Step aside, Christmas sweater. There’s a gaudy new addition to the world of holiday apparel, and it is gunning to make the “ugly Christmas sweater” a thing of the past.
Filed under “Things That Could Only Exist in 2020,” Ugly Holiday Masks are now a thing. Because of course they are.
A collaboration between the Portland Garment Factory, Oregon Health Authority and Wieden+Kennedy, the limited-edition festive face coverings were announced by Governor Kate Brown on Twitter this week and quickly sold out.
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Ugly Holiday Masks are a very 2020 spin on Ugly Holiday Sweaters! Get yours here-$25 from each sale goes to @oregonfoodbank. #uglyholidaymask https://t.co/vSMXw5pqpV pic.twitter.com/lZAWVv2O3B
Sporting Santa beards, felt Christmas trees, Rudolph noses and even a menorah, the masks were even more eye-popping than their listed price: ranging from $25 to $35 — though most of the proceeds benefited the Oregon Food Bank.
Others have been quick to get in on the trend, including best-selling author and memoirist Cheryl Strayed, Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and Brown herself — who donned a truly hideous, snow globe-inspired monstrosity.
Brown, with the backing of Oregon health officials and scientists, has long touted the use of face masks in public during the pandemic, and has imposed restrictions mandated their use in most indoor and outdoor public spaces.
Face coverings have been used widely and, often, successfully in other countries, but they have remained controversial in many parts of the United States — including Canby.
Case in point, the governor’s Twitter thread Wednesday encouraging Oregonians to express their creativity with ugly holiday masks.
“This is not normal,” said a user calling themselves “Oregon Gestapo Dodger.” “These masks don’t do anything but dehumanize people.”
Others, however, praised Brown for her leadership amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Dear Governor Brown: Thank you for taking the steps to protect Oregonians, our health care and front line workers, and our medical system,” said “Going Brogue.” “Thanks to your actions, unlike other states, if I or a member of my family were to suffer a medical emergency, there is space for us in the ER.”
In other news, Brown announced a media availability at 11 a.m. Friday to discuss the state’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus. A livestream will be available to the public here.