Ugly Christmas Sweaters Anyone?

TipsyElvedchristmas_presentby Mary Jo

I've heard of ugly Christmas sweaters in casual ways, but I had no idea what A Thing they've become until I read an article in the Baltimore Sun by Brittany Britto.  (I tried to link,  but couldn't, sorry!)


It used to be that ugly Christmas sweaters were just ones that someone gave you that weren't to your taste.  Now they're about play and dressing up, which is why there is now an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Day," and it's December 16th.  



There are even websites!  (The Christmas present sweater above is from Tipsy Elves, and it's kind of cute, actually.  <G>)

There is actually an Ugly Christmas Sweater website and it's in Michigan, a state where a few cozy sweaters are pretty much necessary to get through the long, icy winters.  

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and while no sweater is for everyone, the real theme is playful and usually colorful.  Some are based on pop culture trends; not surprisingly, there are Game of Thrones sweaters warning gloomily that "Winter is WinterisComingComing."   With wolves or dragons. <G>

There are also playful ones with Ninja Turtles and Star Wars and your favorite band themes.  Below is a 3D sweater from Ugly Christmas Sweaters which is certainly–striking, but personally I think that having a stuffed moose sticking out UCS3DMooseof your chest would be a real crumb catcher. Not a lot of fun to sit back in a chair, either!

And there are sports versions!  Here in Baltimore, that means mostly orange for the Orioles and purple for the Ravens.  I like purple so this sweater dress at the NFL shop RavensSweaterDressdefinitely rocks the Ravens.  

 

Naturally hot trends will draw in celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg and Beyonce, who have ugly sweater paraphernalia, which can be found in places like Lord & Taylor. 

Beyghod_blk_maroon_mockup_Flat-Front_BlackThere are also statement sweaters like this girl power one at at Ghood Girl, a site that celebrates the power and culture of black women.

 
Ugly sweaters have been Green-Reindeer-Christmas-Sweater-Couplesenlisted to raise money for charity.  A local one invites sweatered humans and leashed dogs to a party as a fundraiser for the Humane Society.  (I don't expect we'll see such parties for cats. <G>)  

There are also sweater themed parties at sociable bars where people go to hang out with friends. The sweaters for a couple above would be just right for that kind of date night.

This Saturday there will be a South Baltimore Ugly Sweater Stroll and for people with a lot of energy, there is an Ugly Sweater 5K run.  Go, Sweaterkins!

UglySweaterRunBaltimore

R2D2I love sweaters because they keep me warm and they're comfortable for those of us who live on our computers. Do you have any ugly Christmas sweaters?  Have I made you yearn to get one? <G> 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is almost here, so Christmas sweaters are going on sale before their season is over,  There's still time to get one if you're in need!

Stay warm and have fun!

Mary Jo, offering one last Star Wars R2D2 sweater (and with thanks to Brittany Britto for a delightful article!)

 

 

130 thoughts on “Ugly Christmas Sweaters Anyone?”

  1. I keep intending to get a Christmas Sweater. Don’t know if it would be one of the “ugly” ones on not. But I never seem to get around to. Maybe this article will get me going after more than 20 years saying “I REALLY need to get a Christmas SweaterQ”

    Reply
  2. I keep intending to get a Christmas Sweater. Don’t know if it would be one of the “ugly” ones on not. But I never seem to get around to. Maybe this article will get me going after more than 20 years saying “I REALLY need to get a Christmas SweaterQ”

    Reply
  3. I keep intending to get a Christmas Sweater. Don’t know if it would be one of the “ugly” ones on not. But I never seem to get around to. Maybe this article will get me going after more than 20 years saying “I REALLY need to get a Christmas SweaterQ”

    Reply
  4. I keep intending to get a Christmas Sweater. Don’t know if it would be one of the “ugly” ones on not. But I never seem to get around to. Maybe this article will get me going after more than 20 years saying “I REALLY need to get a Christmas SweaterQ”

    Reply
  5. I keep intending to get a Christmas Sweater. Don’t know if it would be one of the “ugly” ones on not. But I never seem to get around to. Maybe this article will get me going after more than 20 years saying “I REALLY need to get a Christmas SweaterQ”

    Reply
  6. Perhaps if I worked with people, I’d invest in such a limited wear item that took up more than its value in storage space, lol! But it’s just me and the computer most days–and I don’t do video chats.

    Reply
  7. Perhaps if I worked with people, I’d invest in such a limited wear item that took up more than its value in storage space, lol! But it’s just me and the computer most days–and I don’t do video chats.

    Reply
  8. Perhaps if I worked with people, I’d invest in such a limited wear item that took up more than its value in storage space, lol! But it’s just me and the computer most days–and I don’t do video chats.

    Reply
  9. Perhaps if I worked with people, I’d invest in such a limited wear item that took up more than its value in storage space, lol! But it’s just me and the computer most days–and I don’t do video chats.

    Reply
  10. Perhaps if I worked with people, I’d invest in such a limited wear item that took up more than its value in storage space, lol! But it’s just me and the computer most days–and I don’t do video chats.

    Reply
  11. I actually have two. Neither are particularly ugly, though for this introvert, they are a bit bright and obvious. I work for a very large University and at least twice each season I am required to wear “festive attire” to an event. One such is a lunch today with a “ugly sweater” theme. I will wear one of my two and my santa doggie earrings and be festive for two hours. LOL I love 5k’s but I don’t want to do one in a sweater!

    Reply
  12. I actually have two. Neither are particularly ugly, though for this introvert, they are a bit bright and obvious. I work for a very large University and at least twice each season I am required to wear “festive attire” to an event. One such is a lunch today with a “ugly sweater” theme. I will wear one of my two and my santa doggie earrings and be festive for two hours. LOL I love 5k’s but I don’t want to do one in a sweater!

    Reply
  13. I actually have two. Neither are particularly ugly, though for this introvert, they are a bit bright and obvious. I work for a very large University and at least twice each season I am required to wear “festive attire” to an event. One such is a lunch today with a “ugly sweater” theme. I will wear one of my two and my santa doggie earrings and be festive for two hours. LOL I love 5k’s but I don’t want to do one in a sweater!

    Reply
  14. I actually have two. Neither are particularly ugly, though for this introvert, they are a bit bright and obvious. I work for a very large University and at least twice each season I am required to wear “festive attire” to an event. One such is a lunch today with a “ugly sweater” theme. I will wear one of my two and my santa doggie earrings and be festive for two hours. LOL I love 5k’s but I don’t want to do one in a sweater!

    Reply
  15. I actually have two. Neither are particularly ugly, though for this introvert, they are a bit bright and obvious. I work for a very large University and at least twice each season I am required to wear “festive attire” to an event. One such is a lunch today with a “ugly sweater” theme. I will wear one of my two and my santa doggie earrings and be festive for two hours. LOL I love 5k’s but I don’t want to do one in a sweater!

    Reply
  16. We had an ugly sweater contest at work. The best part was that two guys had the same “Oh Deer” sweater. A bright deer with lights around the antlers that worked, and O Deer on the back. They took a quick look. Another quick look. One ducked out. I guess they got together because by the judging, they were into working the room and wowing the judges. I’ve seen women do this, but never guys. I wish I had a video camera.
    And whether it’s ugly or not, Friday the 16th is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK. And the Telegraph has an article to guide you through the fashion choices.

    Reply
  17. We had an ugly sweater contest at work. The best part was that two guys had the same “Oh Deer” sweater. A bright deer with lights around the antlers that worked, and O Deer on the back. They took a quick look. Another quick look. One ducked out. I guess they got together because by the judging, they were into working the room and wowing the judges. I’ve seen women do this, but never guys. I wish I had a video camera.
    And whether it’s ugly or not, Friday the 16th is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK. And the Telegraph has an article to guide you through the fashion choices.

    Reply
  18. We had an ugly sweater contest at work. The best part was that two guys had the same “Oh Deer” sweater. A bright deer with lights around the antlers that worked, and O Deer on the back. They took a quick look. Another quick look. One ducked out. I guess they got together because by the judging, they were into working the room and wowing the judges. I’ve seen women do this, but never guys. I wish I had a video camera.
    And whether it’s ugly or not, Friday the 16th is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK. And the Telegraph has an article to guide you through the fashion choices.

    Reply
  19. We had an ugly sweater contest at work. The best part was that two guys had the same “Oh Deer” sweater. A bright deer with lights around the antlers that worked, and O Deer on the back. They took a quick look. Another quick look. One ducked out. I guess they got together because by the judging, they were into working the room and wowing the judges. I’ve seen women do this, but never guys. I wish I had a video camera.
    And whether it’s ugly or not, Friday the 16th is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK. And the Telegraph has an article to guide you through the fashion choices.

    Reply
  20. We had an ugly sweater contest at work. The best part was that two guys had the same “Oh Deer” sweater. A bright deer with lights around the antlers that worked, and O Deer on the back. They took a quick look. Another quick look. One ducked out. I guess they got together because by the judging, they were into working the room and wowing the judges. I’ve seen women do this, but never guys. I wish I had a video camera.
    And whether it’s ugly or not, Friday the 16th is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK. And the Telegraph has an article to guide you through the fashion choices.

    Reply
  21. As I said on FB, I love that top sweater!
    And since my daughter is a lifelong Trekker, I’m posting just in case I can win a rare and priceless R2D2 sweater for her Christmas present. She may be in her mid-30s, but she’d still be over the moon!!!
    And happiest of cozy, abundant holidays to you, MJP, and the rest of the Wonderful Word Wenches, and the community of readers who regularly show up for such interesting discussions.
    Cheers, Faith

    Reply
  22. As I said on FB, I love that top sweater!
    And since my daughter is a lifelong Trekker, I’m posting just in case I can win a rare and priceless R2D2 sweater for her Christmas present. She may be in her mid-30s, but she’d still be over the moon!!!
    And happiest of cozy, abundant holidays to you, MJP, and the rest of the Wonderful Word Wenches, and the community of readers who regularly show up for such interesting discussions.
    Cheers, Faith

    Reply
  23. As I said on FB, I love that top sweater!
    And since my daughter is a lifelong Trekker, I’m posting just in case I can win a rare and priceless R2D2 sweater for her Christmas present. She may be in her mid-30s, but she’d still be over the moon!!!
    And happiest of cozy, abundant holidays to you, MJP, and the rest of the Wonderful Word Wenches, and the community of readers who regularly show up for such interesting discussions.
    Cheers, Faith

    Reply
  24. As I said on FB, I love that top sweater!
    And since my daughter is a lifelong Trekker, I’m posting just in case I can win a rare and priceless R2D2 sweater for her Christmas present. She may be in her mid-30s, but she’d still be over the moon!!!
    And happiest of cozy, abundant holidays to you, MJP, and the rest of the Wonderful Word Wenches, and the community of readers who regularly show up for such interesting discussions.
    Cheers, Faith

    Reply
  25. As I said on FB, I love that top sweater!
    And since my daughter is a lifelong Trekker, I’m posting just in case I can win a rare and priceless R2D2 sweater for her Christmas present. She may be in her mid-30s, but she’d still be over the moon!!!
    And happiest of cozy, abundant holidays to you, MJP, and the rest of the Wonderful Word Wenches, and the community of readers who regularly show up for such interesting discussions.
    Cheers, Faith

    Reply
  26. I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweaters. Actually, any Christmas sweater along with the need to wear one would be delightfully novel for me. I live in rural south eastern Australia where Christmas clothing is more likely to amount to a pair of swimmers or shorts and a light T shirt. Thanks for your article though – it was fun to read and I loved the photos, especially the ugly sweater run. So festive!

    Reply
  27. I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweaters. Actually, any Christmas sweater along with the need to wear one would be delightfully novel for me. I live in rural south eastern Australia where Christmas clothing is more likely to amount to a pair of swimmers or shorts and a light T shirt. Thanks for your article though – it was fun to read and I loved the photos, especially the ugly sweater run. So festive!

    Reply
  28. I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweaters. Actually, any Christmas sweater along with the need to wear one would be delightfully novel for me. I live in rural south eastern Australia where Christmas clothing is more likely to amount to a pair of swimmers or shorts and a light T shirt. Thanks for your article though – it was fun to read and I loved the photos, especially the ugly sweater run. So festive!

    Reply
  29. I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweaters. Actually, any Christmas sweater along with the need to wear one would be delightfully novel for me. I live in rural south eastern Australia where Christmas clothing is more likely to amount to a pair of swimmers or shorts and a light T shirt. Thanks for your article though – it was fun to read and I loved the photos, especially the ugly sweater run. So festive!

    Reply
  30. I love the idea of ugly Christmas sweaters. Actually, any Christmas sweater along with the need to wear one would be delightfully novel for me. I live in rural south eastern Australia where Christmas clothing is more likely to amount to a pair of swimmers or shorts and a light T shirt. Thanks for your article though – it was fun to read and I loved the photos, especially the ugly sweater run. So festive!

    Reply
  31. Shannon, at least in the UK it isn’t “Ugly Christmas Jumper” Day. *G* The Oh, Deer! guys and their jumpers sound pretty amusing! Did eitgher of them win? Probably not, with two of the same. A herd of deer. *G*

    Reply
  32. Shannon, at least in the UK it isn’t “Ugly Christmas Jumper” Day. *G* The Oh, Deer! guys and their jumpers sound pretty amusing! Did eitgher of them win? Probably not, with two of the same. A herd of deer. *G*

    Reply
  33. Shannon, at least in the UK it isn’t “Ugly Christmas Jumper” Day. *G* The Oh, Deer! guys and their jumpers sound pretty amusing! Did eitgher of them win? Probably not, with two of the same. A herd of deer. *G*

    Reply
  34. Shannon, at least in the UK it isn’t “Ugly Christmas Jumper” Day. *G* The Oh, Deer! guys and their jumpers sound pretty amusing! Did eitgher of them win? Probably not, with two of the same. A herd of deer. *G*

    Reply
  35. Shannon, at least in the UK it isn’t “Ugly Christmas Jumper” Day. *G* The Oh, Deer! guys and their jumpers sound pretty amusing! Did eitgher of them win? Probably not, with two of the same. A herd of deer. *G*

    Reply
  36. Thanks for the good wishes, Faith Freewoman! I don’t think we’re having any actual sweater giveaways here, but there were some nice R2D2s out there. I hope you can find one for your daughter.

    Reply
  37. Thanks for the good wishes, Faith Freewoman! I don’t think we’re having any actual sweater giveaways here, but there were some nice R2D2s out there. I hope you can find one for your daughter.

    Reply
  38. Thanks for the good wishes, Faith Freewoman! I don’t think we’re having any actual sweater giveaways here, but there were some nice R2D2s out there. I hope you can find one for your daughter.

    Reply
  39. Thanks for the good wishes, Faith Freewoman! I don’t think we’re having any actual sweater giveaways here, but there were some nice R2D2s out there. I hope you can find one for your daughter.

    Reply
  40. Thanks for the good wishes, Faith Freewoman! I don’t think we’re having any actual sweater giveaways here, but there were some nice R2D2s out there. I hope you can find one for your daughter.

    Reply
  41. Yep, we don’t do the sweater (jumper, as we call them) thing here in Australia, but I’ve seen some hideous Christmas t-shirts appearing in the shops.
    People here tend to go for crazy Christmas jewellery instead.

    Reply
  42. Yep, we don’t do the sweater (jumper, as we call them) thing here in Australia, but I’ve seen some hideous Christmas t-shirts appearing in the shops.
    People here tend to go for crazy Christmas jewellery instead.

    Reply
  43. Yep, we don’t do the sweater (jumper, as we call them) thing here in Australia, but I’ve seen some hideous Christmas t-shirts appearing in the shops.
    People here tend to go for crazy Christmas jewellery instead.

    Reply
  44. Yep, we don’t do the sweater (jumper, as we call them) thing here in Australia, but I’ve seen some hideous Christmas t-shirts appearing in the shops.
    People here tend to go for crazy Christmas jewellery instead.

    Reply
  45. Yep, we don’t do the sweater (jumper, as we call them) thing here in Australia, but I’ve seen some hideous Christmas t-shirts appearing in the shops.
    People here tend to go for crazy Christmas jewellery instead.

    Reply
  46. No Christmas sweaters at all here, Mary Jo. We’re more likely to do a bit of Christmas sweating in our hot summer Christmas. Though, as Sonya says, we do go for the OTT Christmas-themed Jools — I have quite a large selection myself. And keep making more.

    Reply
  47. No Christmas sweaters at all here, Mary Jo. We’re more likely to do a bit of Christmas sweating in our hot summer Christmas. Though, as Sonya says, we do go for the OTT Christmas-themed Jools — I have quite a large selection myself. And keep making more.

    Reply
  48. No Christmas sweaters at all here, Mary Jo. We’re more likely to do a bit of Christmas sweating in our hot summer Christmas. Though, as Sonya says, we do go for the OTT Christmas-themed Jools — I have quite a large selection myself. And keep making more.

    Reply
  49. No Christmas sweaters at all here, Mary Jo. We’re more likely to do a bit of Christmas sweating in our hot summer Christmas. Though, as Sonya says, we do go for the OTT Christmas-themed Jools — I have quite a large selection myself. And keep making more.

    Reply
  50. No Christmas sweaters at all here, Mary Jo. We’re more likely to do a bit of Christmas sweating in our hot summer Christmas. Though, as Sonya says, we do go for the OTT Christmas-themed Jools — I have quite a large selection myself. And keep making more.

    Reply
  51. I have one that a dear friend pressed on me years ago, with sequins and “jools” on black knit. I wouldn’t have called it ugly, but to this introvert it seemed needlessly flashy. When I wore it to an Ugly Sweater Party, though, I was disqualified because the others thought it beautiful. My friend has since passed away and now I wear it to at least one holiday party every year in her memory. People always call it beautiful and I’ve become extroverted about it.

    Reply
  52. I have one that a dear friend pressed on me years ago, with sequins and “jools” on black knit. I wouldn’t have called it ugly, but to this introvert it seemed needlessly flashy. When I wore it to an Ugly Sweater Party, though, I was disqualified because the others thought it beautiful. My friend has since passed away and now I wear it to at least one holiday party every year in her memory. People always call it beautiful and I’ve become extroverted about it.

    Reply
  53. I have one that a dear friend pressed on me years ago, with sequins and “jools” on black knit. I wouldn’t have called it ugly, but to this introvert it seemed needlessly flashy. When I wore it to an Ugly Sweater Party, though, I was disqualified because the others thought it beautiful. My friend has since passed away and now I wear it to at least one holiday party every year in her memory. People always call it beautiful and I’ve become extroverted about it.

    Reply
  54. I have one that a dear friend pressed on me years ago, with sequins and “jools” on black knit. I wouldn’t have called it ugly, but to this introvert it seemed needlessly flashy. When I wore it to an Ugly Sweater Party, though, I was disqualified because the others thought it beautiful. My friend has since passed away and now I wear it to at least one holiday party every year in her memory. People always call it beautiful and I’ve become extroverted about it.

    Reply
  55. I have one that a dear friend pressed on me years ago, with sequins and “jools” on black knit. I wouldn’t have called it ugly, but to this introvert it seemed needlessly flashy. When I wore it to an Ugly Sweater Party, though, I was disqualified because the others thought it beautiful. My friend has since passed away and now I wear it to at least one holiday party every year in her memory. People always call it beautiful and I’ve become extroverted about it.

    Reply
  56. When I still worked in schools, I had quite a few Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts, none of them ugly. I remember one holly-embroidered one, accented with gold beads, that left a trail behind every time I wore it…gold beads through the hallways like Hansel and Gretel’s crumbs. I had to retire that one.And when I retired me, I gave the sweaters to a charity shop. I hope someone is still sparkling somewhere.
    We do a Yankee swap in our family and someone is going to get an “Ugly Sweater Kit,” comprised of 6 funny pins that you can jazz up any sweater with, LOL.

    Reply
  57. When I still worked in schools, I had quite a few Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts, none of them ugly. I remember one holly-embroidered one, accented with gold beads, that left a trail behind every time I wore it…gold beads through the hallways like Hansel and Gretel’s crumbs. I had to retire that one.And when I retired me, I gave the sweaters to a charity shop. I hope someone is still sparkling somewhere.
    We do a Yankee swap in our family and someone is going to get an “Ugly Sweater Kit,” comprised of 6 funny pins that you can jazz up any sweater with, LOL.

    Reply
  58. When I still worked in schools, I had quite a few Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts, none of them ugly. I remember one holly-embroidered one, accented with gold beads, that left a trail behind every time I wore it…gold beads through the hallways like Hansel and Gretel’s crumbs. I had to retire that one.And when I retired me, I gave the sweaters to a charity shop. I hope someone is still sparkling somewhere.
    We do a Yankee swap in our family and someone is going to get an “Ugly Sweater Kit,” comprised of 6 funny pins that you can jazz up any sweater with, LOL.

    Reply
  59. When I still worked in schools, I had quite a few Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts, none of them ugly. I remember one holly-embroidered one, accented with gold beads, that left a trail behind every time I wore it…gold beads through the hallways like Hansel and Gretel’s crumbs. I had to retire that one.And when I retired me, I gave the sweaters to a charity shop. I hope someone is still sparkling somewhere.
    We do a Yankee swap in our family and someone is going to get an “Ugly Sweater Kit,” comprised of 6 funny pins that you can jazz up any sweater with, LOL.

    Reply
  60. When I still worked in schools, I had quite a few Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts, none of them ugly. I remember one holly-embroidered one, accented with gold beads, that left a trail behind every time I wore it…gold beads through the hallways like Hansel and Gretel’s crumbs. I had to retire that one.And when I retired me, I gave the sweaters to a charity shop. I hope someone is still sparkling somewhere.
    We do a Yankee swap in our family and someone is going to get an “Ugly Sweater Kit,” comprised of 6 funny pins that you can jazz up any sweater with, LOL.

    Reply
  61. Actually a young girl (well early 20s) won. She had the nerd reindeer with glasses, which given what we boring office types do, was well received.

    Reply
  62. Actually a young girl (well early 20s) won. She had the nerd reindeer with glasses, which given what we boring office types do, was well received.

    Reply
  63. Actually a young girl (well early 20s) won. She had the nerd reindeer with glasses, which given what we boring office types do, was well received.

    Reply
  64. Actually a young girl (well early 20s) won. She had the nerd reindeer with glasses, which given what we boring office types do, was well received.

    Reply
  65. Actually a young girl (well early 20s) won. She had the nerd reindeer with glasses, which given what we boring office types do, was well received.

    Reply
  66. I was in the cafe area of a very large book store recently when a young couple approached me. They said that they were participating in a scavenger hunt and asked if I would be willing to be in a photo with them. It was only later that I thought I should have asked what category I was fulfilling — I fear I might have unwittingly filled the ugly sweater category (though I LIKE the sweater I was wearing!).

    Reply
  67. I was in the cafe area of a very large book store recently when a young couple approached me. They said that they were participating in a scavenger hunt and asked if I would be willing to be in a photo with them. It was only later that I thought I should have asked what category I was fulfilling — I fear I might have unwittingly filled the ugly sweater category (though I LIKE the sweater I was wearing!).

    Reply
  68. I was in the cafe area of a very large book store recently when a young couple approached me. They said that they were participating in a scavenger hunt and asked if I would be willing to be in a photo with them. It was only later that I thought I should have asked what category I was fulfilling — I fear I might have unwittingly filled the ugly sweater category (though I LIKE the sweater I was wearing!).

    Reply
  69. I was in the cafe area of a very large book store recently when a young couple approached me. They said that they were participating in a scavenger hunt and asked if I would be willing to be in a photo with them. It was only later that I thought I should have asked what category I was fulfilling — I fear I might have unwittingly filled the ugly sweater category (though I LIKE the sweater I was wearing!).

    Reply
  70. I was in the cafe area of a very large book store recently when a young couple approached me. They said that they were participating in a scavenger hunt and asked if I would be willing to be in a photo with them. It was only later that I thought I should have asked what category I was fulfilling — I fear I might have unwittingly filled the ugly sweater category (though I LIKE the sweater I was wearing!).

    Reply

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