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And there were shepherds keeping warm at night

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A few weeks ago I was looking through some Christmas pictures that my sister emailed to me. There were a bunch of cute ones of Caroline and her cousin Sarah and then I saw something that left me puzzled.

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My sister and I don’t talk about everything, but I couldn’t believe she didn’t mention that she and her husband played the role of shepherds in some kind of Christmas pageant.

But, oh no.

On closer inspection I realized those aren’t shepherds robes. Those are Snuggies.

I called her and asked, “What is up with the Snuggies? It’s like I don’t even know you.”

She explained that they got them for Christmas as a practical joke, but I told her that doesn’t explain why they were actually wearing them. And posing for pictures. And confessing that they’ve continued to wear them long after the joke is over.

I can’t even talk about the part where she told me how much they were enjoying the two free booklights they received with Snuggie purchase.

Some family skeletons need to stay in the closet.

Next to the stack of ShamWows.

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  1. I’m guessing that she gave you permission to put these on the internet for all to see. If not you better watch out, I’m sure she’ll get you back! πŸ™‚

  2. My 5-year old daughter is incredibly impressed by the “one size fits all” claim of these things. I can’t help but think that we would lose her if she ever put one on. Possibly on purpose because we would have to disown her for looking so ridiculous!!

  5. Hmph! YOU live in Texas! YOU can shun the Snuggie! *I* live in the frozen tundra!! When living in the frozen tundra one does EVERYTHING one can to stay warm!!!!

    Besides, at $19.99 how can you go wrong when you get TWO snuggies and TWO booklights? It’s obviously a good deal! (the red color is, of course, a regrettable decision, and the royal blue isn’t much better. They should have gotten matching light blue ones)

    That all being said, I just use an electric blanket that lives on my couch six months of the year…

    How does the Snuggie stay up on your shoulders and around your back?? It looks suspiciously like a hospital gown about to fall off and expose tender skin to the elements…

    What is a shamwow?

  6. I think you all secretly love it and you secretly told her that you were ordering one….for the booklight….and you also order shamwows for everyone too. πŸ˜‰

  7. Matthew Paul Turner blogged about these a few weeks ago. I think they’re hilarious. Practical joke may have been their excuse. It’s a pretty good one, too. Some others who secretly want these things may use that excuse now.

    It was a practical joke. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

  8. I knew it was the Snuggie as soon as I saw the photo!

    When we first saw the commercial, my husband grumbled at the TV, “That’s just a ROBE they put on backwards!” He’s got a point πŸ™‚

  9. I am dying! My friends and I spent a good 30 minutes at New Year’s discussing, “Who in the world buys those things under the age of 75″… Now we know!
    I almost bought one for my friend as a joke when Walgreens had it advertised on their sign outside.
    Oh, and to air my little secret.. My hubby totally wants a ShamWow. Valentine’s Day, here I come!

  11. Girl, don’t be knockin’ on the Snuggies! My hub got me one for Christmas, and although it is just the slightest shade of puke green, it is warm and awesome. Perfect for our Ohio house where the outside temp is 20 degrees and the thermostat is set to 62. We’re insane. But yes, whenever I wear my Snuggie to move around the house, Hub does call me “shepherd”.

  13. Oh my gracious, hilARious that you’re posting about this today!

    Yesterday after school my ELEVEN year old told me, “Mom, since I didn’t get everything I wanted for Christmas this year, will I maybe get the rest of it for my birthday?”

    I was like, what in the world are you talking about?? (I naively assumed the Wii and the Wii games and the nerf rifles and remote control ferrari and tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters were all encompassing of a childhood dream Christmas).

    But no.

    He said, “I didn’t get that snuggie I wanted from the commercials. You know, the one that comes with the booklight!”

    ??????
    he’s turning 12 in April, not 112.
    WHO KNEW?

  14. I too made fun of these snuggies until I read an article where they have made 400 MILLION dollars off them!! That really made me crack up thinking how many people are actually buying them!! Oh and in the article the snuggie created college students to make a drinking game out of it. Everytime they see a snuggie commercial past midnight they have to take a shot. Nice huh…lol…too bad I’m too old to know if they get drunk or not because I’m usually in bed by then!

  15. Hubby is trying to talk me into getting those snuggies, but I’m standing firm on this one. My girls went on a blanket tying bing a year or five ago and we have at least 10 of those around the house, plus my mother made each of us a quilt. I’m thinking we’re fine even if the heat goes out.

  16. Did you just crack on the ShamWow?

    I’m re-evaluating our friendship right now.

    And Saturday, when I was sitting at the ballpark all day, I was seriously wishing I had a Snuggie. A blanket with arms. Genius. Pure genius.

  18. That is too funny. Everytime my kids see that commercial, they say “That’s what you need mommy!” And I just reply, “umm, no thanks.”

  20. too funny. my girls convinced my husband to buy me a snuggie as well for christmas. (although it was no joke for them…they thought it would make the perfect gift) as a matter of fact, i just blogged about it.

  22. Perhaps, if the Snuggie was more of a cowl neck, it wouldn’t be so bad. That whole monk looking thing makes me think they are about to start singing in Latin.

  24. I hope she is staying toasty in her snuggie on the couch while she uses her clapper to turn on the lamps in her family room where she can gaze lovingly at her Chia Pet.

    Perhaps for her birthday you could name a star after her. LOL

  26. You want believe this but I just received a Snuggie as a gift. My dad ordered them for mom and me. But he didn’t realize that they came in packs of two – so it’s Snuggies for everyone!

  28. My 21 year old sister, who is obsessed with infomercials, bought me a stack of ShamWows for Christmas. They. are. awesome. You should really try them. But I do draw the line at a Snuggie.

  30. Everytime I see that commercial, I want to say, “If you are that cold, put on a sweater!”

    My five year old daughter always talks about the Slider Station. Every burger she sees must have been made by the Slider Station. I want to hide when Emma mentions the Slider Station in public.

  31. Aimee’s husband is right. Snuggie = Extra large robe you put on backwards. Not that I doubt its warming powers.

    I won’t lie, I can’t turn away when the Magic Bullet infomercial comes on. Who knew it was so easy to make guacamole, alfredo, smoothies and chicken salad?

  33. Oh.My.Gosh! Too funny, that I almost “know” someone who knows (and, sadly … is related to) someone who actually OWNS these!!!
    Although I must say …. the two book lights almost make it seem totally worth looking like a monk …. at least from the front.
    πŸ™‚

  35. Ok I was reading this post when my 9YO came in and saw the pic
    He said “hey they are wearing those blanket things!” LOL
    I had no idea but here is my son telling me what it was – he then informed me he thought they were cool!!!
    Kim

  37. I laugh at those commercials, the family at the sports event looks like a cult in the crowd LOL. And they show the chick using the reading light in a lit room…makes no sense. I came across a parody of the infomercial that had me LOLing yesterday.

  38. I mostly just lurk on your site, but I had to comment on this post. I was cracking up!! Some of my coworkers were talking about all the infommercials we have bought from and these were among the top, as well as the sham wow!!! Did you know Target carries most infommercial products also?!!!

  42. Oh, we tried to get those as a joke for my in-laws for Christmas, but they were backordered until last week, so we cancelled the order. We were sure that they’d get a good laugh AND that my father-in-law would continue to wear his. Maybe for his birthday . . .

  43. My sister loves her snuggie and my older brother makes fun of her relentlessly about it. Yes sibling rivalry is alive and well in our family even after we all moved out.

  46. Too funny! We got them as a gift from my mom’s boyfriend this year too! Ours however, have pockets just in case we need to store an extra snack or something!

  47. I’m cracking up, not just at the pictures, but also thinking of the ones my friend Matt sent yesterday. He and some friends dressed up as The Real Housewives of Long Island for some race in New York. They wore beehives and snuggies.

  48. My mom is getting one to take apart and make customized ones for everyone in the family. All I can say is I sure hope she finds a Jax Jaguars Fleece for mine. That’s about the only way I’d be found using one, I’m very loyal to my Jags πŸ˜€ My girls are looking forward to pink and purple ones, lol

  49. Howdy. Just dropping by to tell you I just finished your story in the Nie Nie book “The Hormons have run Aamuck” very funny. (and so true) Those snuggies are kinda freaky – I have seen several different posts about them. Look like the monks had a huge monastary yard sale and freshened them up with jazzy colors (as monks would only wear white, black, grey) and made lots of money to do their monk things. Weird.

  50. While visiting that Snuggies website (for the first and last time)it struck me how remarkably the Snuggie models appeared as if they were extras in a star wars film…which is, incidentally, never the look I’ll be going for.

  51. I feel like the snuggie is taking over the world. I, for one, will never be able to purchase one because my husband would file for divorce. I promise you he would and he would never look back.

  52. I have commissioned my mom in all her retired glory to make all of us homemade Snuggies for Christmas next year. I want one, but I don’t want to have to pay Shipping and Handling.

  53. I’m just glad to know that they really do send the booklight with the purcahse. I have to admit I was skeptical.
    I wonder if this will be one of those things that I say I would NEVER own but then catch myself buying one a couple of months later! (example Uggs)

  56. FYI – they are now on sale at Walgreens! Along with the ShamWow! We’ve purchased both – one for a gag gift and the other for ourselves! You can guess which….

    Freezing in Florida!
    Jen in Jax

  57. much like Caroline, my six year-old is a sucker for infomercials..so the other day when I was all cuddled up reading a book and trying to keep my arms under the blanket, he tells me I need a Snuggie. I was all, “huh?” and my husband died laughing and they told me what it is. I’m cracking up seeing them on your sister and her husband!!! I won’t tell anyone if I end up getting one.

  58. My husband is very skeptical about infomercials but even he is intrigued by the shamwow!!! Speaking of infomercials, if I hear about Bendaroos one more time I think I am going to scream!!

  59. Ok is it wrong to admit that though I do not find them sexy in the least, but a Snuggie looks very appealing to me… I tend be COLD at ALL times!

  61. I don’t always read the comments from other people but today I read a few and there is one from “Fran” near the top and I agree with her 100%.

    Thanks for the laugh

  62. Ok, I’ll come out of the closet. While I’ve enjoyed laughing at the Snuggies commercials with my husband, in my heart of hearts I wouldn’t throw it away if I got one. As a matter of fact, I’m moving from denial to acceptance and trying to come up with a good reason that I need one and still maintain my dignity.

  63. My daughter INSISTS on buying me one of these things! She writes the number down for ME to call and buy it for myself because EVERYONE knows that you must be 18 years or older to call. She will NOT let it go either! And then she proceeds to push all of the wonderful selling points to me that she heard on the infomercial. lol.

    Did you see Ellen’s show where she tried the Snuggie? It was pretty funny.

  65. I have a Slanket (same thing as the Snuggie) and it’s surprisingly the warmest blanket I own. I would NEVER wear it to a football game but it is actually a great blanket! One to kept only in the house. πŸ™‚

  66. I am crying with laughter. I’m not going to lie, Snuggies give me the creeps. I’d also like to add that I saw someone wearing one IN A RESTAURANT the other day. Yes. You’re welcome.

  68. I don’t get why you are ashamed. Haven’t you seen the troubles that people have trying to change channels in a regular blanket? Their hands get so tangled in it!! It’s a national tragedy.

    That’s why Obama’s stimulus package promised a Snuggie for every AmeriCan.

  70. That is hilarious! Especially because my 6 and 4 year old boys tried their hardest to convince my husband to buy me one for Christmas! Every time I mention I’m cold, they tell me that I need to buy that snuggie! SO FUNNY!

  71. I can’t speak for the Snuggie (it’s a little in your face Gramma-ish!)…but the Shamwow!
    I WANT THAT SUCKER!!!!! πŸ™‚

  72. I make fun of the Snuggies when the commercial comes on, yet I constantly have a blanket wrapped around me while I sit on the couch. Oh the irony.

  73. LOL.
    My dad sent me a link to those before Christmas because he thought he’d come up with the *perfect* gift idea for my mom. He was so excited that it was hard to tell him that it was embarrassingly strange and that mom might not be quite as excited about it and that we all might burst holding back the laughter when she opened it up.

  74. Too funny!!! I thought about getting a Snuggie myself!! I always sit around with a blanket on my lap. Here’s something fun you might want to do and pass onto others.

    My friend tagged me…and i thought this would be fun. so, here’s what you do:
    1. go to your 4th folder where you store your photos.
    2. select the 4th photo (no exceptions).
    3. post the picture with an explanation.
    4. tag 4 people to do the same.

  76. I have always wanted to pet my dog when I’m on the couch, but my arms are all covered up with my blanket! Snuggie heard my cry…

  77. I’m thinking your sister would look much better if she was wearing a scarf with hers – maybe the key is the right accessories? Perhaps an idea for a fashion friday post?

  79. My first thought… “Also known as THE ROBE” (turned backwards apparently) but then I clicked your link and watched the little internet ad and suddenly I found myself a covetin’. Say “sucker for sales pitch?”

  81. My friend just today told me that she heard a jingle for these that was to the tune of Beyonce’s “Put a ring on it”…”If you got a blanket why not put 2 sleeves on it!”…I kid you not!

    Although sitting here in Nashville in 19 degree weather…I’m thinking I’d love me some Snuggie!

    I hope that song is not PLASTERED in your head now like it is in mine!!!! πŸ˜‰

  82. Funny. Didn’t think people really bought these. However, my 8-year-old added the snuggie to her Christmas list because of the cold arms. She related.

  84. i’m just going to tell you. this post made me so incredibly happy, i can’t even describe the feelings in my heart with words.

    in love with your sister and her rock star husband. always have been. always will be.

    there. i’ve said my peace.

  86. Confession: I actually put my zip up hoodie on backward last night because I didn’t want to sit up from my reclined position on the couch… it was as close as I’ll ever get to a snuggie but I have to admit it worked great!

    Now the book lights I could use…

  87. but seriously, what does the back do? cause if it’s open, I cannot imagine how that would help you be warm enough?! πŸ™‚ anyways, you look silly doing it — and especially because it looks like that cheap fabric that is not all that cozy. . .

    the ShamWow, now that is another story πŸ™‚

  88. OMG…I totally asked for a Snuggie for Christmas. Needless to say, my husband wouldn’t be caught dead buying me one. Something about it not being sexy and all. Apparently he would rather see me in somthing skimpy and sexy rather than something actually warm.
    Men. Go figure.

  89. When I first saw the infomercial for those I said, “who would actually spend money on that?” And now I know so many people who have them! I just don’t get it…

  92. do they like them? because i really wanna order a few! fashion faux pas perhaps, but i could stand a little snuggliness in my living room

  94. ok…I have to admit this is funny! I did know what a Snuggie was thanks to a late night TV watching friend and my book worm of a daughter. She just thought it would be perfect, you know a chilly-weather-reading-made-easier-Snuggie. Such a huge need here in the freezing state of Florida!

    WHATEVA!

    But what I find most amusing is the ShamWow. That one left me scratching my head and gave me no choice but to enter ShamWow into the Google search bar. I had no clue. And to think I thought Billy Mays was annoying!

    A question for you my new blogging-friend…exactly how did you learn about the ShamWow?

    Are you a closet ShamWow user…come on…tell the truth!

  95. Bless me father for I have sinned…oops I guess they are not priests. Ha that is what those remind me of. I don’t think I could buy one.. I would feel like I have to go to confession..oh and I am not Catholic. πŸ™‚

  96. I am dying laughing that I just saw this post… I posted about the Slankets and then kept seeing people refer to BigMama and I was like, surely Melanie is too cool to wear a Slanket. Our family members must be meeting for coffee in Beaumont or something, behind our backs. This is just hilarious.

  97. It’s funny how some are for, some are against, but if they weren’t so expensive I would totally buy these for my kids! They would love it!!!

    O:)
    Melissa

  99. I bet they’re glad they won’t get trapped in those blankets with sleeves. Getting to the phone or trying to read would be a nightmare!