Dreadful holiday sweaters have long been enshrined in popular holiday culture and it’s a tried and true Christmas party theme for a reason.
Ugly Sweaters are just the best! Not only are they hilarious to look at, getting into the holiday spirit is just easy with this theme.
The concept is simple. Throw a Christmas party and invite your guests to come dressed in their most hideous sweater. Doesn’t matter if they find it at goodwill, buy it online or get creative with their DIY skills 😉 The uglier the better! Don’t forget to give a prize for the Best Ugly Sweater at the end of the festivities.
Stuck for an idea for your holiday party? Stick with this classic theme!
We’ve got the low down on the best ugly sweater ideas for Christmas parties, so read on…
Easy Ugly Sweater Party Invitation Ideas
It’s time to get everyone hyped for your bash. Make sure your invite is funny and contains all the important details:
- Date/Time
- Location/ Address
- Mention of the Contest/Prizes
- Is there a Gift Exchange?
- RSVP Information
Free Ugly Christmas Sweater Invite
DIY Ugly Sweater Party Invitation
Free Printable Ugly Sweater Celebration Invitation
Awesome Party Decorations
The tackier the better is our rule of thumb for this party theme 😉 It’s time to pull out all the stops for your ugly sweater party decorations!
A Ballot Box for the Contest
If you’re hosting a contest for the best ugly sweater, voting is in order! Why not have guests cast their votes in style?
Fun Balloons to Enhance the theme
The giant holiday light style balloons actually light up! Definitely fun, definitely tacky!
Ugly Sweater Party Banner
Add to the holiday spirit with a party banner for your bash!
Although this party banner has a Clark Griswold Christmas vacation feel, it’s so fitting for ugly sweater festivities!
Deck Out The Dessert Table
Ugly Sweater Paper Lanterns
Don’t forget to Say Cheese!
A good party host knows that quality pictures are a must! If you’re hosting an ugly sweater shindig, then it’s a prime opportunity for hilarious pics!
DIY Ugly Sweater Straw Toppers
Such a quick and easy idea! Use stickers to create adorable straw toppers and impress guests with your attention to detail!
Tasty Ugly Sweater Party Food Ideas
Although the best ugly sweater contest is the focal point of the celebration, you still need to ensure your guests don’t leave hungry!
Check out these delicious ideas:
Party Appetizers to Kick off the Celebration
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Christmas Stocking Hot dogs
Ornament Mini Bagel Bites
Ornament Bagel Bites are quick and easy and certainly can be made to be tacky!
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
Fun Party Snacks
Santa Crunch popcorn
Christmas Crack Pretzels
Tasty Christmas Party Foods
Ugly Sweater Pizzas
These sweater pizzas are a unique appetizer to add to your party menu!
Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs
Christmas Sweater Sandwiches
These open faced sandwiches fit the bill. Get creative with your ingredients or styles, but you get the concept 😉
Sweet Treats & Dessert
Cupcakes a la Ugly Sweater!
Tacky Cookies
Everyone can appreciate a good cookie. Even novice bakers won’t have problems when it comes time to decorate them 🤣
Holiday Sweater Cookies
Christmas Drunken Cherries
Cake is Always a Good Idea!
Classic Ugly Sweater Cake
Tacky Sweater Cake
Dress Up Your Ice Cream cake!
Green Ugly Sweater Cake
Festive Adult Beverages
Champagne Punch
Wine… but with fun ugly sweater labels!
White Christmas Martini
Homemade Boozy Eggnog
Fun Party Games
If fun is your jam, then make sure to incorporate some party games into the festivities. Here are some of our favorites:
Bingo is always a fun party game. Dress it up with ugly sweaters for this party theme.
You got it! Just like pin the tail on the donkey, only uglier! Find a hideous sweater and hang it where you’d like to play the game. Isolate the spot where the ornament should go. Then blindfold players and watch the magic happen.
A fun way to entertain the crowd! Hand out the dare cards all at once or distribute throughout the night. Guests scratch off their card to reveal the dare – play at your own risk 😉 Kidding aside, these dares are good for all ages.
Such a classic game for parties, but this time, simply place your most tackiest and ugliest sweaters on the chair backs. You got yourself a Ugly Sweater themed game.
Another tried and true game. The beloved scavenger hunt. Of course, you’ll want to ensure it’s themed around ugly sweaters! 
Ugly Sweater Game Prizes & Awards
Don’t forget to have some game prizes and awards on hand for your party!
Homemade Medal
DIY Ugly Sweater Trophy with Lights
Ugly Sweater Free Printable Awards
Party Favors for Your Ugly Sweater Bash
Send your guests home with a small memento to thank them for coming. Even if they didn’t win the best ugly sweater contest, they will still feel appreciated and leave a winner!
Ugly Sweater Chocolate Kisses
This is one of those ugly sweater ideas for Christmas parties that is hard to beat. Just grab a bunch of stickers and stick em on hershey kisses while you watch a holiday movie. The next thing you know, you have a bunch of awesome party favors. 😁
Chocolate Bars with a Tacky Feel
Another super simple idea for a tasty take-away!
Ugly Sweater Key Chains
Cheap and Easy, that’s what these are! How apropos for your celebration!
More Ugly Sweater Ideas for Christmas Parties
If the ideas above ain’t enough to inspire you, here are some more awesome suggestions!
Nail Art for Your Ugly Sweater Party
Hate Sweaters? Try This Smudge Lord Sweatshirt Duo!
Party Hats!
Think we missed something? Love these Ugly Sweater Ideas for Christmas Parties? Let us know in the comments below! 😁
So many great ideas! Love the light bulb balloons and the cranberry meatballs! Thanks for sharing.
So happy you liked the post! The meatballs are on my dinner menu this weekend! 😁
These are some awesome ideas! I never knew one could find so many ugly sweater themed decorations. The ugly sweater pizza made me laugh out loud! The cookies, however are actually adorable! I love it, thanks for sharing!
I know, right?! It’s fun to start hunting around for ideas and I was just feeling the ugly sweater vibe yesterday 😉 Must be the weather – LOL!
Absolutely love this post, and love these Ugly Sweater Ideas for Christmas Parties. There are so many wonderful ideas to choose from. I must say, you have inspired me.
Yay! So pleased that you’ve been inspired 😊
Like always, going through your party ideas post is an experience. Such innovative ideas and all in one place. Keep up the great work.
Awe…I’m blushing 😊 Thanks so much for the compliment!
These ideas are so cute! I’ll definitely have to use some for my ugly sweater Christmas party this year!
Happy you like the ideas 😁 Don’t forget to show us the pics from your party!👉🏻 https://partyplanningsolutions.com/monthly-giveaway
We have been having and attending ugly sweater parties for years. These ideas have my mind blown! So much goodness in here. I’ll be bookmarking this one for years to come! Happy Holidays!
Awesome! 🤩 Happy Holidays to you as well!
This is GREAT!! I love all things Ugly Christmas Sweater, lol
I’ve never seen so many ideas in one place!
The holidays are the perfect time to get your ugly sweater on 😉 Happy you like the post!
You’ve definitely got everything covered here for an incredible ugly sweater party! I am loving the idea of ugly sweater pizza hahaha I never would have thought of that one!