19 Festive Christmas Sweaters for Your Holiday Parties This Year

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UGLY CHRISTMAS sweater party season is practically upon us. What's great is we now have an entire mini-industry providing us with Christmas sweaters that get increasingly more elaborate each year. You can find sweaters that reference your favorite holiday movie or pop culture event, and you can find sweaters that make silly jokes involving the standard cast of the season like Santa, Frosty, and Rudolf. For those who like a more light hearted approach, decking yourself out in ribbons, garland, and ornaments like a wearable Christmas tree is easier to do than ever.

The ugly sweater tradition started years ago to encourage people to wear the kind of classic sweater designs that were holiday cliche. You know, the kind of sweaters your mom would make you wear every December when you were a kid. We're talking bright fair isle patterns and knitted Christmas scenes. What's been lost in all the pop culture references is ugly Christmas sweaters were an excuse to wear over-the-top and vintage knitwear most of us wouldn’t normally wear in everyday life. It's rare we reach for second-hand anymore, but that's ok. Investing in one of the "ugly" sweaters on this list below will provide you with solid go-to wear for years to come—that way you're not buying some paper thin garment that falls apart after one use.

Ahead is our very best list of Ugly Christmas Sweaters this season. You’ve got fun, silly sweaters that will get smiles and some classic, ornate knitwear that will get nods. Some are only going to get worn to holiday parties. While others, from some of our favorite menswear brands, will be in your rotation all winter long. Your mom might not approve of all of them, but we certainly do.

Holiday Jacquard Sweater

This cotton blend crew from 14th & Union is certainly a party sweater, with Santa and elfs, but its tame enough for a family and work event.

SoSoft Sweater for Men

This is part of a collection from Old Navy that features matching sweaters for men, women, and children so you can outfit the whole crew.

Patchwork Wool-Blend Sweater

This super holiday sweater from Brooks Brothers appears to be sewn together from other holiday sweaters. Perfect for the whole season.

Game Night Crew Neck Sweater

This appears to be a classic fair isle sweater from Bonobos. Upon closer inspection, you discover playing card symbols like hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. Festive indeed.

Fair Isle Crew

The playful train motif in this Todd Snyder fair isle may appear ugly to some but it goes with the holiday vibes. Bonus points for the 7-Gauge double knit lambswool that's super warm.

Lambswool Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater

This crewneck from J.Crew literally screams CHRISTMAS! It's tacky enough for your family and fun enough for your friends.

Regular Fit Jacquard-knit Sweater

This H&M sweater is so joyful you could just picture it on your middle school teacher the day before holiday break.

Greetings Fair Isle Sweater

Sometimes you aren't feeling so jolly but you still want to go to the party. Billionaire Boys Club has you covered with this astronaut-bedecked sweater, adorned with just enough fair isle detail to make it a holiday sweater.

Men's Bean's Classic Ragg Wool Sweater

If you lived in Maine, you would probably wear this cardigan year round. For the rest of us, it is a perfect Christmas party sweater.

Roll Call Alpaca & Wool-Blend Cardigan

It almost looks like this Bode cardigan is calling out Santa's reindeers. Nonetheless, it will work with a pair of jeans and a tee for most of the year. Put a Santa hat with it however, and you're set for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Ask Your Mom Ugly Christmas Sweater

This sweater from Tipsy Elves features a fun design that'll sure enough get lots of laugh from fellow partygoers.

Santa Claus Word Art Crewneck Sweatshirt

This may not be the ugliest of sweaters, but it's in theme. In the most clever and creative way, this piece uses only words to recreate an image of Santa's face.

Star Wars Christmas Sweater

Here's a little nostalgia for Star Wars fans. If you're going to a holiday, Darth Vader and everyone in Tatooine will be the talk of the night.

Gaudy Garland Sweater

You're a Christmas tree! It's simple, brilliant, festive, and ugly. Tipsy Elves is the leading brand in Ugly Christmas Sweaters for a reason.

Snowflake Jacquard Cotton Crewneck Sweater

Good tidings indeed. A little snow and bird's-eye jacquard make the perfect Christmas party sweater.

Santa Suit Holiday Sweater

A brand called Ugly Christmas Sweater had to make the list. As you can imagine they have plenty of great options but this one if our favorite.

Golf Sports Ugly Christmas Sweater

What does Santa do in his spare time when he's not delivering presents down the chimney? Play golf. Right, who knew?

Kitty Sleigh Ride Sweater

What's more festive than an ugly Christmas sweater featuring cats pulling Santa's sled? One that lights up! If there is a contest at your party, you'll probably win it in this beauty.

The Ugly Sweater Co. Light Up Ugly Christmas Sweater with LEDs - Snug Fit, Motion Activated Light Up Ugly Sweater Designs. (Emerald - Pug Cookies LED, Small)

You're bound to steal the spotlight and spark joy with this little furry guy on your ugly Christmas sweater. He's just like the rest of the kids who snack late at night, waiting up for Santa.

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