Embrace the Tradition of Ugly Christmas Sweaters

As the snow begins to fall and Christmas day draws nearer, there’s no better way to celebrate than donning your most outrageous, ridiculous, and, let's face it, ugliest sweater. But where did this mysterious and hilarious tradition originate? And how do you find a tacky Christmas sweater to partake in the merriment? Let’s dive into the fascinating history of ugly Christmas sweaters and answer all your burning questions.

What is an Ugly Christmas Sweater?

Whoever said that famous quote, “I don’t know what art is, but I know it when I see it,” must have been talking about ugly Christmas sweaters. By definition, an ugly Christmas sweater is a winter or holiday-themed sweater that is gaudy, flashy, or just plain tacky. They usually come in classic Christmas colors or feature beloved characters like Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, or Rudolph. They can also have three-dimensional embellishments, such as jingle bells, ornaments, or tinsel.

When Did the Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition Begin?

There’s a high chance you’ve attended an ugly Christmas sweater party at some point or another, but when did this wild tradition start? We can trace this now-vintage clothing trend all the way back to the 1950s, when what was then called a “jingle bell sweater” was introduced to the masses in an effort to make Christmas even more cheerful. But these designs were never meant to be considered “ugly”—that spin came later.

The Evolution of Tacky Christmas Sweaters

These well-knit sweaters took a turn in the counterculture era of the ‘60s and ‘70s as psychedelic colors and anarchist ideas took over in fashion. Suddenly, everyone started wearing funny sweaters with sunglasses on Santa, rainbow sparkly Christmas trees, and so much more. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these original designs as you shop for vintage clothing, you’ve struck gold!

Tacky Christmas Sweaters As Seen on TV

It wasn’t until the ‘80s and ‘90s that our culture considered these whimsically decorated sweaters to be ugly. We have TV and film to thank for that. If you look closely at classic media from this time period, you can find characters wearing overly decorated sweaters as a comedy schtick.

Famous Examples of Ugly Christmas Sweaters

• Colin Firth’s reindeer sweater in “Bridget Jones’s Diary”

• Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Film 

• The Grinch in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

• John C. Reilly’s character in “Step Brothers”

• Danielle’s tacky sweater party theme in “Real Housewives of Orange County”

Are Ugly Christmas Sweaters Still Popular?

Although the tacky Christmas sweater trend peaked from the ‘80s to the late ‘90s, it definitely has had a resurgence in the 21st century—enough so that most people know exactly what is expected of them when they receive an invite with this iconic party theme. According to official statistics, nearly 50% of consumers still regularly buy, wear, and enjoy these funky sweaters year after year. Clearly, this tradition isn’t going anywhere, so we might as well join in by shopping for one at a Florida vendor mall!

When is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day?

Though you and your loved ones are free to buy vintage sweaters at an Indiana antique store any time during the holiday season, you better find one before National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! On the third Friday of December every year, people around the world wear their favorite funny sweaters in celebration of the tradition. Set your reminders, people.

The Most Expensive Ugly Christmas Sweater Ever Sold

The next time someone asks you to don your favorite funny sweater, remember this fun fact to share: 2 Chainz once sold an ugly Christmas sweater in a partnership with his jeweler Avianne for $90,000. It was mainly black, with a gold Santa Claus made from 250 grams of gold and 50 carats of diamonds. Even better—all the money went to charity!

Where to Find Ugly Christmas Sweaters

If you want to find an ugly sweater for Christmas festivities, you’re in luck—they’re just about everywhere you can think of. You can always start by rifling through the closets of the older members of your family since they have likely bought one for parties in the past. Just make sure you know which ones are meant to be ugly—you wouldn’t want to insult them!

The best place to search for uniquely ugly and vintage Christmas sweaters is your local Highland antique mall. Here, different vendors from around your area showcase their favorite collections. The closer it gets to the holidays, the more likely they are to put out their ugliest sweater designs and equally cool vintage blow molds in anticipation. These are a much better alternative than the cheaply made ones big-box retailers release every year—and a more sustainable option to boot!

3 Ways to Start Your Own Tacky Christmas Sweater Tradition

If this tradition sounds right up your alley, there are plenty of ways you can partake. Consider adding one (or more!) of these festive ideas to your holiday to-do list and embrace the timeless practice of ugly Christmas sweaters:

1. Throw an annual party: as the countdown to twelve days of Christmas begins, send out your themed invites to your friends, family, and coworkers. Whether you want a formal dinner party or a laidback movie night doesn’t matter: the one requirement is that everyone must wear their funniest Christmas sweater to enter your home!

2. Gift a sweater each year: grow your collection by turning this into a Christmas morning tradition, making sure every family member gets to unwrap an ugly sweater the day of. You can even ask them to put them on for the rest of present-giving.

3. Host a sweater white elephant party: who doesn’t love a white elephant party? While the gifts typically are not given any parameters, try hosting one where everyone is expected to bring a tacky holiday sweater. That way, everyone leaves with one to start a collection of their own!

Can You DIY an Ugly Christmas Sweater?

If you can’t find one ugly enough, you can always consider upcycling a normal sweater to fit the tacky standards. All it takes is basic sewing skills, funny embellishments, and a little time. Wearing your creation to a party will feel even more special!

The next time you find a winter-themed vintage sweater at your favorite Illinois vendor mall, ask yourself: “Is this ugly enough to wear when the time comes”? If the answer is yes, scoop it up! We can’t wait for you to stop by to do all your tacky Christmas sweater shopping this season.