Tis the season to pack up the swimsuits and tank tops and bust out the cool weather clothes and most importantly...the sweaters. Only this year, along with the Cashmere Cardigans and bulky cable knits feel confidant that you can finally release the snowflake reindeer sweater that has been locked away in shame at the bottom of the "winter clothes" storage bin for the last five years.
What constitutes as an Ugly Christmas Sweater, you ask? Well, aside from the obvious, it's a sweater that is both ugly and Christmas themed, the U.C.S. can be easily identified by its garishly bright colors, the appearance of overabundant decoration such as fringe and/or sequins and is often home-made by a lonely spinster aunt or doting hobbyist grandmother (I personally like my sweaters with snowflakes and reindeer because they remind me of winter and cozy cabins).
But, Ugly Christmas Sweaters are so much more than laughable novelty items such as headbands with antlers attached or a flashing Christmas light necklace. They represent family and not just because the only place you would normally wear this hideous garment is around...well...your family.
When I think of these gaudy sweaters, I imagine everyone's favorite TV dad Tim Allen slicing into a steaming turkey at the head of a fully trimmed and crowded table at Christmas Eve dinner. Yet, somehow this previously hokey tradition, previously exclusive holiday fare for corny dads and jokey uncles only, has become a mainstream fashion trend and it seems that all the kids are doing it (even Amazon sells Ugly Christmas Sweaters).
Despite the recent popularity of jumping on the its offbeat and hip to "dress like a dork" bandwagon, I believe that the spirit of the U.C.S. cannot be purchased, and certainly not ordered over the Internet with free shipping. In my opinion, the only authentic and acceptable Ugly Christmas Sweaters are home-made with the loving capable hands of a family member, or a "close enough to call family" member.
In the Harry Potter series, Mrs. Weasley makes each of her kids sweaters every Christmas with their initials sewn onto the front. Then, when poor Harry has no one to give him a present during the holidays, Mrs. Weasley goes and makes a sweater for him too. You see, it's not the ugliness of the sweater that is meaningful but the fact that someone took the time and energy to make something extra-special for another person in the spirit of the holidays.
Like costumes at Halloween or champagne at New Year's, the Ugly Christmas Sweater is also an excellent way to show Holiday spirit.
More whimsical companies have even begun to host "Ugly Sweater" office parties in an effort to encourage employees to get into the holiday mood. And why not? Football fans wear their favorite jerseys to sporting events, the Irish don green clothing on Saint Patrick's Day and even overzealous college kids sport togas to show their Greek pride. Why shouldn't Christmas have a new uniform aside from the magic-destroying Santa Suits and lingerie-esque sexy Mrs. Clause outfits?
So, I say we heat up some Hot Chocolate and slip into something a little more comfortable this Christmas Eve. Free the ugly sweater and make Aunt Belinda proud that you're actually wearing her gift. You can always pack it away again along with the Christmas lights after New Year.
Some fun websites and photos of Ugly Christmas Sweaters across the Internet:
http://www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com/
Tis the Season for Ugly Christmas Sweaters!
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