Answer Angel: All-day pajamas?

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Dec 3, 2024

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: In recent months, my teenage grandson and granddaughter have been wearing what look like pajamas all day. To school. Out with their friends. Everywhere.

Is this a trend among teens now? P.J.’s ‘round the clock? Really?

--Maureen R.

Dear Maureen: Yep. And not just for kids. Grownups too. Baggy pants with an elastic or drawstring waist, often in flannel or cotton blends in plaids, cute animals, sports teams. With a pullover, a loose sweater or T-shirt. In some circles, anything goes.

It’s getting harder to tell daytime dressing from sleepy-time clothes. I’ve seen people of all ages at the grocery, walking the dog, browsing in a department store, at a coffee shop wearing what looks like sleepwear. Blame it on COVID. Working at home and home schooling have taken casual dressing to what some might view as a new low.

I’m not endorsing it, but as long as workplaces and schools don’t have or don’t enforce dress codes, it is a trend that’s not going away soon. And for video calls, many grown people look polished and professional. But that’s only from the waist up. What are they wearing from the waist down? You might not want to know!

Another grandma question…

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My son and his wife — who live close to me — told me they have decided to take a vacation holiday trip with my grandkids and will be away for Christmas. They’re my only nearby family. And, no, I wasn’t invited. My question is about the holiday gift-opening tradition, which has always been a joy for me (and, I thought, to them and my grandkids). Obviously, they can’t take the bulky gifts (I’ve already wrapped) in their luggage. What are my options?

--Grandma Peg

Dear Peg: Holidays are fraught. Traditions are hard to give up. But, it’s not going to improve your mood to be sulky or unhappy. In many families, big holidays are filled with gifts from Santa and loved ones. Too many, really. The kids will love looking forward to a “second Christmas” with grandma when they get home. Make a plan now and set the date.

Meantime, get to work on planning your own celebration with friends. Also, helping others is a great way to spend your day. So many local charities would welcome your participation in their holiday celebrations. And volunteers are needed throughout the year too. A call to any food bank, place of worship, nursing home etc., will turn up many volunteer options. Type “volunteer Christmas” and your town or ZIP code into your search engine and the options will be plentiful. Perhaps this will turn into another holiday tradition for you to share with those grandchildren (and their parents).

Angelic Readers 1

Many readers were eager to tell Maureen O. where to find the genuine 100% cotton elastic-free women’s socks that she couldn’t locate anywhere. Almost everyone had the same recommendation: Buster Brown socks from The Vermont Country Store (vermontcountrystore.com, $14.95 per pair or $13.95 each with orders of two or more). They come in women’s shoe sizes 5 through 12 in 11 colors (basics black, white, navy and 2 shades of gray plus lavender, peach, pink, light blue, camel and burgundy). Amazon.com also has them in a more limited color range at $17.99 per pair. Thanks for the tip from readers Sarah E., Audrey, Maureen R., Norma V., S.K., Kristi Q., Lucie M., Diana O., Christine K., Leslie L., MaryAnne S., Barbara, Barbara R. and Diane C.

Angelic Readers 2

For the reader who needs help with dealing with a crushing dog hair problem, Julie S. recommends the evercare DUO, which is a metal comb for cleaning carpeting, furniture and rough fabrics and a delicate comb for cotton, knits and thin fabrics. She buys hers for under $10 at Target. “It’s the best product of its type I’ve ever found. It works amazingly well and it is also great because it uses no electricity and no water and creates no trash like sticky rollers do.” (target.com, $9.99; chewy.com, walmart.com, $6.88).

Reader Rant

Kate B. writes: “Is it me or has hairspray changed? It seems like it doesn't hold like it used to. After spraying my hair, it's limp after one hour. I got some in my eye this morning and instead of feeling pain, I felt nothing. It's like it's all water now. Can anyone recommend a good spray that doesn't cost a fortune?”