Ugly Sweater Party Ideas (Plus Printable Invitations)
Ugly sweater party ideas: DIY sweater stations, contest categories, food, games and printable invitation wording for a festive Christmas party.
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Key Takeaways
Ugly sweater party ideas: DIY sweater stations, contest categories, food, games and printable invitation wording for a festive Christmas party.
The rules of an ugly sweater party are simple: the tackier, the better. Blinking lights, 3D reindeer and pom-poms are all encouraged. It's the easiest way to get everyone laughing at a holiday party.
Here's how to host one, with contest ideas, food and printable invitation wording.
Set the scene
- A DIY sweater station with plain sweaters, tinsel, pom-poms, bells and a glue gun (for guests who "forgot").
- A photo wall with a big frame and props.
- A welcome sign at the door so the theme is clear from the start.
- A playlist of cheesy Christmas classics.
Contest categories
- Ugliest sweater
- Most creative DIY
- Best couple or matching sweaters
- Most lights and bells
- Best vintage (a real thrift-store find)
Let guests vote with paper ballots or stickers, and give silly prizes like a light-up tie or a mini trophy.
Food and drinks
- Christmas cookies and a hot cocoa bar.
- Sliders and a festive cheese board.
- "Ugly" cookie decorating with too many sprinkles.
- A red and green punch or a signature cocktail.
Games
- White elephant gift exchange.
- Christmas movie trivia.
- Pin the nose on Rudolph.
- "Name that Christmas song" in five seconds.
Ugly sweater party invitation wording
Get ugly! Join us for our annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party.
Tacky is the dress code. Prizes for the ugliest sweater!
Deck the halls in your worst sweater and join the fun.
Sweaters: ugly. Cocoa: hot. Friends: the best. You're invited!
Wear your worst: a prize goes to the most hideous holiday sweater.
Make it in minutes
Every VoltBy template opens in Canva with a free account. Choose Self-Edit and your template link is emailed to you right after purchase, so you can change the names, date, colors and photo yourself. Prefer to skip the editing? Choose We-Edit, send us your details, and we email you the finished, print-ready files within 24 hours. Download a PNG to text to guests or a PDF to print at home.
Browse ugly sweater and Christmas party printables
FAQ
What do you do at an ugly sweater party?
Wear the tackiest Christmas sweater you can find, vote in a sweater contest, eat holiday snacks and play games like a white elephant exchange.
What should an ugly sweater party invitation say?
Make the theme clear ("ugly sweaters required"), mention the contest and prizes, and include the date, time, address and RSVP.
When should I host an ugly sweater party?
Early to mid-December is the sweet spot, before holiday travel. Send invitations two to three weeks ahead.
Make your invitation in 2 minutes
Type your details, see a free preview, and download a print-ready PNG and PDF right away. No design skills, no Canva needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid Canva account?
No. Every VoltBy template works with a free Canva account. You will never be asked to upgrade to Canva Pro to edit or download your design.
Can I print these at home or at a print shop?
Yes. You can print at home, at a local print shop, or through an online printer. You can also share your invitation digitally by text, email, or social media.
Can I personalize the text, colors, and details?
Absolutely. You can edit names, dates, wording, colors, and fonts directly in Canva. Prefer not to do it yourself? Choose the we-edit option and we will personalize it for you.
Is anything shipped to me?
Nothing is shipped. VoltBy templates are digital. After purchase you receive your design by email, ready to edit, print, or share.
Ready to make yours?
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