In my role as Evil Uncle, I got my two nephews Sportkilts [in MacPherson Red, of course], sporrans, blue kilt hose, and a copy each of Thompson's "So You're Going to Wear The Kilt", for their edification and future guidance.

I did not know how the boys would react, the older boy Kyle is a freshman in college, is very interested in history and family history, so I thought he might enjoy the kilt. I was not as sure about his younger brother Matt, who is rather quiet and a junior in High School.

As they opened their gifts on Christmas morning, their reaction couldn't have been more gratifying. They were thrilled, put the kilts on immediately, wore them throughout the day, and to Christmas dinner itself. They devoured "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt", and pressed me for more detail on the family history. Their Mom thinks they are genuinely enthusiastic, as they could just have left them in the box and given a polite thank you if they weren't really into it.

I actually said to them as they put them on, "Welcome to the obsession!"

I sealed the deal with a family viewing of "Braveheart", with appropriate caveats about the lack of historic accuracy.

The Big Build Up...Drumroll, please...



The reveal--yes, your Evil Uncle actually got you kilts...



Astonished parents of the newly kilted.



Kyle eagerly dons his kilt.



Matt displays kilted fortitude.



Uncle shows the lads how it's done. We are properly dressed for Christmas dinner.



Kilted Ping Pong. They are SportKilts, after all...