DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters: 16 Hilarious Ideas That Win Every Holiday Party

DIY ugly Christmas sweaters are the most fun you can have with a glue gun in December. Every office party, family dinner and friendly contest seems to have an ugly sweater theme now, and the homemade ones always get the biggest laughs. You do not need to knit a single stitch. Grab a cheap sweater from a thrift store, a bag of pom poms, some felt and a little tinsel, and you can make something gloriously tacky in one evening. The YouTube challenge videos where friends race to decorate sweaters have pulled millions of views, so you are in good company. Here are 16 DIY ugly Christmas sweaters that are easy, silly and guaranteed to win the room..

Pom Pom Christmas Tree, the Classic Among DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters

The pom pom Christmas tree is the place to start because it is impossible to get wrong. Cut a big triangle of green felt, glue it to the front of a red sweater and cover it with colorful pom poms as ornaments. Run a strand of gold tinsel across the tree in swoops and finish with a felt star on top. The more pom poms, the better, so do not hold back. It takes about an hour and gets a laugh the moment you walk in the door. How many pom poms can you fit on yours..

You will need: A thrifted red sweater, a large sheet of green felt, mixed pom poms, gold tinsel garland, yellow felt, fabric glue or a hot glue gun (adult help), a piece of cardboard.

How to make it: 1. Slide cardboard inside the sweater so glue does not soak through. 2. Glue the felt tree to the front and add a felt star. 3. Glue on tinsel swoops and pom pom ornaments all over.

Battery Fairy Light Garland Sweater

Nothing says party like a sweater that actually lights up. Thin copper wire fairy lights with a tiny battery pack are light, safe and easy to stitch on. Lay the lights across the chest in a swooping garland shape and tack them down with a few loose stitches of clear thread. Tuck the battery pack inside a small pocket on the inside hem. Add felt ornaments between the lights to fill it out. Use battery lights only, never plug in lights. Who at your party would love a glowing sweater?

You will need: A thrifted sweater, a string of battery operated fairy lights, clear thread and a needle, small felt ornament shapes, fabric glue, a small fabric scrap for a pocket.

How to make it: 1. Lay the lights in a swoop across the front and pin them in place. 2. Tack them down with loose stitches every few inches. 3. Sew a small inside pocket for the battery pack and glue on felt ornaments.

A 3D Reindeer Is the King of DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters

A reindeer face is good, but a reindeer with antlers that stick right off your chest is better. This is one of the best DIY ugly Christmas sweaters for a contest because it pops in every photo. Cut a reindeer face from brown felt and glue it on, then sew two felt antler shapes, stuff them with a little fiberfill and stitch them above the head. A big red pom pom nose and a ribbon collar with jingle bells finish the look. How loud will your jingle bells be?

You will need: A brown or beige sweater, brown and tan felt, fiberfill stuffing, a large red pom pom, googly eyes, ribbon, small jingle bells, needle and thread, fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Glue a felt reindeer face to the front. 2. Sew and stuff two felt antlers, then stitch them above the head. 3. Add the pom pom nose, eyes and a jingle bell collar.

Tinsel Trimmed Snowman

A snowman is friendly and simple, and a border of silver tinsel turns it into a proper party piece. Cut three white felt circles for the body, glue them up the front of a blue sweater and outline every circle with thin tinsel. Buttons make great eyes and coal buttons, and a strip of chunky red yarn becomes a scarf that can actually dangle. Top him with a little black felt hat. It is a great choice for kids too. What would you name your snowman?

You will need: A light blue sweater, white and black felt, thin silver tinsel, buttons, chunky red yarn, an orange felt scrap, fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Glue three white felt circles up the front. 2. Outline each circle with tinsel. 3. Add button eyes, a felt nose and hat, and tie on a yarn scarf.

Mini Ornament Tree Sweater

Why put ornaments on a tree when you can wear them? Tiny shatterproof ornaments are light enough to sew right onto a sweater. Arrange them in a tree shape or scatter them all over, and zigzag a gold ribbon between them like a garland. Use plastic ornaments only so nothing breaks while you hug your aunt. A few stitches through each ornament loop holds them tight. This one sounds as festive as it looks, with a gentle clink when you walk. Which color ornaments would you pick?

You will need: A cream or white sweater, 20 or more mini shatterproof ornaments, gold ribbon, needle and strong thread, fabric glue, safety pins for planning.

How to make it: 1. Pin the ornaments in a tree shape to plan the layout. 2. Stitch each ornament loop on tightly. 3. Glue or stitch gold ribbon in a zigzag between them.

Felt Gingerbread House Makes DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters Look Sweet

A gingerbread house is a sweet idea that looks good enough to eat. Cut a house shape from tan felt, glue it to a red sweater and add white rickrack along the roof and windows so it looks like piped icing. Little felt gumdrops, a peppermint swirl door and candy cane ribbon around the edges make it delightfully over the top. This is one of the cutest DIY ugly Christmas sweaters for anyone who loves holiday baking. Would you wear it to a cookie swap?

You will need: A red sweater, tan felt, white rickrack trim, colorful felt scraps, candy cane striped ribbon, fabric glue, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut and glue a felt house shape to the front. 2. Glue rickrack along the roof, windows and door. 3. Add felt gumdrops and candy cane ribbon.

Wrapped Present Bows Sweater

Turn yourself into a walking gift pile. Cut squares and rectangles from shiny fabric or felt, glue them all over a green sweater and add real satin gift bows on top of each one. Stick on bows of every size and color. It is quick, cheap and very silly, and people will want to tug the bows all night. Ribbon from leftover gift wrap works too. Bonus points if you add a tag that says who the present is for. Who would you gift yourself to?

You will need: A green sweater, shiny fabric or felt in bright colors, satin gift bows, ribbon, fabric glue or a hot glue gun (adult help), scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut present shapes and glue them over the front. 2. Glue ribbon across each present like gift wrap. 3. Glue a bow on top of every present.

Pom Pom Explosion Sweater

Sometimes the simplest idea is the ugliest in the best way. Buy the biggest bag of mixed pom poms you can find and cover an entire sweater, front, back and sleeves, until it looks like a bag of candy exploded. Use fabric glue for small ones and a few stitches for the biggest. Mixing sizes and colors is what makes it so loud. It is a great group project at a party, with everyone gluing at once. How long do you think it would take to cover a whole sweater?

You will need: A thrifted sweater, a large bag of mixed pom poms in many sizes, fabric glue, a needle and thread for the big ones, cardboard to slide inside.

How to make it: 1. Slide cardboard inside the sweater. 2. Glue pom poms in tight clusters, starting at the neckline. 3. Let it dry, then flip and cover the back and sleeves.

Googly Eyed Penguin Is One of the Funniest DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Googly eyes make everything funnier, and a penguin with huge wobbly eyes is one of the funniest DIY ugly Christmas sweaters you can make. Cut a black felt penguin body, a white belly and an orange beak, glue them to a navy sweater and add the biggest googly eyes you can find. A tiny knit hat cut from an old sock and a few white felt snowflakes finish the scene. Kids love helping with this one. If you have leftover sweaters, our old sweater upcycles give them a second life too. Would you add a baby penguin?

You will need: A navy sweater, black, white and orange felt, extra large googly eyes, an old red sock, white felt for snowflakes, fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut and layer the felt penguin body, belly and beak. 2. Glue it to the front and add googly eyes. 3. Cut a hat from the sock cuff and glue on snowflakes around the penguin.

Couples Puzzle Sweaters

Couples sweaters are always a hit, and puzzle pieces that only make sense when you stand side by side are adorable. Cut two big puzzle piece shapes from felt that fit together perfectly, then glue one to the right edge of one sweater and the other to the left edge of the second. Add a little tree or heart that is split across both pieces. Separately they look odd, but together they click. It is perfect for a couple, best friends or siblings. Who is your other puzzle piece?

You will need: Two sweaters, felt in two contrasting colors, a puzzle piece template drawn on paper, fabric glue, felt scraps for the design.

How to make it: 1. Draw two interlocking puzzle shapes on paper and cut them from felt. 2. Glue one near the edge of each sweater so they meet when you stand together. 3. Add a split design across both pieces.

Family Reindeer Set for DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters Night

Make it a family affair with a whole herd of reindeer. Pick up thrifted sweaters in every size and give each person a felt reindeer face with a different colored pom pom nose. Let everyone choose their own color, and give the smallest one the red nose, of course. A family photo in matching DIY ugly Christmas sweaters becomes a holiday card everyone remembers. Make them together on a Saturday afternoon with cocoa. Which family member gets the red nose at your house?

You will need: Thrifted sweaters in each family size, brown and tan felt, pom poms in several colors, googly eyes, fabric glue, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut reindeer faces and antlers in sizes to match each sweater. 2. Glue them on the fronts. 3. Let each person pick a pom pom nose and add googly eyes.

Tacky Sequin Star Sweater

If you would rather sparkle than giggle, go big with sequins. A giant gold sequin star on a black sweater is loud enough to count as ugly and glam enough to wear to a dressy party. Buy sequin fabric or sequin trim, cut a big star shape and stitch or glue it on, then scatter smaller silver stars around it. It catches every light in the room. This one also works for New Year’s Eve. Would you go gold or silver?

You will need: A black sweater, gold and silver sequin fabric or trim, a star template, fabric glue, a needle and thread, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut a large star from gold sequin fabric. 2. Glue or stitch it to the center front. 3. Add smaller silver stars scattered around it.

Candy Cane Ribbon Stripes

Turn a plain white sweater into a walking candy cane with nothing but ribbon. Glue wide red ribbon in diagonal stripes from shoulder to hem, leaving even white gaps in between. Add a big red velvet bow at the neckline and maybe a few peppermint pom poms on the cuffs. It is clean and graphic, so it looks almost stylish until you notice the bow. It also takes less than thirty minutes. Do you love candy canes or just like the look?

You will need: A white sweater, wide red grosgrain or satin ribbon, a red velvet bow, fabric glue, a ruler, pins.

How to make it: 1. Pin ribbon in diagonal stripes, keeping the gaps even. 2. Glue each stripe down and trim the ends inside the seams. 3. Add a bow at the neckline.

Snow Globe Pocket Sweater

This clever sweater has a real snow globe effect that shakes when you move. Cut a circle of clear vinyl, fill the space behind it with fake snow and tiny bottle brush trees, and stitch around the edge to seal it to the sweater. Add a felt base at the bottom so it looks like a globe stand. Every time you dance, the snow swirls. It is the kind of detail that makes people lean in for a closer look. What tiny scene would you put inside?

You will need: A gray sweater, clear vinyl sheet, fake snow flakes, mini bottle brush trees, white felt, a sewing machine or strong needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut a vinyl circle and a felt base shape. 2. Place snow and trees on the sweater and lay the vinyl over them. 3. Stitch all around the circle to seal it, then add the felt base.

Matching Dog Sweater

Your dog deserves to be part of the fun. Many thrift store sweaters can be cut down into a simple dog sweater by using a sleeve as the body and cutting two leg holes. Decorate it with a smaller version of your own design, like a tiny felt tree and a few pom poms. Keep decorations flat and glued down well so nothing can be chewed off. Matching photos with your pet are pure gold. Does your dog put up with sweaters?

You will need: An old sweater sleeve that fits your dog, scissors, felt, small pom poms, fabric glue, a needle and thread to finish edges.

How to make it: 1. Cut a sleeve to your dog’s body length and cut two small leg holes. 2. Hem the cut edges with a quick stitch. 3. Glue on a flat felt design and let it dry fully.

Even the Cat Can Join the DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters Party

Cats may not love clothes as much as dogs do, but some will happily wear a soft, stretchy sweater for a quick photo. Use a sock or a small sweater sleeve, cut leg holes and decorate it with flat felt shapes. Keep it loose, keep it short and take it off right after the picture. A cat in a tiny sweater is the cutest way to finish your DIY ugly Christmas sweaters lineup. Which pet in your home would be the best model?

You will need: A soft knit sleeve or long sock, scissors, felt scraps, fabric glue, a needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut the sleeve to fit loosely and snip leg holes. 2. Stitch the edges so they do not unravel. 3. Glue on flat felt decorations and try it on for just a few minutes.