So, it finally happened.

[pedanticwench]

I was invited to an "ugly Christmas sweater" party.

When I said I didn't have an ugly Christmas sweater, I was told "Oh, just go to Goodwill, they probably have tons there."

I don't know, something about going to Goodwill to get an "ugly" sweater for a Christmas party just seems off. Like, I feel that would be crossing a line. Does anyone know what I mean or what I'm trying to say?

Fucking white people, man.

[margotmacomber]

When I worked at Goodwill back in the old college days, we set aside specific sections for ugly sweaters because so many people would come in just for that purpose.

[pedanticwench]

I feel like buying a really pretty sweater and wearing that, instead.

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:03:03 GMT -5 margotmacomber said:

When I worked at Goodwill back in the old college days, we set aside specific sections for ugly sweaters because so many people would come in just for that purpose.

Ugh, I don't want to be that person. The person who comes to Goodwill specifically for that reason.

[hopecounts]

If it bothers you take an old sweater you own and buy some christmas stuff to put on it at a craft store glue/sew them on and call it a day.

[mrsjuleshs]

DD's team did that as part of their party this past week. It was hilarious! We are having an ugly Christmas sweater contest next Friday. I don't own one nor am I willing to drive all over looking for one.

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:04:37 GMT -5 intentionalsnarkshark said:

Dec 10, 2013 16:03:03 GMT -5 pedanticwench said:

I feel like buying a really pretty sweater and wearing that, instead.

But what if you buy what you think is the prettiest sweater and you get voted as the winner of the Ugly Sweater contest? Are you willing to chance that sort of self esteem destruction?

Now THAT would be a Festivus Miracle.

[jena]

Goodwill is not really focused on providing poors with cheap clothes, so you shouldn't feel bad about shopping there for ugly clothes or clothes you'd actually wear. Their mission is to provide employment to poor/disabled/disadvantaged. So they need all the shoppers they can get. Also, they get way more clothes donated than they can sell, so that's another reason to feel no guilt.

[gretchenindisguise]

Yeah, around here they will set up a specific section for them. And jack up the prices around the holidays.

I actually learned that one place here will rent them to you. Marketing!

[Deleted]

From goodwill's perspective, money is money.

[eb777888]

People from all walks of life have bad taste, lol.

[pedanticwench]

I just remember having to shop there with my mom as a kid and I just imagine some kid now watching me buy a stupid ugly Christmas sweater just because I had a dumb party to go to, not because I really needed it. Not that the kid even knows why I'm buying it, but I know!

Maybe I'm over-thinking this.

[shostakovich]

I've been to several ugly sweater parties. One year my sweater was covered in jingle bells and I couldn't even fart without making noise. It was glorious torture, and I won second place.

I feel zero guilt (and also ditto what PPs said about Goodwill, etc. providing jobs and money to the community with their sales).

[dcannie]

do you know any teachers? just ask if you can borrow one of their christmas sweaters.

[pedanticwench]

Well, fuck. I guess I'm going to Goodwill tonight. Luckily there is one right on my way home, I pass it twice daily.

[AHappierHour]

It think you are over thinking it but if you feel that bad then you could always make one.

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:15:46 GMT -5 tators said:

Dec 10, 2013 16:13:28 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

The fuck? I sometimes shop at Goodwill. Am I supposed to feel bad about it? Or are other people feeling bad for me?

god, apparently people are feeling bad for you and the ugly clothes you buy there.

Oh, go sat down, lol.

[nomad100]

Wait, I am totally confused.

So because I stop at GW regularly to check stuff out, including the clothes, this is somehow bad because I  have the money to afford non-GW clothing?

Or that if I needed an ugly sweater for a party and my first thought is to hit GW because I don't want to pay a lot this is bad because "the poors" need ugly sweaters too?

Or is it something else I am not getting?

[pedanticwench]

I'm pleading the 5th, before the pile on starts!

[ijack]

I had to buy ours off ebay. I have a few I can sell you if you want

[balletofangels]

FWIW I bought a sweater at Walmart for the Ugly Sweater Run because I was too damn lazy to drive to Salvation Army, Savers or Goodwill to look at what they had. Walmart had ample supply.

ETA: I know this isn't the point of the thread.

[fryjack2]

My favorite store has become Goodwill, and I am not poor. I have a pair of Helmut Lang skinny black pants, a couple pairs of COH jeans, and a few Free People tops, and a long Lacoste rain trench that are my favorite finds. The one near me is full of Theory, Banana, GAP, 7, and a bunch of other name brands along with the random clothes.

I love flea markets, and consignment stores and Goodwill type stores. I feel all proud when I score a good find.

OP- don't feel bad about shopping there.  No one wants those ugly sweaters anyway

[suzyp]

Dec 10, 2013 16:04:32 GMT -5 mrsjuleshs said:

DD's team did that as part of their party this past week. It was hilarious! We are having an ugly Christmas sweater contest next Friday. I don't own one nor am I willing to drive all over looking for one.

I think you're more in the 'burbs, but the stores on Westheimer by Mark's (near Dunlavy) usually have a million ugly Xmas sweaters for pretty cheap.  The Goodwills inside the Loop had exactly zero when I went looking last year. 

[Jermys]

They have an Ugly Sweater section at my Goodwill.

[Deleted]

I currently can't fit into the ugly Christmas sweater I bought last year.

Babies ruin everything.

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:26:25 GMT -5 suzyp said:

Dec 10, 2013 16:04:32 GMT -5 mrsjuleshs said:

DD's team did that as part of their party this past week. It was hilarious! We are having an ugly Christmas sweater contest next Friday. I don't own one nor am I willing to drive all over looking for one.

I think you're more in the 'burbs, but the stores on Westheimer by Mark's (near Dunlavy) usually have a million ugly Xmas sweaters for pretty cheap.  The Goodwills inside the Loop had exactly zero when I went looking last year. 

This is good to know, I'm in the Houston-area.

[Jermys]

Also, I buy Hanna Andersson and Mini Boden at our Goodwill. Occasionally they still have the tags on! Rich people are awesome!

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:26:47 GMT -5 @rumpshaker said:

What do ugly Christmas sweaters have to do with being white?

stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/12/14/118-ugly-sweater-parties/

[suzyp]

Dec 10, 2013 16:27:46 GMT -5 pedanticwench said:

Dec 10, 2013 16:26:25 GMT -5 suzyp said:

I think you're more in the 'burbs, but the stores on Westheimer by Mark's (near Dunlavy) usually have a million ugly Xmas sweaters for pretty cheap.  The Goodwills inside the Loop had exactly zero when I went looking last year. 

This is good to know, I'm in the Houston-area.

I didn't realize that you were too. I went to 3 different goodwills and nothing.  Westheimer stores were bountiful!

[pedanticwench]

Dec 10, 2013 16:31:15 GMT -5 @rumpshaker said:

Dec 10, 2013 16:28:43 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apparently only white people throw Ugly Sweater parties I guess?

I guess. I just wonder how well it would go over here if I made the same statement about another race.

You're welcome, folks.