Meet the Craigie Man Who Has Worn His Christmas Jumper Since 1 October and Feels ‘Fully Vindicated’ by This Week’s Switch-On News
Gordon Brechin, 58, says Christmas is a state of mind. His family says it's a state of the washing machine.
A festive jumper, worn early and proudly. Photo: TheUglySweaterShop.com, “Christmas Sweater”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Gordon Brechin, 58, from Craigie, put on his Christmas jumper on 1 October, and after this week’s announcement of the Perth switch-on line-up, he says he has been “fully vindicated”.
“People laughed,” he said, pointing at the knitted reindeer on his chest. “They said it was too early. Now the Chilli Pipers are booked, the parade route’s out, and there’s a drone show. Who’s laughing now? Not Halloween, I’ll tell you that.”
His wife, Elaine, says the jumper has been washed “three times, under protest”. She has asked him to take it off for guising tonight. He has agreed to wear a cape over it.
Gordon says his jumper has 14 bells on it, which means people can hear him coming “from Glover Street”. He says he doesn’t mind: “Christmas should be heard.”
He plans to keep wearing it until 6 January. His neighbours have started buying earplugs.
The real story: Perth Christmas lights line-up (The Courier)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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Three times. Under protest. Please don’t give him any more ideas.
— Elaine B., Craigie, 31 October 2026 -
Can confirm. I hear the bells from my kitchen.
— Ray D., Glover Street, 31 October 2026
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