Even thoughtful gifts don’t always exactly fit your taste. Give that ugly sweater a chance to redeem itself (and the sweater giver) by wearing it an Adirondack ugly sweater events. Just like that bridesmaid dress we are always told can be repurposed, that festive holiday sweater can now raise funds for children’s art classes, food pantries, or even a pint of beer. Good luck.

On December 8, BluSeed Studios will host an Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk to help fund their annual free spring break and after school art classes for area children. Each participant will receive a raffle ticket for artisan items. Registration and the race begins at their Cedar Street location in Saranac Lake, and continues around Moody Pond to end back at BluSeed Studio for hot beverages and muffins. Admission is $20 for adults (which includes a commemorative artisan tile/trivet), $5 for students and leashed dogs, while children in strollers are free. You can register the morning of the event beginning at 8:30 am for a 9 am start. Prizes are awarded for top three male and female as well as the ugliest sweater.

Later that evening, participants can mosey their sweater-wearing selves over to Bitters and Bones for the 4th Annual Kissmas. The price of admission is an unwrapped toy and three non-perishable food items. Local band Sonic Boom will be covering the 1995 Unplugged MTV Kiss concert along with singalongs, raffles, and festive holiday garb.

The Cottage (in Lake Placid), Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, Keeseville’s Highlands Vineyard (including The Halftime Bar and Grill) are all asking you to raid your parents closet to make that ugly sweater useful to win Christmas presents for yourself and family. At The Halftime, not only will that sweater keep you cozy and warm, but so will the thought that F.A.C.T. Animal Rescue will be able to keep all its kittens healthy as well.

If you can’t make it to any of these Ugly Sweater events, never fear, the third Friday in December has been designated to ugly sweaters everywhere. This year National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day falls on December 21, the Winter Solstice. While you raise funds for Save The Children in your ugly sweater, you can also celebrate National Sangria Day, National Hamburger Day, and the first day of winter.