Well tis the season to party it up! I just went to my RWA chapter holiday party on Saturday and had a dandy old time. And next weekend I have this fun little holiday party…and you know what? It’s an ugly Christmas sweater party. Have you ever been to one of those? I haven’t. It’s my first.
I was totally stoked. I had just been given the green light to go shopping. To shop for an ugly Christmas sweater.
So I did, and you know what? It was HARD. Apparently there’s like a demand for ugly Christmas sweaters because people must have these contests or parties. The price of an ugly sweater on Ebay was ridiculous. Getting one for $15 before shipping was a steal, and some went up to almost $100 (me thinks I should get into the ugly holiday sweater biz!).
So I went to thrift shops and after serious hunting could only find this.
But after tweeting it, I was told that it wasn’t really THAT ugly. Le sigh. But it was literally all I could find and it was only $3. So I resumed my hunt. I began to stalk ugly Christmas sweaters on Ebay. And then, when I thought my situation was dire and I’d have to shell out the big bucks…my aunt stepped into the picture. When I told her of my quest she said, “Ugly Christmas sweaters? Oh I’ve got a closest full. I mean UGLY. We’re talking shoulder pads and tassels.”
Could it be? Had fate just dropped my aunt’s sweater stash from the 80’s upon me? I was a bit worried, because my aunt is a wee thin thing who hangs out in the smalls and mediums–where as I’m more of a large and x-large gal. But knowing it was an 80’s sweater, and they tended to run with the ‘oversized sweaters and leggings’ back then, I thought maybe, just maybe, I’d be okay.
And here’s the result…I think I came out okay, and might even give the people at the party some competition. And it didn’t cost me a dime! So, what do you think? Is it ugly enough?
*Disclaimer: I know some people actually wear these sweaters, so I’m not trying to be offensive! I’m simply going by what Ebay is selling as ‘ugly sweaters’ and what’s getting bid on. I really do love the holidayness of it all! Though I will say I personally probably wouldn’t wear this unless I was going to a party like I am.
Shawntelle Coker
December 7th, 2009 at
7:09 am
That sweater is definitely… unique. LOL And well, as a frugal mother I give you a thumbs up for the price of free.
Tracy Wolff
December 7th, 2009 at
7:51 am
I think my Mom had that sweater in the 80s– but she has a gift. She can wear ugly holiday sweaters with Panache– I think it comes from the fact that she’s a principal and has been wearing Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s and S. Patrick Day sweaters for years (the kids like them).
Anyway, I do think you are good to go!!!! Good luck
Leah Braemel
December 7th, 2009 at
10:08 am
Oh, dear. I’d better have someone else checking my closet for me from now on. Cuz I kinda like that second sweater. It’s bright and a little too colorful for me to pull off but it definitely says Christmas.
Out of curiosity – what do you consider a pretty/classy Christmas sweater?
Shelli
December 7th, 2009 at
10:13 am
Yes, they’re unique and fun. And Leah, I should said that I don’t necessarily find it ugly, but going by what Ebay was selling as ‘ugly’ and what was getting the most bids,I could tell this was a winner. I personally love Nordic sweaters and those were even classified as ugly, lol, so it’s totally subjective. And Tracy, yes, I think many people actually pull off these kind of sweaters. My librarian relative would prob wear it, or a Sunday school teacher/any kind of teacher. I love how festive it is!
I should put up a disclaimer, I’m afraid to offend someone!
Leah Braemel
December 7th, 2009 at
10:30 am
Don’t worry – you didn’t offend me, Shelli. I know my tastes in clothes are much more casual than most – I wear my fleece PJ bottoms most of the day – a fashion maven I am not. (On the other hand, I have a Christmas sweater that my eldest gave me a few years back that I keep “forgetting” to wear cuz I think it’s ugly mainly because it’s badly sewn, but I don’t want to tell him that.)
Shannon McKelden
December 7th, 2009 at
10:34 am
Is the party on Friday by chance? Because my sister and brother-in-law are going to an ugly Christmas Sweater party on Friday this week, so we got to see their picks. My BIL wins hands down with a lime green cardigan (my grandfather used to wear one in baby blue) with a pink/limegreen/baby blue argyle sweater vest underneath. PERFECT for a 40-year-old man. NOT.
My sister just had a ski sweater, which wasn’t ugly at all, but she’d going to sew gold bows all over it and ugly it up.
Too funny!
Karen
December 7th, 2009 at
10:41 am
Tracy stole the words out of my mouth because I was going to say the only people who look good in the crazy/outrageous/ugly Christmas sweaters are the teachers/principals at schools. They wear the holiday stuff all the time and they always seem to carry it off.
That second sweater is quite…loud. And festive. Very festive. LOL
Sherry
December 7th, 2009 at
11:23 am
I’m not into sweaters of any kind but I really thought the first one was uglier. I don’t wear any kind of decorations on my cloths I like just plain shirts.
Kate Pearce
December 7th, 2009 at
11:33 am
Oh wow…seriously-that is ugly! Good for you!
Crista
December 7th, 2009 at
5:17 pm
Wow! Don’t you look festive. *snerk*
Shelli Stevens
December 7th, 2009 at
6:56 pm
Shannon, it’s Saturday! And yes guys in lime green sweaters…hee hee.
Thanks everyone! LOL. Glad it meets approval!
mary
December 7th, 2009 at
10:55 pm
That is a festive sweater. I have to admit I have one long sleeve shirt that is completely lime green and has little christmas tree’s all over it. lol
I like to wear it at christmas but after googling ‘ugly christmas sweater’ I think my shirt would be in that category. lol
I didn’t even know that they had these types of parties…
Eilis Flynn
December 8th, 2009 at
1:23 pm
My Christmas sweater is gaudy, but I’ve always been quite fond of it. If you can’t wear loud clothing at Christmas, when CAN you?
Em
December 9th, 2009 at
1:20 pm
Rob Graham
December 9th, 2009 at
3:17 pm
Gah! My eyes! My eyes!
I think that qualifies.
Jammie Novak
December 13th, 2009 at
7:26 pm
Ummm…yes, it’s hideous, but I don’t think you will win the contest for the ugliest. You might be surprised what you find at the party?! I always thought the idea was cute and I love that your Aunt has a closet full of them. Too freaking cute! I bet some guy with a tacky sweater fetish is gonna get all hot and bothered by your sweater
Jammie Novak
December 13th, 2009 at
7:29 pm
Wait! Can you glue some glitter shit all over it with hot glue and glitter??!! That just might be the glitzy touch it needs, maybe sew some tinsel on it too? And you have to have big huge Christmas ball earrings and stirrup pants too! Ok, I got swept away in an 80’s nostagia moment…
Shelli Stevens
December 13th, 2009 at
11:38 pm
Jammie, I totally got beat! Though I gave them some competition for sure!
And I debated going for the 80’s look, I think that would’ve helped!
No guys got hot over my tassels & bows though. Alas.