How to Throw an Ugly Christmas Jumper Party

An ugly Christmas jumper party is the easiest themed party there is. The dress code is simple, nobody has to buy a costume they will never wear again, and the worse everyone looks, the better the night goes. It works for a group of friends, a family gathering or the office Christmas do.

This guide covers everything: planning, how to word the invite, award categories, games and a voting method that takes two minutes to set up.

• Pick a date early. December weekends fill up fast, so send a save-the-date three or four weeks ahead. A weeknight close to Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 10 December also works well for work teams.
• Choose the venue. A living room, a pub back room or the office after hours all work. You need space for a group photo and somewhere to line people up for the catwalk.
• Keep the food festive and easy: mince pies, pigs in blankets, a cheese board and something warm to drink.
• Set up a photo corner with fairy lights, tinsel and a few props. It becomes the heart of the party.
• Plan the running order: arrivals and drinks, games, the jumper catwalk, voting, awards. Keep awards for the last hour so everyone is still there.

The invite sets the tone. Be clear that tacky is the goal and that effort will be rewarded. A few lines you can copy:

• "Dress code: the ugliest Christmas jumper you can find. Tinsel encouraged. Good taste optional."
• "Ugly Christmas jumpers compulsory. Awards for Most Tacky, Best Light-Up and Worst Pun."
• "No jumper, no mince pie. The uglier, the better."
• "Festive knitwear essential. Flashing lights earn bonus points."

Awards are what make people try. Announce the categories on the invite so guests know what they are aiming for.

• Most Tacky — the loudest, most clashing ugly Christmas jumper in the room.
• Best Light-Up — for the brightest light up Christmas jumper. Dim the lights for this one.
• Worst Pun — the funny Christmas jumper that got the loudest groan.
• Best Group — for couples, housemates or families in matching Christmas jumpers.
• Best DIY — for anyone who decorated their own jumper.
• Most Reluctant — for the guest who turned up in a jumper despite saying they would not.

• The jumper catwalk: every guest walks the 'runway' while someone plays festive music. Essential before voting.
• Christmas jumper bingo: make cards with squares like 'reindeer', 'snowman', 'pom-pom', 'flashing lights', 'terrible pun'. First full row wins.
• Festive quiz: five rounds — Christmas films, songs, food, general knowledge and a picture round of jumper close-ups.
• Pass the parcel with forfeits: each layer has a small prize or a festive dare.
• Guess the knit: photograph jumper details up close and have people guess whose jumper it is.

Keep it quick and fair. Give everyone one sticker per category when they arrive, then let them stick it on a sheet with each guest's name. Alternatively, number the guests on the catwalk and run a poll in your group chat. Count the votes, announce the winners from the least to the most prestigious, and save Most Tacky for last.

Prizes do not need to be expensive: a paper crown, a box of chocolates, a bottle of something festive or a trophy made from tinsel and a mug all work.

Browse our ugly Christmas jumpers for Most Tacky contenders, light up Christmas jumpers for the brightest entry and matching family Christmas jumpers for group looks. Throwing the party for work? Our office party packs cover 5, 10 or 20 jumpers in mixed sizes in one request. This is a UK shop preview, so check delivery terms before you rely on a new jumper for the date.