I love Christmas.

But I celebrate Christmas as a Jew--going to the Matzoh Ball, admiring the lights and decorated trees, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, eating Chinese Food, and joining in the overall happiness and cheer that radiates during this special holiday.

I also love Christmas because my inbox is empty. So far, I've received two emails today. I love it! Today's a day of rest and quality time with friends and family. Not a care in the world.

Michelle, from our West Coast Showroom, was checking her daily Blog roll this morning and look what she found. Erol Sarabi rocking his I'm not a gardener I just like hoes t-shirt , hanging out with Rick Warren, the pastor whose giving the invocation at Obama's Inauguration.

They were spotted outside Out of the Closet thrift store in West Hollywood. Hopefully Rick trades in his tired button down for the Gardener t-shirt, and then wears it for the invocation.

This shirt is probably our most famous tee. It was on the TV show Weeds, Erol Sarabi, and I always see people walking around town wearing it. Just the other day, I was at a Wizards game and saw some dude wearing the Gardener tee.

The featured page on wikihow is "How to fold a t-shirt." I'm in NYC today and don't have too much time to write, but I figured this was an appropriate tutorial for our blog.

The opening paragraph is a shout out to how essential t-shirts are to your wardrobe and closet:

"In today's increasingly casual fashion world, the trusty t-shirt is a staple of just about every wardrobe. While t-shirts are relatively hassle-free to care for, it's still quite a chore to fold a laundry load full of them--it's no wonder so many people just stuff them in a drawer or throw them on the floor. Fortunately it's easier than you may think to keep your t-shirts wrinkle-free. Follow these steps to fold a t-shirt in two seconds."

I'm not sure if you're aware, but theres also a popular youtube video on how to fold a t-shirt. It uses the same magical methods. My friends and I tried to learn the Samurai way, and we recorded it. Its probably the funniest unreleased video of our generation. I'll release it when i get back from NYC. Stay tuned.

At Crooked Monkey we pride ourselves on three things: Producing funny t-shirts, having the best customer service, and having the prettiest employees.

Today we got an email from another one of our satisfied customers. During the holiday gift giving season, it's not always easy to please everyone. But we try pretty darned hard. One way we do that is by shipping on time, everytime. Because, as the late Chris Farley believes:
You know i could guarantee you all day long, but we both know a guarantee is only as good as the man who writes it.
So here's the email. Debbie P. got her funny t-shirt today (her order was processed yesterday):
"I just wanted to let you know that the package was delivered today. I don't know what to say. You're amazing. Thank you so much!
Have a Merry Christmas!!"

Just another day at the office...

This is what appeared on our printer yesterday.

Why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam.

Christmas has come early for Crooked Monkey. Nine days early. Today we shipped a record number of online orders, making sure that you guys will be able to give your t-shirts on time this holiday season. The most fun part of holiday shipping, is the gift-messages we get to write on behalf of our customers.

Its a fun exercise, as we hand write each letter, but are not allowed to correct or even question the messages posted. Most of the stuff is composed of indecipherable inside jokes, replete with LOLs and OMGs. And usually its just wishing someone a happy Kwanza or Ramadan.

But today we got an interesting one. The t-shirt purchased was Dead Man Walking, and the gift card read: "Will U plz marry me, ring 2 follow."

A bit impersonal, but we're happy to help in anyway we can. Sometimes, a t-shirt making fun of marriage is the best way to get someone to marry you. Playing hard to get--even up until the last second. I admire that.

We finally launched the Crooked Monkey RSS feed. Now you can stalk Crooked Monkey all day every day. Instead of coming to the blog to read about our funny t-shirts, or office stories, you can just subscribe to the RSS Feed.

I know how difficult and time consuming it can be to type in the whole address, www.crookedmonkey.com. Now you don't have to. Once you subscribe to our feed, you just go to your regular homepage, or wherever you read your feeds, and you can see what we're up to.

We'll try and keep the headlines real interesting like: Barney and Big Bird finally meet.

So subscribe to it. And while you're at it, pick up a couple of tees. Our 20% storewide sale is still going strong and our Buy 2 shirts get free shipping just sweetens the pot.

Our New York City Showroom is coming down to DC to visit the Crooked Monkey offices on Thursday and Friday. January will be our three year anniversary, but this will mark the first time that these city folk will venture down to the famed warehouse.

We're super excited and are getting the office ready for the big event. We're preparing a grand welcome--21 gun salute, flower petals and kegs. Apparently, Heather's never played Beer pong, which probably means she's also never done a KegStand. By the time she's done with her visit, she'll be able to check both of those off her list.

We rented a nice room for her, Sylana and Todd in my apartment complex. I told them to bring their PJs because we might forgo the room if I decide to host a slumber party in the Taft Suite. Details to follow.

Former intern, Russell, made some alterations to the previous picture. I was supposed to look like Willie Wonka, but he turned me into an Ooompa Loompa. I'll take what I can get.

Just the other day we issued our first ever Autographed t-shirt. Right above the "Made in Honduras" label is chicken scratch that reads "Micha Weinblatt," reminiscent of a third graders first attempts at cursive. But we're not here to judge my pathetically uninspiring signature.

We're here to celebrate the first in a series of autographed t-shirts. The original recipient of this special bonus was my brother's girlfriend, Julia Friedman. She is the only person I knew whose excitement and cheeriness warrants such a special first time gift.

But now that we see its success, we are considering autographing 1 out of every 1,000 shirts we ship, for a yearly drawing to tour the Crooked Monkey's funny t-shirt headquarters, meet the staff, and possibly become the next CEO of Crooked Monkey.