Funny Christmas Sweaters For Adults to Wear this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season…. for hilarious Christmas sweaters! Funny Christmas sweaters are the quickest way to bring cheer to the holiday season. Whether you’re celebrating over Zoom or visiting the in-laws this year, a hilarious sweater lightens the mood. Over the years, ugly Christmas sweaters have grown in popularity; they’re unexpected, spontaneous, and silly. From witty sayings to questionable pom-poms, each ugly sweater displays a certain style.

These days, ugly sweaters aren’t just about clashing colors and poor design choices. Many of the best now feature funny graphics and puns. From Jesus puns to drinking reindeer, we’ve got a funny sweater for you. Of course, make sure you know your audience before purchasing. Just because it’s ugly sweater season doesn’t mean your choices won’t follow you to work the next day.

Ugly sweater events are ultimately about cheer and humor. But how did the strange Christmas sweater tradition start? What do you do at an ugly sweater party? And finally — which ugly sweater do you need for Christmas this year?

We answer all these questions below. Read on to rock your next ugly sweater gathering!

Where Did Ugly Christmas Sweaters Originate?

Typically, “stylish” means “fashionable, elegant, and attractive.” But ugly sweaters are designed to be everything but elegant and attractive. How, then, did ugly Christmas sweaters become the new style for the holidays?

Although it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact origin of the ugly sweater craze, we can look to the ‘80s for clues. Many ‘80s sitcoms featured characters wearing button-down cardigans. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in 1989 gave great visibility to doubtful sweater choices. Off-screen, the 1980s saw the first mass-produced Christmas sweaters, branded as “jingle bell sweaters.”

The craze really took off in the early 2000s, however. According to the book, “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On,” two men in Vancouver threw the first official ugly sweater Christmas party in 2002. They might not have planned to start a global craze, but by the late 2000s, the theme was the highlight of parties across the world. In the fashion industry, Dolce & Gabbana and Givenchy released Christmas sweater collections. Today, ugly sweaters are the fashion of the season.

What Do You Do At An Ugly Sweater Party?

First and foremost, you have fun! No one should take themselves too seriously in a funny sweater.

The purpose of your party isn’t to make the day Instagram-perfect – the main goal is to generate cheer and laughter. To that end, consider your guest list. Whether you’re hosting in-person or on Zoom, invite the people who will enjoy the theme. Ugly sweater parties are casual and silly, so invite accordingly. This might not be the time for a stuffy relative or the friends who take themselves very seriously.

Every ugly sweater party needs activities, and the options are endless. Consider ugly sweater photo booths or make-your-own-ugly-shirt stations. Bingo, madlibs, and raffles are great activity options. Ugly gingerbread house competitions are a perfect addition to the theme. Food, music, drinks, and dancing are must-haves.

And of course, there is one activity that every ugly sweater party needs: a competition. No Christmas sweater party is complete without choosing the ugliest sweater of them all. Consider picking up a gift card or a cheap trophy to give to the winner. You might even set up ballot boxes so attendees can vote.

Of course, parties look a little different in 2020. If you’re hosting a virtual ugly sweater party, your options are both wider and different. Consider an app like Houseparty for virtual games. You could opt for “sweater and Netflix” sessions, where everyone binges a show together. Consider decking your room out in Christmas gear for a Zoom event (don’t forget that the free version of Zoom kicks you off after 40 minutes if you have a crowd).

If you’re into funny Christmas sweaters, there’s a high chance you also love Cards Against Humanity. Check out “All Bad Cards” to play online. All Bad Cards’ tagline is “Be rude. Be irreverent. Be hilarious!” What could be better for a silly sweater party?

And with that, here’s our roundup of the funniest sweaters of the season.

The Best Funny Christmas Sweaters for Men and Women

Twas The Nizzle Before Chrismizzle Sweatshirt

Who doesn’t need a sweater with Snoop’s face on it? This unixex sweater proudly says, “Twas the nizzle before Chrismizzle/ And all through the hizzle.” You’ll be the life of any party with this sweater. Reviewers rave that it’s warm and cozy and absolutely hilarious.

More than one admitted that she wore this sweater all the time…. in March. It’s screen printed and available in ten different colors. The fabric is 50% cotton and 50% polyester blend. Machine-wash cold, then tumble dry low or hang it to dry.

Reviewers report that sizing runs larger than expected. If you’re choosing between two sizes, opt for the smaller one.

Love it? Click here to buy now.

Party Savior Jesus Ugly Christmas Sweater

Someone needs to show up in the irreverent sweater, and it might as well be you. This sweater plays on a biblical party story. In one biblical event, a wedding party ran out of alcohol. Jesus transformed water into wine. Show up at your next event with a picture of Jesus sporting a keg of water and a glass of red wine.

At least one reviewer happily won their ugly sweater competition with this garment. Skip this sweater for serious parties — unless, like one reviewer, you’re thinking, “Funny and offensive? Exactly what I was going for.”

Unlike many sweatshirts, the pattern is knitted into the fabric. It is not screen-printed. The sweater is made of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic. Reviewers report it fit true to size.

Ready to buy? Click here.

Happy Birthday Jesus Light-Up Sweater

Celebrate Jesus’ birthday with this LED sparkling sweater. Lights twinkle around the words “Go Jesus/ It’s your birthday!” and a graphic of Jesus dancing. You’ll catch everyone’s eye, even in a dark room. A small switch inside the sweater allows you to turn the lights on and off. The lights are removable so you can wash the garment, but hand washing is preferred.

This sweater was a “hit” and won several reviewers the trophy at their ugly sweater parties. It’s made of acrylic and kept customers warm. Hilarious and one-of-a-kind, this is the sweater to rule them all.

Please note that the listing includes two options: a light-up green sweater and a red sweater that does NOT light up. Some reviewers were disappointed that the red option did not include LED lights. Make sure you choose the right option before purchasing.

To learn more, click here.

Slightly Rude Nutcracker Sweater

This sweater reads, “Not a player, I just crush a lot” around a graphic of a nutcracker. Don’t worry, this sweater is only irreverent if you know it’s irreverent. As one reviewer explained, this sweater is “simply the best because I know what my sweatshirt means, but my grandma thinks it’s about nutcrackers.” Grandma won’t get the reference, but others might catch the play on the Big Pun song. Those lyrics are, um, not appropriate for grandma.

This sweater runs mostly true-to-size. Reviewers were happy with the quality and gave it an average of 4.8 stars.

To read reviews, click here.

Christmas Sweater for Singles

If you’re single and you know it, clap your hands and buy this sweater. The five-star garment fits true to size and is crafted from high quality materials. Reviewers report it’s cheerful, hilarious, and made their friends laugh. Did it help reviewers find a partner? We still don’t know.

To see pricing, click here.

Reindeer Gainz Ugly Sweater

If you’re a gym fanatic, this is the sweater for you. A muscly reindeer strains to lift weights made of Christmas presents. The sweater is made of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic. Reviewers raved that it’s warm, cozy, and humorous. Most reviewers said it ran true to size, though one or two felt their normal size was too small.

If you’re not a gym fanatic, you might enjoy one of the company’s other designs: their “party animal” reindeer graphic or the reindeer who got a little too “blitzen.”

Like it? Click here to buy now.

Santa’s Favorite Ho Ugly Christmas Sweater

‘Tis the season to insult the grandparents and avoid the children! Perfect for college parties and singles groups, this ugly sweater plays on Santa’s favorite cry: “Ho, ho, ho!” One reviewer even bought three — her trio of friends all showed up to a party as the three “hos.”

Reviewers report that the quality is fantastic; they raved that it’s warmer than other ugly sweaters they’ve bought. A few reviewers said it was cozy enough to wear around the house.

To read the latest reviews, click here.

Funny Drinking Santa Sweater

“Ain’t no laws when you’re drinking with Claus!” this sweater proclaims. Consider it for your favorite drinking event. The sweater only comes in black and, according to reviewers, it mostly fits true-to-size. The 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend should be washed in cold water and air dried.

One reviewer said it fit well at the body but the sleeves were slightly too short. Another found that the design was printed crooked. Most reviewers, however, were happy with the sweater and would buy it again.

Ready to buy? Click here.

Size Matters Ugly Sweater

Size matters when you’re trying to get down a chimney. Get a laugh with this sweater that comments on the width of Santa’s waistline. Is there a dirty connotation behind the phrase? Absolutely. As one reviewer explained, this sweater isn’t too crude, but it walks the line quite well.

Reviewers report the fabric was thicker and warmer than they expected. Most customers said it ran true to size, though a few felt the sizes were smaller than expected. Several reviewers also raved about the company, Tipsy Elves. Reviewers said the quality of Tipsy Elves sweaters is fantastic.

To learn more, click here.

Pole Dancing Santa Sweater

What else is Santa using the North Pole for? This sweater could almost pass as appropriate, but it’ll be a hit at grown-up parties. The sweater features Santa dancing on a pole surrounded by green flakes — or dollar bills, depending on your interpretation. The sweater itself is green with tasteful, eye-catching sleeves, and the pattern is knitted into the fabric rather than screen-printed. It’s warm, cozy, and high quality, according to reviewers.

Customers may enjoy one of the other designs options. You can purchase a similar sweater showing Santa in several hilarious situations.

Love it? Click here to buy now.

To Sum It Up…

Ugly is stylish and rude is the new acceptable! Ugly sweater season turns traditional norms on their heads because they allow you to celebrate silliness and get a laugh from seasonal puns. Whether your aim is to stand out or offend at your next holiday party, there’s a sweater that can get you there. If you’re looking for a sweater you can also wear around the house, several of the ones above are warm and cozy.

Are you hosting your own ugly sweater party? Remember to invite people who share your sense of humor and plan a few activities. Virtual parties can lean on apps like All Bad Cards and Houseparty. Plan the snacks, send the invites, and enjoy ugly sweater season. ‘Tis the season!

Pssst…..Looking for more party time inspiration? Then check out Festive and Fun Party Decorations for Adults next!