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The short answer: An ugly sweater party is a casual holiday get-together where guests wear their tackiest Christmas sweaters, eat finger food, play games and vote in a sweater contest. To host one, pick a December weekend, invite people two to three weeks ahead, plan an easy grab-and-go menu, set up contest categories and a few prizes, and add bright, tacky decor.
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Below is a planning timeline, contest categories, games, a menu, a budget table and safety tips.
The best part of a holiday party for me is the people: games, good food and everyone pitching in. Put the party on the Holiday Calendar and Holiday Budget pages of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) so it fits around everything else in December.
For a Halloween version of a dress-up gathering, these duo costumes for friends and partners use shared colors and clear symbols to connect two outfits.
The same closet-first approach works for homemade Halloween costumes: pick a recognizable detail, then test the complete outfit before the event.
Ugly sweater party planning timeline
| When | To do |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Pick the date, set a budget, make the guest list |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Send invitations with "ugly sweater required" and the contest categories |
| 2 weeks before | Plan the menu and games, buy prizes |
| 1 week before | Shop for decor and nonperishables, plan the playlist |
| 2 to 3 days before | Clean, set up the photo backdrop, make the ballots |
| Day before | Grocery shop, prep food, set out serving dishes |
| Day of | Finish food, light the room, wear your own ugliest sweater |
For a complete hosting list, use our holiday party planning checklist.
Ugly sweater contest categories
Several categories mean more winners and more laughs.
| Category | What wins |
|---|---|
| Ugliest Overall | The sweater no one can unsee |
| Most Creative | An original theme or 3D details |
| Best DIY | Made or decorated at home |
| Best Lights or Sound | Battery lights, bells or music |
| Funniest | Puns, jokes or a pop culture twist |
| Best Couple or Group | Matching or coordinating sweaters |
| Most Festive Pet | A sweater on a dog or cat, if pets are coming |
How to run the vote: hand out paper ballots when guests arrive, hold a short runway walk about an hour in, collect ballots and announce winners before dessert.
Ugly sweater party games
- Sweater runway walk. Each guest walks a hallway "runway" while someone narrates.
- Christmas trivia. Teams answer holiday questions; our Christmas trivia page has ready-made questions.
- Holiday bingo. Print cards with sweater details to spot, like reindeer, pom-poms or tinsel, or use our Christmas bingo cards.
- White elephant exchange. Set a price limit, like $15 to $20.
- Holiday Pictionary or charades. Use words like "snowman," "Santa's sleigh" and "ugly sweater.".
- Name that tune. Play the first seconds of Christmas songs.
Find more in our Christmas party games roundup.
Ugly sweater party food menu
Keep it handheld so guests can eat, vote and mingle.
| Course | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Savory | Sliders, slow cooker meatballs, pigs in a blanket, a Christmas charcuterie board |
| Dips | Spinach artichoke dip, buffalo chicken dip, chips and salsa |
| Sweet | Decorated sugar cookies, brownies, peppermint bark |
| Drinks | A hot cocoa bar, punch, cider, Christmas cocktails |
For more crowd-pleasers, see Christmas appetizers. If guests offer to bring something, turn it into a potluck with our Christmas potluck ideas.
Keep party food safe
Party food often sits out for hours. USDA FSIS says bacteria grow fastest between 40°F and 140°F and that perishable food shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours. Keep hot food in a slow cooker on warm, set cold dips over ice, and swap in fresh platters instead of topping off old ones. FoodSafety.gov's four steps to food safety (clean, separate, cook and chill) are a good checklist for party prep.
Decor ideas
- Tinsel garland and bright string lights.
- A photo backdrop of wrapping paper, garland and a "Tacky Sweater Party" sign.
- Paper sweater cutouts guests can decorate.
- A "voting station" table with ballots and a jar.
- Mismatched ornaments in bowls.
Tinsel, paper and sweaters don't mix with open flames. NFPA notes that candles start about half of December home decoration fires, so use LED string lights and battery candles for this party.
Ugly sweater party budget
| Item | Example plan | Your cost |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Two savory dishes, one dip, cookies | $____ |
| Drinks | Cocoa bar, punch or cider | $____ |
| Decor | Tinsel, lights, backdrop | $____ |
| Prizes | One per contest category | $____ |
| Paper goods | Plates, napkins, cups, ballots | $____ |
| Total | $____ |
Ask guests to bring a snack or drink to share, and shop your holiday bins for decor before buying more.
Plan the party with the rest of December
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a Holiday Budget, Holiday Calendar, Holiday To-Do Timeline, Holiday Menu and Holiday Grocery List, so the party plan lives with the rest of your season. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) handles the week's meals around party prep. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) includes both plus four more planners. Browse the holiday shop or all bundles.
Our free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.
See also
- Christmas party games
- Holiday party planning checklist
- Christmas desserts
- How to host a cookie exchange
Keep the snack table full with ideas from our list of Christmas snacks.
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Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
What do you do at an ugly sweater party? At an ugly sweater party, guests wear tacky holiday sweaters, eat easy finger food, play a few games and vote in a sweater contest. The contest, with categories like Ugliest and Most Creative, is the main event, usually held about an hour in.
When should I have an ugly sweater party? Most ugly sweater parties are held on a Friday or Saturday in early to mid December. Send invitations two to three weeks ahead, since December weekends fill up quickly.
What food should I serve at an ugly sweater party? Serve finger foods guests can eat standing up, like sliders, meatballs, a charcuterie board, a hot cocoa bar and cookies. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and don't leave perishable food out more than 2 hours.
What are good ugly sweater contest categories? Good contest categories are Ugliest Overall, Most Creative, Best DIY, Best Lights or Sound, Funniest, Best Couple or Group and Most Festive Pet. Several categories mean more guests win something.
What are good prizes for an ugly sweater contest? Simple, inexpensive prizes work best: a homemade trophy, gift cards, a box of cookies, a mug of cocoa mix or a silly crown. Set a prize budget first, like $5 to $15 per category.
How do I make a DIY ugly sweater? Start with a plain or thrifted sweater and add felt shapes, pom-poms, tinsel, ribbon, jingle bells or small ornaments with fabric glue or safety pins. Avoid real lights wired into the fabric unless they are battery-powered and designed for clothing.
How much does an ugly sweater party cost? An ugly sweater party can cost as little as $50 to $150 for a small group if you serve simple food and ask guests to bring a snack. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a Holiday Budget page to set the total before you shop.
What games do you play at an ugly sweater party? Popular games include the sweater contest, Christmas trivia, holiday bingo, a white elephant gift exchange, Pictionary with holiday words and a sweater fashion show runway walk.
Is an ugly sweater party good for work? Yes, an ugly sweater party is a good fit for work. An ugly sweater day or party is a low-pressure office celebration because everyone can join at any budget. Offer a no-sweater option, like a festive hat or pin, so no one feels left out.
How do I decorate for an ugly sweater party? Decorate with tinsel, string lights, bright garland, a photo backdrop and paper sweater cutouts. Use LED lights and battery candles, and keep any real candles well away from tinsel, paper and guests' sweaters.
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Sources
- USDA FSIS: Danger zone 40°F to 140°F fsis.usda.gov
- FoodSafety.gov: 4 steps to food safety foodsafety.gov
- NFPA: Holiday fire safety tips nfpa.org