National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Categories:: Fun
Tags:: Activities Crazy
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Third Friday of December
Holiday emoji:: 🎄

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day lights up the calendar every third Friday of December. It’s the perfect excuse to trade your everyday attire for something wonderfully garish and festive, sparking laughter and holiday cheer. Dig out your most outrageous knit, host a party, or simply enjoy the festive spirit!

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Expected National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that retailers go all out for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Expect major fashion brands like Target, Kohl’s, and Old Navy to feature special ugly sweater collections and discounts. Specialty brands like Tipsy Elves often run flash sales on their unique designs. Party supply stores such as Spirit Halloween (which often carries holiday novelty items) and online marketplaces like Etsy are great places to find unique, handmade, or vintage options. Even theme parks like Universal Studios might offer themed ugly sweaters. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December approaches.

Platform Guide for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #UglyChristmasSweaterDay. Film a humorous ‘ugly sweater reveal’ or a DIY tutorial for customizing your knitwear.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #UglyChristmasSweaterDay. Share your outfit of the day, host a poll for the ‘ugliest’ sweater, or showcase festive party ideas.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #UglyChristmasSweaterDay. Share photos from your office party or family gathering, encouraging friends to post their own festive looks.

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Hero

Chris Boyd

Chris Boyd is widely credited with popularizing the modern ugly Christmas sweater party trend. In 2002, he and a friend hosted one of the first widely publicized "Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties" in Vancouver, Canada. What started as a small, ironic gathering quickly gained traction, inspiring countless others to embrace the festive, albeit garish, holiday tradition. His efforts helped transform what was once considered a fashion faux pas into a beloved annual celebration.

History of National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Ugly sweaters have been around for as long as people created a concept of fashion. They weren’t always made purposefully — maybe someone made a mistake in their knitting, or tried a new design that didn’t turn out as cool as they thought it would. However, it wasn’t long before grandmas everywhere were knowingly (maybe while chuckling to themselves) knitting their grandchildren ugly Christmas sweaters complete with baubles and “I love Grandma” lettering. They knew what they were doing. We’re watching you, grandmas.

However, mass market ugly sweaters made their purposeful debut in the 80s. Popular character Bill Huxtable on The Cosby Show constantly made fashionistas gasp when he’d come into scene in a gaudy, ugly, yet slightly endearing sweater that he knew was completely outrageous. In 1989, Chevy Chase added his own twist to the theme as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie.

It seemed the 90s were eager to get rid of the ugly sweater trend, but it reared its “ugly” head back into public eyes in 21st century Canada. Two men from Vancouver came up with the idea to throw the first official tacky holiday sweater party to raise money for their friend’s cancer treatment. The party was a hit, leading the way for similar events to show up all over the northern hemisphere. Ugly sweater parties went from small holiday get togethers to huge events, sometimes in support of charity. Today, ugly sweater parties and competitions are one of the highlights of the season, with everyone trying to one-up each other in searching for the most appalling outerwear they can find. The sweaters have gone from accidentally tacky to purposefully shameless. The only way this celebration can be more extra was if there was a holiday dedicated to it…oh wait! There is!

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day timeline

1980

The First Ugly Sweater is Made

Gaining popularity from a sitcom, the first “ugly sweater” is made under the name “jingle-bell sweaters.”

1989

Popularity Peaks

Jingle-bell sweaters reached a peak when displayed on the whole family during National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

2002

Reinventing the Ugly Sweater

The first known “ugly-sweater” party is thrown in Vancouver, Canada to raise money for a friend’s cancer treatment.

2013

From Outdated to Mainstream

UglyChristmasSweater.Com is founded adding momentum to the steady rise toward mainstream popularity.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Local businesses can fully embrace National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day by hosting themed events for employees and customers. Retailers might offer a small discount to shoppers wearing an ugly sweater, while restaurants and bars could host an ‘Ugliest Sweater Contest’ with prizes for the most outrageous attire. Office environments can foster team spirit with an internal competition, encouraging staff to don their festive knitwear and share photos on social media, using #UglyChristmasSweaterDay to join the national conversation.

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Statistics

23% of people will buy an ugly sweater

It’s bound to happen! Whether it’s for a house party, an office event, or for family photos, 23% of people don’t doubt that they’ll be joining the ugly sweater brigade some time in the future. The joy that comes with purposefully wearing an ugly sweater (without your fashion senses coming into question) is pure and unbeatable.

9% of people have celebrated

Haven’t been to an ugly sweater party yet? Don’t worry, you’ll get there eventually. In fact, 9% of people have reported that they will be going to their first ever ugly sweater party this year. Don’t know anyone throwing a party? Why not host your own and invite other friends that haven’t been to one before? Ten ugly sweaters are better than none!

Uglychristmassweaters.com made $5 million

This company knows their ugly sweaters. In only three years, their profit has skyrocketed into being a multimillion dollar company. So you can bet they know their stuff. This company allows you to customize your own ugly sweater, buy one in their stock, and even has sweaters created by popular influencers. Some of their sweaters are so ugly that they’re 3D! Many retailers have seen a good amount of profit coming in during the holiday season specifically from their stock of ugly sweaters, which goes to show just how seriously people take their decorative holiday-wear.

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day FAQs

When is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day?

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 18, inviting everyone to don their most festive and garish holiday knitwear. It’s a day dedicated to lighthearted fun and holiday cheer just before Christmas.

How popular are ugly Christmas sweaters?

Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a massive cultural phenomenon, with millions participating annually in parties and events. The trend has even led to major retailers and fashion brands releasing their own novelty collections, reflecting its widespread appeal.

What's the origin of the ugly Christmas sweater trend?

The trend can be traced back to the 1980s when brightly colored, often gaudy, holiday sweaters became a common sight, particularly on TV shows. They later experienced a resurgence in the early 2000s as ironic fashion statements, leading to dedicated parties.

What makes a Christmas sweater 'ugly'?

An ‘ugly’ Christmas sweater typically features exaggerated holiday motifs, such as oversized reindeer, flashing lights, excessive glitter, or 3D embellishments like bells and pom-poms. The key is its over-the-top, often garish, aesthetic that prioritizes humor over traditional style.

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day Activities

Find an old ugly sweater and make it new again
Take a cue from the original ugly sweater pioneers and search through your local thrift store for an ugly sweater that is begging for a second chance in the spotlight! From brightly colored sweaters, to ones covered in jingle-bells and more, the opportunities to find a hidden gem are endless.
Make your own ugly sweater
Bring your friends together to make your own ugly sweaters! Pick up a couple of basic sweaters along with some fabric glue, tape, or a hot glue gun. Collect the most extravagant decorations you can find; think tinsel, string lights, or even googly-eyes, and then get to it. Who can make the best (read: ugliest) one?
Give back with an ugly-sweater fundraiser
What better way to celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day than to help others while doing it? Give back to a cause that is important to you by hosting an ugly-sweater bake sale, an ugly-sweater jog, or even just a simple ugly-sweater party.

5 Facts About The Ugly Sweater Industry That Will Blow Your Mind

It started as a joke
A resale retail store noticed an unruly amount of unfortunate sweaters knitted by relatives or ridiculously decorated with festive accoutrements coming in their doors. So, as a joke, they put them up for sale.
Hipsters had something to do with it
Many people relate the rise of the “ugly sweater” to the rise of the hipster; people who are notorious for making trends out of things on the fringe of culture.
Business is booming
From 2012 to 2015, the Ugly Sweater industry grew by 200%.
Everyone wants a piece of the pie
Since the boom, retailers are making their own version of the ugly sweater and resale stores are cashing in on the trend by promoting their finds throughout the holiday season.
You can even shop ugly sweaters with celebrity faces
From Beyonce to Bill Murray, even celebrities are hopping in on this billion dollar industry by creating ugly sweaters with their faces on them!

Why We Love National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

It’s the one day we can wear something ugly and it actually be “cool”
Let’s face it, if you waltz into work on any other day wearing an “ugly sweater”, you would be the laughing stock of the water cooler. Save that ugly sweater for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and well, you’re the man (or woman) of the hour.
They’re incredibly warm and cozy
Say what you want about ugly sweaters, but the one thing you can’t deny is their incredible warmth and coziness. Wearing one on makes you want to throw on a pair of fuzzy socks and curl up by a fire; hot chocolate included. Best part? This feeling lasts all day!
There’s an ugly sweater for everyone
With the ugly sweater industry booming, there’s no better time to hop on the ugly sweater trend than now. From brand new, to do-it-yourself, to second-hand hidden gems, there’s an ugly sweater for every person and every personality. You just have to find it!