In a spirited display of holiday spirit, Google recently held its first-ever company-wide “ugly sweater” contest, with CEO Sundar Pichai joining in on the merriment. On Christmas Day, Pichai shared images from the event on Instagram, showcasing her uniquely themed sweater that resonated with her Indian heritage.
The competition, which took place the previous week, encouraged Google employees to show off their creativity through vibrant knitwear adorned with a range of festive designs. The judging panel included Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, who judged imaginative entries, ranging from intricate patchworks to traditional Christmas designs.
The choice of Pichai stood out for its personal touch; he wore a black sweater decorated with cricket bats, a cricket ball and Christmas trees, celebrating India’s deep-rooted passion for cricket.
In his Instagram post, Pichai wrote: “We closed out 2024 with our first-ever Google-wide ugly sweater holiday contest last week. Gemini was the judge, and I must say it’s in good taste 🙂 Congratulations to the winners and thank you everyone for a fun end to the year.
Social media users were quick to praise Pichai’s sweater, with comments highlighting their appreciation for the cricket-themed design. The event not only encouraged light-hearted competition, but also fostered camaraderie among employees during the holiday season.
Born in Chennai, Sundar Pichai has often expressed his love for cricket, once confessing that he dreamed of a professional career in the sport. The ugly sweater tradition, which has its roots in the 1950s, has grown from an original concept to a beloved holiday custom in recent years.
Google’s innovative take on this holiday tradition has brought a festive atmosphere to the workplace, with Pichai effortlessly blending cricket, Christmas and his personal style to celebrate the end of the year.
