A few years ago when thrift stores set up special racks for ugly Christmas sweaters and put a premium price on them (by thrift store standards), it was clear that they were becoming an endangered species for those who truly like wearing them.
Back in the day, the garishly adorned Christmas sweater showed up at family gatherings and then got packed away until the following year. Now they’re right out in the open — like a quirky uncle — celebrated rather than ridiculed.
The challenge is that when I see someone wearing a holiday sweater with a light-up reindeer nose or a three-dimensional snowman, I’m not sure if it’s a joke or a celebration of the season. Increasingly, it’s both.
Dec. 16 is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. It’s got a website, so it must be legit (nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org). Basketball fans can join the fun with a Cavaliers ugly Christmas sweater. They’re available online at several websites.
