Ugly Sweater Party Ideas to Celebrate • Craving Some Creativity

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!

Free printable Christmas invitations for ugly Christmas sweater party next to bowl of Hershey's kisses

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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!

Tacky Christmas sweater free printable party invitation front and back.

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:

Ugly Sweater Invitation (Front)

Ugly Sweater Party Invitation (Back)

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

Collage of Ugly Christmas sweaters from amazon and etsy.

If your not so much into making your sweater, here are some horrifically awesome finds (pictured above):

Couple with printable Christmas frame prop. — Ugly Sweater Party Edible Photo Frame

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!

Ugly Christmas sweater free printable attached on glass mini trifle bowl of Hershey's kisses.

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!

Cake decorated like a festive Christmas sweater.

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:

Glass of Christmas Punch garnished with orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and rosemary sprigs.

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):