On December 12th I saw this tweet below from @Microsoft and nearly lost my mind.
It’s back! The #WindowsUglySweater warmed so many 💙s last year that it had to return—upgraded for our loyal fans, of course. What are your warmest XP memories? pic.twitter.com/S02WD89VdH
— Windows (@Windows) December 12, 2019
Apparently this is a yearly tradition now starting back in 2018 and I missed the memo last year. Microsoft for two years in a row now has been designing, creating, and giving away nostalgic Windows themed ugly Christmas sweaters. This year Microsoft showed off a Windows XP themed sweater and Twitter was soon flooded by influencers from across the internet who had received their surprise gift in the mail. Among the famous influencers were also large tech blog writers, Microsoft employees, and other industry professionals.
On one hand I know it's an ad and they got us all talking about Microsoft... but on the other hand I'm wearing it while testing the Mac Pro, so it's totally balancing everything out (and also this is now the best #uglysweater I own) pic.twitter.com/GeCwkvGtZI
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) December 12, 2019
Microsoft’s ugly Christmas sweater is Windows XP this year. It even comes in a softwear box 😂 pic.twitter.com/Oz0lNhryPI
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) December 11, 2019
Any many many more.
I am not one who gives in to marketing tactics often. I see right through your viral marketing campaigns. But when I saw the sweater…
I dont care about #BabyYoda or what ever @NickCannon said to boost his career. I don't want to hear about any of that. IMMUNE I tell you.@Microsoft : #WindowsUglySweater
— Kyle TechSquidTV (@TechSquidTV) December 13, 2019
Me: I'm in. pic.twitter.com/vYQ3WXwvki
How can you get your own?
Well, Microsoft is unfortunately not selling these sweaters. It was rumored that users who shared Microsoft’s tweet may be able to obtain one but there wasn’t much proof. Besides the tweet above I also responded to the main thread where @Windows was asking community questions:
Step 1. Draw a yellow circle.
— Kyle TechSquidTV (@TechSquidTV) December 13, 2019
Step 2. Give it two eyes.
Step 3. Open Windows Media Player and play Green Day's Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Step 4. Draw a mouth on your circle but move the mouse so it looks like your smiley face is singing.
Not much longer after this tweet I received a DM.
Not long after I received my prized swag 😍
The form appears closed now, I think it is safe to assume that the 2019 Windows Ugly Sweater event has now closed but it seems a semi-safe bet that it may return again next year.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to obtain one of your own. It seems some of the giftees have already listed their rare swag on Ebay.
I think I will be keeping mine however.
Happy holidays 🎉