Want to see some Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties in action? These can help show you how it's done!
The 2006 holiday season marked the fifth anniversary of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC. From my extensive research, it appears that this is the earliest known sighting of this phenomenon, which is reaching epic proportions.
A popular theme for parties these days is to make an ugly sweater mandatory for entry. One invitation reads, "The uglier the sweater, the better the party." Check out Craigslist and you'll find posters desperate for cheesy Christmas sweaters.
Whether it started in Vancouver or elsewhere, we applaud this tradition, which epitomizes hellishness. Want to throw an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party yourself? Or maybe you've been invited to one and don't know what to do--after all, your holiday clothes are so tasteful that you don't have anything appropriate! (Yeah, right.) Here's a helpful guide.
1. Think Ironic. You probably have fond memories of your older female relatives at holiday gatherings wearing sweaters with Christmas trees and Santa Claus. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party pokes fun at these wardrobe choices, and no one wants to be mean to Grandma. So mentally separate the Grandma sweater from the Party sweater. Pretend she wouldn't be hurt by the concept. And for God's sake, don't tell her about it.
2. Think Thrift Shop. Whether going or throwing, you might want to pick up some special specimens, and you won't find a better source than Goodwill. And you can't beat the prices. Just plan on spending a little extra for dry cleaning.
3. Think with a Twist. Move beyond the sweater. Add in a turtleneck,
jewelry
or a tie.
4. Think Regional. Florida, Hawaii...not the right spots for this concept. Compromise! Hold an Ugly Christmas Tights, Sunglasses or a Hawaiian or T Shirt Party instead so no one passes out unless it's for the right reason: eggnog overdose.
5. Think Unsexy. There's nothing hot about a Christmas sweater, unless you're wearing it in Hawaii (against our excellent advice). No bare midriffs, especially on guys.
6. Think Prizes. Kick it up a notch and add a contest to the mix. And what do you give the partygoer with the uglist, tackiest, most heinous Christmas sweater? How about Christmas socks ? Or everyone's favorite: Fruitcake!
Originally published on Friday, December 15, 2006
Showing posts with label sweaters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweaters. Show all posts
Get Decked: It's Not Just for Sweaters (Videos)
Mom's Christmas Jewelry
You'll never look at jingle bells the same way again.
Singing Ties
Ready to move beyond the Ugly Christmas Sweater? Try an Atrocious Christmas Tie!
Christmas Hats
Can't get into the Christmas spirit this year? Go out and a get a Christmas Santa hat!
Winning Tacky Christmas Sweater
The winning entry in the tacky shirt contest at a Christmas party.
Originally posted on December 13, 2008.
Christmas Sweaters
It's not just the halls that get decked this time of year. Have you noticed the explosion of holiday sweaters? And they're not just for little old ladies any more. Check out these Christmas sweater party videos on Hellish Holidays.
There's something about novelty clothes that just feels wrong to me. Reindeer, giant snowflakes, Mr. and/or Mrs. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings (with or without a fireplace), nutcrackers, candy canes, mistletoe, nativity scenes, wreaths, adorable puppies and kittens with big red bows around their necks--all perfectly appropriate on cards and wrapping paper. All absolutely hellish on sweaters.
The ladies (and others) who wear these sweaters have made a conscious decision to face the world in a conversation piece. They have chosen to make a statement: "I love Christmas! Please love me. If you can't love me, at least talk to me. Here's a topic we can discuss: Christmas. Seriously, if you can look at this sweater and walk away without mentioning how cute the puppy is, well, you're just a Grinch and I hope you don't get what you want under the tree."
OK, maybe I'm imagining that they all just want to be noticed. What they're probably really saying is: "Thank God this still fits after all these years." Because you just know the same sweaters are trotted out year after year, party after party, Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve. After all, they're expensive. And one truly is enough.
Of course, with irony running rampant in our society, we are now seeing people in Christmas sweaters who aren't being sincere about their statement. They're saying something different with their sweaters. Maybe: "I like to think of Christmas as an extension of Halloween, and this is my costume. Boo!" Or: "I had to wear a tacky Christmas sweater to get into my friend's party. I'm not really feeling it. Although you have to admit, the puppy is pretty cute."
Does anyone know how the Christmas sweater trend started? I have a feeling the first one was something hand-knitted by a grandmother in Middle America. She got requests from friends, then branched out into one of those home businesses you're always hearing about. From there it snowballed into the dire situation we have today. Christmas sweaters for dogs. Hanukkah sweaters. Easter sweaters. Valentine's Day sweaters. Any holiday with a logo (e.g., a shamrock) is now a sweater day. Or, in the case of Christmas, it's a sweater month, because the first sightings happen just after Thanksgiving.
The worst offenders feature sequins, lights (for example, a light-up Rudolph nose) and three-dimensional decorations, such as miniature Christmas ornaments or the bow around that poor puppy's neck. But really, they're all pretty awful. A company called Susan Bristol Inc. even had to recall a line of Christmas sweaters with marabou feather trim: it was dangerously flammable.
There's an important lesson here: If you want to be festive, show some cleavage.
Originally posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
There's something about novelty clothes that just feels wrong to me. Reindeer, giant snowflakes, Mr. and/or Mrs. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings (with or without a fireplace), nutcrackers, candy canes, mistletoe, nativity scenes, wreaths, adorable puppies and kittens with big red bows around their necks--all perfectly appropriate on cards and wrapping paper. All absolutely hellish on sweaters.
The ladies (and others) who wear these sweaters have made a conscious decision to face the world in a conversation piece. They have chosen to make a statement: "I love Christmas! Please love me. If you can't love me, at least talk to me. Here's a topic we can discuss: Christmas. Seriously, if you can look at this sweater and walk away without mentioning how cute the puppy is, well, you're just a Grinch and I hope you don't get what you want under the tree."
OK, maybe I'm imagining that they all just want to be noticed. What they're probably really saying is: "Thank God this still fits after all these years." Because you just know the same sweaters are trotted out year after year, party after party, Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve. After all, they're expensive. And one truly is enough.
Of course, with irony running rampant in our society, we are now seeing people in Christmas sweaters who aren't being sincere about their statement. They're saying something different with their sweaters. Maybe: "I like to think of Christmas as an extension of Halloween, and this is my costume. Boo!" Or: "I had to wear a tacky Christmas sweater to get into my friend's party. I'm not really feeling it. Although you have to admit, the puppy is pretty cute."
Does anyone know how the Christmas sweater trend started? I have a feeling the first one was something hand-knitted by a grandmother in Middle America. She got requests from friends, then branched out into one of those home businesses you're always hearing about. From there it snowballed into the dire situation we have today. Christmas sweaters for dogs. Hanukkah sweaters. Easter sweaters. Valentine's Day sweaters. Any holiday with a logo (e.g., a shamrock) is now a sweater day. Or, in the case of Christmas, it's a sweater month, because the first sightings happen just after Thanksgiving.
The worst offenders feature sequins, lights (for example, a light-up Rudolph nose) and three-dimensional decorations, such as miniature Christmas ornaments or the bow around that poor puppy's neck. But really, they're all pretty awful. A company called Susan Bristol Inc. even had to recall a line of Christmas sweaters with marabou feather trim: it was dangerously flammable.
There's an important lesson here: If you want to be festive, show some cleavage.
Originally posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The 2008 Ugly Christmas Sweater...Winners? (Videos)
"Best Homemade Sweater"
Nothing mass-produced could match the hellishness of Bear Jesus ascending to heaven - with lights!
"Best Group"
They cared enough to wear the very...best.
"Best Party Invitation"
It's an invitation and a shopping guide all in one!
"Best College Edition"
This isn't the way I remember college parties, thank goodness.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters: It's Always the Season (Videos)
Tis the season! Check out our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Guide here.
Like it says, a rap about ugly sweaters. Is nothing sacred?
Drunken dance at a theme Christmas party: When the Christmas Sweaters go on, the inhibitions drop away.
About the video: Marshmallows, Ugly Sweaters, and Karaoke. What more is there to life?
Ugly Sweater Rap
Like it says, a rap about ugly sweaters. Is nothing sacred?
Drunk and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Drunken dance at a theme Christmas party: When the Christmas Sweaters go on, the inhibitions drop away.
S'More Christmas Sweaters
About the video: Marshmallows, Ugly Sweaters, and Karaoke. What more is there to life?
Christmas Sweater Party with Live Music
Pets in Christmas Sweaters (Videos)
Sweater Dog
Man, this dog really resents his Christmas sweater.
Kitty Christmas Sweater
No one likes Christmas sweaters. Especially cats. Oh, the humiliation!
Christmas Sweater Pug Tricks
You just know what this dog is thinking.
Plan Your Own Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties (Videos)
Ugly Sweater Party 2006
For more help with your party planning, read our guide.
Ugly Sweaters are everywhere, but there is an especially high concentration of them at this party.
Christmas Sweater Party
It's a trend that's sweeping the country. The ugly, bad, Christmas Sweater Party. Check out these guys and their sweaters. Next up: little old ladies and their Christmas jewelry!
Christmas Sweater of the Year
His mother must be so proud--until she realizes he raided her closet!
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Montage
Hey, keep your hands off my...ornaments!
Can't Get Enough Ugly Christmas Sweaters! (Videos)
Christmas Sweater Documentary
A documentary on the "Life of a Christmas Sweater" gives you some insight to the joys and pains of being a Christmas Sweater.
Christmas Sweater Party and Sing-Along
Alaskan Ugly Holiday Sweater Party
One cold and dark wintery night in Homer, Alaska, several friends gathered together to share the horrifying holiday sweaters they had locked away in forbidden places. This is their story.
Annotated Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Where'd you get that ugly sweater?
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