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North Hills Store Specializes In Ugly Christmas Sweaters

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Ugly sweaters are second only to fruit cakes, on the list of dreaded Christmas gifts. But these days, the garish garments are scooped up almost as soon as they're discarded.

That fact is confirmed at the North Hills Goodwill store. Folks with a passion for glittery fashion snap up discarded Christmas sweaters almost as soon as they're hung on the rack.

"You want jingle bells on it?" says Goodwill employee Kimberly Cruse. "Something that jingles. Or just something that's plain old ugly, you know. Some people want a cute, ugly sweater. We do have cute ugly ones, too."

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Prices range from $5 to $15. Store manager Michael Goettel says customers like to add their own cheesy touches, to make the sweater more personal.

"When I was first approached about it, people were asking me if this is ugly, and I said, 'No, that looks great.' And, then, I found out about ugly Christmas sweater parties, and I said, 'No that's hideous.' I've had people asking for them since the day after Halloween. I've seen everything. Anything. People glued things on, made reindeer out of Styrofoam cups. I mean, anything you could imagine. They fly out of here, yeah. People love their Christmas sweaters. It's always ugly Christmas sweater season."

Best of all, the recipient is likely to recycle the tacky attire by donating it to Goodwill - to be sold all over again.

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