30 ugly Christmas sweater party ideas

An ugly Christmas sweater party encourages guests to cozy up, get toasty, and celebrate the season in a low-key way. Perfect for your team’s holiday happy hour or Christmas Eve with the family, these parties put your holiday spirit front and center—emblazoned across your outfit, preferably in lights or sparkles!

If you’d like to throw one of these epic shindigs this year, dive into a list of our favorite ugly sweater party ideas. We’ve included recommendations for ugly sweater party invitations, holiday decorations, and ugly sweater party games everyone will enjoy.

What is an ugly sweater party?

The allure of an ugly Christmas sweater party is that everything can be in ironically bad taste—from the dress code to the evening’s activities, and even the menu. Guests are encouraged (or required!) to wear ugly, tacky, or humorous sweaters, which, for many, is freeing after a season of formal parties, heels, and good behavior. 

Once guests arrive, the entertainment is up to you: karaoke, games, an ugly sweater contest, or a spirited gift exchange.

When did ugly sweater parties start?

The beloved holiday tradition of ugly sweater parties was born in the 1950s, in connection to the rise of Christmas consumerism culture. Christmas sweaters trimmed with jingle bells and other embellishments made the rounds at holiday parties, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that the trend truly took off. 

Sweaters with bright colors, bold patterns, oversized fit, and novelty designs were part of everyday style outside of the holiday season, and were featured on hit TV shows like “Saved by the Bell” and “The Cosby Show.” The Christmas sweaters of the time then incorporated those elements and added a hearty dose of holiday cheer. Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold gave the trend even more life in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” bringing the ugly Christmas sweater into the hallowed halls of pop culture.  

Two friends in Vancouver, British Columbia, allegedly held the first ugly sweater Christmas party in the early 2000s. They achieved their goal of hosting an unfussy, festive, vintage-inspired party—and then some! This event sparked a trend that hasn’t cooled since, becoming a staple of the holiday season.

Ugly Christmas sweater party themes

Once you’ve set the date and chosen the perfect ugly sweater invitation, it’s time to think about your party theme. An ugly sweater party theme sets the tone for the rest of the night and helps your guests plan ahead, whether it’s a night full of Christmas-themed games or a full-blown ugly sweater pageant.

1. ’70s basement party. Think embarrassing family holiday photos, disco balls, and Elton John on the playlist. Pass around disposable cameras and take group photos next to the fireplace (or the crackling logs channel on TV). Round up your crew with vintage-inspired invitations that fit the theme, like “Mirror, Mirror” or “Retro Christmas Tree” by Paperless Post. 
2. Hygge party. Go in a Danish direction with a hygge vibe, complete with tea lights, smørrebrød, ginger cookies, and plenty of aquavit. Capture the Scandinavian sentiment with invitations like “Nordic Illustrated Border” by Mr. Boddington’s Studio or “Nordic and Nice” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design.
3. Christmas-themed game night. From Christmas carol charades to pin the nose on the reindeer, a Christmas game party theme is sure to keep your guests entertained all night long. They’ll be eager to RSVP for a good time with designs like “Jolly Good Time” by Paperless Post, “Oh What Fun” by Sugar Paper, or other holiday party invitations that fit the theme. 
4. Christmas movie marathon. Invite all your friends over to watch your holiday favorites while wearing on-theme Christmas sweaters to match. Yes, you need to watch “Home Alone,” and yes, you need to wear a “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals” shirt. An invitation like “Holiday Knits” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design will have them looking forward to a cozy gathering. 
5. Ugly sweater beauty pageant. Everyone’s a contestant, and only the ugliest sweater will take home the crown. Sweater-heavy invitation designs like “Patchwork Party” or “Hideously Holiday” by Paperless Post will inspire their winning winter wear. 

Create a cozy ambiance with Christmas décor

For an ugly Christmas sweater party, the tackier the décor, the better. Combine playful elements with thoughtful touches to create a festive ambiance that captures the magic (and fun) of the holidays. 

1. Santa kitsch items. Turn your space into a Kitschmas wonderland—think Santa mugs, vintage Kris Kringle cookie jars, and animated Santa dolls that sing or play music (bonus points for a hula-inspired Claus). Greet your guests with an inflatable Santa display in the front yard to set the scene. 
2. Themed tableware. Get your holiday tableware and décor in the Christmas spirit. For an ugly sweater party, it’s all about clashing, so mix and match gaudier options with classic Christmas staples, such as buffalo check or red and green.
3. Brighten the space. Add to the ambiance with sights and smells of the holidays by incorporating decorations like garland, tinsel, and candles. Mix and match colorful, unscented candles, or scatter some with the same scent throughout your space. 
4. Add a photo backdrop to capture ugly memories. Everyone went all out with their Christmas sweaters, so you need to capture the moment forever. Put up a metallic photo backdrop and give your guests props like party hats, reindeer antlers, and Santa beards to inspire their kookiest poses. Use an instant camera and let guests take photos home as a keepsake.

Ugly Christmas sweater games and activities

Get the creativity and competition flowing with Christmas games and activities. Skills are welcome but not required—this lighthearted list is perfect for any crowd. 

1. Christmas karaoke. Encourage your guests to belt out their best rendition of a Christmas song. Croon along to classic carols, choose a modern mix, or see who can deliver the most passionate version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
2. Christmas carol Pictionary or charades. Stir up creativity with a Christmas carol-inspired take on popular party games. Challenge your friends to act out “dashing through the snow” or showcase their artistry with an illustration of “Mommy kissing Santa Claus.” 
3. The ugly sweater game. Hand each guest an (unbreakable) ornament to hang from their sweater when they arrive. If someone says “holiday” or “Christmas,” the person who catches them gets their ornament. The person with the most ornaments at the end of the evening wins.
4. Ugly sweater contest. It’s not a party without an ugly sweater contest. Have a few categories on the ballot and let guests place their votes in corresponding bowls. After that, hand out cheesy trophies to the winners for a grand finale.
5. Decorate gingerbread men with ugly sweaters of their own. Everyone loves a crafty evening—even better if it’s a delicious one. Bake together or have gingerbread cookies ready to decorate when your guests arrive. Stock the table with an array of brightly colored candies, sprinkles, and sanding sugar to create edible ensembles. 
6. Decorate your own ugly sweater. Encourage all those guests who show up in more tasteful Christmas sweaters to get into the spirit with a craft station set out with glue guns, jingle bells, and tinsel to really ugly things up.
7. Make your own ornaments. Keep it on theme and challenge your guests to go gaudy or go home. Take an old-school approach with felt, sequins, glitter, and a variety of holiday-themed patterns. Or, provide clear plastic or glass ornaments for guests to fill with sparkly fake snow, mini figurines, and colorful glitter—just be prepared for a festive after-party clean-up. 
8. Christmas tree hairdo competition. Who can adorn their head with the most outlandish Christmas tree décor without it all toppling down? Anyone who can pull off a beehive is sure to win this one, but we love to watch everyone try.

Food ideas for your ugly sweater party

Now isn’t the time to break out the fine china. Instead, create a menu that gives you an excuse to indulge in classic Christmas party food that feels dated but delicious. 

1. Order fried chicken or honey-glazed ham. Pick up crowd-pleasers from your favorite restaurants. Let the experts handle the time-intensive main dishes so you can focus on the rest of the fare.
2. Serve retro apps. Set your refreshment table with shrimp cocktails, Swedish meatballs, colorful jello molds, pretzels, and popcorn in holiday tins or a cheeseball in the shape of a Christmas tree.
3. Opt for an on-theme drink. Batched drinks are your BFF. Serve rum punch or eggnog in a punch bowl so guests can ladle their beverages into a festive Santa cup.
4. Serve classics for dessert. Bake or buy cookies or brownies, and add in candy canes or chocolates. Serve them on kitschy napkins to make the spread even sweeter.

What do you wear to an ugly sweater party?

There’s certainly no shortage of ugly sweaters out there. Whether you want to blend in or stand out with a classic Christmas sweater, a DIY design, or something purely over the top, we’ve got you covered with ideas and inspiration to look your best—or worst.

1. Your favorite sports team. Special-edition ugly Christmas sweaters are rare finds, usually featured as giveaways or seasonal promotions. Get them on game day or, better yet, at your local thrift store.
2. Southwestern sweater. Eye-catching zigzag patterns, creative color combinations, and creatures like howling coyotes make southwestern sweaters a hit—whether they’re holiday-themed or not. 
3. Silly animals like pizza cats or naughty gingerbread men. Ugly sweater season is all about celebrating the obscure. Break out the best of your collection to the delight of your friends. 
4. Santa, elves, or snowmen. Dust off sweaters from your childhood with earnest depictions of Santa, his elves, and other snowy scenes. 
5. Ugly Christmas sweater dress. Dress it up with a cozy take on the ugly sweater. Find a dress in a quintessential Christmas pattern, or go full-on Mrs. Claus with a replica rendition. 
6. Couples sweaters. You and your partner can collab as Christmas elves, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, naughty and nice, two snowmen, or wear matching Christmas pajamas.
7. Pop culture references. From a “Party Planning Committee” shirt to a “Wet Bandits Plumbing Company” button-up, your friends will chuckle when they get the reference.
8. DIY ugly Christmas sweater. After all, the absolute ugliest Christmas sweaters are DIY. Hit up your closet or a thrift store to start with a mildly ugly sweater, break out the hot glue gun, add ornaments, LED light strands, garland, bows, and gemstones, or an oversized Christmas stocking that conveniently holds a bottle of wine.
9. Include accessories. Tinsel or ornament earrings, ribbons and bows, and anything with extra sparkle create a look that’s perfectly over the top. 

Host a beautiful ugly sweater party with Paperless Post

At Paperless Post, we know that you love to throw a beautiful party—even when “ugly” is the theme! That’s why we’re ready for unfashionable fun with ugly sweater party invitations. Whether you’re throwing a festive office Christmas party or hosting an ugly sweater contest, give your guests a sneak peek with the perfect holiday party invite wording to get them excited. We have a feeling your “ugly” party will be the one everyone will be talking about throughout the holiday season.

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