It’s
that time of year again when no matter where you go, you see people decked out
in holiday themed clothing. For some people, decorating themselves and their
homes isn’t enough. They even decorate their cars!
Today we have a special guest,
Liese Sherwood-Fabre, author of the newly released Reindeer Wars, to tell us a little bit about the history of ugly
holiday sweaters. Learn more about Liese at her website.
Leave
a comment for a chance to win a copy of Reindeer
Wars. And don’t forget to either include your email or check back on Sunday
to find out if you’re the winner. – AP
During
the 1930s, sweater makers introduced winter designs in their creations. In one
catalogue ad, Janzen’s offered a green sweater with deer frolicking across the
top for men and a red one with snowflakes for women. These demur images, over
time, became more flamboyant and colorful, to the point of ridicule. The first
time Bridget Jones meets Mark Darcy as an adult, he is wearing a “jumper” (as
they call sweaters across the pond) with a huge reindeer on it. In Christmas with the Kranks, Jamie Lee
Curtis proudly pulls out her Christmas vest for its annual use during the
holiday season.
The
popularity of these “ugly Christmas sweaters” has increased with the advent of
the “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.” Three men in Vancouver, Canada are credited
with the creation of the first party in 2001. The annual event grew in
popularity, moving to larger and larger venues and now quickly sells out of the
1000+ tickets each year.
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| You could win this outrageous holiday sweater! |
The
first step in this process is, of course, to find an ugly Christmas sweater.
The popularity of these items, however, has created a demand and they can be
scarce this time of year. Do not fear, you can scour Craigslist, eBay, and your
local thrift store for possible entries or even check on-line for stores dedicated
to servicing party-goers. Another course is to make your own. Start with a
simple Christmas-themed sweater and add embellishments at will. Consider extra
bling, some tacky trim, and even battery-operated lights.
One
such sweater became the basis for my Christmas novella, Reindeer Wars. I imagined two co-workers in a bidding war for one
such sweater, then meeting up at the office holiday party. I had a lot of fun
designing in my mind that sweater and those others wore to the party. Little
did I know that some of mine were tame compared to those I found posted on the
Internet.
Let me know about your experiences with such a party or your sweaters for a chance to win a copy of Reindeer Wars.
Blurb: Tina has a tendency to go a little overboard when decorating for the holidays, but Brian decides her skills are just what he needs to get into the Christmas spirit. Can this budding relationship survive when they find themselves in a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s most outrageous holiday sweater?
16 comments:
I remember once we rated ugly holiday sweaters.
Love your book cover.
I have seen some ugly holiday sweaters. Never wanted to wear one. Maybe mount on the wall over a tree. A month should be long enough.
Hi, Liese and Lois! Some sweaters aren't so great and others are. But what about holiday themed sweatshirts? You know the ones that are painted. Some of those are pretty bad.
Loved the story too!!!
I have never received an ugly sweater!So guess I'm totally unloved and left out!
I don't know the rules for the sweater vs. sweatshirt. I'm pretty certain they aren't too picky up there in Vancouver.
I have never received an ugly sweater but I don't wear heavy sweaters.
I would give the sweater to my dog.
I had someone say they had one for their dog. Then you need reindeer antlers so it looks like the dog from the Grinch!
I never thought my sweaters were ugly. I like all that kind of stuff.
Yeah, I agree not all are ugly. Tjat's why I called my party "outrageous." Cuz some of them are! You need to check out the Vancouver site.
Hi! I used to have Christmas sweaters, but never thought of them as ugly. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :) Love your cover!!!
I've seen a few ugly ones. I had one very nice silk sweater that had snowflakes on it that I loved.
Liese, what fun! I love holiday sweaters. I have a collection of my mother's who passed away recently - and yes people make fun of me! But when decked out with all the holiday glitz jewelery to match, its fun and definitely inspires conversation wherever you go :). As an added tip I had many of my mom's holiday clothes made in quilts. Bonus as you can stop being made fun of for wearing these clothes AND have lovely memories to keep you warm (literally!)
i have tons of holiday sweaters......penguins, of course!!! LOL!!!!
thanx foe rhis giveaway!!!
My mother-in-law sent us all the ugliest Christmas t-shirtss and then expected us all to sit on the couch with them and have someone take a picture of us in them. That same year, she sent me and my daughter matching Hello Kitty PJ's and my husband and son matching "The Simpsons Boxers". I think she wanted a picture of my husband and son in their matching t-shirts and boxers and my daughter and I in our matching Hello Kitty PJ's. Sick I tell you sick!
Michele:
Still got the photo? You can post it on the Virtual Outrageous Holiday Sweater Party on Facebook starting Saturday!
I'm hoping for some real competition!
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