How to Throw The Best Ugly Sweater Party

November 22, 2022

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

‘Tis the season for pretending to like eggnog, stressing about the perfect gift, and holiday office parties. And what holiday party would be complete without a classic theme? 

Ugly Christmas Sweater parties are about as classic as you can get – some people wait all year to debut their ugliest and are incredibly excited to do so. But because ugly sweater parties are so common, you’ll want yours to stand out. Besides trying to find the best ugly sweater possible, there are loads of ways to make your ugly sweater party the best one.


History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater

Ugly Christmas sweaters feel like they've been around for ages. Whether they've been dug up from the bottom of Grandpa's closet, pulled from an endless rack of ugly Christmas sweatshirts and sweaters at the thrift store, or bought online, ugly Xmas sweaters have always been around, putting people in the holiday spirit.

Though funny Christmas sweaters became a trend around the 1950s, they didn't become mainstream until the 1980s, thanks to Fair Isle, pop culture, and yuletide comedies like National Lampoon or A Christmas Story. Though they became less popular in the 90s because people started taking Christmas more seriously (for some reason), there was always a child-like joy brought by the ugly sweater during the holiday season. 

Luckily, the popularity of the ugly Christmas sweater has only grown with the rise of social media and interest in pop culture. Just think of how many funny ugly Christmas sweaters DC Comics-inspired! They have become a staple in Christmas character culture. Wrapped in gaudy garland, usually displaying a Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Leg Lamp reference, these ugly Christmas sweaters are a wholesome reminder of how uniting the holidays can be.


Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Tips & Tricks

Send Christmas Sweater Style Invitations

Ugly Sweater Party Invite

If you're going to have an ugly Christmas sweater party, you may as well go all out. Send invitations in the shape of ugly Christmas sweaters, complete with big red noses and adorable winter patterns.


Make the Venue Match the Sweaters

Ugly Sweater Christmas Decorations

The "ugly" theme doesn't just have to apply to clothes! Decorate the venue like an ugly sweater factory exploded inside it. Hang garland from the ceilings, and throw tinsel around like it's going out of style. You want every part of your theme to match, and the venue is just as crucial as the ugly sweaters themselves.


Have a Best Ugly Sweater Contest

It goes without saying people need the incentive to dress up, and a contest is a perfect way to get people thinking outside the box. Offer some insanely cool prizes and make a spectacle of the judging process – what about setting up a catwalk with a judge's table at the end? You want everyone to feel confident and proud in their ugliest apparel, so make sure the judges give as many 10/10s as possible.

Don’t Forget the Legs!

Christmas Socks

The most common mistake people make when going to an ugly sweater party is that they forget about their legs and feet! Who hasn't heard of funny Christmas socks?  Make sure your guests know to go full-body. Suggest cozy Christmas leggings or sweatpants, and Christmas socks are a must! They can even take advantage of your Ugly Christmas Sweater table to DIY some funky Christmas-themed pants to match their ugly sweater.


Have a Make Your Own Christmas Sweater Table

Ugly Sweater Decorations

Some people find creativity hard to come by on the fly, so why not make it easier for them? Have an assortment of funky decorations, silly Star Wars stickers, and fun holiday props so everyone can feel like they came dressed to impress.


Host a Secret Santa

Christmas Presents

Your Christmas sweater party wouldn't be complete without a secret Santa. Who doesn't love a surprise Christmas gift? And everyone wants to be the best Christmas Santa they can be.


Don’t Ho-Ho Hold Out on the Food & Drinks

Christmas Party Food

There's nothing worse than arriving late to a party and realizing all the food and drinks have been eaten. You don't want your guests going home hungry and grumpy, so make sure to keep the tables well stocked! This is the perfect time to break out your best holiday treats and Christmas cocktails.

But to make sure everyone doesn't turn into tipsy elves by the end of the night, have apple cider and hot cocoa as options too.


How to Style Your Ugly Christmas Sweater

Ugly Christmas sweaters are for everyone, and there are endless options for styling. You've got your crewneck Christmas sweaters, ugly Christmas sweatshirts, ugly Christmas cardigans, ugly Christmas sweater shirts, sweater vests, sweater dresses, and endless more options. We've got some great ugly sweater ideas for you.

First, decide what type of ugly Christmas sweater you want to wear. Will you go with a classic Christmas Tree ugly sweater, or go pop culture with a Star Wars reference?  Maybe you'll pull a DIY and glue candy canes all over just in time for your Christmas party? Or stick to a classic with a Merry Christmas, ugly Christmas sweater? The decision is hard, so do some serious thinking first.

Once you decide what type of ugly sweater you'll be rocking around the Christmas tree, you'll need to actually buy your perfect ugly sweater. Figuring out where to buy ugly sweaters can be a big task, so we'll make it easy for you.


Where to Find the Perfect Ugly Sweater

Don’t wait for Santa Claus to bring you your perfect ugly Christmas sweater, and skip the “ugly sweater Amazon” search – we’ve got something better for all your holiday parties. Find a huge assortment of men’s Christmas and women’s Christmas sweaters atFamous in Real Life. We have loads of ugly holiday sweaters, just in time for ugly sweater day at the office or school.

Check out our range of ugly sweatshirts – we’ve got something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season, and here are some of our fan favorites:

Bye Buddy, Hope You Find Your Dad!

Bye Buddy Ugly Christmas Sweater


Merry Christmas, Yah Filthy Animal

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal Ugly Sweater

 

Get Lit 

Get Lit T-Shirt


Hope you get silly this holiday season, and don’t be afraid to get a little ugly, either!

 

Christmas Collection


Leave a comment


Also in Blog

History of Halloween
Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? The History Behind the Spookiest Holiday

September 28, 2023

Explore the dark and fascinating origins behind the spookiest holiday of the year and discover why we love it so much today.
Read More
Reefer Madness
Reefer Madness: How This Propaganda Film Became a Cult Classic

September 26, 2023

Discover how the 1936 cult classic Reefer Madness started out as a propaganda film to demonize marijuana use and ended up becoming a revered comedy.
Read More
Little Shop of Horrors
12 Vintage Horror Films That You Need to Watch

September 25, 2023

Get ready for Halloween with our list of the 12 vintage horror movies you need to watch.
Read More
,
Size & Product Info

Mens/Unisex T-Shirt Sizing Chart

 

Women's T-Shirt Sizing Chart

 

Men/Unisex Raglan 3/4 Sleeve Sizing ChartUnisex Hoodie Sizing Chart

 

Women's Capped Neck Crew Sizing ChartWomen's Racerback Sizing ChartWomen's Scoopneck Sizing Chart

 

Women's Muscle Tank Sizing ChartWomen's Flowey Tank Sizing Chart

 

Unisex Tank Sizing Chart

 

Ugly Sweater Sizing Chart