My favorite holiday “ugly” sweater that I made.
A few years back when Ugly Holiday Sweater Parties started popping up I wasn’t sure what to think. As you might imagine, I have quite the collection of holiday sweaters, which some people might call strong competitors in an ugly sweater event. I’ve even made some of my holiday attire – one in particular I wore so much that its trash day was heartbreaking. I was really proud of it, but pictures of me wearing it cause one neighbor to laugh out-loud – and you can see it above and judge for yourself.
I realize some holiday sweaters aren’t exactly stylish, but when I’m wearing a Christmas sweater, I feel like one of Santa’s elves spreading holiday cheer. So it’s just hard for me to think of them as ugly. However, I guess in some ways you might say some are so ugly they are cute.
[Tweet “Wearing an UGLY Christmas sweater, makes me feel like one of Santa’s elves spreading holiday cheer”]
Why do we need Ugly Holiday Sweater Celebrations?
- We need some place to wear ugly holiday sweaters where they will be appreciated. Let’s be honest – someone, probably a relative, has given you a sweater that you might not feel is exactly your holiday cheer personality.
- You get to laugh at all of the other ugly sweaters. It’s a bonding experience – and if you’ve had a few holiday spirits, they probably seem even funnier. Do you have a sweater that has lights?
- It’s one of the celebrations where adults are supposed to be silly during a season that’s full of cheer but also packed to-do’s. Being a responsible adult is only one of our personas. Most of us still have a kid inside us that gets forgotten, but wants to come out and play – especially during the holidays.
Where can you celebrate the ugly holiday sweater?
Workplace
Host an Ugly Sweater – Jean Friday. Co-workers can vote and the winner gets a ribbon, certificate or other prize. If you’re taking up donations, consider having everyone who wears an ugly sweater pay a $1 or more entry fee for the Ugly Sweater competition. Then donate your collection to a company supported charity.
Have an Ugly Sweater Customer Appreciation. Offer customers who wear their ugly sweaters on a specific day, a discount or gift, or make a fixed dollar donation to one of your local charities – maybe one that collects toys.
Social Events
Host a neighborhood wine and cheese. Most ugly sweaters have a story, so it’s a great way to get to know your neighbors.
Group gatherings. If you meet-up with friends or are in a civic club that meets each week or month, make the December event the Ugly Sweater competition month.
Where should you not have an ugly sweater competition?
Your family gathering – in case your entry (or others’) turned out to be a gift from a family member. You don’t want the celebration to hurt someone’s feelings.
So let the kid inside you be a little silly and have some fun.
Do you have a sweater worthy of Ugly Sweater competition? The fun starts now. Need an ugly sweater? Web sites and stores are dedicated to helping you find the perfect and in some eyes tasteless sweater for yourself or to give that special someone.
Feeling STRESSED by your holiday to-do list? Get our FREE 5 Ways to Simplify Your Holidays e-Workbook ~ it’s our GIFT to you.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.
My biggest problem with the Ugly Sweater thing is that now ALL holiday sweaters are called Ugly sweaters. I have several that are really lovely and I am offended when someone calls it an ugly sweater! I get it – a lot of them are tacky and I do have a few of those as well, but I love the holiday season and really don’t care for the term “Ugly” being associated with all the beauty and traditional images that make up the holiday. I will wear my sweaters proudly and hold my tongue when someone calls it an ugly sweater and probably make some joke about it and try not to let it spoil my holiday spirit!!
The one in the picture is one of my more colorful ones that I thought was beautiful. However, I also own several elegant ones too … and I agree all holiday sweaters get lumped together … ugly or not I love them all.
Love the tips on celebrating the ugly sweater! They are good opportunities to get some more wear time and celebrate the season. The holiday season is short and only once a year so you have to make the most of it!
I absolutely love the idea of a sweater/jeans work Friday! Our Christmas parties have become a bit stale, and I see this as an excellent way to breathe new life into the festivities. I especially like how it combines celebration and charity-something for everyone. Thanks you for the suggestion!
LOL!!! I love the idea of having an Ugly Sweater Discount Day. If I had a store, I would be all over that one. And then the store could post pictures of every ugly sweater that came in on their Facebook page. It would be so fun and interactive!
Hmm. Having difficulty relating to this. I have never celebrated or participated in anything to do with an ugly sweater. I have observed others doing it. The management at work did it last year to raise money for some cause. The only sweaters I typically wear are sweaters I knit and I don’t consider them ugly.
As for those people who wear festive sweaters, I consider them creative versus ugly. Maybe I am coming at it from a different perspective, but I think we can wear what we want and enjoy!
Great suggestions for Ugly Sweater events! Thanks for the article!
Also loved another point you made: We are so wrapped up in our lengthy to-do list and the extra responsibilities that come with the holidays that we forget to have fun! Letting loose, bonding with friends, having a good laugh – this happens with an Ugly Sweater Party, and is SO key to keeping one’s sanity and actually ENJOYING the season!
I just LOVE my UGLY sweaters!! It’s a real treat for me when it gets cold enough out there for me to wear them!!
Each one has a great little story attached to it and the stories make me happy!!
LOVE the suggestions you made here Pamela!! it really is all about remembering to have some fun during the holiday!
Be BLESSED!!
An “ugly” sweater is only a sweater….unless you have matching socks…and earrings! That being said, I love my “ugly” sweaters, and though I know some people have some that are a bit far fetched, it’s not the holidays without them! They’re fun, festive and fabulous!
I love this idea. Its whimsical, it takes away from the pressure to look perfect all the time and its fun. There is certainly a time and a place for the little black dress but at a time when you have SO much to do, so many holiday parties to attend, etc. Having something where you can throw on a comfy sweater and go is a good thing.
This is too funny! About 3 weeks ago I decide to wrap up the Holidays with an Ugly Sweater / Holiday Pajama slumber party with our high school classmates(Class of ’77)at our lake home. So many times there is so much “work” involved in the Holidays and I thought it would be fun to do something crazy. I am having it after the actual Holidays so it shouldn’t interfere to bad. And as far as “hurting” anyone’s feelings, unless someone got their sweater from a classmate it shouldn’t be a problem. Most everyone said they were heading to St. Vinnie’s or Goodwill!
Seems like a fun way to wrap up the Holidays = )