‘Tis the season to be jolly! What better way to celebrate the fun of the holiday season than with an ugly Christmas sweater!
My husband’s family has an annual tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters to our annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange. It always makes for great laughs and has become a sort of competition over the years to see who can find the most creative sweater!
Some Ugly Christmas sweater designs have turned to more adult humor over the years, so for this article we are going to look at sweaters suitable for all ages. These sweaters are family gathering approved!
The History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater
According to the authors of the “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book”, the origins of the Ugly Christmas Sweater trend go back to 2002, when a group of friends in Vancouver, B.C. hosted a holiday party and asked everyone to wear ugly Christmas sweaters. The trend then grew into the cultural phenomenon it has become today! Ugly Christmas sweater parties have been a popular choice for work holiday parties, family gatherings, birthday parties, and Christmas parties with friends.
Things to Consider When Purchasing an Ugly Christmas Sweater
There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing an ugly Christmas sweater!
- The occasion. What type of occasion is the ugly Christmas sweater for? If it is for a work party, a design that matches your job title would be a clever choice. If the sweater is for a family gathering or party with friends, something that suits your personal taste or hobbies could also work!
- The purpose. Ugly Christmas sweaters can be purchased for personal wearing, but they can also be purposed as a gift! When making a gift list, consider choosing an ugly Christmas sweater as a funny gift. One of my favorite white elephant gift exchange presents to bring is a tacky Christmas sweater in a universal size.
- Cleaning. Read care instructions carefully when cleaning your ugly Christmas sweater. Some shirts containing lights or attachments need to be removed before washing. As with any sweater, it is usually best to also lay flat to dry.
- Overall design. If your ugly Christmas sweater is for a contest, consider pairing it with some other items to send the design over the top. For females, consider purchasing the sweater a few sizes up and pair with leggings and boots to dress it up. Add a red or green tutu for a whimsical effect! Hats with flashing lights, Christmas light bulb necklaces, and other flair can be added as well to kick it up a notch!
Now that you know things to consider when shopping for an ugly Christmas sweater, take a look at these funny (and clean) ugly Christmas sweaters available right now!
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
Dwight Christmas  | |
Baby Yoda | |
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out | |
Gonna Be Yuge | |
Ya Filthy Animal | |
The Grinch | |
Elf Beatles | |
Tipsy Elves Gaudy Garland | |
Tipsy Elves Santa Unicorn | |
Ho to the Third | |
Let It Glow | |
Carlton Christmas | |
Golfing Santa | |
Oh Snap | |
Cat Tree | |
Sloth | |
Bigfoot I Believe![Bigfoot I Believe](https://www.mommyhighfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Bigfoot-I-Believe-Sweater-250.jpg") | |
Minions Scarf | |
Happy Llamakah | |
Nightmare on Elm Street | |
Jolly Burger | |
Hanging Loose Santa | |
Santa Mermaid | |
Light Up Reindeer | |
Hawaiian Christmas Shirt |
Dwight Christmas
Fans of “The Office” will go crazy over this “Dwight Christmas” sweatshirt. It bears a great resemblance of Dwight Shrute and brings back all the memories of the show. Coming in 6 different colors, you can buy extra for your friends! It comes in sizes small to 3X-large. As a sweatshirt, it is made of cotton and polyester and is machine washable.
Baby Yoda
This Baby Yoda ugly Christmas sweater is perfect for anyone who loves Star Wars! The focal point of this Star Wars Christmas sweater is the plush version of “The Child”. It holds two small Christmas trees, and when you push the belly, The Child’s hand moves and waves the trees around.
You’ll love that this sweater is machine washable and comes in sizes from X-small to 4X-large. However, it runs small so order a size bigger than you normally wear.
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out
So many Americans have a tradition of watching “A Christmas Story” every Christmas season. This sweatshirt showcases two of the most iconic items from the movie–the Red Ryder BB gun and the leg lamp. Your friends will love the theme!
Although it looks as though this sweatshirt has detailed stitching, it’s actually a print. That means it will wear better and for longer. This option is comfortable and machine washable. It comes in 5 different colors in sizes small to 5X-large.
Gonna be Yuge
No matter your feelings on politics, this sweatshirt is hilarious! Featuring a printed image of Donald Trump, this shirt is sure to be a conversation piece. It comes in 6 colors and in sizes small to 3X-large. It’s a sweatshirt, so you can be sure it will be comfortable. You’ll also like that it’s machine washable.
Ya Filthy Animal
Nothing says Christmas like the movie “Home Alone”! Channel your inner Kevin McAllister with this classic sweater. It features a set of reindeer as well as snowflakes across the top and sleeves. The sweater is soft and a bit stretchy, and it comes in women’s sizes small to 3X-large. It is machine washable and comes in 4 different colors.
The Grinch
For every person who is crazy about Christmas, there is another one who prefers the Grinch. This ugly Christmas sweater is for that person! This festive piece shows a Santa-attired Grinch next to a a leaning Christmas tree. Everyone will enjoy this classic-themed sweater.
Soft and comfortable, this option is machine washable. It comes in sizes X-small through 3X-large. This sweater is great for an adult or teen Christmas party.
Elf Beatles
You’ll be the celebrity of the party with this iconic sweater, featuring the Beatles as Christmas elves. The classic colors and musical notes add to the theme of this wearable Christmas decoration.
Machine washable, this option is good quality and comes in sizes small to 2X-large. It’s comfortable and easy to wear.
Tipsy Elves Gaudy Garland
If you really want to stand out at an ugly Christmas sweater gathering, you cannot go wrong with this garland-draped sweater! A green sweater is draped in fabulously gaudy tinsel garland and adorned with red and silver Christmas tree ornaments. This sweater is meant to be flashy and will be great for photos as well!
This sweater is made of 100% acrylic and is comfortable to wear. The embellishments are well attached, so you don’t have to worry about them falling off. This sweater is even machine washable! It comes in sizes small through 2X-large.
Tipsy Elves Santa Unicorn
For the outrageous, fantastical Christmas sweater, consider this design from the Tipsy Elves brand. Santa is seen riding horseback on a unicorn through space, ready to take on the task of delivering gifts all night! The outlandish design on a classic sweater will bring humor to your next ugly Christmas sweater party.
This sweater is high quality and machine washable. It comes in sizes small through 4X-large.
Ho to the Third
This humorous ugly Christmas sweatshirt pokes fun at the traditional Santa saying “ho, ho, ho.” This Ho to the third-degree shirt would be perfect for a teacher (especially a math teacher), math-lover, or anyone with a slightly nerdy side. For a work setting, this could also be given to the accounting department!
For those who don’t love wearing a sweater, this is a great option. It is comfortable and machine washable. This festive sweatshirt comes in sizes small through 2X-large.
Let It Glow
For an ugly Christmas sweater that truly lights up the room, consider this adorably ugly sweater! A sunglasses-wearing reindeer has lights strung through its antlers that contain four LED light bulbs that light up with movement! No wires or batteries are required as the lighting is built right in.
The sleeves feature a classic Christmas sweater print and the fabric is a nice, thick sweater material as well. To top it all off, the reindeer is shown wearing its own sweater with “Let it Glow” cleverly scrolled across the front.
This sweater comes in sizes small to X-large and is machine washable.
Carlton Christmas
If this Christmas sweatshirt doesn’t make you smile, you might be Scrooge! Wear this and you’ll be dancing the Carlton all night! The 80s print and colors are spot on. If Will is more your Fresh Prince of Bell Air style, there are options with his face and some awesome throwback cell phones on them.
Since this is a digitally printed fabric, it won’t fade. It’s comfortable and machine washable. This hilarious ugly sweater comes in sizes small through 3X-large.
Golfing Santa
For the person who loves golf, this ugly Christmas sweater will be a hole in one! A cheeky, argyle-print flows throughout the knit sweater. A golfing Santa is sewn on front dressed in a head-to-toe Christmas designed golf outfit.
This sweater is machine washable and comes in sizes small to X-large.
Oh Snap
This hysterical ugly Christmas sweater will bring all the laughs to your next Christmas party. A cute gingerbread cookie man is shown on the front with a broken (or eaten!) leg as he leans on a candy cane crutch for support. The words “Oh snap!” are printed above the gingerbread man, implying his leg has snapped off. Flashing LED lights make this print even more exciting. A cute ugly Christmas sweater print is featured throughout the shirt as well, making it perfect for a party!
This sweater is available in sizes small through X-large and is machine washable.
Cat Tree
For the cat lover, it doesn’t get better than this clever feline ugly Christmas hoodie! A white cat is shown on front with a furry Christmas tree head attachment flowing seamlessly up top. Beads and ornaments adorn the tree and the 3D designed print makes it appear completely realistic. The hoodie styling and stretchy fabric will make it comfortable for the wearer as well.
As with most sweatshirts, this one is machine washable. Sizes for this sweatshirt come in small to 4X-large.
Sloth
If you really want to go for a funny, kitschy Christmas sweater, then this design featuring a sloth is a must! The background design features a classic, argyle-style ugly Christmas sweater motif, while a giant sloth adorns the front.
Many people claim sloths to be their spirit animal, thanks to their slow, laid-back way of life. If sloths are your thing, then this Christmas sweater will be perfect for your next holiday gathering! There are 8 different sloth patterns to choose from, and this sweater comes in sizes small to 2X-large. It is machine washable.
Bigfoot I Believe
Bigfoot is real, right? Just ask the Hendersons! Show your support of this underestimated hero by wearing this fantastic Sasquatch ugly Christmas sweater. Your fellow party-goers will love your choice in attire.
This is a cotton/polyester blend and is soft. It’s machine washable and good quality (won’t shrink when washed). Available sizes range from small to 3X-large, and it comes in 6 different colors.
Minions Scarf
If you are looking for a cuter option, check out this Minions sweater. Featuring two Minions wrapped up in a scarf, this fun option will be a favorite at any party. A cotton/polyester blend, this choice is machine washable and comfortable. It comes in women’s sizes X-small through X-large.
Happy Llamakah
Who says Christmas should get all the fun? This unique Christmas sweater (or shall I say Hanukkah sweater) is sure to get a double-take. It features a background of the Star of David printed across the body and sleeves as well as a large llama rabbi.
The colors are beautiful, and the fabric is soft. This option is machine washable and comes in sizes small to 2X-large.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Why not combine two holidays in one? This fantastic Freddy Krueger Nightmare on Elm Street sweater is sure to get some much-deserved attention at a party or anywhere it is worn. Complete with Freddy on the front, this article of clothing is sure to become a classic.
This sweater is very comfortable and machine washable. Unfortunately, it only comes in men’s sizes large and x-large.
(https://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Elm-Street-Holiday-Pullover/dp/B07XFZN1VQ?dchild=1&keywords=ugly%2Bchristmas%2Bsweater&qid=1634575979&sr=8-44&th=1&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=xmassweater00-20&linkId=81eda13f4a9aba08bac06590399c4015&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Jolly Burger
For the fast food lover, check out this sweater. It features a huge hamburger, a box of fries, a drink, and of course ketchup. I love the french fry motif sprinkled across the front. Just be sure to stay away from any hungry party-goers when you wear this!
Made of 100% cotton, the Jolly Burger is machine washable and very comfortable to wear. It comes in sizes small to 2X-large.
Hanging Loose Santa
Some people prefer to escape to tropical destinations for the holidays. Even if you cannot physically go to the beach for Christmas, you can pretend in this tropical paradise themed ugly Christmas sweater!
Bright blue, green, and red print flows throughout the sweater. A scene showing Santa lounging on the beach, laid back and relaxed, brings warmer weather and summer days to mind. “Hanging Loose for the Holidays” is printed on the shirt as well, affirming the wearer’s mindset at any ugly Christmas sweater party.
This sweater is machine washable and comes in sizes small through 2X-large.
Santa Mermaid
Talk about an ugly sweater! This option has an array of different holiday prints, most noticeably being Santa dressed as a mermaid, complete with a seashell top! I love how busy this sweater is and how colorful it is.
Coming in sizes small to 2X-large, this would work for almost anyone. It is made of 100% acrylic, which isn’t quite as comfortable as cotton. It is machine washable.
Light Up Reindeer Sweater
It doesn’t get more classic than this cute holiday sweater. The smiling reindeer with a real scarf is whimsical and inviting. And the string of lights illuminates with the push of a button.
The lights are connected to the sweater so it should not be washed. You can spray it with a dry spray if it needs cleaning. This sweater comes in women’s sizes small to extra large and you can choose from either red or black. A man could potentially wear this sweater if he gets a larger size.
This option is sure to bring some attention at your holiday party!
Hawaiian Christmas Shirt
If you live in a hot climate, then an ugly Christmas sweater may not be practical. Enter the solution! This Christmas-styled Hawaiian shirt is perfect to wear in places that are not cold at Christmas time.
My husband is hot-natured and dreads sweaters of any type, so this short-sleeved option is perfect for him! The fun, bright colors of the Santa scene will stand out at any party and bring tropical vibes as well. There are several different patterns and colors to choose from, and this shirt comes in sizes small to 6X-large. This shirt is machine washable.
You can’t go wrong with a great ugly Christmas sweater. Whether it’s for your office party, family gathering, or a virtual white elephant party, be proud to display your favorite outrageous sweater!
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