National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is celebrated on the third Friday of December each year. On this festive day, people proudly wear the gaudiest, most over-the-top holiday sweaters they can find, covered in reindeer, snowflakes, tinsel, pom-poms and even blinking lights. It's a fun way to bring laughter to offices, schools and parties, and many groups use it to raise money for charity.

History of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Knitted holiday sweaters with winter patterns became popular in the mid-20th century. In the 1980s, bold Christmas sweaters, often called 'Christmas jumpers' in Britain, became a fashion staple and appeared frequently on television specials and in family photos.

By the 1990s, many people considered them out of style, which set the stage for their comeback as a joke. In the early 2000s, ugly sweater parties began appearing in Canada and the United States, where guests competed to wear the tackiest sweater. Thrift stores saw a run on vintage holiday sweaters, and retailers began selling deliberately 'ugly' designs.

In the U.K., the charity Save the Children launched Christmas Jumper Day in 2012 as a fundraiser. In the United States, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day became popular in the 2010s and is usually observed on the third Friday in December, when many offices hold holiday parties.

Why National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Matters

Ugly sweaters bring humor and lightheartedness to the busy holiday season.

They help break the ice at work and school, encouraging people to connect and laugh together.

The day can also support good causes, from charity fundraisers to thrifting and upcycling old sweaters instead of buying new ones.

How to Celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Wear your ugliest sweater: the gaudier, the better.
Host a contest: award prizes for the tackiest design.
DIY a sweater: glue on pom-poms, tinsel and felt shapes.
Shop secondhand: find a vintage sweater at a thrift store.
Raise money: ask for donations to wear sweaters at work.

Celebrating at Work, School and Home

At work, hold an ugly sweater contest at the holiday party, with categories like 'most lights' and 'best DIY'. Pair it with a donation to charity. In classrooms, students can design ugly sweaters on paper or decorate old sweaters with felt and glue. At home, families can make matching ugly sweaters for a holiday photo, thrift for vintage finds, or host a sweater-and-cocoa party. Avoid branded or character designs if you plan to share photos publicly.

Fun Facts About National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

The day falls on the third Friday of December.
Ugly sweater parties became popular in the early 2000s.
Save the Children launched Christmas Jumper Day in the U.K. in 2012.