Google ushered in the holiday season with a splash of creativity by organizing its inaugural company-wide Ugly Sweater Contest. Employees across the tech giant participated in the quirky event, but it was Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai who stole the show with his uniquely festive attire.
Sharing highlights from the contest on Instagram, Pichai expressed his delight at the fun-filled event, which marked the end of the year for the company. “We closed out 2024 with our first-ever Google-wide ugly sweater holiday contest last week. Gemini was the judge, and I have to say, it has good taste. Congrats to the winners, and thanks to everyone for the fun end of the year,” he wrote.
The post featured photos of Google executives showcasing a variety of vibrant, creative, and intentionally tacky sweaters. While many sported bright, whimsical designs typical of the holiday tradition, Pichai’s sweater stood out—not for its absurdity, but for its subtle elegance.
The CEO opted for a sleek black pullover adorned with a playful design featuring cricket bats, a ball, Christmas trees, and snowflakes. The sweater perfectly blended festive cheer with a nod to Pichai’s lifelong passion for cricket. Fans of the tech leader would not be surprised by his choice; Pichai has often spoken about his love for the sport, idolizing cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar.
Recently, Pichai even extended an invitation to fellow tech mogul Elon Musk to join him at a South Africa vs India cricket match, further emphasizing his enduring connection to the game.
The contest was judged by Gemini, an AI-powered judge, which Pichai humorously credited for having “good taste.” Winners were selected based on creativity, humour, and the whimsical spirit of their sweaters. An Ugly Sweater Contest has become a cherished holiday tradition, where participants don over-the-top, often gaudy sweaters adorned with festive decorations like reindeer, snowflakes, and twinkling lights. The lighthearted competition celebrates the playful side of the season, and Google’s inaugural event proved to be a hit, blending corporate culture with holiday cheer.
