The History of Ugly Christmas Sweaters

by
Marilyn Roy

---

Cute Spaniel Puppy, but Can You Tell That Face What You Really Think of the Sweater? Photo Courtesy of Image by Christiana from Pixabay

---

​The History of Ugly Christmas Sweaters
 
"Jingle Bell" sweaters started spreading Christmas cheer in the 1950's. People proudly wore them as another way to get into the spirit of the season, and celebrities donned them on television Christmas specials. Some of the sweaters included pompoms and felt cutouts. Although not necessarily well-fitting, grandmothers and aunts got out their knitting needles and created some as gifts. 
 
Christmas sweaters held their place during the holidays into the 1980's. Then in the 1980's, wearing Christmas sweaters became a joke. It was a joke on television sitcoms and in the "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" starring the Christmas-sweater-adorned Chevy Chase. The sweaters disappeared in the 1990's.
 
In 2001, a moose-emblazoned Christmas sweater made a dramatic appearance in "Bridget Jones's Diary." In the movie, Mr. Darcy, played by Colin Firth, turns around and is seen in the sweater. This is probably the final step along the path of Christmas sweaters no longer being worn to celebrate the season and becoming seen as tacky, ugly, and a joke.
 
Ugly Christmas sweater parties officially started with a bash hosted by Chris Boyd and Jordan Birch in Toronto at the Commodore Ballroom in 2002. An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party has been held there every year since then. The official Ugly Christmas Sweater day is the third Friday in December, but any day will do.

10 Ideas for Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties
 
Ready to host your own Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Well, here are some suitably tacky ideas:

1. First, you can get into the DIY spirit, like many Ugly Christmas Sweater wearers, and create everything, including the invitations, decorations, and food.
2. You can also choose the quicker and easier route of buying what you need. Remember, the tackier, the better.
3. For food, consider pizzas, cheese balls, or other foods in the shape of Christmas trees or wreaths. Play up the red and green theme. Don't forget chips and something to drink.
4. To set the mood, consider selecting a Christmas movie from IMDb's list of the worst of all time.
5. For background music, create ​a playlist of the most-hated Christmas songs.
6. You absolutely must include an Ugliest Christmas Sweater contest, where everyone votes.
7. You can encourage a karaoke sing-along to the most-hated Christmas songs. The worst group or soloist gets a prize. 
8. You could also pause the movie and let your guests act out the next scene.  Improvisations are allowed. The worst actors, or the hammiest, get the prize.
9. Have an ugly Christmas cookie decorating contest.
10. If possible, go outside and enjoy an old-fashioned snowball fight. If anyone is still uptight, give them the Mr. Darcy award. 

 
Best (or Worst) Ugly Christmas Sweaters on Zazzle
 
Here are what we consider to be some of the best (or worst) Ugly Christmas Sweaters on Zazzle. See what you think:
​

1. Creepy Crawlies Ugly Christmas Dancing Cockroach Sweater

Cockroach Christmas dancing ugly sweater option
by comfyhomedecor

Yes, cockroaches celebrate the holidays. With all the parties and free crumbs, why wouldn't they be celebrating? So bring them to the Ugly Christmas Sweater party with you so they can clean up.

2. More From the Insect World -- A Self-promoting ContestAnt Ugly Sweater

Ugly Christmas Sweater
by jamamiss

Ants have as much to enjoy and celebrate at Christmas as roaches. However, these ants on a lit Ugly Christmas Sweater are a bit more emboldened. In small print, on a replica sweater, they say, "Meet me under the mistletoe." However, in large print, they promote themselves as an "Ugly Christmas Sweater ContestAnt." Wear this sweater to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party and join the campaign.

3. Tacky Gold Tinsel Ugly Christmas Sweater

Welcome to Tinsel Town Sweatshirt
by KLS_Creations

Yes, gold tinsel on the tree was also used in the heydey of Christmas sweater popularity. So why not celebrate gold tinsel on an Ugly Christmas Sweater?

4. The Mr. Darcy Award Winning Ugly Christmas Sweater

Ugly Sweater Christmas Sweater Sweatshirt
by ChristmasBellsRing

Okay, the moose-emblazoned-Christmas-sweater-wearing Mr. Darcy from "Bridget Jones Diary" was proper and uptight but got into the spirit of the holiday party, unlike anyone wearing this Ugly Christmas Sweater. So if you want the Mr. Darcy Award, wear this sweater proudly.

5. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Photo Shoot Background

Ugly Sweater Party Photo Shoot Background Tapestry
by Make_ME_Happy

Do you want a backdrop for yout ubgly Christmas sweater party photos? Here it is!

To see more Ugly Christmas Sweaters check out our Pinterest board. 
​
So, which of our ugly Christmas sweaters earns your vote as the ugliest? We will definitely let the designer know. They did volunteer their designs, so they really are hoping that you think that theirs is the ugliest. 

If you know where people can find ugly Hanukkah or Kwanzaa sweaters, pleas post them below.