Ugly sweater party guide

The ugly sweater party playbook

Throw the ugly sweater party people talk about until next December.

Office parties, Ugly Sweater Day, Christmas in July, fundraisers, birthdays. Here's how to plan it, what to play, and how to crown a winner. Want the whole crew matching? Team sweaters with your logo start at 10.

Design your team sweater ✨Read the party guide

Plan it in 5 steps

Pick a date (and a reason)

The office holiday party, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Friday, December 18 this year), or a mid-July break from the heat all work. Give it a reason and people show up. Team orders that ship need to be in by Dec 1.

Send an invite that sets the rules

Say what to wear, when the contest starts, and that it's optional. One line like "workplace-appropriate designs only" saves an awkward moment later.

Matching sweaters or bring-your-own?

Bring-your-own makes a great contest. Matching sweaters with your logo make a great company photo. Team sweaters start at $34 each from 10.

Food, drinks, and a photo wall

Cocoa, cookies, and one wall with good light. Hang a banner with your company name and people will post the photos for you.

Run the contest like a show

Line everyone up, give each sweater a runway walk, and announce winners with a little drama. Ten minutes, tops.

The ugly sweater calendar

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day: third Friday of December (December 18, 2026)

It lands on Friday, December 18 in 2026 and Friday, December 17 in 2027. It's the easiest excuse of the year. Team orders that ship need to be in by Dec 1.

The office holiday party (late Nov to mid Dec)

Most crews party in the first two weeks of December. Order team sweaters by Dec 1 to ship, or by Dec 8 for free pickup in Eureka.

Christmas in July

A summer ugly sweater day breaks up the year. We print year-round, so the sweaters are ready when you are.

Team building any month

A matching sweater day works for a kickoff, a milestone, or a team photo. Production takes about 5 business days, then it ships.

Fundraisers and school spirit days

Put the school or club logo in the badge and the cause on the banner. Everyone in one order gets the team price.

Birthdays and theme nights

One sweater for the guest of honor, or one for everyone. Singles are fine, and so is a crowd.

Want the whole crew matching?

Your logo and your own holiday banner, knit into one ugly sweater design. One design, one color, every size on one order. You see the exact print before you pay.

10–24: $34 each
25–49: $30 each
50+: $27 each
1–9: $44.99 each

Order by Dec 1 to ship, or by Dec 8 for free pickup at Lost Coast Signs & Swag in Eureka. Card checkout, upfront.

Design your team sweater ✨Team pricing details

Games that actually work

Ugly sweater bingo

Squares like "has bells", "lights up", and "features a reindeer". First full row wins a cookie.

Guess the sweater owner

Lay the sweaters out before people put them on. Everyone guesses who wears which.

Holiday trivia showdown

Five quick rounds: movies, songs, food, traditions, and your company. Teams of four.

Sweater decorating station

Tinsel, pom-poms, and safety pins on a table. Ten minutes to make a plain sweater worse.

White elephant with a twist

Wrap a gift in something ugly. The ugliest wrapping gets first pick.

How to host an ugly sweater contest

Categories (one per 5–8 guests)

Ugliest overall, most festive, best homemade, best team, and most likely to blind someone. More categories means more winners.

Judging: a panel, sticker votes, or phone votes

Three judges keep it quick. Sticker votes on a wall feel fair. A phone poll works for remote teams.

Office-safe rules

Make it optional, keep designs workplace-appropriate, and pick one person who can quietly veto an entry before the runway.

Prizes people actually want

A trophy, an extra day off, or first pick at the cookie table. Keep it light.

Ugly sweater party FAQ

When is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day?

The third Friday of December. In 2026 it's Friday, December 18. In 2027 it's December 17.

What do you do at an ugly sweater party?

Everyone wears their loudest holiday sweater, you play a few quick games, and the night ends with a contest and a group photo. Two or three games plus the contest is plenty.

How do you judge an ugly sweater contest?

Pick three judges or let the room vote with stickers or phones. Score on ugliness, creativity, and festive spirit, and give one award for every 5 to 8 guests so more people win.

How do you keep an office ugly sweater party appropriate?

Make it optional, say "workplace-appropriate designs only" in the invite, and choose someone who can quietly veto an entry before the runway.

Can we get matching sweaters with our company logo?

Yes. Design one in our builder with your logo and a holiday banner, and see the exact print before you pay. Team pricing starts at 10 sweatshirts, $34 each.

How fast can team sweaters arrive?

Order team sweatshirts by Dec 1 to ship in time for the holidays. Free pickup in Eureka at 718 5th St, Eureka, CA 95501 is open until Dec 8.

Can you do ugly sweaters for Christmas in July or other times of year?

Yes. We print year-round, so a summer party, fundraiser, or birthday works too.

How do we pay?

By card at checkout, upfront. We don't take purchase orders or invoices right now. Questions? Call (707) 798-7521.

Want the whole crew matching?

Your logo and your own holiday banner, knit into one ugly sweater design. One design, one color, every size on one order. You see the exact print before you pay.

10–24: $34 each
25–49: $30 each
50+: $27 each
1–9: $44.99 each

Order by Dec 1 to ship, or by Dec 8 for free pickup at Lost Coast Signs & Swag in Eureka. Card checkout, upfront.

Design your team sweater ✨Team pricing details

Sweaters for every crew

Your logo. Ugly on purpose.

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