Microsoft is back with its annual tradition of releasing quirky holiday sweaters, and this year's design is a nostalgic nod to the iconic Windows XP Bliss desktop background. Priced at $69.99, the sweater features a stylized version of the famous wallpaper, complete with fluffy clouds in a blue sky and green rolling hills.
![A model wearing Microsoft's 2023 ugly Christmas sweater](https://internetprotocol.co/content/images/2023/12/Microsoft-Ugly-Sweater-2023.png)
What makes this sweater even more special is that the wallpaper image isn't a digital creation but a real photograph taken in 1996 in Sonoma County, California, by photographer Charles O'Rear. Microsoft acquired the rights to this image in 2000, and it has remained a beloved part of computing history.
In line with the holiday spirit, Microsoft has incorporated an oversized mouse cursor into the sweater's design, adding a playful touch to the iconic imagery.
![](https://internetprotocol.co/content/images/2019/12/Ugly-sweater.png)
The sweaters are available in limited quantities, and some sizes have already sold out. However, customers can request notifications for restocked sizes. Microsoft has pledged to contribute a portion of the proceeds from sweater sales to The Nature Conservancy, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting our planet.
This annual tradition of creating tech-themed holiday sweaters has become a fan favorite. If you're looking to blend nostalgia and holiday cheer this season, don't miss your chance to grab a piece of computing history in sweater form.