A Michigan Tradition: The Original Holiday Sweater Party
Model T Fords, Motown, Pop-Tarts … Michigan gets credit for inventing a lot of nostalgic icons. But while many have claimed to be the creators of the now-quintessential “ugly sweater” holiday tradition, some Michiganders spoke out.
Turns out, a handful of Western Michigan University students first embraced the kitsch in 2000. Taking a cue from close friends who had snapped quirky Christmas card photos, Michael Saint-Aubin and Jason Weeby booked a photo session at Sears. They fully embraced the holiday vibe and, naturally, the next question was what to do with these amazing pictures.
“We thought, let's throw a party called the Turtleneck & Sweater Holiday Extravaganza,” says Saint-Aubin. “It would be like our parents’ Christmas parties we grew up with, complete with vinyl records, eggnog, mustaches and sweaters.”
He describes the first gathering on Cedar Street in Kalamazoo as “a little awkward,” since only their core group showed up in full festive apparel, spinning holiday records in the corner while everyone else partied like average college kids. But by year two, all partygoers were all in on the idea, happily singing along to Mel Tormé in their colorful sweaters and with full mustaches.
By year three, they mailed out formal invitations, and in 2003 they hosted the event at the now-closed Kraftbräu Brewery in Kalamazoo – which even brewed a limited-edition Mustache Ale.
Treasured traditions unfolded over the years, including a ceremonial pouring of the eggnog, a group rendition of the “12 Days of Christmas,” live bands performing Christmas song covers (or inventing their own holiday tunes), and the crowning of a prince and princess of Christmas. The positive impact of the festivities extended well after every event, as proceeds from ticket sales went to charity. And year after year, partygoers dug into their closets and hit up thrift shops to score holiday-themed clothing and accessories. One of the original cofounders, Bob Wedge, showed up regularly wearing a Santa-themed vest that his grandmother had made him.
“When we started doing these parties, you couldn't buy a Christmas sweater like you can now,” explains Saint-Aubin. “A lot of them were handmade, and it became a really sentimental part of the event to crown someone who made the most effort to create something unique and interesting.”
As college friends grew up and moved on, offshoots of the holiday sweater party appeared in other cities around the country, and word of mouth kept the momentum going in Michigan until the final event in 2012.
“At that point, we started to move on from the idea. For us, it was always about the nostalgia of parties from when we were little kids, seeing how much fun our parents would have,” says Saint-Aubin.
Now, looking back, those outrageous college years feel like another lifetime ago and another air of wistfulness has settled in. So in a grand gesture of camaraderie, the Kalamazoo crew is coming back together for a 25th anniversary celebration of The Original Turtleneck & Sweater Holiday Extravaganza, with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For these Michiganders, holiday sweater parties became more than just a silly tradition; they became a time capsule shifting from an affectionate homage to their parents' traditions to reminiscing about their own early 2000s antics.
Searching for something to wear at your next holiday event?
Try your hand at the Pure Michigan festive holiday sweater! Fiber artist Madie Loebig (@dumpsterslayer444) has whipped up an original pattern inspired by Pure Michigan just in time for the winter season. Learn more about the Pure Michigan sweater pattern.