Back to the store already.

When you return, double-check the preferred ribbon length with the mum-wearer and have them take an oath that they understand there’s no turning back now. Cut the ribbon to the desired lengths and get the braided ribbons done. Doing all this in advance makes assembly much easier.

To make a single flower mum or garter, the assembly process starts with the top layer of the cardboard backer sandwich. First, embellish the edge of the backer with looped ribbon or gathered lace stapled liberally into place. This frames the artificial chrysanthemum and hides the edge of the backer. Next, douse the back of the flower beyond reason with hot glue, then poke its stem through the hole in the backer.

An important part of the design is a strong statement piece for the center of the flower(s). Stuffed teddy bears or plush mascots are a classic choice. Blingy monograms, crowns, and framed photographs are on trend. A combination of well-hidden wire and hot glue holds it all in place.

Next, the middle backer takes shape by stapling cut ribbons and other streaming elements like feather boas, garland, strips of tulle, and beads to the lower half. Begin with the widest ribbons so they will be on the bottom. While the thinner ribbons and accent elements will lay on top, the wider ribbon will still be visible when worn.

Once finished, check for bald spots. Liberally staple a strong ribbon or the harness to the upper half of the middle backer so that the mum can be worn like a necklace. If the mum is for a boy, affix the garter to the bottom backer. Did you run out of staples already? If so, you’re doing it right. Back to the store.

Next, glue the top and middle backers together and make a mum a mum. This embellishment phase is key to customizing to the wearer’s interests. You can purchase a variety of homecoming trinkets, stickers, bells (don’t forget the bells!), and other ready-made doodads, or you can create your own.

To finish up, douse hot glue on the bottom backer and place it so it covers the stem and staples peeking through the middle backer. Double, triple, and mega-mums are made the same way, just with jumbo backers or multiple backers stapled together. I’ve personally seen a mega-mum that was made with thirty four-inch backers, but that in no way was the biggest mum ever made.

After the glue fully sets, step back and admire your handiwork.

Mums on a Budget

In 2024, the average cost for a homecoming mum was between $75 and $500, although I’ve seen mums that cost less and mums that cost way more. If you’re looking to land on the least expensive end of the spectrum, you easily can if you see mum-making as an opportunity to get creative. I’ve seen some amazing mums that were created for practically nothing out of materials that came out of grandma’s craft closet.

Resourcefulness and planning ahead are the names of the game whenever you want to save money on any DIY project. Homecoming mums are no different. If you can, shop at the end of homecoming season for next year’s mum or garter. I also hear Temu is another source of inexpensive ribbon and materials, but I can’t vouch for the quality… and you better shop early.

Repurposing materials is a popular method for saving money, and it’s better for the environment. Would you be willing to upcycle last year’s mum? Or share mum-supplies with a group of friends? Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups are other sources of “gently used” mums you can repurpose into your own.

Here’s another idea. Recently, a Texas mom told me that her son and his girlfriend went to a florist and ordered an “old school” homecoming chrysanthemum corsage and boutonniere to give to each other. Total price? $65.

Rebel Mums

I rarely express my opinion about homecoming mums, but I will say this:

The best mums are those that wink a little.

Wink. As in, a dash of humor. A splash (or monsoon) of the unexpected. Maybe even contain a few Swift-style Easter Eggs that mean nothing unless you KNOW what they mean.

When I say “rebel mums,” I don’t mean anti-establishment. I’m talking about a mum that rebels in some way against the norms at your local high school. Just because the saying is, “Everything’s bigger in Texas," does your homecoming mum have to be? Rebel mums — or more gently put, non-traditional mums — are all about being unique. About being YOU.

Here’s another fun fact about non-traditional mums. They’re also a great way to save money.

Click here to see a few theme mums that were DIYed by some very creative rebels.

Mums from the heart

Whether the mum you’ve just formed out of thin air and hot glue is large or tiny, angel white or goth black, you’ve created something as unique as the person who will be wearing it. Maybe that person is you! As you hug the kid who is genuinely excited to put this creation on his or her body (or as you pat yourself on the back, as you should), there’s no moment sweeter.

Time to open another bottle of wine, Mom. Or maybe make it champagne.

Click for more info

• The Top Ten most frequently asked questions about homecoming mums

• What are the rules for homecoming mums in Texas?

• What are the different homecoming mum styles or types?

• What goes on a homecoming mum?

• Senior mums are the ultimate in Texas homecoming mums

Shameless Plug for MUMENTOUS

If you enjoyed reading this, you might enjoy my book, Mumentous: Original Photos and Mostly-True Stories about Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition that was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.

You don’t have to take it from me. Look for independent reviews of Mumentous scattered throughout my website. Like this one:

“MUMENTOUS is a rich and complex narrative that is more than a look into a homecoming tradition. It’s a tribute to legacies that connect generations, and an ode to mothers and daughters. Written with compassion and curiosity with rich photography, Schultz gets past the glitter and ribbon to what matters most. Community.” — Kimberly Packard, award-winning author