15 Ugly Christmas Sweaters That We Actually Love

Get in the holiday spirit (and get a good laugh!) with these sweaters that are seriously outrageous.

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December 17, 2019

Not to brag, but I once won an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, and I'm still really proud of it. After weeks of sifting through thrift store bins (this was back in the day before you could buy one at Target), I finally found a bright red cardigan decked out with teddy bears, sequin gift boxes and yes, even jingle bells. It was beyond gaudy, got plenty of laughs and helped me take home the grand prize: an ugly Christmas sweater ornament to match my outfit.

So, you might say that I have a certain eye for these things. Whether you're looking to celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (it's this Friday!) in style or you're hoping to win the annual holiday party contest, here are 15 hilarious and hideous sweaters I've found that will ensure you're properly dressed for the occasion.

$19.99

Oof. This one's so bad, it's actually really good. If you're usually the one leading the pack in Christmas caroling, we dare you to don this cat-tastic sweater as you and your family roam the neighborhood. Santa hats and reindeer antlers ensure the kittens are pur-fectly festive.

$29.99

What do dinosaurs have to do with Christmas, you ask? Absolutely nothing — which is exactly why we find this T-Rex sweater so hilarious. With this baby in your back pocket, you'll definitely win the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater contest.

$56

Sure, gifts are nice, but your presence is the real present, right? Shop this sequin sweater to show everyone just where you stand. It even comes wrapped up with a bow and fuzzy white pom poms.

$34.99

Seriously, you can't go wrong with the Grinch. Neon green fabric with red diamonds and stripes makes this sweater a total eyesore, in the best way possible. But take note: The piece runs much larger than you'd expect, so make sure to order a size down.

$19.99

Perfect for the kiddo who still can't help but floss, this tacky sweater features Santa dancing all by himself, with the word "Fa-la-la-la-loss" adding a hilarious touch.

$57.95

Leave it to mom to incorporate wine into her wardrobe. Yes, this green-and-white striped sweater features a real stocking that can be used to hold your favorite bottle of white, red or bubbly, or conveniently hold your phone for the duration of the evening. (We won't tell if you sneak a few cookies in there, either.)

$29.99

This sweater makes our eyes bleed — which means that it's definitely a winner. Let this fluffy llama (seriously, it's soft to the touch!) help you lean into the holiday season. You can even pair the bright red fabric with a Santa hat to feel even more festive.

$19.99

If your little one loves all things rainbows, magic and sparkles, set her up with this festive, unicorn-themed sweater. She'll smile from ear-to-ear when she discovers that the sleeves are finished off with fringe to mimic the creature's colorful mane.

$27.99

Now here's an extra-cheesy pun that's sure to make your loved ones cringe. (In the best way possible, obviously.) Not only does this charcoal gray sweater say, "FLEECE NAVIDAD," but it also features a fuzzy sheep wearing a Santa hat and scarf.

$27.99

We can practically hear Buddy shout, "OMG! SANTA! I know him!" just by looking at this garish red-and-green sweater. If you're obsessed with the comedy starring Will Ferrell, you'll probably want to pick up this showy (and comfy!) sweatshirt. We love how the bright neckline, body and central image clash for a design that's just as painfully loud as the film's protagonist.

$60

When he's not flying all around the world and delivering presents to good boys and girls, Santa is...busy exploring space? Sure, we'll buy that theory. If you like your tacky Christmas sweaters to be "outside the box," go with this piece featuring Santa Claus way out there.

$49

Sorry, is this an ugly Christmas sweater or the smartest fashion statement ever? While everyone else is shivering in their thin fleece tops, you can bundle up like Frosty, complete with a black hat, carrot nose and scarf.

$56

Fact: There's no such thing as too much tinsel when it comes to a tacky Christmas sweater. Ornaments and pom poms decorate the top, too, to make your "tree" a stunner in every sense of the word.

$24.99

We dare you to roll into the holiday party wearing this adorable, navy blue R2-D2 costume. Up top, red antlers add a festive touch to the robot, while down below, red and green lightsabers battle it out for the good of the galaxy.

$34.99

Nothing screams "Christmas" like a sweater that triple dog dares you to lick the nearest flagpole. With its bold text and picture of Ralphie Parker, this A Christmas Story-themed sweater is perfect for marathoning the movie for 24 hours.

DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater
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