Ugly Holiday Sweater Parties: Likes or Yikes?

The Today show takes a look at a new holiday tradition

 

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What do you think of ugly sweater parties?

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Throwing an ugly sweater party isn't something entirely new to the holiday season -- kids on college campuses have been mocking their parents about them for years -- but it seems like this year the entire nation has caught on to the trend.

This morning the hosts of NBC's Today show got into the holiday spirit and donned their own ugly sweaters while Savannah Guthrie investigated the popular party theme.  Watch it now:

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According to The Washington Post the origins of the ugly sweater party came from a 2001 party trend in Vancouver, Canada, but most of us can remember being forced to wear the itchy, busy tops since childhood. 

But are these holiday eyesores festive fun or insulting to those moms and grandmas out there who can't wait to dig them out of that container in the basement every December?  Personally, my mother loves pulling out her fuzzy vest covered in shiny 3-D Christmas gifts for our family get-togethers, but I'm still unsure if she does it to embarrass my brother and me, or because she secretly thinks it's cute.

No one has invited me to any ugly sweater parties this year (likes!), but maybe that's because the trend of the tacky tops has just become too mainstream in 2011. I mean, it's hard to be ironic when your mom is in on the joke.

Pat Sandora is the co-host of iVillage's weekly entertainment show Likes or Yikes?.  Follow him on Twitter: @PatSandora

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