Submitted by Dalton C, who has some wax bits stuck to his lip:

These things were, and still are, great. I loved sipping these thing as a kid. They were the basis for fruit gushers. The only problem was the wax itself, because once you tore the top off the little bottle top, the juice inside would come pouring out.

Personally, I think these were better in theory than in execution. I agree with Dalton that the wax was a problem, and once you admit that, you have to wonder “What was the point?” However, as kids, wax soda bottles seemed so cool, and even just looking at a picture of them takes me back to days long gone.

Submitted by Tom S, with built-in straw.

I understand the straw cups. I really do. With a straw built right in, one could go as far as to say they’re a rather convenient invention. The bowls, though? The only use the bowls have that I can think of is to slurp up the milk leftover from your cereal. Am I missing something? Nevertheless, I most certainly remember using these as a child. And only once or twice as an adult. They do what a lot of good products do (looking at you, crazy straws!): Make eating food even more fun!

Submitted by Rosemary S, ghost of Christmas past (the year 1376, specifically).

This 1992 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story starred, you know, Jim Henson’s Muppets in most of the roles (though Scrooge was played by Michael Caine, who I think has appeared in every movie ever). I remember that on the last day of school before Christmas break, for many years, my classes would have Christmas parties that involved watching this movie. It has become somewhat of a holiday classic, and rightfully so. Who could forget Kermit the Frog singing “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas?” Ah, those Muppets…They had some good movie moments.

What better way to celebrate the very last post of 2009 at Once Upon a Win than by sharing some of the best (or is it worst?) holiday sweaters submitted by you, our faithful readers? Below you’ll find a small selection of hideous holiday sweaters sent to us over the last week. Thank you very much to all of you who sent in pictures of your colorful, festive, and sometimes noisy holiday wardrobes!

The following nostalgic beauty was sent in by Aeris Dienes, who says:

This is a picture of my mother’s favorite Christmas sweater. It is the most hideous she owns. She has had this sweater for about thirty years, making it circa 1980 or so. She still wears this beautiful article of clothing (sometimes to black tie Christmas parties), but she also wore it to my school functions when I was in my delicate teenage years. Note: The sweater has multiple bells, and jingles quite loudly.

Once Upon a Win says:

We love that this is a truly nostalgic sweater, one with origins in the 1980s. We’re also impressed that the sweater is still being worn. Lastly, we think the fact that it jingles loudly is just pure WIN!

Alicia Hoge sent in this arresting sweater-slash-sculpture:

Once Upon a Win says:

Where to begin with this one? There’s just…so much of it. It’s like a Christmas sweater and a stuffed animal stitched into one enormous fashion entity. We just wish we could someone attempting to wear it.

Jill Petersen sent us this stunning Hanukkah sweater:

Once Upon a Win says:

We like that this sweater stands out from the pack. Usually, it’s all about reindeer and jingle bells and Santa Clauses. But this sweater takes what is great about Christmas sweaters and puts a Jewish spin on it. Who knows, maybe kitschy Hanukkah sweaters will become the next big trend!

Thanks again to all of those who submitted! We wish you all a very merry holiday season and a truly WIN New Year!

Welcome to the last ’80s Music Video Thursday of 2009! As always, suggestions for next week are welcome in the comments. After review, some will be selected and posted in the distant future…of 2010!

“Major Tom (Coming Home)” by Peter Schilling, submitted by CosmykDolfyn:

I want to live in cars stacked up like this.

“Down Under” by Men at Work, submitted by many users, including QuoteMan.

Well, this was a mighty popular pick! Seems many of you cherish this video the way I cherish mid-’90s Mariah Carey videos (the tire swing in “Always Be My Baby,” anyone?). One thing I learned while watching the first few seconds of the “Down Under”: Beyonce stole her “Single Ladies” leotard look from one of these Men at Work!

“New York, New York” by Nina Hagen.

Ms. Hagen traded a discernable melody for some lovely eye makeup application skills. And that, dear readers, is what I like about her.

A few more from the past:
Do They Know It’s ’80s Music Video Thursday?
’80s Music Video Thursday: Y Kant Bananarama Rap?
’80s Music Video Thursday: Sunglasses at Night?! But It’s So Dark!