MAIN Home Life Entertaining Homecoming

In America, the excitement of homecoming events first began last century as fundraising efforts by local high schools & colleges.

A successful homecoming event is, and still remains, a good way to attract the most numbers of school alumni and rekindle a deep sense of school spirit so that they give (and give generously!) to fundraising efforts during Spirit Week.

Indiana University and the University of Illinois both claim the first modern homecoming celebration featuring a popular football game. Today, the homecoming football game is one of the biggest of the year, usually played against a traditional rival, and preceeded by special pep rallies, bonfires, or other extravaganzas in celebration the night before.

Also accompanying the homecoming hoopla are parades complete with marching bands & floats, and a Homecoming Court that crowns the Homecoming Queen and King, who are usually chosen from among the most popular and talented students and athletes.

Homecoming mums, which have grown more elaborate year after year, are another popular tradition featuring corsage creations inspired by the favorite Fall flower. The most important accessory, however, has to be the elegant homecoming dress or gown worn at the culmination of any homecoming celebration - the homecoming dance, which over the years has taken on all the significance of a school prom.

Themes for the big night don't necessarily have to focus on romance, however, and school dance committees have free reign on picking a theme that usually runs the gamut from Oscar party themes to Hawaiian luau or Halloween fright nights.

Around the Web, learn more about the annual tradition of planning a college or high school event, plus ideas for homecoming dresses and hairstyles, advice on other party themes and decorations, and more tips for throwing a homecoming event they'll long remember...

How to Select a Homecoming Dress - Tips on choosing the right dress for formal or semi-formal homecomings, plus lots of related visitor-submitted ideas and advice.

Homecoming Dresses - Easy online shopping for sexy, attractive and affordable homecoming dresses in a variety styles, sizes and colors. Pictures, prices and description details included.

How to Make Homecoming Mums - The complete mumcyclopedia including history and traditions, ideas for lighting up or making your own special creation, along with links to related articles and suppliers.

Stumps Spirit - The online party supply store with the complete lowdown on homecoming planning, organizing, budgeting & fundraising ideas, committee meeting guides, tips on selecting a homecoming court, instructions on float construction, and lots more...

Homecoming projects - Page after page of ideas with complete instructions for making your own spirit bags, mums, earrings, visors and related do-it-yourself projects from Michael's Arts & Crafts.

Homecoming & Spirit Week Guide - One-stop browsing for dozens of tips & suggestions for pep rallies & competitions including a checklist, how to's on organizing, theme ideas plus downloadable instructional videos.

Cheerleading Spirit Ideas - Get inspired with great ideas for homecoming assemblies, pep rallies, spirit bags, signs and related quotes at this online guide from Oak Harbor High School.

How to Select a Theme for Homecoming - Step-by-step instructions with tips & ideas from eHow.com.

Homecoming Parade Float Builders manual - The nuts & bolts of building your own parade float with how to's for construction and assembly, a complete guide to float decoration & special effects, safety tips.