I was on the second story of a glitzy mall in Chattanooga, Tenn., when I saw it – an embroidered Christmas sweater costing too much money and calling my name.
I was supposed to be looking for clothing for my great aunt.
My mother and I were taking her shopping and we weren’t supposed to be goofing off buying Christmas sweaters and almond bark and other specialty items from some pricey mall.
(The candy was delicious, by the way.)
Yes, I bought the Christmas sweater, after quite a bit of internal wrangling over its price. It was $69, on sale, which was a huge pile of cash to me in 2000 (still is).
I justified the purchase because I loved the sweater and I knew I would wear it many times. It has simple sayings stitched across it: Let it snow (with snowflakes); eat candy (with a couple of pieces); decorate the tree (with a small one); bake cookies (with several scattered across), hang your stocking (yep, you guessed it, with a stocking nearby).
Even then, in the mall, I thought: If I keep if for five years, and wear it five times per year ...
Certainly I have more than justified the cost now, eight years after committing to what seemed like a huge purchase. I’ve got it on as I type these words.
I’ve worn it to many Christmas events I’ve been part of for the past eight years – open houses, parades, church, tree-trimmings, parties. It’s an old friend in the closet that I pull out for about a month each year.
A few snowflakes look a little frayed and the sleeves have drawn up a bit over the years, but largely my sweater has held up. It still screams Christmas from the closet and I always feel good to pull it out and put it on again.
The sweater reminds me of what I’d like to do each Christmas season, but stays silent if I fail to complete the whole list. This year I haven’t even made a list. Like everyone, money is tight and gift-giving will be smaller than in year’s past.
But the things on my sweater are free or close to it: Sing carols, bake cookies, decorate the tree. In tight financial times, that sounds like a good way to mark the holiday.
Maybe that has been the best gift of the $69 Christmas sweater. Eight years later it still gives gentle, free advice – I just need to read it off my arm or left lapel.
Suzanne Tate is the opinion page editor at the Bristol Herald Courier and can be reached at (276) 645-2534 or state@bristolnews.com.
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