By Jesse Cazares
Ugly, itchy, scratchy and bulky—characteristics commonly used to describe Christmas sweaters.
These “ugly” garments come in various patterns and designs, typically covered with an oversupply of Christmas trees and reindeer images belong in an 80s Dillard’s catalog.
The hideous Christmas sweater started out as a homemade gift from grandma, but became a mass-market hit in the 1980s and continued as a dependable seller ever since, reports The Wall Street Journal.
To honor these ugly holidays wearables, the country celebrates National Ugly Sweater Day every second Friday in December, according to www.nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org. This year, the day falls on Dec. 12.
Despite their unappealing appearance, ugly Christmas sweaters continue to trend each holiday season, profiting one local business owner.
Leticia Hernandez Alonzo, owner of “Hark, The Ugly Christmas Sweater,” started her sweater business in San Antonio six years ago, unaware how popular it would become.
Don’t go searching for a storefront though. Alonzo sells the sweaters from a minivan—a beautiful way to spread those ghastly garments.
“Going to costumers is an advantage and makes it convenient,” she said.
After a rough start with few customers, she said her business has blossomed. She constantly receives phone calls from other businesses and people needing a sweater for company or family parties.
The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum in downtown San Antonio joins many local businesses that will hold an ugly Christmas sweater party this year.”It’s something unique,” Buckhorn Saloon employee Gil Casarez said. “It’s a spirited idea. It’s novel because people think of ways to intentionally make them ugly.”
