(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, December 16, 2013 ) Milwaukee, Wis. — The ugly Christmas sweater has become a cultural phenomenon — but there are seven things you need to know in order to wear it well, according to the Milwaukee-based Vistelar Group:
1. Your sweater can be tacky, your behavior cannot. In the words of Maya Angelou, people will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Your sweater is not a license to act badly.
2. Don't judge. Yes, you're wearing this for fun. But Aunt Betty's gonna get offended if that sweater resembles something in her closet (or on her back).
3. Get silly, not smirky. Be merry, not demeaning. While your sweater might put you in touch with your wry side, but getting toxic will suck the fun right out of the party.
4. Step lightly through the past. Be careful, your vintage sweater might prompt a stroll down memory lane that stirs up some cruddy memories: "Hey Mom, that Easter bonnet you made me wear? Yeah, it ruined my formative years" — thereby forcing the conversation to take a wicked turn. (If it does, use our redirection strategies to salvage it.)
5. Make a clear statement. Until it's established that you're doing this for fun, the unspoken question will be if you're wearing that sweater for real. Let others in on the joke, OK? Whether it's Christmas or not, you don't want to put people in the awkward position of having to save face.
6. Offer others a second chance. If someone feels they must save face and disrespect you, turn the other sleeve. As you know, granting someone a second chance is one of the Five Maxims.
7. Express yourself! Did you know that both Slayer and Metallica sell ugly Christmas sweaters as part of their merchandise? Dude, that's awesome.
