Plan an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party This Year

If you've never had an ugly Christmas sweater party, you're missing out. These parties are especially great for the office. Seeing your co-workers in their ugly sweaters lightens the mood, and builds camaraderie. If you're looking for an idea for a Christmas party, look no further. Start planning your ugly sweater Christmas party today.

Step 1:

Make a flyers and invitations well in advance of the party. Include a picture of you or someone you know in their ugliest Christmas sweater. Make the font fun and silly and include Christmas colors. Tell everyone to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.

Almost everyone has received one of these at one time or another. However, if they don't have one buried in the back of the unwanted Christmas gift closet, let them know that they can find lots of ugly sweaters at Goodwill, or stores.

Step 2:

Decorate. The best thing about an ugly Christmas sweater parties is that its essentially a Christmas party with a fun twist. There's no need to go out and buy all new decorations, you can reuse the ones that are already around.

Then you can add on from there. Last year, I made gingerbread man shaped sugar cookies and dressed them in ugly icing Christmas sweaters. Another great idea is to create a photo area. Outline a rectangle (large enough to frame at least three people) on an empty wall of the office with Christmas streamers, holly and a Christmas wreath at the top. This is a great place for your co-workers to take pictures of one another in their ugly Christmas sweaters (make sure to have a digital camera on hand so you'll have pictures of everyone in their ugly Christmas wear).

Step 3:

Activities. An ugly Christmas sweater party isn't complete without a competition. Give out awards for the ugliest sweater, the silliest sweater, the itchiest sweater, the sweater least likely to see the light of day again, etc. The more categories you have the better.

Another great activity (which works especially well if not everyone is able to get their hands on an ugly Christmas sweater) is to purchase a few plain, cheap sweaters (Costco and Sams often have these at low prices). Then head over to your local craft store and pick up some of the most obnoxious Christmas do-dads you can find. Plastic mistletoe, felt reindeer, jingle bells and the like make really good finds. Then, purchase a bunch of large safety pins and hot glue them to the back of the ornaments. Then have your co-workers decorate their own ugly sweaters by pining on the decorations. The ugliest sweater wins!

Feel free to build on these ideas and create your own, special ugly Christmas sweater party. And remember, you don't have to be limited to sweaters. Many people have ugly Christmas socks, hats, scarves, etc. that they can bring. Maybe you all can share stories about the worst Christmas gifts you've ever received (maybe they can bring them in and have a contest).

The possibilities are endless! Merry Christmas!