How to Host an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family. It's an opportunity to let loose, get silly, and embrace the tackiness of this beloved holiday tradition. 

Send out invitations

The first step in hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party is to send out invitations. Make sure to specify that it's an ugly Christmas sweater party and encourage guests to wear their ugliest and most outrageous sweater. You can send out physical invitations, use an online invitation service, or even create a Facebook event. Make sure to include all the important details, such as the date, time, location, and any instructions for food or drink.

Decorate your home

Once the invitations are sent, it's time to decorate your home for the party. Deck the halls with festive decorations, such as string lights, garland, and Christmas ornaments. You can also add some fun and playful touches, like a giant inflatable reindeer or a life-size cardboard cutout of Santa Claus. Don't forget to set up a designated area for taking photos – this is a great way to capture memories of the party and the guests' silly sweaters.

Have a contest for the ugliest sweater

One of the highlights of an ugly Christmas sweater party is the contest for the ugliest sweater. You can have guests vote for their favorite sweater or have a panel of judges. Make sure to have prizes for the winners – these can be anything from a gift card to a local restaurant to a jar of homemade cookies. You can also have additional categories, such as the most creative sweater or the most festive sweater.

Serve festive drinks and snacks

No party is complete without food and drink. For an ugly Christmas sweater party, serve festive drinks and snacks that fit the theme. For drinks, consider serving eggnog, hot cocoa, or a holiday-inspired cocktail. For snacks, you can make holiday-themed treats, such as Christmas cookies, candy canes, or gingerbread houses. Make sure to have some savory options as well, such as a cheese platter or some holiday-themed appetizers.

Play holiday music

Music is a key part of any party, and an ugly Christmas sweater party is no exception. Create a playlist of festive holiday tunes – from Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to Frank Sinatra's "Jingle Bells" – to get guests in the holiday spirit. You can also encourage guests to sing along or even have a holiday karaoke session.

Set up a photo booth

As mentioned before, setting up a designated area for taking photos is a great way to capture memories of the party and the guests' silly sweaters. You can set up a simple backdrop – for example, wrapping paper or a sheet with snowflake designs – and provide some holiday-themed props, such as Santa hats or reindeer antlers. You can also set up a Polaroid camera or provide a hashtag for guests to use when posting their photos on social media.

Have a DIY ugly Christmas sweater station

For guests who don't have an ugly Christmas sweater, or who want to add some extra flair to their existing sweater, set up a DIY ugly Christmas sweater station. Provide guests with plain sweaters and crafting supplies, such as felt, fabric glue, and glitter, so they can create their own unique and personalized sweater. This is a fun and creative activity that guests of all ages can enjoy.

Plan some party games

In addition to the contest for the ugliest sweater, plan some additional party games to keep guests entertained. You can play classic holiday games, such as Secret Santa or White Elephant, or create your own games that fit the theme. For example, you can have a holiday trivia game or a scavenger hunt that involves finding holiday-themed items around the house.

Have a designated driver or arrange transportation

Since alcohol is often served at parties, it's important to have a designated driver or arrange transportation for guests who have had too much to drink. You can provide non-alcoholic options for guests who don't want to drink, or hire a professional car service to transport guests safely.

Clean up and say thank you

After the party is over, make sure to clean up and thank your guests for coming. Send them home with a small party favor – maybe a mini bottle of festive hot cocoa mix or a holiday ornament – as a way to show your appreciation. Make sure to also thank any guests who helped with the party planning or contributed to the festivities.