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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Christmas jumpers should be banned?

85 replies

umbrellaellaella · 12/11/2018 19:22

....well not banned, but I hate the way everyone is pressured to purchase and buy one of these.

Work is taking part in the dreaded 'Christmas jumper day' and it's very much frowned upon if you don't take part.

I don't own an xmas jumper, and I resent paying £20 for a jumper I'll only be able to wear for 3 weeks of the year. I know I can wear it again next year, but to be honest I find the fabrics very uncomfortable. Let's not forget, the designs are mostly hideous.

OP posts:
GivingBloodFeelingGreat · 01/12/2018 19:47

It's very much frowned upon if you don't take part

Sounds like a toxic workplace to me.

Last year, I didn't know about Christmas Jumper day until the day before. So I didn't buy one.

A colleague asked where my Christmas jumper was and I said straight out and truthfully "I haven't got one" and just left it at that.

userabcname · 01/12/2018 19:53

Ah give me a gaudy Christmas jumper, or indeed any festive-themed clothing, any day! I much prefer it to the summertime fashions of crop tops, short shorts, fake tans and orange bronzer.

MrsMiggel · 01/12/2018 19:56

We aren’t allowed to wear them. Someone made a complaint that Christmas jumper day was discriminatory because non Christians can’t participate and are made to feel awkward about not contributing to a charity event.

RebelWitchFace · 01/12/2018 20:09

Like someone else said, it depends how you do it.
You can have an xmas tshirt instead.
Or decorate a top you already have.
Or buy a jumper that's winter themed but not necessarily Christmas that you can wear for months.
DD has two wintery jumpers and she will wear one of those. They're her only jumpers so will get a lot of wear and one of them is from last year.

I've got a tshirt, a skirt and a red coloured jumper that i can decorate if needed.

ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow · 01/12/2018 20:11

I'm with those who resist, although I do participate by wearing a Fair Isle one I knitted myself about 30 (!) years ago.

I'm with all the PPs who mentioned sweatshops and landfill. At least our work encourages just decorating an existing jumper.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 01/12/2018 20:25

My school does a Christmas jumper swap before the day. You bring in one and take one as long as the one brought in is in good condition. It works really well.

clowdyweewee · 01/12/2018 20:30

I don't own a Christmas jumper or hat so if my workplace want me to wear one, they will have to provide it.

onthenaughtystepagain · 01/12/2018 21:14

Stop being a Grinch, get to a charity shop and pick up a jumper

Why? Is no-one allowed a contrary opinion without incurring the wrath of the masses? Personally I wouldn't wear one, don't like red, think gold bits are tacky and as for those that flash!!!!!
No-one should be bullied at work to wear one, would it be acceptable to bully staff about anything else?

Jorgezaunders · 01/12/2018 21:19

YANBU, it irritates that advertising tries to claim it's a traditional thing that everyone has. Also v annoying for kids. This year I got DC the least christmassy (a wintery pattern) best quality one I could find in a big size so at least it will do a couple of seasons.

saveforthat · 01/12/2018 21:33

MrsMiggel. Why can't non christians wear a Christmas jumper ffs

EleanorLavish · 01/12/2018 21:40

I bought mine in Tesco 3 years ago. It’s the softest most comfortable item I own. I can’t wait for Dec every year to wear it —loads— again.
It cost £16. It’s a good few years left in it yet.

Jamhandprints · 01/12/2018 21:51

I bought a massive white sparkly one on Christmas eve at asda one year for £4 and have worn it with leggings every year since.

MrsMiggel · 01/12/2018 21:57

MrsMiggel. Why can't non christians wear a Christmas jumper ffs
Ask the person who objected. She was a Jehovah’s Witness and apparently her religion didn’t permit her to celebrate Christmas in any way. And she felt awkward being the only person not wearing one or contributing to the Christmas Jumper Day charity event.

PermanentlyFrizzyHairBall · 01/12/2018 22:01

I'd definitely go with great big warm jumper, preferably green or red if you have one, then a bit of tinsel round your neck, job done.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 01/12/2018 22:13

Love them.

FourFuxxakes · 01/12/2018 22:16

I don't think anyone should feel almost forced to wear a Christmas jumper if they don't want to but neither do I see much of a problem with it if you just buy one and wear it year after year after year. Mine is at least 5 years old. DC1 had a new one last year and is wearing it again this year. When the old one was too small it was handed down to DC2. Both dc wear their Xmas jumpers several times over the season as well as at other times of year simply because they like them as they're warm and colourful.

Halloweenallyearround · 01/12/2018 22:31

Oh I love a Christmas jumper, have been wearing one the last few days, Sainsbury's have amazing soft ones that aren't too in your face.
Aren't Christmas jumper days at work usually linked to a charity appeal?

RomaineCalm · 01/12/2018 22:34

I'm not a huge fan of compulsory Christmas jumpers. DC's school does this and we seem to end up buying one for the day that never gets worn again.

An alternative might be to buy a fair isle or Scandinavian style jumper that's less obviously Christmas or, if you have an old red jumper, you could embrace the apparently new trend of the Christmas reindeer breast. Smile

To think Christmas jumpers should be banned?
ajw88 · 01/12/2018 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Racecardriver · 01/12/2018 22:52

Buy a robin jumper instead?

CuppaSarahsCuppaChristmasCheer · 01/12/2018 22:55

Sew some baubles loosely onto a plain jumper. Then carefully cut them off after. It'll go down great and you'll only be spending your time on it.

Leeds2 · 01/12/2018 23:00

I loathe them. I do not own one, and would refuse to wear it if one was provided.
Yes, I am a grinch!

BackforGood · 01/12/2018 23:10

If you think they are 'twee' or just don't like being told what to wear, then fair enough.
However I resent paying £20 for a jumper I'll only be able to wear for 3 weeks of the year. is a daft argument as
a) you don't need to spend £20 :

  • I've never paid more than about £6
  • I noticed 2 of the charity shops in our High Street had rails just dedicated to Christmas jumpers all for £3.99 this week if you are worried about working conditions of people making cheaper clothes
  • you can always pick them up in the sales after Christmas
b) Whatever you pay the first year, you still get good value for money out of them as you can then wear it for 3 weeks the next year, and the year after and the year after that and the year after that....[repeat ad infinitum] c) You can get a 'Winter' type motif (penguins, snowflakes whatever) and wear for more weeks d) you can stitch some tinsel or baubles to a plain jumper you have if you really feel pressured to wear one and refuse to buy one.

So yes, YABU

SwedishEdith · 01/12/2018 23:12

wasn’t it supposed to be the hand knitted thing your nan gave you?

Exactly. It was supposed to be that awful sweater with a naff geometric design that blokes were all having to wear out of politeness on Christmas Day.

ChristmasWrappingTheWaitresses · 01/12/2018 23:14

I can't wear wool so have a couple of christmassy t shirts. Get them out every year. I keep them in the Christmas decorations box. Very cheap and cheerful.