Since we are living in a highly international environment, I am constantly fascinated by the different cultures, beliefs, traditions and even though I think that I “get it” most of the times, there are – now and then – details that I want to understand.
So, there comes the British “tradition” of wearing Christmas jumpers.
Although I can understand that (some) children could have fun wearing such items, I wonder what drives grown-ups to do so…

It is only since the 1980’s that these jumpers became popular “after a variety of television presenters such as Giles Brandreth and Timmy Mallett began wearing them during the Christmas holidays. In particular, their popularity may be attributed to the influence of singers such as Andy Williams and Val Doonican, who appeared in these type of jumpers in their television Christmas specials” (Wikipedia).

Apparently they were (or still are?) intended as gag-gifts and are more something people would feel embarassed with. Just think of Mark wearing one in Bridged Jones Diary… But it seems to be a tradition to wear them and even offer them:  even Harry gets one from Ron’s mum for the first Christmas at Hogwards.

It seems to be a quite recent tradition. Christmas jumpers gained camp during the 2010s and Amazon reported an increase in sales of 600% (!) in 2011. Now, celebrities buy them and there seems to even be  “Christmas Sweater Contests” held annually in the United States, where it’s all about who has the ugliest Christmas sweaters.

After The Daily Telegraph described them as a “must have” of the season in 2012, retailers started offering a vaste variety of these items, and even higher end fashion labels produce them (including Burberry and Jil Sander…). Apparently 41% of the British population ownes a Christmas themed jumper and is convinced that they are appealing: “A great sense of humour is always attractive and it’s fantastic to see that the nation has finally put aside its embarrassment of festive knitwear and embraced quirky Christmas jumper wearing.” (DailyMail)

Personally, I prefer associating this relatively new tradition with a fund raising charity, like the Christmas Jumper Day, run by Save the Children  each year in December, where people raises money for the charity by wearing their Christmas jumpers on a specific day.

Is Christmas Pudding having a new ally, the Christmas Jumper?

What do you think about this tradition?
Do you maybe own a Christmas Jumper? Or do you know any other culture that has a similar tradition?