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No one can definitively say how ugly Christmas sweater parties became a thing, but they've taken hold as tradition for office holiday shindigs and festive, boozy night with friends. These days, many ugly sweaters are geared more toward making pop culture in-jokes than simply serving as festive eyesores, often featuring references to movies, bands, video games, and trendy retro styles. Some ugly sweaters have found their niche in the bathroom-joke-sexual-reference category, and others sidestep the ugly angle altogether and are just darn cute. Here are our top picks for the best ugly Christmas sweaters to buy right now.
1
Be Your Own Holiday Light Show
uideazone Men's Light-Up Reindeer Ugly Christmas Sweater
The cute reindeer on the front of this sweater has blinking multicolor holiday lights in its antlers, plus a red pom-pom for a nose. It's more in-your-face than ugly, but it's sure to brighten up any party with fun and festive vibes. The sweater is hand-wash only in cold water and should be line-dried.
2
For Fans of Drinking Games
Tipsy Elves Men's Bullseye Ugly Christmas Sweater
Now 31% Off
If you want to be the center of attention at your next ugly Christmas sweater party, this best-seller is your best bet. With a bullseye target on your chest, you'll be a walking drinking game—and the pockets on this sweater's sleeves are perfect for storing the Velcro balls your friends will inevitably toss in your direction. The sweater is 100 percent acrylic and more than 4,500 customers give it an average rating of 4.6 stars.
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This cool cat is ready to party with his "Merry X-Mix" and "Jolly Jams" mix tapes and '80s-style red-frame shades. The kitty and the rest of the sweater's details, including the scarf, floppy disks, and sunglasses, are sewn-on patches, making the sweater look like a pricey custom piece. There's ribbing on the neck, hem, and cuffs, and it's spun with 100 percent cotton.
Rolling Stones fans will have a hard time passing up this ugly Christmas sweater with the "Hot Lips" logo, which made its debut on the cover and inside sleeve of Sticky Fingers in 1971.
The bright cobalt blue and red hues will certainly stand out in a crowd, and after you've had a few rounds you may be inspired to belt out your best "Honky Tonk Woman" to give everyone a break from holiday music.
The sweater is 100 percent acrylic and runs small, so consider ordering up a size.
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This festive take on a traditional Fair Isle sweater has a pattern of snowmen, reindeer, and Santa Clauses on front and back, accented by red and green zigzags which liven up the wintery Christmas scene.
There's red ribbing at the neck, hem, and cuffs and the sweater is 100 acrylic. It also gets bonus points for being machine-washable.
For a more dapper look, this plaid ugly Christmas sweater five-button vest is a standout, featuring Mr. and Mrs. T-Rex donning their own ugly Christmas sweaters.
The vest's two front patch pockets, arm holes, and the hem are trimmed in fuzzy red fabric, and the dinos are sewn-on patches. The 100 percent cotton vest is hand wash only.
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7
For the Human Holiday Gift
Tipsy Elves Big Present Ugly Christmas Sweater
Now 36% Off
Show up at the front door of your next holiday shindig wrapped in a garish gold bow with this ugly Christmas sweater. Slip the card out of the clear chest pocket and address it to your friend throwing the party and you can give yourself as a hostess gift.
The sweater features blue elbow patches, a gold ribbon detail on the back, and red and green ribbed cuffs, neck, and hem.
8
For Playing Elf
Ugly Christmas Sweater Store Men's Elf Hoodie Ugly Christmas Sweater
It's tough to call this adorable striped elf sweater ugly, with stylish details that make it well worth the price. The vest has gold buttons and sparkly red stitching throughout, and there's a green velvety pom-pom and pointy ears on the hoodie. It's the kind of ugly Christmas sweater that isn't for parties only. Pull it out on Christmas Eve to make merry or to open presents Christmas morning.
The Coen brothers' hilarious 1998 black comedy starring Jeff Bridges has become a cult classic, and this ugly Christmas Christmas sweater pays homage to "The Dude." The acrylic-cotton blend sweater is a customer favorite, earning an average 4.7 stars from more than 300 reviewers.
Get ready to lead the pack as Rudolf at your holiday party with this ugly Christmas sweater. It features stuffed antlers, googly eyes, and a red pom-pom nose on the hoodie, plus fuzzy white and brown details on the front. There's even a bushy tail attached to the back. The acrylic sweater is surprisingly machine-washable as long as you turn it inside out and use the delicate cycle and low heat to dry.
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11
For the Human Christmas Tree
Tipsy Elves Men's Gaudy Garland Ugly Christmas Sweater
Now 39% Off
Turn yourself into a tacky Christmas tree with this sweater, bedecked on the front and arms with green garland and red and gold mini Christmas balls. It's on the pricey side, but you can count on making an entrance when you walk in the room.
If you want an ugly Christmas sweater with zany vibes, you can't go wrong with this pick. The kitty with the Santa hat is ready to party, with Christmas lights twinkling in his eyes and around his face, and turquoise and hot pink stripes that channel the iconic school photo background '80s kids know all too well.
The 100 percent cotton sweater is knit with metallic purple thread, with red ribbing at the neck, cuff, and hem, plus it's machine-washable.
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Here's another sweater that's ugly-cute, featuring Santa, Rudolf, candy canes, Christmas trees, and snowflakes. Despite its busy pattern, the five-button cardigan looks pulled together, with an attached white collared shirt and black cuffs, hem, and neck. It's also machine-washable.
This best-selling ugly Christmas sweater features a star-shaped gold bottle opener atop a beer bottle Christmas tree strung with embroidered Christmas lights. It shows up well against the background, which makes your eyes dizzy if you stare at it for too long—but maybe that's the point.
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Yoda isn't the most convincing Santa Claus, but he sure has a spiffy candy cane walking stick that twinkles with warm holiday lights. This ugly Christmas sweater comes from the official Star Wars store and is on the pricey side, but if you're a fan, it's tough to resist the splurge. It's made of 100 percent acrylic and runs small, so order a size up.
Customers give these best-selling matching ugly Christmas sweaters high marks, earning an average 4.5 stars from more than 500 reviewers. They're great for parties and for holiday card pictures, and come in sizes ranging from six months to XXL. With a funny dino-reindeer front and center that pops against a colorful Christmasy background, it's no wonder this set is a best-seller.
