Questions and Answers on the Story of Homecoming Mothers
There are some long-standing traditions that are unique to Texas soccer, and even more so, the fans. Take, for example, the mom coming home from high school. What is a welcome mother? You may be thinking that the prom queen just has another name in the south, or that her mother plays a role in the festivities too. Homecoming Queen and Homecoming Mum … would make sense. However, a mother refers to a unique flower collage that is deeply rooted in Texas soccer history.
This homecoming mother tradition has been alive for many years. So many years, that many adolescents do not know the real details that are responsible for the beginning. However, there is agreement around the idea that Homecoming moms are a vital part of soccer season, and girls are looking forward to the day they will host their first Homecoming mom.
HISTORY:
The first homecoming moms were given in the early 1930s at high school football games in Texas. The children offered real chrysanthemum flowers to their dates in the form of a corsage. A chrysanthemum is a very large, rare, and beautiful flower, and receiving one was a sure sign of compliment, as well as an unusual circumstance in those days. Even from the beginning, the girls competed with each other to receive the moms, as they were distributed in limited numbers. Moms were a sign of popularity, so the girls who received moms confirmed their social status.
Styles and variety have evolved as silk flowers became available and concern over wilted flowers increased. Burly silk moms could handle hot glue, heavy attachments, and more, so adding ribbons, streamers, stickers, and more became a way to accessorize a mom for a special girl. The desire to include special details: information about the student, the activities they participate in, the colors of the school, etc. created a unique masterpiece that could be kept as a special high school keepsake. With this, moms got bigger and better all the time, and the desire for a personalized welcome mom became commonplace.
Understand the current trend:
Most Texans are familiar with this tradition. However, if you recently moved to Texas, or have found yourself examining this tradition from a new perspective, you may be wondering if, or why, you (or your child) may be pressured to reciprocate in this tradition. The following topics are intended to shed some light on current homecoming practices.
Who should give / receive a mom?
With today’s high school students, mothers often go from boy to girl when they attend homecoming game or dance together (friends included), or if a boy simply wants to impress a girl for whatever reason. Today, girls often correspond with a male version of the mother, called a “garter”, which is worn on the young man’s arm. He’s so much smaller than the homecoming mom. Know that if you plan to gift a welcome mom, chances are you will receive a garter in return.
Many high school students view mom as an imperative to their homecoming attraction, and some students would rather stay home than attend the game than attend without one. Remember, cruel high school crowds may view being “mommyless” as an indicator of social status. So, for this reason, mothers and friends (be they boys or girls) also often welcome mothers.
The girl can choose to receive a mom from anyone she chooses and can even accept multiple mommies. Homecoming queens are often photographed with multiple dance moms, as you would be expected to receive five, six, or even seven based on your social status. However, girls can also reject a mother in the same way that they can reject a date.
Elementary and middle school students, parents of soccer players, all students, and teachers can also use Homecoming Moms to show team spirit and holiday excitement.
When do people wear dance moms?
Typically, students start wearing Homecoming Moms the Friday before their high school football game. All schools are different, but most students use them only the day before the game. Students also often wear homecoming dresses during the soccer game AND after the formal homecoming dance. If you’re new to Texas, ask a friend about common practices in your community.
I want to impress my date. How should I buy a mom?
Current trends include ribbons (over 3 feet long) that rub the knee and often include loud noises like whistles and cowbells to wear during the soccer game. More importantly, they include important information about the student who receives it. For example, a personalized mom (and one a girl would like) could include her name, the name of the school, or the year of graduation. The additional details would likely describe any “extracurricular” activities that she and her date are involved in.
Essentially, this is a keepsake that provides a snapshot of exactly where these two people are during that week of their life in high school. If a couple attends as friends, Mom could include general information and be medium in size. Hearts and other romantic details should be kept away so that neither party gets the wrong impression of the event. On the other hand, it’s only fair to do your best with the details above and any additional details important to a serious high school couple. Note that most girls save them afterward and keep them as a keepsake along with their high school yearbooks. You’ll notice if your mother was “mass produced” at a local grocery store or flower shop, as well as appreciate any personalized details.
What else do I need to know?
A mother coming home can weigh up to 12 pounds or more! Wow! Girls often take off their moms in the middle of the school day because they are too heavy and strenuous to wear.
The only real “downside” to homecoming moms is that the traditional materials used can fall apart. Traditional metal gift ribbons and stickers can get an adrenaline rush after being worn in crowded hallways and on the game’s bleachers. Consider how long you (or your date) would like the streamers to last for mom to be functional and comfortable. Any bent or wrinkled tape can take away the look after the game is over, and years later, your memory may not hold up.