Jenn McKinlay: Show of hands, who owns one or more of these delightfully over the top gems?
This pic is actually from a jigsaw puzzle and I think those are cookies, which is probably the best way to display such holiday hoopla as then you can eat it and destroy the evidence instead of having it live in your closet forever.
Why am I mentioning holiday sweaters? Well, because someone got the great idea to have an ugly holiday sweater party at her friend's book signing. (Yeah, it was me.) Who is the unfortunate friend? Paige Shelton as we celebrate her latest release Winter's End. And, of course, we had to drag in Kate Carlisle as well.
So, if you want to see our horrific sweaters, we'll be at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore at 2 PM MST today (Saturday, the 3rd) where we are giving prizes to randomly chosen sweater wearers or you can catch the live stream where we are also giving prizes to randomly chosen viewers who post a pic of their sweater in the comments:
FUN FACT: Ugly holiday sweaters began in the fifties and were called "Jingle Bells Sweaters". I love that! Here's more history if you're interested: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/ugly-christmas-jumpers/index.html
Now confess, Reds and Readers, who owns one? Are you a lover or a hater?
Although all it's always fun to check out all the sweaters, I've never actually owned an ugly sweater myself.
ReplyDeleteI can send you one, Joan :)
DeleteI've never owned an ugly sweater, although I do enjoy seeing them on others.
ReplyDeleteThey are hilarious!
DeleteI'm with Dru. I did have a fairly ugly Christmas vest I used to wear on Christmas morning, but it's both out of repair and a little snug these days.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun party! Instead of watching the fun, I'll be at a holiday author fair in lovely Rockport, MA, wearing a tasteful red sweater with black top and pants. plus my new red hat (if you were at Crime Bake, you saw it).
Sounds smashing, Edith!
DeleteHa ha, those Christmas sweaters on the puzzle box don't look that bad.
ReplyDeleteNope, I have never owned or wore an ugly Christmas sweater.
JENN: Have fun at the PP party! I will catch it on replay.
I am spending the day (9:30am-6 pm) watching a virtual mini-con with Ottawa & Eastern Ontario mystery authors. The event is being run by the same folks that did the online 4-day Maple Leaf Mystery Festival in the spring.
Wonderful, Grace!!! Have fun.
DeleteI think I owned one with reindeer on it back in the '60's. If there was another one, I have suppressed that memory. In the '80's I had a white sweater with huge jewels sewn on it that was festive. Last weekend, my son wore a brash Chanukah sweater to a gingerbread house making party that they had. I like these sweaters and am all for the fun! Kudos to all who dare to sport them.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the fun!
DeleteYes, I own one, courtesy of my daughter, who gifted the entire family. I also own a set of Grinch pajamas, which another daughter supplied to the entire family, except the dogs. They wear chili pepper bandannas.
ReplyDeleteThat's a family photo I need to see :)
DeleteLover, but only in theory and only on other people. I don't own one myself. But I think it's a fun 'thing' at this time of year. And I love Margaret's family-set of seasonal PJs.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - and the dogs' bandanas!
DeleteI do own several and now I definitely want those Grinch pjs!
ReplyDeleteI own Chanukah pajamas that our daughter bought for me just a couple years ago. They are adorable and toasty. I wear them a lot not just at Chanukah.
DeleteSame.
DeleteI enjoy ugly sweaters, but do not own one. I watch a lot of cooking shows on TV--so I have seen ugly sweater cookies being decorated. They look delicious!
ReplyDeleteProbably the best way to craft a sweater - on a cookie!
DeleteA friend gave me a couple of them a dozen years ago, and ugly they were indeed, but that winter I worked in the "boiler room" of a major national bank, helping to correct mortgage errors. Their heat was very inconsistent, so I wore those sweaters every (twelve-hour) day. They were very warm, and they washed beautifully. Not a clue as to what could have happened to them since.
ReplyDeleteI bought one for the Hub that feels like insulation so I bet it keeps him warm - LOL.
DeleteOne year we tried to have an ugly sweater contest in our family, and half of "us", including the daughter whose idea it was, wimped out. However, this year we will be at the equator, so we are all taking ugly Christmas t-shirts. Mine says "Define Naughty". It's not really ugly, and I'm fine with not winning. Insert snarky laughter here.
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing holiday!
DeleteThanks, Jenn!
DeleteNo ugly sweaters here, but my sister made us all ugly sweatshirts with twinkly lights that actually lit up and twinkled. Love the idea of an ugly sweater contest at an author's event, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will be embraced with the enthusiasm it was conceived with :)
DeleteIt's Ann Mason's birthday today. Happy birthday, to our favorite nurse!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN!!!! Wishing you a fabulous day!!!! XO
DeleteHappy birthday, Ann!
DeleteHappy birthday, Ann!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Ann!
DeleteDebRo
Enjoy your day, Ann!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Ann! Congratulations on another trip around the sun! Elisabeth
DeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN! xxx (Was that yelling? :-))
DeleteHappy Birthday, Ann! Hope you're having a wonderful day!
DeleteHappy birthday, Ann!!!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Ann! Diana
DeleteHappy happy, Ann!
DeleteThey are everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI love sweaters, especially wool, handknit sweaters. But not a fan of ugly holiday sweaters. I hope everyone has a ton of fun at the party!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a hoot!
DeleteI don’t have one, but honestly, I would really love to have one!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Hub might let you have his - he was a good sport - but it was hideous. LOL.
DeleteI like holiday-themed clothing. Apparently I was a trend setter with my holiday teddy bear sweater vest and matching blouse with the teddies embroidered on the collar. And for years I had a lovely snowman cardigan I wore as part of my regular winter wardrobe with matching hair barrette. I now picture some lucky person who hit the jackpot at the Goodwill wearing these well-worn items to parties.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I remember seeing a sweater in a Kohl’s ad and thinking it was cute until I read the ad copy calling it an Ugly Christmas Sweater. They missed a sale there.
I will wear my Peanuts gang and Polar Express Tshirts this holiday season and probably drag out the candy cane and poinsettia print turtlenecks at some point too because that’s how I Ms.Frizzle and I roll on The Magic School Bus.
Love Ms. Frizzle!!! I worked with children's librarians who dressed like her and it was the BEST.
DeleteCount me a lover, but I've never owned one. Book party sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was ridiculous and fun.
DeleteNo ugly Christmas sweaters here! You are a dangerous friend to have.
ReplyDeleteMy friends would agree, no doubt.
DeleteJENN: So sorry to be late to the party this morning. I am in hibernation mode. Yes! I own several Christmas sweaters. Why on earth are they called "Ugly Christmas sweaters"??? My Christmas sweaters are always beautiful. Definitely a lover of Christmas sweaters because they get me into the holiday spirit.
ReplyDeleteDiana
We agreed to day that ugly isn't quite right. I really do prefer "jingle bell sweaters".
DeleteI have a vest somewhere. I showed off at the virtual holiday party two years ago. It's really a bit tight, but it's fun. I hope I remember to catch the party today, online of course. I'll be the person in the corner crocheting a blanket.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely!
DeleteI think they are hilarious--but no, I have to say..one of those is not in my wardrobe! I know you will have a FABULOUS time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hank.
DeleteNope - no ugly sweaters here either - but I’m looking forward to seeing what you all wear at the Poisoned Pen
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice variety of silly!
DeleteCount me as a lover. I think they're great fun and encourage the holiday feeling. When I taught or was a writing coach, I loved wearing my Christmas sweaters. If it had bells, it was all the better. I had some Christmas vests, too. I remember my daughter was mortified that I would go out in public dressed that way. Then, she got to the point of just laughing at me. So, you must know the satisfaction I've had when she had children and started buying things like family Christmas pajamas or t-shirts. She even was happy with the Rudolph t-shirt I gave her a few years ago. Its nose lit up. She never quite made it to the sweaters. I think I still have a couple of Christmas sweaters around here somewhere. I've toned it down to a long-sleeved t-shirt with a Christmas tree now.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful!
DeleteJenn, I don't own an ugly Christmas sweater but I think it would be great fun. Can't wait to see what you three are wearing at the PP!
ReplyDeleteThat was me, Jenn. Loved the program, sorry Kate couldn't make it! The winning sweater was amazing!
DeleteYes, sadly, Kate got Covid. So we'll just have to do it again next year. Ha!
DeleteBummer. Hope that Kate is feeling better soon. Diana
DeleteIs your Poisoned Pen event being live-streamed? The link seems to just go to older videos.
ReplyDeleteNever mind. The Facebook one seems to be working!
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteJenn -- Very much enjoyed your Poisoned Pen talk with Paige S. To follow up re: good books set in Ireland, have you ever read the Irish Country Doctor series by Patrick Taylor? The books are well-written and heartwarming, set in Northern Ireland.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! I will look for those!
DeleteI do not own one. I'm rather proud of that fact.
ReplyDeleteIt's the unsweater club :)
Delete