According to uglychristmassweater.com, one of the likely reasons ugly Christmas sweaters has risen to great popularity in recent years is nostalgia:

“Ugly Christmas sweaters have that vintage Christmas appeal.  They remind many of us of the days when Christmas meant going to bed so Santa could bring those presents and waking up with an anticipation we would rarely if ever experience otherwise.  In other words, it reminds of what Christmas was before it was merely the Super Bowl of business transactions.”

For a long time, finding ugly sweaters meant raiding your Grandmother Mildred’s closet or Uncle Clyde’s dresser drawers. No ugly sweaters in the family? No problem. A trip to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or other second-hand stores could net you a pretty sweet ugly cardigan, v-neck, or pullover. Now, ugly sweaters are big business, with shops popping up all over the internet and every big and small national and local clothing store looking to capitalize on the ugly sweater craze.

Today, instead of having to search for vintage ugly sweaters (or make your own), companies like Tipsy Elves manufacture and sell intentionally-ugly sweaters (and other outrageous Christmas attire), and the offerings are legion. Ugly sweaters actually have become part of the “Super Bowl of business transactions” and ugly Christmas sweater parties—now a staple of the holiday season—drive the sales of these dreadful duds. Not only do families and friends gather to show off their ghastly garments, but bars and other businesses sponsor contests and award cash and prizes for the worst-of-the-worst ugly sweater fashions.

The bottom line is that ugly sweaters provide impetus for friends and family to gather together, enjoy each other’s company, and provide plenty of fodder for laughter and the making of nostalgic memories-to-be. And anything that promotes a connection with loved ones is something we are happy to recommend here at The Nostalgia Diaries.

Continue reading “12 Nostalgic Days of Christmas: 6 Ugly Christmas Sweaters {Sixth Day}”