The best and tackiest Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas! Throw an amazing bash with creative ideas including the best of the “worst” invitations, decor, food and sweaters ideas!

Did you know that December 17th is National Ugly Sweater Day? Yes, we actually have a day to celebrate our inner tackiness!
Christmas parties are the highlight of the holiday season, and nothing is more fun than an Ugly Sweater themed Christmas party.
From invitations to deciding what to wear, get ready to celebrate with all your tacky friends! If you are looking for the best ways to throw a party in style (or not!), I hope you will be inspired by these ideas. I certainly am!
What is an Ugly Sweater Party?
Forget your finest party clothes. At this type of theme, Guests are encouraged to wear tacky holiday themed sweaters – the uglier, the better!
But that’s just the start. The spirit of an ugly Christmas sweater party is bad taste—from the dress code to activities and the menu. Bad taste can be just plain ugly or gaudy or even bawdy and crude.
What Makes a Sweater Ugly?
An ugly Christmas sweater is any Christmas-themed sweater that could be considered in bad taste, tacky, or gaudy. There are generally 3 camps:
- Aunt Ida and her glue gun – The louder the embellishments—tinsel, reindeer, flashing lights, Christmas trees, glitter, etc. —the better.
- Traditional Ugly – Think 80s and 90s Nordic knit sweaters or those that Bill Cosby and Fresh Prince’s Carlton wore.
- Bawdy Humor – On the internet you will easy find a plethora of holiday themed sweaters that are for adult parties and filled with all kinds of innuendo.
Get in the Spirit
We have included some of our favorite ideas for all the things you need to throw an excellent party, whether it be for the office or all of your rowdy friends!
Creative Ugly Sweater Invitations
The invitations have a front and a back that lines up perfectly in your printer. Simply print the front side, flip your paper accordingly, and print out the back of the invitation.
DOWNLOAD FREE INVITATIONS HERE:
DIY Ugly Sweater Ideas
Grab a glue gun and your favorite tacky trimmings to make your own creation. Nothing is off limits here including tinsel,
- Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer (from Pinterest)
- Fireplace Mantle Outfit
- Christmas Tree Sweater
- Cat Lady Christmas Tree
- Couples Chimney Costume
- DIY Ugly Sweater Wreath
If your not so much into making your sweater, here are some horrifically awesome finds (pictured above):
Party Games
Much like the theme, ideas for what to do at an Ugly sweater party is fairly indecorous and tacky. Drinking games with holiday twist, for example. Another favorite is Christmas Karaoke. And a photo booth to capture everyone’s worst outfits is a must. Get an instantly printable photo frame like this and let the fun begin!
The “Ugliest” Medals
Anyone willing to wear something so hideous that it is voted to be the UGLIEST deserves a badge of horror. This free printable includes winning medallions for the ugly, uglier, and ugliest sweaters in the contest. I know they will wear it proud! Or, at least, it won’t make their outfit any less ugly. Download the Ugly Sweater Contest Medals here.
Ugly Sweater Ideas for Couples
Double the ugly, double the fun!
- Christmas Cat
- Flapjack pajamas for the whole family
- Christmas Story Couples Idea
- I don’t do matching sweaters
- Chest-nuts matching sweaters
Party Food Ideas
Fantastic food is a necessity at a good party. While you don’t have to go overboard with the theme, this Holiday Sweater decorated Cake is the perfect finishing touch. Looking for more delicious appetizers for any occasion, check these out:
Festive Cocktails and Mocktails
Christmas Punch Recipe with Boozy or Non-alcoholic versions is my personal favorite but classic Holiday drinks like eggnog, mulled wine, or a Grinch cocktail like this recipe will get everyone in the spirit.
Full Monty Ugly Sweaters
I keep it clean around here, but if you are going for the slightly risqué experience and over the top Ugly sweater winner, I couldn’t write this without including a few options. (Safe for work, but may contain swear words):
Make It More…
Who says it has to stop with the sweater? Add some more accessories to up your game!
- Christmas Tree Hair
- Christmas Leggins
- Tacky light bulb necklace
- Ugly Sweater Coozy
- Use a tree skirt as a real skirt
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