Homecoming Mums: A Perfect Tradition

Ribbons and flowers are perfectly synonymous. And in Texas, mums are no different!

Have you heard of homecoming mums? While this is typically a Texas tradition, it is something we can see happening pretty much anywhere! With a simple creation made from chrysanthemums and custom ribbons, any dance or school activity would gain popularity.

Tradition of Homecoming Mums

From China to Japan to Sweden, chrysanthemums have been around for centuries. Tracing the first recorded information about these flowers takes you to China about 3,500 years ago. Decorative mums traditionally consist of artificial chrysanthemum flowers, originally real chrysanthemums, surrounded and decorated with floor-length ribbon and little trinkets.

Now, mainly in Texas high schools, mums are worn to the homecoming dance after the football game. The tradition is that the boys create a personalized mum for their date to wear. Girls make garters for the boys which are similar to mums but shorter and worn on the guy’s arm rather than around their neck like mums.

Mums Today

use custom rosette ribbons for your next homecoming mum and garter — Photo by Jana D. Nelson

While it is still debated, the University of Missouri has been recognized as the official place of birth of homecoming. In 1911, the athletic director at Mizzou presented the incentive to attend the homecoming football game by having a huge celebration. In turn, these gatherings turned into homecoming dances. And, at some point, the tradition of a boy giving a chrysanthemum to his date as a corsage was born in Texas.

Around the 1980s, mums were usually about a maximum of three Chrysanthemum flowers and a few ribbons, but as the years have gone by, the size and expectations of mums have increased and have become more elaborate. The size of the mums and garters tend to grow along with the grade in which the person is that is receiving the mum.

For the longest time, homecoming mums were a Texas-only tradition, but in the last few years, it has expanded into neighboring states such as Oklahoma and Louisiana. A huge mum can be a source of pride for a girl in both her school and her homecoming date. Even though homecoming mums have cropped up in other states, like most things, they are still bigger in Texas.

How To Make A Mum

While there isn’t a specific way to make a mum, we recommend that you start with a rosette ribbon. Rosettes are the perfect base for small to large mums! Choose your favorite colors or go more traditional with school pride. Then just add your embellishments as you would like.

Just don’t forget to personalize the ribbons! Add names, dates and other school details that your date is sure to enjoy.

Harvest and Canning Using Creative Ribbons

Let us help you spruce up your canning this harvest season!

Why can’t your harvest and custom ribbons go hand in hand? With these simple ideas, personalized ribbons help your canning this year with going that extra mile. Whether you’ve won that first place award ribbon at a county fair or are just giving away a simple gift, custom ribbons are perfect for decorating your favorite, or famous, harvests.

The easiest way to create a personalized masterpiece is an old canning jar and a quick piece of personalized scrap ribbon. Simply wrap your ribbon around the center or lid of your canning jar, and secure down with a bit of hot glue. Or, fasten the ribbon by tying a pretty bow. It’s that simple!

While your canning jars are not something spectacular to look at, by adding these personalized ribbons to compliment the canning jar’s contents, you can create something extraordinarily unique. Add a custom ribbon with your name or the date you canned the goodness inside. This personalization also makes for great seasonal and neighbor gifts.

Using personalized ribbons is the perfect way to label your canning.

Another great way to make your canning jars recognizable is to use a rosette ribbon with the streamers cut off. Just attach the rosette to the top of jar’s lid and voilà: instant and personalized labeling!

Whatever your harvest is, from pickles and beets to peaches and jams, your jars are sure to stand out at your next county fair. Or, even on someone’s counter at home! And with the personalized ribbon, whoever receives, or purchases, your home-made goodies will remember who made them.

So, don’t forget to throw in your personal touch by adding embellishments to your canning jars. Create a personal flair while sharing your recipe and the joy of your homemade goodies with those around you. Go to it; decorate those canning jars however you want! Just don’t forget to use some personalized ribbons to make these beautiful gifts unique and memorable really.

Product Highlight: Chiffon Organza

Create something unique using chiffon organza ribbon rolls.

Not all ribbon rolls are created equal. Often overlooked because of their sheer quality, chiffon organza ribbons are just as useful as any other ribbon.

From celebrations to awards, all ribbon rolls are extremely versatile. Customize a ribbon roll with a personalized message such as names, dates or a special sentiment. Use them for gifts, decorations and other fun DIY projects for your next party.

While this chiffon organza ribbon is a bit harder to work with than other ribbons, the sheerness makes it a unique choice. The lightweight, open weave of this ribbon looks fantastic when used for wrapping gifts and creating decorations.

This ribbon roll type is lightweight and translucent. These ribbons are one hundred percent nylon and are a unique choice for ribbon rolls. Due to its lightweight quality, it provides an elegant, iridescent finish.

“A solid color layered under can make the color stand out. A darker color of satin under the sheer makes the color pop a lot better,” says Traci, our Assistant Customer Service Manager.

Using a lighter color satin ribbon under a sheer organza ribbon is perfect to show any and all imprinted text. The sheer nature of this ribbon allows what is behind the ribbon to show through softening the customized printing.

These paired ribbon combinations are ideal for presents, floral arrangements and wedding decorations.

For each of these options, a personal touch of names or dates is perfect. One of the best uses for this ribbon type is wrapping gifts. Use bright, off setting colors of wrapping paper to set off these ribbon rolls.

Chiffon organza rolls are perfect for weddings as well! From kissing balls to guest favors, match almost any color scheme with these unique ribbons. Pair them with centerpieces, floral arrangements and other decorations at any event.

Whatever your use, chiffon organza ribbon rolls are a great solution for any need.

Personalized Ribbons Reinvented

Personalized ribbons are no longer just for wrapping presents!

From rosettes to badges, custom ribbons are a great tool to use at any time. While events, conventions and other parties are the most common usage of personalized ribbons, they are so versatile that you can use them almost anywhere.

Schools, sports teams and even wedding planners use custom and personalized ribbons on almost a daily basis. So, how can you reinvent something that is used so commonly?

First things first, let’s define why you need all those personalized ribbons.

So, why do you need a personalized or custom ribbon? With so many available ribbon types, reasons to personalize them are abundant. Giving homemade gifts, recognizing someone for a high achievement, and providing decorations for a party are all perfect reasons to customize ribbons. Add dates, names and quotes to ribbons. Or add a logo or other graphic to send a particular message to the recipient.

No matter your need, we’re sure to have the ribbon to match!

So, what ribbon types are available for those needs?

Ribbon rolls are the most common type of ribbon due to how versatile they can be. From wrapping presents to making decorations and even to doing craft projects, ribbon rolls are easy to form to almost any shape.

Rosette ribbons are not just for awards. Try a color scheme to match your next party and use them as decorations. They also make great wreaths. Whether it’s your achievement ribbons or ribbons purchased specifically for a project, rosette ribbons are better than you think.

Classic and badge ribbons are ideal for just as many things. While commonly used with name badges, that doesn’t mean that is all they are good for. Try using them in ice breaker games at your next party. Or use them as classroom awards or other teaching tools

And lastly, here are a couple of ideas to use those ribbons in your daily routine.

Many professionals use ribbons daily. Event planners, sports teams and teachers all use these tools every day. Use them for almost any project in your office or school. They will keep children of all ages entertained. Personalized ribbons are ideal for gift giving. But, no matter your reason to incorporate them into your daily routine, remember that customized is the best way to go!

Creative Ribbons: Family Reunions and Parties

Parties and summertime go hand-in-hand.
And so do family reunions!

No matter the size of your family, getting everyone together in one place and at one time is a huge undertaking. And making sure that everyone in attendance knows each other can be a daunting task.

Recently there was an online article about a family reunion with over 200 people in attendance. Crazy! So, what did they do to keep things as functional as possible? They gave everyone small strips of paper to write who their ancestors were. This helped to keep track of how everyone was related.

We’re taking this one step further! What about using badge ribbons?

Not only can these ribbons be used to label someone, but what about using blank ribbons to feature the names that associate you with those around you at the reunion?

In the article, the attendees were given blue papers for male names and pink ribbons for female names. If you don’t want to use this fun color idea, check out all the color options we have available!

Badge ribbons are also an excellent way to identify people. Start with name badges so that everyone won’t be guessing people’s names all day. Then, attach badge ribbons to familiarize each other with how they are related. Create custom ribbons with words such as father, aunt, cousin, sister or just choose the last name to indicate from which family line they originate.

Also, don’t forget the name badges so people can remember what the attendee’s name is!

From family reunions to summer work parties, another great use for these blank badge ribbons is party games. Use the different colors for different games or organization during the festivities. Design your own game using badge ribbons and either focus on the colors or write on them with a permanent marker.

Whatever your need at your next family reunion or party, make sure to remember that people need to be recognized and identifiable!