How To Throw The Best Ugly Sweater Party in 2025

 

So, you want to throw an epic ugly sweater party? You’ve come to the right place! This isn’t your grandma’s holiday gathering (unless your grandma rocks a sequined reindeer sweater, in which case, she’s totally invited). With these ugly sweater party ideas, you’ll create a night full of laughter, ridiculous fashion, and just the right amount of holiday chaos. Let’s dive into the details on how to plan a party that’ll have your guests talking for weeks – and probably questioning their fashion choices.

 

Step 1: The Invitations – Set the Tone

 

Your ugly sweater party is going to be legendary, so you need to set the mood early with your invitations. Whether you’re sending out digital invites or going old school with printed cards, make sure they scream, “This is not your average holiday party!” Include funny puns like, “Let’s Get Ugly!” or “Tis the Season to be Tacky!” and make it clear that the uglier the sweater, the better.

Also, don’t be afraid to drop a friendly (but sassy) reminder that this is a sweater party, so no sweater, no entry. Or at least, no entry without some gentle public shaming.

Bonus Tip: Ugly Sweater Dress Code

Include a line on the invitation about what qualifies as an “ugly sweater.” Sure, you could leave it vague and hope people go full Rudolph-on-a-mountain-of-glitter, but you might want to set some guidelines to ensure maximum tackiness. Suggest themes like:

• • DIY Disasters: Homemade, the tackier, the better.

• • Vintage Vibes: That sweater your mom wore in 1987? Perfect.

• • Festive Failures: Anything involving too much tinsel or awkwardly placed jingle bells is a winner.

 

Step 2: Deck the Halls with Ugly Sweater Decor

Now that your guests are prepped, it’s time to transform your space into a holiday wonderland—ugly sweater style! This is where you can go over the top, because subtlety is so last season.

Holiday Overload: Because Why Not?

Deck your walls, tables, and ceilings with holiday cheer—garlands, lights, wreaths, and an offensively bright Christmas tree. We’re talking enough glitter and lights to make Santa need sunglasses. Lean into that “ugly” theme by hanging cutouts of sweaters, snowflakes, and maybe even a few paper Santas in unfortunate poses.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget the Christmas photo booth area! Create a backdrop full of tinsel, lights, and a giant Christmas sweater cutout so guests can poke their heads through and take hilarious photos. Trust me, your Instagram feed will thank you later.

Step 3: Sweater Judging – Let the Competition Begin

Let’s be real: the heart and soul of any ugly sweater party is the competition. After all, what’s the point of wearing a sweater that looks like it was crocheted by an elf on a sugar high if you’re not going to win something for it?

Award Categories for Maximum Fun

Get creative with your award categories. Sure, you could go with “Ugliest Sweater,” but why stop there? Here are some category ideas that will keep things lighthearted and fun:

• • Most Likely to Blind Santa: For the sweater with so much sparkle, it’s basically a safety hazard.

• • DIY Diva: For the homemade sweater that looks like a Pinterest project gone wrong.

• • Most Festive Family: Encourage couples or families to come in matching or themed sweaters for extra points.

• • Ho-Ho-Horrific: The sweater that’s just plain bad, but in a way you can’t help but love.

Make sure you have fun, cheesy prizes like reindeer antler headbands, snowman mugs, or holiday socks (because everyone needs more holiday socks).

Voting System

The fairest way to crown your ugly sweater champions? A group vote! Hand out little ballot cards or set up a digital poll if you want to be fancy. Let the guests choose the winners—after all, they’re the ones who have to look at each other all night.

Step 4: Ugly Sweater-Themed Games – Let the Shenanigans Begin!

Now that everyone’s rocking their ugliest attire, it’s time to entertain them. An ugly sweater party isn’t complete without some festive (and ridiculous) games. Here are some ideas that’ll keep the laughter rolling:

1. Pin the Pom-Pom on the Sweater

A holiday twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Blindfold your guests, spin them around, and have them try to pin a giant pom-pom on a printed ugly sweater on the wall. Trust me, this is way more fun when everyone’s a little dizzy—and not just from the eggnog.

2. Ugly Sweater Musical Chairs

Throw on some Christmas classics, and let your guests battle it out in a game of musical chairs. The catch? Everyone has to do an awkward ugly sweater dance while the music plays. Think chicken dance meets awkward office holiday party shuffle.

3. Sweater Swap Relay

Have guests split into teams and line up. Each team has one (preferably hideous) oversized sweater. The first person in line puts on the sweater, runs to the other side of the room, and then takes it off for the next teammate. First team to finish wins! Bonus points for anyone who accidentally stretches the sweater beyond recognition.

Step 5: Feast Your Eyes (and Stomachs)

No one wants to party on an empty stomach, so be sure to serve some crowd-pleasing snacks. Since this is an ugly sweater party, it’s the perfect time to have fun with your food.

Ugly Sweater Cookies

Break out the cookie cutters and let your guests decorate sweater-shaped cookies. Provide colorful frosting, sprinkles, and little candies so they can create their own edible ugly sweaters. Bonus points for the most outrageous cookie design!

Festive Finger Foods

Stick with easy-to-eat finger foods, like mini pigs in blankets, cheese platters, and holiday-themed appetizers. Think of foods that won’t destroy your guests’ sweaters in case of a snack attack—because we all know that one friend who can’t eat without spilling.

Drinks to Get the Party Going

It wouldn’t be a holiday party without some festive beverages! Create a signature holiday cocktail (or mocktail) like “The Jolly Sweater” or “Rudolph’s Punch.” If you’re feeling extra fancy, set up a hot chocolate bar with toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes.

Step 6: Don’t Forget the Photos!

What’s an ugly sweater party without photographic evidence? Create a photo station with props like Santa hats, oversized glasses, and goofy holiday signs. Encourage group photos, solo shots, and, of course, plenty of selfies.

Photo Contest Bonus

Have guests vote on their favorite photo at the end of the night and offer a small prize. After all, the best part of any party is embarrassing yourself and having the photos to prove it!

Step 7: Party Favors – Ugly but Useful

Send your guests home with party favors that tie into your theme. Think mini ugly sweater ornaments, personalized mugs, or even a little bottle of “holiday cheer” (aka, wine or spiked hot cocoa mix). You want your guests to remember the party every time they sip their favorite drink or hang an ornament on their tree.

Final Thoughts

Throwing the best ugly sweater party isn’t about being perfect; it’s about embracing the hilariously imperfect side of the holidays. So break out those tacky sweaters, get a little sassy with your decorations, and let the laughter flow. Follow these tips, and your party will be the talk of the holiday season – for all the right (and wrong) reasons! Cheers to an unforgettable night