Microsoft signs up for the ‘ugly holiday sweater’ tradition for a good cause

20201203 Microsoft ugly sweater
The “MS Paint Ugly Sweater” sells for $69.99. Image: Microsoft via AFP Relaxnews.

If you’re out of Christmas shopping ideas, Microsoft may be able to help you out. The United States company has decided to get on board the ugly Christmas sweater trend, with three new pullovers, one celebrating the Paint software. A gift idea for your geeky friends and one that contributes to a good cause.

Even Microsoft has decided to jump on the ugly sweater bandwagon this year. For the holiday season, the tech giant has unveiled three models of pullovers in the colors of Microsoft Paint, Windows XP and Windows 95. An original Christmas gift and a purchase that also does some good, since the multinational will donate $20 (around P960) to the Girls Who Code foundation for every order placed from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23.

Microsoft previously made sweaters with Windows XP and Windows 95 patterns, but they were only available to certain influencers, journalists and select fans.

It is the very first time that the company has decided to sell them to the general public. Available on the Xbox Gear Shop, the Windows XP and Windows 95 version have already sold out. Only the Microsoft Paint version is still available for S$69.99 (around P3,300).

As well as donating part of the proceeds from sales to the Girls who Code foundation, Microsoft has committed to a minimum $50,000 donation (around P2.4 million). The non-profit organization is dedicated to getting more women into the computer science field by offering classes and educational resources.

Fans of old-school Windows motifs can also download Microsoft Paint wallpapers for their Skype and Teams conferences while working from home or to match their Microsoft ugly sweater. CC

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