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The Holiday Sweater (not to be taken too seriously)

I don't know if this is an American tradition or if it's just the selective memory of an immigrant in me that forgot about similar customs in Europe but The Holiday Sweater seems to be a cultural staple around here. It's usually made of wool (oops, I meant acrylic of course) or cotton in a knit pattern and displays in cheerful holiday colors a christmas tree, candy canes, snowmen, ornaments or all of the above. Some of those just seem to scream: LOOK AT ME I HAVE THE MOST CHEERFUL HOLIDAY ATTITUDE EVER!!! . Some will also have the good old Giraffe - the oldest of all holiday symbols!?

At the risk of offending all of you, who have one or several of these in the closet, I'm telling you: don't. Dispose of them silently. I know it seemed like a good idea at some point, when you were in the most warmest cheeriest holiday mood, but really, ornaments are supposed to be on the tree and snowmen in the yard. Unless you are 7 (yes, they can pull it off) or an elf, there is no reason to succumb to the annual temptation of wearing a holiday-themed sweater. No, not even for Thanksgiving.

Posted at 04:59 PM on December 12, 2003
Comments

Drat! you mean I have to give that sweater away? Seriously though, in Christmas pictures for as far back as 5 years I always seem to be wearing a black turtleneck. No doubt I have style problems of my very own but overdosing on holiday cheer is not one of them.

Posted by leah at December 13, 2003 4:56 PM

OK - now I know. I have one present to return and it's not even Christmas yet! Darn!

Posted by Karla at December 13, 2003 8:44 PM

Those sweaters are just plain wrong. I don't see as much of them out here as you probably do in the Midwest (I am, after all, in stylish California), but I see a little bit of it and NO ONE can pull it off. Not anyone. I would even dare to say that children should not be wearing such things.

Plus, how much sense does it make to have a sweater you can only wear for one month each year? And why dont we ever see Hannukah or Kwaanza sweaters? Things to ponder...

Posted by Maryanne at December 15, 2003 10:47 AM

Someone always gives one if these to one of my kids and it's like "gee, thanks". But beggars cannot be choosers and the good news is a 2 year old can get away with it.

Posted by Pansy moss at December 15, 2003 10:47 AM

Also, the two year old sweaters I have are not this outrageous.

Posted by Pansy moss at December 15, 2003 10:50 AM

hehe.. you guys are funny. i think 2-year-olds can get away with it, but why encourage bad habits early? I see what you're saying though pansy :)

Posted by dinka at December 15, 2003 11:03 AM

I spoke too soon about not seeing them much here--within the last few days I have now seen SEVERAL of these atrocities. Help! My eyes!

:-)

Posted by Maryanne at December 17, 2003 11:26 AM