Mum Parts Breakdown

Arches: Much like a plaque this is a flat, plastic piece. Considered a subset of flower accents the most popular is the “homecoming arch” that shows above the mum.

Back Border: This is the ribbon framing that the mum flower is glue to. It’s normally made of ribbon formed into points and/or loops or ruffles.

Braids: made of the same ribbon as the streamers, braids are three-dimensional braids in different patterns including military, box or victory.

Chains: usually hard plastic or rope embellishments that hang along with the streamers.

Charm Bows: These are bows made of curling ribbon that accompany the charms on the mum.

Charm Tiers: There are three tiers of charm purchases. A includes the good charms, B is a little higher, better tier and C are the best and most elaborate tier of charms.

Class Colors: Each class has a separate set of colors that act as the dominate colors in both their mums and garters. Freshman or a Sophomore is maroon and white. Juniors are silver and white, and Seniors are gold and white.

Double:  This is a female homecoming mum with two mum flowers at the top – usually in a vertical alignment, though sometimes seen in a horizontal line.

Flower Accents: These will accompany and border the flower centerpiece.

Flower Centerpiece: This is the item that will take centerstage in the middle of the mum flower.

Garlands: Considered another subset of flower accents, garlands are wired metallic accents that are spiraled and used to frame the mum flower and centerpiece.

Garter: a male version of a homecoming mum. The male homecoming garter is worn by the attached elastic band on the wearer’s arm and is around 18-22″ in length.

Mum Size: These are the number of flowers to appear on a female mum.

Homecoming Ribbon: this is the very first ribbon to adorn the streamer package when mum making. Emblazoned with “Homecoming” this ribbon can be the traditional flat or a looped 3-d version.

Loop and Point: A component of the back border a point is fashioned from acetate ribbon and formed into a circle to frame the mum flower. Additionally, loops are formed from more ribbon and

Mum: this is the middle flower and also the name for the female homecoming garter. The female homecoming mum is pinned on, worn on overalls or a strap and is around 36-48″ in length.

Plaques: These are charms that are flat. They can also be used as a flower centerpiece if another centerpiece isn’t chosen.

Plush: This is a type of flower centerpiece – teddy bears, cougars and other stuffed animals are widely popular and tend to dominate the flower centerpiece category.

Single: This is a female homecoming mum with one mum flower at the top

Specialty Ribbon: These are similar to streamers except they generally have prints – animal, stripe, flowers, sports-related, class related that act as further embellishment to the streamer package.

Sprays: Usually assembled in threes these are flat (usually glittered or gilded) accents that when placed on wire are positioned to frame the mum flower with stars, hearts, helmets or pawprints.

Streamers: This is the base of any mum, usually made up of a dozen or so plain ribbons of varying sizes as well as curling ribbon to hold additional charms to be added later. All of these are done in the class colors according to purchaser, for both mums and garterse.

Traditional Points: A component of the back border a point is fashioned from acetate ribbon and formed into a circle to frame the mum flower.

Triple: This is a female homecoming mum with three mum flowers at the top – usually in a heart pattern, though sometimes seen in a straight, vertical line.

Tulle Bows: These are bows made of fine netting that accompany the charms on the mum.

Contact Heather Martin, MUM ROOM Committee Chair with Questions.