It’s not the holidays without ugly holiday sweaters. Where did this trend come from? Where can you get one? Can you make your own?
Ugly holiday sweaters began with more subtle style back in the 1950s and were originally known as Jingle Bell Sweaters. In the 1980s, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation starred characters wearing holiday sweaters (we’re looking at you Clark Griswold) throughout the film. Following this, holiday films continued to feature holiday sweaters with snowflake and reindeer motifs. Then in the early 2000s the trend exploded into the zeitgeist of holiday rituals. Maybe it was Elf, Bridget Jones, or Love Actually. Somehow this trend went from a staple in holiday films to a staple in our holiday wardrobes.
It is not unusual these days to be invited to an ugly holiday sweater party. If you are looking for an ugly holiday sweater, you don’t have to look farther than your local Wal-Mart or specialty websites like www.uglychristmassweater.com.
You can also make your own. A great way to start is with a basic sweater from your local craft store like these from Hobby Lobby. While you are there, you might want to pick up some tinsel, ornaments, bells, sequins, pom poms, ribbon, and other supplies. If you know how to sew, stock up on threads, sewing needles, and other notions so that you can sew on your embellishments. But if you don’t know how to sew, a hot glue gun and glue sticks will suffice in attaching your embellishments onto your sweater. It might look tacky but isn’t that the whole point?
Whether you decide to just buy a sweater or make your own, you might consider wearing it multiple times. To do so, you’ll most likely launder the item like any other garment. If your sweater is made of cotton or some cotton blend yarn and without embellishments like tinsel, ornaments, etc., you could just wash and dry it like regular laundry. If your sweater is made of wool, then you might consider dry cleaning it. If your sweater has any embellishments, especially items like jingle bells or tinsel, then you might consider just hand washing it and laying it flat to dry.
Whether you don the ugly holiday sweater this season or not, you’re sure to be busy enough between holiday shopping and family gatherings. Schedule a pickup and delivery with us. We’ll take the laundry off your hands, including any machine-washable holiday sweaters, so you can focus on more important matters this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
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