Saturday is “officially” Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. But it’s more than a singular day – ugly Christmas sweater season is here.

Journey back with us through time to the 1950s. A time of Poodle skirts, hula hoops, sock hops… and Jingle Bell Sweaters. Along with aluminum Christmas trees and most of our modern Christmas songs, the accelerated commercialization of the holiday season in the Nifty Fifties launched many of the traditions we still enjoy today.

Sweaters became popular both in schools and the business world – teens and young women gravitated toward letter sweaters, like you might recall Laverne and Shirley wearing. Men might wear a sweater vest into the office on cooler days, but year-round, they would often change into a sweater when they got home from work, much like Mister Rogers made famous.

From there, it only made sense for retailers to start carrying Christmas themed sweaters as the mercury dropped. These weren’t considered ‘Ugly’ sweaters though. Featuring discrete Christmas themed decorations, these Christmas sweaters were stylish, artistic, and joyful.

Mass Media Appeal in the 80s and 90s

Much like bubble lights, Christmas sweaters kind of dwindled after their heyday in the 50s. You’d still see one from time to time, or in your parent’s or grandparent’s attics, carefully preserved with a whiff of camphor (moth balls).

But in the mid 80s something started happening. Dads in movies and on TV shows, especially sitcoms, started wearing a lot more knitted wool. Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke) on Growing Pains, Greg Evigan on My Two Dads, and everyone’s favorite uncles on Full House all wore sweaters. The preppie, arms over the shoulders look even started on TV.

Plus, who could forget those cable-knit sweaters Billy Crystal wore in When Harry Met Sally, or Clark Griswold’s classic horizontal stripes of cheer in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

Of course, Clark’s sweater is muted compared to what was just around the bend.

2002, Vancouver, Canada, The Commodore Ballroom

Having noticed a trend developing, Chris Boyd and Jordan Birch trademarked the phrase “ugly Christmas sweater” and “ugly Christmas sweater party.” Then they used their powers for good, hosting the very first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Guests were instructed to wear a hideous Christmas sweater and all the proceeds went to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada.

The year before had seen Mark Darcy in a reindeer sweater in Bridget Jones’ Diary, and the following year, Steve Martin wore a red and white Moose Crunch inspired pullover in Cheaper by the Dozen, and there was no turning back.

Even as thousands of parties were launched across North America, The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Commodore Ballroom continued, often selling out until the pandemic shutdowns hit.

In 2009, Adam Paulson, Brian Miller and Kevin Wool (yes, that’s his real name!) launched what they thought would be a fun blog. They went thrift shopping for ugly Christmas sweaters and began posting pics of the ones they bought, complete with clever names on their website, UglyChristmasSweaterParty.com. They went viral, turning them into seasonal entrepreneurs with a coffee table book now selling truckloads of sweaters in November and December.

Sweater-ing to the Oldies

Sure, there’s an official day, but just like no one only eats cookies on National Cookie Day (December 4), you can don an ugly Christmas sweater whenever you like. The only “rules” are, it must be in December and everyone must wear a tacky sweater. You can even make your own if you’re so inclined!

We even celebrate Ugly Christmas Sweaters here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. As soon as the temperatures dip into the 60s, we’re pulling out our warmer clothes. And while we might not get there this winter, you should still know the best way to preserve your winter wear.

Most folks shouldn’t use moth balls any more. They can trigger allergies, cause headaches and nausea and are easily mistaken for candy by children or pets. Vacuum your closet before you put away your sweaters for the year.

Cedar or lavender are great for warding off clothes moths and leaving a pleasant aroma in the air. You can also pick up a dehumidifier or use moisture absorbent closet hanging bags. These eliminate the atmosphere that invites carpet beetles and clothes moths – the two biggest threats to your clothes – to stick around.

For any other pests who might be troubling your home this holiday season, may we recommend our Go Green Perimeter Plus solution? It handles all the traditional creepie crawlies we see here in Florida. And we keep your family safe by not using the harsh, dangerous chemicals pesticides provide. For more details, please give us a call!