It is a poncho, I had one when I was little. I think the snuggies are great for VNW's mom because she is in a wheelchair when she does activities at the nursing home. It has actually given me the idea to get one for my dsd, who is also in a wheelchair and it is so much easier to put something on her from the front rather than overhead. She doesn't cooperate very well with her disabilities.

Anyone who's reading this today, wisebread.com had a link to a free Snuggie today, not even S&H. I signed up for one for my mother, kindof as a joke since we always laugh about them but she's starting to get a chill at night; I know she'll crack up when she opens it and then rush to put it on! :)

my Sil makes these snuggies she made me the sweetest one she made me an Elmo and Cookie Monster    I love it ..

 There's a free pattern for a "Snuglet" (same idea) here:

 

http://www.sissonfamily.com/Sewingroom/images/2006projects/thesnuglet.pdf

VNW, in another thread, someone posted a link that you can click on to help feed resue animals (the site donates the food based on number of clicks). I feel horrible I can't remember who it was....sorry! Anywho, on that site is a tab to do the same thing to support breast cancer research.  Each click gets a donation to helping women get mammograms.

avon has one for $24.99 that looks really nice so I will get that for me.

When they were first advertised a year ago our oldest said she wanted one and I told her she already had one.  I went and got her robe and had her put it on backward LOL granted it wasn't as long but put a throw over the legs and you have everything you need already!

Roberta