An ugly sweater day or party is one of the easiest ways to bring holiday cheer to the office. It costs little, works for in-person and remote teams, and doesn't need a venue. But a workplace event has to land for everyone: the colleague who loves dressing up, the one who doesn't, and the team member joining from another time zone.
This guide covers what to include in an office ugly sweater invitation, wording for email, Slack or Teams and text, how to make it remote-friendly and inclusive, and a simple planning checklist. You can also start from one of our Secret Santa invitations and send it as a single link.
Party, Day or Contest?
Decide what you're actually planning; the invitation changes for each.
- Ugly sweater day: people wear sweaters to work on a set day. Low effort, maybe a group photo.
- Ugly sweater party: a set time (lunch, afternoon, after work) with food and drinks.
- Ugly sweater contest: added to either of the above, with categories and prizes. See our ugly sweater contest categories for award ideas.
Many teams combine them: sweater day all day, with a short contest and snacks at 3pm.
What to Include in the Invitation
- What it is: sweater day, party, contest, or a combination
- Date and time: including time zone for distributed teams
- Where: room or floor, and a video link for remote colleagues
- That it's optional: say it clearly
- Food and drinks: what's provided, and whether dietary needs are covered
- Contest details (if any): categories, how voting works, prizes
- RSVP: if you need numbers for catering
- A contact person: for questions or accessibility needs
Keep It Inclusive
Workplace holiday events go best when nobody feels pressured or left out.
- Make participation optional, and say so in the invitation. "Wear a sweater if you'd like, or just come for the snacks."
- Offer alternatives: a festive hat, a holiday-themed scarf or "any cozy sweater" all count. Not everyone owns or wants to buy a novelty sweater.
- Be mindful of holidays: "ugly sweater" is often Christmas-coded. Consider "holiday" or "winter" sweater wording so everyone can take part.
- Keep humor respectful: no categories about bodies or appearance, no slogans that could offend.
- Watch the budget: if you're asking people to buy something, suggest thrift stores or DIY, or provide a supply table.
- Schedule during work hours if possible, so caregivers and commuters can join.
Make It Work for Remote Teams
- Send the video link in the same message as the in-office details.
- Run a remote category: best on-camera sweater, best background.
- Schedule at a time that works across time zones, or record the contest for anyone who can't join live.
- Do a screenshot group photo in the call.
- If you're sending treats, ship snack boxes or send a small delivery credit in advance.
Email Invitation Wording
Subject lines: - "You're invited: Ugly Sweater Day, Dec 17 🎄" - "Dig out your ugliest sweater: team party Friday" - "Holiday sweater party + contest (optional, fun, snacks)"
Casual team email:
Hi team,
Our ugly sweater party is on Thursday, December 17, from 3 to 4:30pm in the 4th-floor kitchen, with a video link for everyone remote.
Wear your tackiest holiday sweater if you'd like (any cozy or festive top works too), and enjoy cocoa, cookies and a quick contest at 4pm. Categories: Ugliest Overall, Best DIY and Best Remote Sweater.
Please reply by Monday, Dec 14, so we can order enough snacks. Questions or dietary needs? Ask Priya.
See you there!
Company-wide email:
Hello everyone,
Join us for Ugly Sweater Day on Friday, December 18! Wear your most festive (or most questionable) sweater to work, and come to the lobby at 2pm for a group photo, hot drinks and our annual sweater awards.
Participation is completely optional. Remote colleagues, join the 2pm call in your sweater for the "Best on Camera" award.
Please RSVP by December 11 so our facilities team can plan refreshments.
Short reminder email:
Reminder: Ugly Sweater Day is tomorrow! Group photo and awards at 2pm in the lobby or on the call. Sweaters optional, snacks guaranteed.
Slack or Teams Announcement
🎄 Ugly Sweater Party 🎄 When: Thu, Dec 17 · 3–4:30pm ET Where: 4th-floor kitchen + video link in this channel What: cocoa, cookies and a sweater contest at 4pm Categories: Ugliest Overall · Best DIY · Best Remote Sweater Totally optional. React with 🎄 if you're coming so we can plan snacks, or reply in the thread with dietary needs.
Reminder post:
⏰ Ugly sweater party starts in 1 hour! Link's pinned in the channel. Remote folks, sweaters on and cameras ready.
Text or Group-Chat Wording
"Team ugly sweater party Thursday at 3 in the kitchen 🎄 Cocoa, cookies and a contest. Wear one if you've got one! Reply so we know numbers."
"Ugly sweater lunch Friday at 12:30, Luigi's. Company's paying. Sweaters encouraged, not required. Reply by Wed!"
Planning Checklist
Three weeks before - Get approval and a budget. - Choose the format and time. - Book a room or reserve a restaurant.
Two weeks before - Send the invitation with an RSVP date. - Decide contest categories and judges. - Plan food and dietary options.
One week before - Send a reminder with sweater ideas (thrift, DIY, "any festive top"). - Order snacks, prizes and supplies. - Set up the video link for remote colleagues.
On the day - Decorate lightly (string lights, a backdrop for photos). - Run the contest at a fixed time. - Take the group photo early, before people leave. - Share photos and winners in the team channel.
Budget-Friendly Ideas
- A DIY station with tinsel, felt, pom-poms and safety pins so anyone can upgrade a plain sweater.
- A traveling trophy instead of pricey prizes.
- Cocoa bar instead of catering.
- A cookie swap alongside the party (see how to host a cookie exchange).
Send a Video Invitation to the Team
A short holiday video stands out in a crowded inbox or channel. In the TwistInvite App (iPhone or Android), choose a Christmas video template, add the event details and share one link in an email, a Slack or Teams message, or a text. Colleagues open it in their browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe. They don't need an app, account, password or verification code, and email is optional, so it works for contractors and guests outside your company systems, too.
The template's own artwork and text can't be edited, so include the details (time zone, video link, contest categories) in the message with the link. You can hold to record a short voice message to announce the contest.
Templates that work for an office sweater party:
- Jingle & Mingle Christmas, social and upbeat.
- Christmas Fireside Treats, cozy, good for a cocoa-and-cookies afternoon.
- Classic Christmas Party, a familiar holiday look for a company-wide invite.
Browse Christmas templates in the TwistInvite App →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you announce an ugly sweater day at work?
Send a short email or channel post with the date, what's happening (sweater day, party or contest), that it's optional, and any food or RSVP details. Follow up with a reminder the day before.
Is an ugly sweater party appropriate for work?
Yes, when it's optional, inclusive and respectful. Offer alternatives to a novelty sweater, and keep contest categories light.
How do you include remote employees?
Add a video link, a remote category, a time that works across time zones and a screenshot group photo.
When should I send the invitation?
Two to three weeks ahead, so people can find or make a sweater, with a reminder a week before and the day before.
Make your invitation with TwistInvite
Pick a video invitation template in the TwistInvite app, add your details and a voice message if you like, and share one link. Guests reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe in their browser, with no account needed.
Related guides
- Ugly sweater Christmas party invitations
- Ugly sweater contest categories
- Office Christmas party invitations
- Company holiday party invitation wording
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.