The Best Ugly Christmas Sweaters That Are So Bad, They’re Great
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022'Tis the season for finding the best ugly Christmas sweaters to demolish the competition at your annual holiday party.
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Funny ugly Christmas sweaters
Showing up to a holiday gathering wrapped in your best ugly Christmas sweater has become a seasonal tradition. It’s right up there with putting up a Christmas tree, watching the best Christmas movies, singing Christmas carols and figuring out a gift for those impossible-to-shop-for people on your list. Ugly Christmas sweater-themed parties date back to the early 2000s, and they’ve only gotten more outlandish.
While you’re shopping for gifts for her, gifts for him, gifts for grandparents and personalized gifts, browse a bunch of sweaters you wouldn’t be caught dead in any other time of year. Find a style to wear to an upcoming holiday party or to snuggle up in on a cold winter day. They may be delightfully ugly, but they’re warm and comfy. These tacky toppers will have you winning “best of the worst” at your next festive shindig.
Where can I buy an ugly Christmas sweater?
In the past, ugly Christmas sweaters were tough to find and usually something you had to borrow from an older family member or buy at a thrift store. But now, the popularity of these sweaters has become integrated into the season, and you can find them at major retailers, like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Nordstrom. Get in the holly jolly spirit with this year’s top picks for every personality type!
For the hoodie-wearer: Hooded Abominable Snowman Sweater
This sweater doubles as an Abominable Snowman costume. It’s hilarious, functional and will keep you covered if it starts to snow. While you’re at it, don’t forget to bring the fun at your holiday gathering with Christmas party games.
For the jokester: Tstars “Go Jesus, It’s Your Birthday” Sweatshirt
In all the hubbub of shopping and cooking and decorating and baking, it’s easy to forget the real reason for the season: the birth of Jesus. This amusing pick is one of the best ugly Christmas sweaters since it serves as a not-so-subtle reminder. It also makes for a funny gag gift if you are looking for any ideas.
For the one who runs hot: Zazzle “Ugly Christmas Sweaters Are Hot” T-Shirt
Ugly Christmas sweaters don’t necessarily have to be sweaters—go with us on this. A short-sleeved T-shirt sends the same message and is just as festive. We love this cheeky version, which mocks the ubiquitous tacky sweater trend.
For the animal lover: Unisex Christmas Sloth Sweatshirt
Who says sloths can’t be part of the holiday season? Sure, they may be late to your Christmas party, but no one can resist their adorable sloth faces. This unisex sweater also makes for an unexpected secret Santa gift idea.
For the cocktail connoisseur: Tipsy Elves Light-Up Christmas Sweater
What’s better than an ugly Christmas sweater? An ugly Christmas sweater that lights up, of course. Imagine showing up to the office holiday party wearing this Tipsy Elves “Get Lit” sweater—or using it to spice up your family Christmas photos. This light-up getup would also be an amazingly ludicrous gift for coworkers.
For any fabulous lady: Boohoo “Fab Yule Us” Turtleneck
Ladies looking for funny Christmas sweaters that aren’t too over-the-top will love this Boohoo turtleneck. A string of red lights is a simple accent on this knitted design. It’s available in pretty shades (lilac and baby pink), as well as plus sizes (baby pink and black).
For the one with a sense of humor: Dinosaur Light-Up Sweater
Need an outrageous holiday gift for men? Look no further. Between the dinosaurs, UFOs and cats on pizzas, you’ll have a tough time choosing a Blizzard Bay pullover. After all, these are some of the best ugly Christmas sweaters around.
For the pattern devotee: Reindeer and Candy Cane Sweater
Who doesn’t love a cozy cardigan on a cold winter day? This button-up design was made for someone who can’t make up their mind between patterns. It has all the festive holiday essentials: Santa Claus, candy canes, trees, snowflakes and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
For someone with preppy style: Tipsy Elves Wrapped Present Sweater
Dressing up as a Christmas present is peak festiveness. This Tipsy Elves sweater has “present” written all over it, literally, so go ahead and wrap it up as a gift for your sister. The red and green base makes way for a giant gold bow that adds in a holiday chic vibe.
For the show off: Unisex 3D Dog Ugly Christmas Sweatshirt
This graphic sweatshirt is one of the most chaotic (and amusing!) options out there, which means you should definitely add it to your wish list. The green piece is covered in Santa hats, candy canes, stockings and bells, but the pièce de résistance is the dog with a 3D nose rocking sunglasses.
For the one on a budget: Moning Grinch Jolly Christmas Sweater
Fans of the Grinch and cheap Christmas gifts will appreciate this under-$20 pick. Available in five colors, each relaxed-fit pullover reads, “Is this jolly enough?” with a rather grumpy Grinch. To answer its question, yes, yes it is.
For a formal affair: OppoSuits Complete Christmas Patterned Suit
Take your holiday look to the next level with not just a sweater, but a whole ugly Christmas suit. The three-piece set comes with a matching blazer, pants and tie, which makes for a standout option for an office party or budget meeting. Snag this as a hilarious gift for your boss who has a good sense of humor.
For the flashy dresser: Forum Novelties Light-Up Wreath Sweater
Striped sleeves and a giant wreath that lights up—talk about gaudy! But gaudy makes for the best ugly Christmas sweaters, and you won’t be able to look away from this Forum Novelties design.
For the Schitt’s Creek fanatic: “Bébé It’s Cold Outside” Ugly Christmas Sweater
Let a favorite fictional character bring some fun to the season in the most comfortable way possible. Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek graces us with her stylish presence on this cozy pullover, which looks particularly cute paired with jeans. Are we the only ones who read, “Bébé it’s cold outside” in her accent?
For your brother: OppoSuits Jolly Crewneck Christmas Sweatshirt
Looking for a gift for your brother who favors a more casual attire? This goofy sweatshirt brings just the right amount of silliness while still being comfortable. Worn with jeans or joggers, he can get in on the festivities with little effort.
For your office mate: Wild Bobby “Happy Birthday, Jesus” Crewneck
Is your coworker constantly quoting The Office? Then they’ll love this comfy, thick, unisex sweatshirt adorned with a favorite Michael Scott quote. Slip it on, then brush up on these other well-known Christmas movie quotes.
For the fantasy obsessed: Tipsy Elves Santa Unicorn Christmas Sweater
Unicorns and Santa are both magical and—don’t tell the kiddos—made up. It’s the perfect pairing. This women’s pick is high quality and will keep you warm on cold winter nights, which is probably why it has 1,300+ five-star ratings on Amazon.
For the retro buff: V28 Patterned Christmas Cardigan
Embrace the true meaning of ugly Christmas sweaters with one that evokes the original versions—those created in earnest, not as a joke. This chunky button-up knit is available in 10 fun prints. Your elementary school teacher probably owned a similar cardigan.
For those who like to be shcoking: Bare Stomach Christmas Sweatshirt
It’s unclear precisely when the first less-than-stylish holiday sweater was created. But every December, the quest to find the best getup reemerges anew. Somehow, we doubt they can get any uglier than this one that looks like a man’s bare stomach with holiday elements, like ornaments, a stocking and lights. Bare it all while staying completely covered up!
For the wine lover: “I’m Hoping for a White Christmas” Sweater
Whether sauvignon blanc, riesling or chardonnay, this vino-inspired sweater tells everyone your wine preference. But to be clear, like it states on the tacky Christmas sweater, “If the white run out, I’ll drink the red.” Talk about a fitting gift for wine lovers!
For the fashion-forward: Tipsy Elves Gaudy Garland Sweater Dress
Glitzy and glam, this sweater dress toes the line between fabulous and tacky, and we love it. Pair it with jeans and a tee for a casual party, or skip pants and wear it with heels for a dressier event to fully show off the ornaments and garland.
For little kids: Tstars T-Rex Ugly Christmas Sweater
Millions of years ago, Santa gave out presents to good little dinos on his flying T-Rex. Kids, especially ones fascinated with prehistoric creatures, will love this silly Christmas sweater.
For the wallflower: Sidefeel Knitted Holiday Pullover
This Fair Isle pattern pick has a retro look that evokes classic Christmas vibes. While we certainly wouldn’t call this sweater unsightly, you can still get away with wearing it to an ugly Christmas sweaters party. (Alternatively, it’d make a stylish gift for Mom.)
For Friends bingers: FineBrands Christmas Character Sweatshirt
A twist on your favorite binge-able TV show, this Friends sweatshirt was made to become a best friend gift. Ralphie, Kevin McCallister, Buddy, Clark Griswold and the Grinch make up the ultimate friend group this holiday season.
For Elf fans: Femfetti “Bye, Buddy” Christmas Sweater
As quickly as Elf was added to the funny Christmas movies canon, so too was this endearing quote. Wear this Christmas sweater around and see who responds the way Buddy does, “Thanks, Mr. Narwhal!”
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