Tina and Angelica had planned on making their own ugly Christmas sweaters the weekend before the party. They had purchased puff paint, jingle bells, cotton balls, and other fabric items to put together a Christmas theme ensemble and encouraged Bette to participate with them. Bette still wasn’t sold on the idea of making her own Christmas sweater so she had kept an eye out at stores around town looking for the perfect ugly sweater to wear to the party.

As she reviewed the Google listings for the sites with the most selection, she clicked the first one that popped up to peek at the inventory. It was amazing how many sites existed solely dedicated to the business of selling ugly Christmas sweaters. Whether they included fictional characters, professional sport team logos, or were customizable, there were just so many to choose from.

After a few clicks and some devious smiles, Bette had found the perfect one to order. Using her Paypal account, she submitted her order and chuckled knowing that the best ugly Christmas sweater would arrive at the gallery early next week.

—

Bette & Tina’s House

“Baby, the Uber is here!” Tina called from the kitchen. She was busy putting the spiced rum Jell-O shots she made for the party in an insulated cooler.

Angelica came bounding down the stairs, the bells that dotted her homemade sweater, jingling away. On the front was an upside-down snowman made of glued cotton balls with big googly eyes that moved with Angie’s sudden movements.

Tina’s sweater boasted a homemade Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree complete with sticks and a single red ornament hanging from the middle branch. Next to the tree was the closest rendering of Snoopy with cotton balls and black permanent marker that she could create. It was, in a word, ugly.

“I’m ready, mom.” Angelica said as she walked into the kitchen.

“Where’s your Momma B?”

“I don’t know.”

“Okay, well, let’s go wait for her in the car.” As Tina slung the strap of the cooler over her shoulder, Bette came sauntering down the stairs. Tina and Angie did a double take as the brown-haired beauty came into view.

“Um, Momma B?”

“Yes, sweetpea?”

“Alice is going to kick you out of her party for dress code violation.”