I'd like one. Seriously.
Friday, January 30, 2009 Last weekend while in Arizona, Mom and I were standing in the kitchen in our pajamas one evening, chatting as we thumbed through some magazines. The new People had arrived that day, which Dad had quickly grabbed and was reading in his bed. I was loitering before going to bed myself, knowing Dad only takes about 10 minutes to get up to speed on the celebrities he doesn't know, so I could take the magazine to bed with me.
Mom was looking at Time magazine, she shook her head and said, "Idiots. Anyone who would buy this is an idiot."
Curious, I moved closer and looked over her shoulder. I said, "Those are great! It's simple genius. Someone's rich because of that idea. I actually want one."
"Are you serious? All it is, is a robe backwards."
Looking at the robe she was wearing, I said, "No it's not. The neck's specific to the Snuggie. The seaming on your robe would strangle you."
She removed her robe. "Allow me to demonstrate. [she put her robe on backwards] Wa-lah! IT'S A ROBE BACKWARDS!"
Her's was a blue, crisp-cotton, not-fuzzy, belted robe with a collar. I said, "That's not right. It looks like it's strangling you. The Snuggie's seaming is better. Plus your fabric's not cozy. I think the Snuggie's genius."
She rolled her eyes and said, "Follow me."
We walked into her bedroom. Dad comfortably reading his People magazine said, "I'm almost done, then you can have the magazine. [poor guy] What's so funny out there?"
"Mom's all uptight about the Snuggie. She says anyone who buys one is an idiot because all you have to do is wear your robe backwards. She flipped hers around, but she looked strangled and uncomfortable."
Mom appeared out of her closet holding a blue, fuzzy robe. "THIS. THIS COULD BE A SNUGGIE."
I was still skeptical. "It looks too short. The Snuggie people have their legs covered, and can tuck a child in there with them. It's roomier."
"IT'S A ROBE BACKWARDS. You're telling me you'd schlep a long Snuggie through the dirt to sit by a campfire. Who does that? It's a waste of money. There's plenty of room in my robe for a child. Look!"
She put the robe on backwards. Then she put it on my Dad.
She made me try it on, too. And I have to admit, it was comfortable, roomy and a nice length.
Mother had made her point and felt victorious! [Notice her smug thumbs-up and all-knowing grin.]
After Mom's victory prance and "I told you so" and "uh-huh" rhetoric, I said I still thought the Snuggie was genius and I'd like to have one.
Dad sympathetically said, "Kaye, we should get the girl a Snuggie."
"Idiots," Mom said.
NOTE: Chris forwarded me this article from Advertising Age. It basically attributes the Snuggie's success to advertising and marketing [surprise surprise]. There's a waiting list for Snuggies!
Reader Comments (27)
Recent blog post: A Little Owl
I think your Mom is brilliant!
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Laura asked for a Snuggie for her birthday, and she wanted it real bad. So we checked our common sense and gave her one. This Snuggie thing is so terribly funny that I have been writing a Snuggie post, and already took some pictures to go with it.
I. Am. Not. Lying.
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I'm with your mom on the schlepping to the campfire too.
Great pix! Your parents are good sports, yes.
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Connie - I can't believe you haven't seen this!
Ms. Maxwell - Dad was a good sport. When he's had enough, he lets us know. Believe me.
Dr. Zibbs - Thanks! (Did you read this?)
We Be Toys - Slippers? Right. Thanks!
Judy - "Breaking the seal" is perfect! That's exactly why the Snuggie is so brilliant. No one has to "break the seal"! Very funny!
Tinsenpup - Don't tell my mother, but I really think they're silly too. Shhhh. I just like to poke her with a stick once in a while.
Cheri - I. Believe. You. And I can't wait to see it! Your post will be great because you have a real Snuggie. I'm jealous.
Jannie - I don't get people wearing them any place other than the couch. Mom and Dad are good sports. Thanks!
Recent blog post: My house - my money pit
Love,Claire(who would get you a Snuggie, except I have a robe you could just put on backwards)
Surfas does have mail order - I don't see the Pozzo del Re products listed, but I know they carry it in the story. Maybe you could call them?
http://www.surfasonline.com/index.cfm
Or I think if you google Marella and Il Pozzo del Re you might find other mail order sites.
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I have also come up with colored baby powder, candy-flavored lickable stamps, and junk food that makes you skinny.
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Claire - Ahhh! You always get me. Funny. I think if Mother and I were able to meet you in person, you'd see we look quite different. She is pretty though. Thank you. Love, Chris
g - Thanks for the info. Would be great if I could find the pasta here.
Mama Dawg - I know, I know, I know. Mom's right. Thanks Mama Dawg - like I NEVER hear that.
Sherri - It doesn't surprise me at all to know that you figured out the beauty and comfort of wearing your robe backwards when you were a little girl. While you were unknowingly creating multi-million dollar ideas, I was spitting on my hair, twisting it around my finger, trying to give myself a home perm. Your other ideas are brilliant too!
Recent blog post: Seriously?!
And...your mother looks like your sister. I mean, she could be your sister. I'm not saying she is your sister. Don't go freaking out on her. I'm just saying she is hot. I'm not saying you look old. You look fantastic. Really, this isn't about you. It's about your hot mom. Good on her.
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I do wonder though - what's wrong with a dressing gown, or a blanket, or even some heating? ;-)
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Jennifer - Don't worry, I hear what you're saying. Mom looks good.
Lady Fi - I think that's Mom's point.
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Sherri - Yes! I was like eight years old, and I wanted a perm so badly, but my parents either wouldn't do it, couldn't afford it, or had good taste. Not sure. So I snuck bobby-pins in my room at night, and would spit on my hair, twist it, then wind it up and pin it to my head. In the morning my mother would be furious because my hair looked like frizzy shit, and smelled like bad little-kid breath. I thought it was gorgeous. True.
The funny thing is, if we were both eight and you suggested shaving our heads and trading hair... I'd totally would have done it.
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Phoebe - I should have kept a tally to keep track of how many people are pro-Snuggie. Glad you like yours. You may have come via Cheri at Blog This Mom, but if you didn't, check out her recent blog post. Her link's in my sidebar.