Mumentous by Amy J. Schultz is both a walk down memory lane for anyone who attended high school in Texas and a vibrant and informative look at the history of homecoming mums in the great state of Texas. Note: My Texas high school days are long past, but I do remember the thrill of the mum and all the expectations and purpose behind it (both good and not so good).
This delightful book brings the rich history of the Texas homecoming mum to life and outlines how the simple corsage has morphed into a Texas-sized representation of high school, football, tradition, dedication, big business, and yards of ribbon and plenty of doodads. If you attended (or are attending) high school in Texas, it can be easy to gloss over why we wore (wear) such large and overly decorated chrysanthemums in the fall. In the ’80s, I remember the mums being big, with ribbons streaming down, and football-themed charms jangling with every step, but Mumentous shows just how large these mum arrangements have become over the years and how the art of making/selling them has expanded into a lucrative business. For many parents of high schoolers, mum buying and decorating can be a stress-induced labor of love.
The stories and the photos in Mumentous are definitely sensory overload, even for a born-and-bred Texan like me. If you’re not familiar with the tradition of homecoming mums, you might think they are way over the top (yes, they are) and ask why would anyone go to such lengths? How in the world did these mums evolve into enormous composites of flowers, ribbons, charms, and stuffed animals that often require industrial-strength glue, tons of staples, and a harness to even wear them? Even the smaller arm garters are grand. The modern-day homecoming mums are a sight to behold! And behold them you will in this picture-perfect book. The author even addresses the effect of the pandemic on high school traditions, when almost everything was sidelined, and how some students found safe ways to carry on.
This vibrant book shows that these handmade or modified mums are worn for homecoming and are often gifted by a special someone, but what about the unadorned students? Even back in the day when I was in high school, anyone walking around sans mum may have felt invisible or left out. On the other hand, some non-mum wearers might be new to the high school or even new to Texas or just refuse to participate for personal reasons. While mum season can magnify the mindset of belonging and popularity, it can also be a spectacular display of school spirit and a blossoming garden of dreams come true, friendship, and love. The author expertly points out throughout this book that even store-bought mums can be transformed to fit the wearer’s personality. These bold statements are often quite personal and sacred, so don’t mess with Texas or its homecoming mums.
Whether you are on board or not or maybe think these mums are ludicrous or not, one thing that Mumentous by Amy J. Schultz makes crystal clear is that while the tradition continues to evolve and mutate, Texas homecoming mums in all their colossal glory and maybe a bit of infamy are here to stay. But they can’t possibly get even bigger and fancier, can they? Texas moms: ‘Darlin’, hold my iced tea (or wine) and pass the glue gun.’
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I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
That last sentence sums it up! hahahaha! GREAT review, as always. I can’t wait to read my copy.
I love your review of this tradition of Texas history. Thank you for sharing.
I feel like you’re inside my head! Thank you for your terrific feedback and review. Happy HOCO! – Amy J. Schultz, author, MUMENTOUS