The tradition continues on Dec. 18
UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY
Friends Jeanie Berro, Elaine Miller, Elizabeth Daniels, Susan Shaver, Joan Schwichtenberg, Glenna Hoff and Joanna Matos are keeping the Ugly Christmas Sweater tradition robustly alive in Leisure World—these LW friends are wearing them proudly in honor of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Dec. 18.
Christmas-themed pullovers started making an appearance in the 1950s, a nod perhaps to the holiday’s growing commercialization. Initially referred to as “Jingle Bell Sweaters,” they weren’t as garish as today’s offerings and found little popularity in the market, although TV personality Andy Williams really embraced the festive topper. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the sweaters hit the mainstream. The shift came thanks to pop culture and comedies, with goofball-dad characters like Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and Cliff Huxtable from the “Cosby” show turning the holiday sweater into an endearing expression of festive cheer. Santa-emblazoned sweat- ers could now be seen at office parties and on Christmas Day.
By 2007 “Ugly Cmas Sweater” searches soared on Google. In 2010 celebrities and designers released them in retail stores. Social media got on the bandwagon, and young people started buying vintage ones from thrift stores vying for the most gauche.
There is still time to start your own “Twelve Days of Ugly Christmas Sweaters.” You can find them online at retailers like www. uglychristmassweater.com.
