DOWNEY - It's warm. It's fuzzy. It has sleeves. No, it's not a coat or a robe. It's a Snuggie, and it's everywhere.What is a Snuggie? If you haven't been living under a rock for the past year or so (or just don't take much time to learn about pop culture or go to your local drugstore and see it displayed on shelves), you probably already know that a Snuggie is a blanket with sleeves. Some criticize the Snuggie, saying most of us already own a thing that serves the same function as a Snuggie: a robe. Just wear it backwards and call it a day, they say. Why has this seemingly simple, almost ridiculous, product gained so much popularity? With so many sold (the creator must be rolling around in cash after sales of more than 20 million units), the product has to have gained a large fan base that almost has a cult-like devotion for a good reason. Among those who have started following the Snuggie trend is Downey High School student Josh Noa. Before getting a Snuggie, Noa criticized the product, but after receiving one, liked it so much he decided to spread the gospel. "My sister gave me my Snuggie as she realized that my feelings towards the product changed," said Noa. "I went from very skeptical of Snuggies and their practicality, to buying around nine or 10 of them as Christmas gifts for friends. I think that they are unparalleled in comfort." Aaron Andres, another student at Downey High, is one of the friends who received a Snuggie from Noa in a Secret Santa gift exchange at school. "At first, I thought Snuggies were a horrendous idea," said Andres. "My feelings toward Snuggies now are that they are amazing. I used it all the time during winter break, if not every day. It may not be fashionable enough to take to a football game or anything, but it's definitely worth it at home where no one will judge how comfy you are." With the Snuggie becoming so popular among people of all ages, Downey High student Sarah Menendez (who also received her Snuggie from Noa) thinks it will be one of the most memorable trends of the decade. "I realize now that the Snuggie really is for everyone," said Menendez. "I think it's going to become one of the staples of the new decade that we can look back on in 20 years and say, 'Remember the Snuggie?' 'Oh yeah! Everyone had one. They were awesome!'" With so many people - and dogs also, now that there are Snuggies for dogs available - satisfied with their Snuggies, it appears that the Snuggie is here to stay for a while longer, whether we like it or not.

********** Published: January 15, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 39