Who doesn’t want a pair of Chrome Dino socks? Photo: Google Merchandise Store
For those in the northern hemisphere, it is officially the season to bust out the box of holiday-themed sweaters. I used to have a couple I’d cycle through, but then my house got crowded, and I had to find them new homes. Now, I live vicariously through press releases and my coworkers who try on these sweaters to get the effect.
Holiday sweaters are also the perfect time to make a statement. So why not remind everyone of who you are? You’re a nerd, damn it. You thrive and survive in online communities or fall down Wikipedia rabbit holes about the Dancing Plague of 1518. You should wear a holiday sweater that illustrates your history and lets everyone know whether you’re a Mac or a PC. Here’s what I found that was nerdy enough to be worth indulging in this holiday season.
Enjoying my “Bliss.”Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
First, let’s start with this beautiful bliss: an ode to the Sonoma Valley hills that made the Windows XP experience serene. This piece is $75 and supports The Nature Conservancy.
Image: Google Merchandise Store
I haven’t seen the Chrome dinosaur in a while. I can’t tell if it’s because the internet’s been stable or what. Anyway, if you need to remind everyone how the internet used to be cute, this $27 scarf is available through the Google Merchandise Store.
Image: Pokémon Center
Every year, the Pokémon Center drops a collection of themed holiday sweaters. (I don’t collect these. I collect the plushies instead.) This year, you can choose between Psyduck or Pikachu with a snow friend in various colors. The sweaters all start at $50.
As fast fashion becomes more passé with each passing day, I find it fun to go through second-hand sellers like Mercari to find vintage tech garb. It makes for a lovely holiday gift for your gadget-obsessed Gen Xer. But hurry because as the season draws near, shipping is more challenging.
It’s not technically a holiday sweater, but it is another way for me to make a millennial reference. I love this game. For kids who barely know Windows XP, Ski Free is a game where you must outrun a Yeti. I wasted hours playing that game instead of paying attention in my high school computer class. This one is $80 on Etsy, though it’s half-off for now, for whatever reason.
Image: Nintendo Store
If you’re a nerd, you buy stuff you can incorporate into your wardrobe. One of my favorite pieces is this Galarian Ponyta beanie I purchased from the Pokémon Center years ago. I think this Super Mario Super Star Beanie has the potential to be one of those simple and subtle accessories you can integrate into the holidays. There’s one for the Legend of Zelda, too. Both are $25.
Image: Amazon / Sanrio
Amazon’s merch on demand can print up any of its designs in your favorite color of shirt or sweater. I’m partial to the Sanrio subset—I declare myself part of the kawaii nerdy variety—but some of you might appreciate these targeted holiday sweaters for sending a message as the family’s IT department.
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