1948-1955::The Christmas Tie Exchange Bar in Victoria, British Columbia

Helping men sort out their ugly Christmas ties for nearly a decade.

"1950::The 3rd Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar at 755 Yates Street in Victoria, British Columbia"

Photo Clip: Times Colonist (1955) Victoria, British Columbia

In 1948, Fletcher's Men's Shop at 755 Yates Street in Victoria held its first annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar, where a man could walk in wearing the questionable tie he received as a Christmas gift, discreetly exchange it, and walk out wearing one a little more suitable to his taste. Whether the ugly tie was a gift from Aunt Erma, or whether it was from Honolulu or Kalamazoo, it didn't matter as long as it was new!

"1955::8th Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar"

Clip: Times Colonist (1955)

Victoria, British Columbia

For nearly a decade, Fletcher's Annual Christmas Tie Exchange Bar on Yates Street helped sort out the city's unfortunate Christmas ties and put smiles back on the faces of Victoria's men ...and Aunt Erma didn't need to know.