25 Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Christmas is right around the corner and that means it’s time for holiday parties!  If you are attending an ugly Christmas sweater party this year, we have got you covered!  Here are 25 Ugly Christmas Sweater Ideas for you to use as inspiration.

What exactly is an ugly sweater party?

An ugly sweater party is a fun, festive gathering where attendees wear deliberately tacky, over-the-top holiday sweaters, often adorned with bright colors, loud patterns, and quirky decorations. These parties have become a popular holiday tradition, where the goal is to showcase the most outrageous, “ugly” sweater possible.

What are the rules for an ugly sweater?

The rules for an ugly sweater are simple and designed for maximum fun and creativity. Here are the most common guidelines:

The Uglier, the Better: The primary goal is to wear the most outrageous and tacky sweater you can find or make. Think loud colors, mismatched patterns, glitter, and quirky decorations like bells, pom-poms, or lights.

Holiday Theme: Ugly sweaters typically feature holiday elements like snowflakes, reindeer, Christmas trees, or Santa. However, adding non-traditional elements can also make it funnier and more unique.

DIY or Store-Bought: You can either purchase a ready-made ugly sweater or get creative and make your own. Adding tinsel, ornaments, or lights can take your DIY sweater to the next level.

Accessories Welcome: Extra points if you pair your sweater with themed accessories like Santa hats, elf ears, or holiday-themed socks. The more festive, the better!

Good Humor: The party is all about having fun, so embrace the silliness and celebrate the spirit of the season with a laugh.

There are no strict rules—just wear something that’s intentionally over-the-top!

1. Christmas tree and star sweater (Instagram)

Get ready to outshine every decoration at the party! This sweater has all the essentials—a gloriously gaudy Christmas tree smack dab on your torso, complete with a star that screams, “I’m the real star of this party!” Perfect for when you want to look like a walking holiday display, it’s festive, fabulously tacky, and guaranteed to make Grandma ask why you didn’t just wear something normal. Bonus: You might even get mistaken for the actual Christmas tree and receive a few ornament donations!

If you’re in a pinch, we have selected a couple of Christmas Tree Sweater from Etsy and Amazon, with fast delivery, that will save the day.

2. Chimney sweater (Instagram)

Why settle for a regular sweater when you can become Santa’s escape route? This chimney sweater turns you into a full-on brick stack, with Santa’s legs sticking out the top like he’s still struggling to deliver that last gift. Perfect for those who want to show off their “stuck in the holiday spirit” vibes, this sweater is guaranteed to have everyone laughing (or wondering if you need help getting out of the fireplace).

In case you find yourself in a tight spot, we’ve handpicked a Chimney Sweaters available on Etsy and an matching Chrismas Chimney hat on Amazon.

3.Rudolph sweater (Instagram)

Forget about being the life of the party—you’ll be the leader of the holiday sleigh team in this Rudolph sweater! With a bold red nose and antlers that make you look like you’re ready to pull a sleigh at any moment, this sweater says, “I’m here to guide this party all the way to the North Pole.” Bonus points if you can pull off the classic Rudolph nose glow after a few glasses of holiday cheer!

This sweater leans far more on the cute side than the ugly side. Who could resist arriving at the company Christmas party proudly wearing Santa’s favorite reindeer, complete with adorable antlers, protubating right from their arm? It’s the perfect mix of festive charm and playful holiday spirit!

4.Christmas lights sweater (Studio DIY)

Nothing says “seasonal spectacle” like literally lighting up the room. This Christmas lights sweater is practically a wearable holiday display, decked out with colorful lights that flash brighter than your future after the office holiday party. Perfect for those who want to look festive and functional—just don’t stand too close to the outlet, or someone might try to plug you in for extra ambiance.

This sweater is a bit tricky as you’ll need time to knit it, especially the multicoled bulb so…if you wanna skip the knittign part, we cherry picked a couple of easy to orcer Lightup Christmas Sweater.

5. Ugly Christmas Sweater with Tinsel

If you’re running short of time, we found 2 sweaters from Etsy that are high in the Ugly Sweater category, from a simple tinsel running accross a sweater to a light up tree.

Nothing says over-the-top holiday spirit like an ugly Christmas sweater decked out in tinsel! This playful twist on the classic ugly sweater turns you into a walking decoration, complete with all the sparkle and shine of a Christmas tree. To make your tinsel sweater a true showstopper, start with a bold base like red, green, or even metallic, then weave tinsel around the arms, neckline, or across the chest. You can even add ornaments or mini LED lights to take it to the next level.

Whether you’re attending an ugly sweater party or looking to spread holiday cheer, a tinsel-adorned sweater is sure to stand out. Plus, the best part? It’s easy to DIY! Simply grab some tinsel garlands, a hot glue gun or safety pins, and get creative. The more outrageous, the better!

If you’re running short of time, we found 2 sweaters from Etsy that are high in the Ugly Sweater category, from a simple tinsel running accross a sweater to a light up tree.

6. Nutcracker sweater (Pinterest)

It’s been a tough nut to crack (no pun intended), but we’ve finally found the ultimate ugly sweater for both women and men that will suit you just fine. Whether you’re looking for something quirky, festive, or just plain fun, this sweater checks all the boxes. And if you’re really aiming to stand out, why not go for a Nutcracker sweater? With its classic holiday charm and playful design, a Nutcracker sweater will add that extra bit of holiday magic to your wardrobe, making sure you turn heads at every festive gathering!

7. Candy Cane sweater (Picky Stitch)

This candy cane sweater is sweet enough to make you look like a holiday snack! With red and white stripes swirling around, you’ll be channeling major peppermint vibes, and maybe even attracting someone with a sweet tooth or two. It’s the perfect mix of ugly and iconic—ideal for anyone who’s dreaming of a sugar rush to go with their holiday punch.

That’s a loooot of candys man….so if you’re local mall as ran out of candy cane, then we can always pivot to those 2 Etsy Candy Cane Ugly Sweater.

8. The Abominable Snowman sweater (Etsy)

Ready to embrace your inner snow monster? This Abominable Snowman sweater has all the fluff and faux fur you need to look like you just wandered in from a blizzard—and it’s warm enough to actually survive one! With a face only a yeti could love, this sweater is the ideal pick if you want to stomp around the holiday party looking big, bold, and just the right amount of beastly.

Updated for this 2023 Christmas, we found this over the top Abominable Swnowman ugly sweater on Etsy

9. Christmas Tree sweater (Etsy)

9. Christmas Tree Sweater (Etsy)
Why decorate the tree when you can be the tree? This Christmas Tree sweater is decked out with ornaments, tinsel, and maybe even a few pine needles for authenticity. Throw this on, stand near a plug, and someone might just try to wrap presents under you. Perfect for that “I’m ready to be the holiday centerpiece” look!

Light Up Christmas Tree Ugly Sweater

Buy it on Etsy

It’s gonna feel hot and sweaty but we also found this nifty Christmas tree hat on Etsy, to go along your proverbial Christmas tree Ugly Sweater.

Christmas Tree Ugly Christmas Hat Funny Head Piece

Buy it on Etsy

10. Christmas calendar sweater (Pinterest)

Nothing says organized holiday cheer like a full advent calendar on your sweater! Every day brings a new little surprise as you count down to Christmas. Just be warned: you might become a walking snack station if those pockets are filled with treats. Perfect for the friend who loves to spread joy and candy!

Last update on 2025-01-02 at 11:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API