A fashion trend again, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition was a result of the fashions of the 80’s. 1980’s, that is. The fashion world spread this holiday cheer. Meanwhile, the sweaters gained notoriety over time as ugly Christmas sweaters. Reserved for the most modest and nerdiest of all social circles, these sweaters were nearly laid to rest…until they came back. This time with a vengeance of popularity. Competitions for who can find the best Ugly Christmas Sweater.
When They Were Popular
Ugly sweaters used to be not be considered ugly. They were referred to as festive sweaters. My mom was one of five kids, four of them girls. The three older girls had this uncanny sense of knowing with each other. They know what the other will like or not like. One decides to wear lavender for Easter and without talking to each other, the others also select to wear lavender.
One year they all had the same hair style too, full permanent, same hair length and my younger cousin had bumped his knee or something. He ran into the room grabbing on to what he thought was his mommy’s leg. All three of the older “girls” were wearing similar red outfits. It wasn’t until my cousin looked directly up, he realized he had not grabbed onto his mommy.
This mix-up wasn’t just a mishap by a little kid. People everywhere often had them confused. Me, as the oldest of all the grandkids, was assumed to be the child of each of them at one point or another. Especially because I was the first niece, my aunts all doted on me and took turns babysitting. But I digress! My point is, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition really began as a tradition with them.
The Ugly Sweater Tradition in My Family
The girls have always had a sister exchange. Just between them. Nothing extravagant. Small tokens of their love and friendship. Well, back in the 80’s, it became kind of a thing. Who could find the best festive holiday sweater. There were cute ones with elves, dress ones with snowflakes or ivy, fun sweaters with Santa or Rudolph. A few had been designed with flopping antlers or button eyes on snowmen. The preppy sweater had a white collar you could starch up or fold down around the collar. And so began the gifting of the holiday sweater.
Not just between the sisters but soon these incredibly festive sweaters were being exchanged between all family members. Everyone ought to have at least three of these in their wardrobe. At least one new one every year! One year, I hired a professional photographer to take pictures of me with my brothers in coordinating sweaters as a gift to our mom. I am shaking my head. Because my grandma took such a liking to these fine sweaters, she ended up finding different ones suitable for year-round wearing.
Passing Them Along
The sweaters were regarded as festive sweaters. Horribly popular in the 80’s, the sweaters mainstream popularity declined. Yet lingered among an older group. In fact, the more mature members of our families held them favorably in their closets. Of course, we love these mature folks in our families. Thoughtful as they are, they are compelled to share their festive feelings with the younger generation. Therefore, they continue to gift us with these wonderful sweaters which we are obliged to wear each year. Over time, developing an “underground” nickname of ugly sweaters. And with the time, the ugly sweaters populate our closets, become a competition and now are coveted and are actively sought after each year.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition for the Office Party
The End of the Ugly Sweater Tradition
I realized my last Ugly Christmas Sweater gave up its last thread last year and I had to let it go. I regret not giving it a proper burial at the bottom of a plastic bin in storage somewhere. As I reflect on the memories of these ugly sweaters, it would be great to pull that last one out from time to time. It would have been fantastic to have collected them all and created a special Ugly Christmas Sweater throw out of scrap cut-outs from them. However, none are saved. My dilemma now is to find a new one and resurrect the family tradition of the Ugly Christmas Sweater.
A Resurrection for the Sweater
Fortunately, I FOUND the best place yet for Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition shopping. There are funny ones, 3D sweaters, Men’s sweaters, Women’s sweaters, Custom sweaters and more. The sizes accommodate kids of all ages.
The other trend with the resurrection of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition is the pajama suit. A one-piece full body suit with zipper. Guess what? You can shop for matching family pajama suits and put them all in the same cart as your sweaters! One-stop shopping! How easy is that? There are leggings and crazy socks too!
WATCH FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DEALS!
Here you go! Now all you need to do is pick your favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater and a pair of crazy leggings. Join me for a glass of wine or a hot buttered rum or a hot cup of cocoa or egg nog! We will sit in front of the fire and sing a carol or two!
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