Ugly Sweater Contest Categories: 40 Award Ideas and How to Run It

The ugly sweater contest is what turns a holiday party into an event people talk about the next morning. But "Ugliest Sweater" alone gets old fast: one person wins, everyone else feels like they dressed up for nothing. Multiple categories, a simple voting method and a few clear rules fix that.

Below you'll find award categories grouped by style, ideas tailored for offices, friends and families, judging methods that actually work at a party, and the lines to add to your invitation so guests know to dress up. If you'd rather start from a finished design, browse our Secret Santa invitations.

How Many Categories Should You Have?

A good rule: about one award for every five to eight guests. That's enough that plenty of people have a shot, but not so many that winning means nothing.

• Small party (10–15 people): 2–3 awards.
• Medium party (20–40): 4–6 awards.
• Office party (50+): 6–8 awards, possibly with team or department categories.

Pick a mix: one "classic" award (Ugliest Overall), one or two craft awards, and a couple of fun or personality awards.

Classic Categories

1. Ugliest Overall: the main event.
2. Most Festive: maximum holiday spirit per square inch.
3. Best in Show: the judges' favorite, all things considered.
4. People's Choice: voted by all guests.
5. Tackiest Sweater: glitter, tinsel and questionable taste.
6. Most Over-the-Top: if it has battery packs, it's probably this one.
7. Most Likely to Be Seen From Space: the brightest or most lit-up.

Craft and DIY Categories

8. Best DIY Sweater: made, not bought.
9. Most Creative Use of Household Items: ornaments, tinsel, garland, kitchen utensils.
10. Best 3D Element: pom-poms, stuffed toys, anything that sticks out.
11. Most Lights: count the bulbs, if you dare.
12. Best Last-Minute Effort: hot glue at 6pm counts.
13. Best Upcycle: a thrift-store sweater transformed.

Funny and Personality Categories

14. Most Likely to Get You Uninvited Next Year.
15. Best Pun: "Feliz Navi-dog," "Sleigh All Day" and friends.
16. Most Dad-Joke Energy.
17. Sweater Your Grandma Would Love.
18. Most Confident Wearer: it's not the sweater, it's the attitude.
19. Best Accessory: hat, earrings, socks, glasses.
20. Most Uncomfortable-Looking Sweater.
21. Best "Is That Even Christmas?" Sweater.

Team, Couple and Group Categories

22. Best Couple's Sweaters.
23. Best Matching Family.
24. Best Group Theme: a whole department dressed as reindeer.
25. Best Duo That Tells a Story: two sweaters that only make sense together.
26. Best Pet Sweater: if pets are invited.
27. Best Kid's Sweater: at family parties.

Office-Friendly Categories

At work, keep humor inclusive and avoid categories that could embarrass someone.

28. Most Spirited Department.
29. Best Use of Company Colors.
30. Best Remote Sweater: for colleagues joining on video.
31. Best Desk Decor Match: sweater coordinates with decorated desk.
32. Most Improved Since Last Year.
33. Best Holiday Movie Reference.

Office tips:

• Make participation optional; not everyone wants to dress up.
• Steer clear of categories about bodies, appearance or anything that could feel personal.
• If you have remote staff, run voting so they can join, for example with a shared form or a show-of-hands on the call.

Family and Kids Categories

34. Best Grandparent Sweater.
35. Most Sparkly.
36. Best Animal Sweater.
37. Most Snowflakes.
38. Best Homemade by a Kid.
39. Cutest Sweater (for the toddlers who don't care about "ugly").
40. Best Family Photo Pose.

For kids, consider making sure every child takes home a small prize. Ribbons or certificates work well.

How to Judge an Ugly Sweater Contest

There's no perfect system, but these work well at a party.

1. Guest vote (People's Choice)

Hand out slips or stickers and let guests vote. To keep it fair:

• Give each guest one vote per category.
• Ask people to wear name tags or numbers so voters can identify the sweater, not just "the one with the llama."
• Set a voting window (for example, 30 minutes) and announce when it closes.

2. Judges' panel

Pick two or three judges (the host, a good sport who isn't competing, a boss who's happy to be a judge rather than a contestant). Judges can score on simple criteria:

• Ugliness / tackiness
• Creativity
• Festive spirit
• Commitment (did they own it?)

Score each from 1 to 5, add up, done.

3. Runway walk

A quick sweater runway is the best part of the evening. Each contestant gets 10–15 seconds, someone plays music, and everyone cheers. Do it before voting so everyone sees every sweater.

4. Applause meter

Simple and fun for small parties: line up finalists and let the room's cheering decide. Just know it rewards popularity as well as the sweater.

Ugly Sweater Contest Rules (Short Version)

Put these in the invitation or on a sign at the door:

• Sweaters must be worn (no holding them up).
• DIY and store-bought are both welcome.
• One entry per person.
• Voting closes at [time]. Winners announced at [time].
• Keep it party-appropriate: no offensive slogans.

Prize Ideas

Prizes don't need to be expensive; the bragging rights are the point.

• A golden "ugly sweater" trophy that passes to next year's winner
• Holiday candy, cookies or a hot cocoa kit
• A gift card (set a budget)
• First pick in the gift exchange
• A paper crown or sash
• For offices: an extra long lunch, a reserved parking spot for a week, or a desk trophy

Timeline for the Night

1. Arrival (first 30–45 minutes): guests arrive, get name tags or numbers, grab a drink.
2. Runway walk: once most people are there.
3. Voting window: 20–30 minutes.
4. Count votes: while food or the gift exchange is happening.
5. Awards: announce winners with a photo for each one.
6. Group photo: everyone in their sweaters.

What to Put on the Invitation

Guests need a heads-up so they can find or make a sweater. Mention the contest early, ideally two to three weeks before the party.

Casual:

"Ugly Sweater Party! Saturday, Dec 12, 7pm at our place. Wear your tackiest sweater; prizes for Ugliest, Best DIY and People's Choice. 🎄"

Office:

"Join us for the Holiday Party on Friday, Dec 18, 4–6pm in the main lounge. Optional: wear your best ugly sweater for a chance to win Most Spirited Department or Best DIY. Remote team, join the call in your sweater!"

Family:

"Family Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma's, 5pm. Ugly sweaters strongly encouraged. Kids' and grown-ups' categories, and Grandpa is the judge (bribery accepted)."

Contest line add-ons: - "Contest categories: Ugliest Overall, Best DIY, Best Pun, Best Couple's Sweaters." - "Voting closes at 9pm; winners announced at 9:30." - "DIY supplies table available for last-minute upgrades."

For more invitation wording, see ugly sweater Christmas party invitations.

Send the Invitation as a Video

An ugly sweater party invitation that plays as a short holiday video sets the tone before anyone arrives. In the TwistInvite App (iPhone or Android), choose a Christmas video template, add the details, and share one link by text or in your group chat. Guests open it in their browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe, with no app, account, password or verification code needed (email is optional).

Because the template's own artwork and text can't be edited, put your contest categories and rules in the message you send with the link. You can also hold to record a short voice message announcing the contest, which is a fun way to hype it.

Holiday templates that suit an ugly sweater party:

• Jingle & Mingle Christmas: lively and social, a natural fit.
• Christmas Village Snowman: playful and cozy.
• Classic Christmas Party: a familiar holiday look for an office or family invite.

Browse Christmas templates in the TwistInvite App →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you judge an ugly sweater contest fairly?

Use clear categories, give each guest one vote per category, and use name tags or numbers so votes match the right sweater. A small judges' panel with simple scoring also works.

How many categories should an ugly sweater contest have?

Roughly one award per five to eight guests: two or three for a small party, up to six or eight for a large office event.

What are good prizes for an ugly sweater contest?

Inexpensive and fun: a traveling trophy, a candy or cocoa kit, a small gift card, or first pick in the gift exchange.

Is an ugly sweater contest appropriate for work?

Yes, if it's optional and the categories stay inclusive. Avoid anything about bodies or personal appearance.

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.

Create your invitation

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