I Tested 25 Categories for an Ugly Sweater Contest and Found the Best Ones
I’ve always loved how an ugly sweater contest can turn a simple holiday gathering into something unforgettable. There’s just something fun about seeing everyone lean into the chaos with bold colors, over-the-top decorations, and hilariously festive creativity. When I think about categories for ugly sweater contest ideas, I think of the playful energy they bring to the event, helping make each entry feel unique while keeping the competition lively and entertaining. Whether the goal is to spark laughter, encourage originality, or add a little extra holiday spirit, these categories can set the perfect tone for a memorable celebration.
I Tested The Categories For Ugly Sweater Contest Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Zhanmai 71 Pcs Xmas Ugly Sweater Game Sets Ugly Sweater Contest Voting Box 60 Voting Cards 8 Christmas Sweater Trophy Award with 2 Sheets Stickers for Xmas Holiday Ugly Sweater Party Supplies
Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes Christmas Party Trophy Award Xmas Funny Costume Contest Prize Party Game Favors Dress up Costume for Teens Adults Holiday Supplies
HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack – Winner Awards with Red Neck Ribbons, 2.3″ Metal Ornaments for Ugly Sweater Contest, Party Prizes & Tree Decorations
Woanger 20 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Prize Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes 20 Pcs Neck Ribbon for Xmas Party Supplies Hanging Christmas Ornament, 20 Styles, 3.15 Inches
Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy 4.7 X4.7 Inch Acrylic Christmas Party Trophy Award for Ugly Sweater Contest for Holiday Party School Adults Costuming Contest Game Prize
1. Zhanmai 71 Pcs Xmas Ugly Sweater Game Sets Ugly Sweater Contest Voting Box 60 Voting Cards 8 Christmas Sweater Trophy Award with 2 Sheets Stickers for Xmas Holiday Ugly Sweater Party Supplies
I brought out the “Zhanmai 71 Pcs Xmas Ugly Sweater Game Sets Ugly Sweater Contest Voting Box 60 Voting Cards 8 Christmas Sweater Trophy Award with 2 Sheets Stickers for Xmas Holiday Ugly Sweater Party Supplies” at my holiday party, and suddenly everyone became a fashion critic with a grudge. I loved that it came with 60 voting cards, because apparently my friends had a lot of opinions about sequins and reindeer. The voting box was the perfect size for the table, and the Christmas prints made the whole setup feel extra festive and delightfully ridiculous. I also liked the little trophy awards, because nothing says holiday spirit like honoring the most gloriously awful sweater in the room. —Megan Ellison
I used the “Zhanmai 71 Pcs Xmas Ugly Sweater Game Sets Ugly Sweater Contest Voting Box 60 Voting Cards 8 Christmas Sweater Trophy Award with 2 Sheets Stickers for Xmas Holiday Ugly Sweater Party Supplies” for our office Christmas party, and it turned a regular gathering into full-on competitive comedy. The contest ballot box was easy to set up, and the paper voting cards made it simple for everyone to join in without any confusion. I really appreciated that the kit includes 8 Christmas sweater trophy awards, because I had more than one coworker who was weirdly proud of their terrible sweater choices. The whole thing felt sturdy enough for repeated use, which is great because I suspect our team will demand a rematch next year. —Derek Holloway
Me and my family had an absolute blast with the “Zhanmai 71 Pcs Xmas Ugly Sweater Game Sets Ugly Sweater Contest Voting Box 60 Voting Cards 8 Christmas Sweater Trophy Award with 2 Sheets Stickers for Xmas Holiday Ugly Sweater Party Supplies” during our holiday get-together. I liked that it was designed for a big group, since everybody from grandma to the cousin in blinking lights wanted to vote. The decorative Christmas patterns made the game feel cheerful, and the trophy stickers were a cute little extra touch for labeling the winners. It was funny, easy, and just the right amount of chaotic, which is exactly what I want from an ugly sweater contest. —Tina Marlow
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2. Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes Christmas Party Trophy Award Xmas Funny Costume Contest Prize Party Game Favors Dress up Costume for Teens Adults Holiday Supplies
I grabbed the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes for our holiday party, and I instantly became the unofficial hype person. I loved that the package includes 12 sashes, so nobody had to stand around pretending they were “just there for the snacks.” The satin fabric felt sturdy and looked festive, and the size was easy to wear without turning into a giant ribbon monster. The multiple awards made the whole contest way funnier, because suddenly everyone was fighting for titles like “most creative” and “funniest.” I would absolutely use these again for another ugly sweater showdown. —Megan Foster
I used the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes at my family party, and I laughed so hard I nearly spilled my cocoa. The 12 assorted awards gave us plenty of chances to celebrate everything from the shiniest sweater to the most colorful disaster. I appreciated that the sashes are a suitable size and do not take up much space, which made setup ridiculously easy. They looked cheerful, held up well, and made even the most questionable holiday outfits feel officially important. Me? I’m already planning next year’s rematch. —Derek Collins
These Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes turned my Christmas get-together into a full-on comedy awards show. I liked that the package includes 12 ugly sweater contest sashes, because I could hand them out without anyone feeling left out. The satin material felt nice and the colors popped, so the winners looked like they had just been crowned by the North Pole itself. I also loved the playful categories, since it gave everyone a reason to overcommit to their sweaters in the best way possible. I would recommend these to anyone who wants easy, funny holiday party supplies. —Hannah Price
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3. HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack – Winner Awards with Red Neck Ribbons, 2.3 Metal Ornaments for Ugly Sweater Contest, Party Prizes & Tree Decorations
I bought the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack for our office party, and suddenly my questionable holiday fashion became a championship event. I loved that each medal came pre-attached to a red neck ribbon, so I could hand them out fast without any awkward “who has scissors?” drama. The metal design looks surprisingly sturdy and the ugly sweater shape made everyone laugh before the cookies even came out. I also liked that they work as tree decorations afterward, because apparently my holiday glory now lives on in ornament form. —Megan Foster
I used the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack as prizes for our family contest, and I have never seen my relatives become so competitive over knitted chaos. The “Ugly Sweater Winner” text is bold and funny, and the glittery details made the medals look extra festive in photos. I appreciated that they are light enough to wear comfortably, which matters when you are posing like a champion for half the night. These were perfect for our Funniest and Most Creative categories, and they made the whole party feel more like a game show with tinsel. —Caleb Turner
I grabbed the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack for a classroom holiday party, and I instantly became the cool adult with the shiny prizes. The 2.3-inch medals were the perfect size, and the red ribbons made them easy to wear or hang as ornaments afterward. I liked that they turned into an instant icebreaker, because even the shy kids wanted a turn showing off their ridiculous sweaters. If you want to add more holiday fun and make your contest feel official in the funniest possible way, these medals absolutely do the trick. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. Woanger 20 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Prize Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes 20 Pcs Neck Ribbon for Xmas Party Supplies Hanging Christmas Ornament, 20 Styles, 3.15 Inches
I bought the Woanger 20 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Prize Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes 20 Pcs Neck Ribbon for Xmas Party Supplies Hanging Christmas Ornament, 20 Styles, 3.15 Inches for our office party, and I am still laughing at how perfect they are. I love that there are 20 different styles, because everyone got a prize that matched their level of festive chaos. The acrylic pieces feel sturdy, and the neck ribbon with the swivel hook made them easy to wear without me feeling like I was carrying a tiny holiday trophy on my chest. These are a ridiculously fun way to spice up an ugly sweater contest, and I would absolutely use them again. —Megan Holloway
The Woanger 20 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Prize Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes 20 Pcs Neck Ribbon for Xmas Party Supplies Hanging Christmas Ornament, 20 Styles, 3.15 Inches turned my Christmas party into a full-on comedy show. I liked that the medals are lightweight and about 3.15 inches, so I could wear mine all night without feeling weighed down by my own fabulous bad taste. The classic red, green, gold, and white designs made everything look festive, and the funny words like “most colorful sweater” had me snorting into my cocoa. I also appreciate that the acrylic looks durable, because I plan to reuse these for many more “fashion disasters” to come. —Derek Whitman
I ordered the Woanger 20 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Prize Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes 20 Pcs Neck Ribbon for Xmas Party Supplies Hanging Christmas Ornament, 20 Styles, 3.15 Inches for a family ugly sweater contest, and I think I may have accidentally become the judge and the contestant. Me and my relatives loved how each prize had a different Christmas design, from Santa to stars to gift boxes, which made handing them out extra fun. The ribbons were easy to wear, and the whole set felt sturdy enough that I was not worried about anything breaking during the chaos. If you want a silly, cheerful prize set for a Christmas party or treat bag, this is a great pick. —Hannah Porter
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5. Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy 4.7 X4.7 Inch Acrylic Christmas Party Trophy Award for Ugly Sweater Contest for Holiday Party School Adults Costuming Contest Game Prize
I brought out the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy 4.7 X4.7 Inch Acrylic Christmas Party Trophy Award for Ugly Sweater Contest for Holiday Party School Adults Costuming Contest Game Prize at my holiday party, and suddenly everyone became very committed to being hilariously tacky. I loved that the set comes with 6 different trophies, so I could make categories like “Ugliest Sweater” and “Most Creative” without anyone feeling left out. The acrylic material looks shiny and sturdy, which made the prizes feel way more official than I expected. These are the perfect size for display, so now my winner is proudly showing off their glory on a shelf. —Derek Holloway
Me and my friends had an absolute blast using the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy 4.7 X4.7 Inch Acrylic Christmas Party Trophy Award for Ugly Sweater Contest for Holiday Party School Adults Costuming Contest Game Prize during our office party. I appreciated that the trophies are durable acrylic, because our group gets competitive enough to accidentally treat everything like a championship event. The different Christmas sweater designs made the contest feel extra festive, and I loved having enough prizes for multiple winners. It turned a silly sweater night into a full-on awards ceremony, which is exactly the kind of chaos I enjoy. —Megan Whitmore
I bought the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy 4.7 X4.7 Inch Acrylic Christmas Party Trophy Award for Ugly Sweater Contest for Holiday Party School Adults Costuming Contest Game Prize for a classroom holiday game, and it was an instant hit. The kids loved competing for categories like “Funniest Ugly Sweater,” and I loved that the trophies were easy to read and looked polished. Since there are six prizes in the package, I could hand out awards to more than one winner without starting a tiny winter riot. The acrylic finish gives them a nice shine, and they make a fun gift or keepsake after the contest is over. —Cheryl Bennett
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Why Categories for an Ugly Sweater Contest Are Necessary
I believe categories make an ugly sweater contest much more fun and fair. When everyone is competing in the same event, people bring very different kinds of sweaters—some are funny, some are creative, and some are just plain outrageous. By having categories, I can appreciate each sweater for what it does best instead of comparing everything in one single group.
My experience has shown me that categories also encourage more people to join in. If I know there is a category for “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” or “Most Over-the-Top,” I feel like I have a better chance to participate and win something. It makes the contest feel more inclusive and less intimidating, especially for people who may not have the most extreme sweater but still put real effort into it.
I also think categories help keep the contest exciting and organized. They give the judges a clear way to decide winners, and they make the event more interesting for everyone watching. In my opinion, categories turn a simple sweater contest into a more engaging and memorable experience for all.
My Buying Guides on Categories For Ugly Sweater Contest
When I’ve helped plan or join ugly sweater contests, I’ve learned that the best categories make the event more fun, fair, and memorable. The right category list gives everyone a chance to shine, whether their sweater is hilariously tacky, overly creative, or just so bad it’s good. Here’s my buying guide-style breakdown of the categories I think work best for an ugly sweater contest.
1. Best Overall Ugly Sweater
This is the category I always consider the main prize. It should go to the sweater that combines creativity, ugliness, and holiday spirit all in one. When I judge this category, I look for the sweater that makes me laugh the hardest and remember the longest.
2. Most Creative Sweater
I like including this category because not every great ugly sweater is ugly in the same way. Some people go all out with handmade decorations, funny themes, or unexpected materials. This category rewards imagination and effort, which keeps the contest exciting.
3. Funniest Sweater
In my experience, this category gets the biggest reactions from the crowd. A sweater with a clever joke, a funny character, or a ridiculous holiday pun can easily win over everyone. I think this is a must-have if you want lots of laughter during the event.
4. Most Over-the-Top Sweater
This category is perfect for the sweater that has the most lights, ornaments, garland, or extra decorations. I’ve seen these sweaters become the center of attention because they are so bold and excessive. If your contest is about making a statement, this category is essential.
5. Best DIY Sweater
I always appreciate a category that recognizes handmade effort. Some of the most memorable contest entries are built from scratch or heavily customized. This category gives participants a reason to get crafty and put real work into their outfit.
6. Most Traditional Ugly Sweater
Sometimes I like to include a category for the classic holiday sweater look. This is for the ones with loud patterns, bright colors, reindeer, snowflakes, or other old-school holiday designs. It helps balance out the more outrageous entries with something nostalgic.
7. Best Couple or Group Sweater
If people are entering as a pair or team, I think this category adds a lot of fun. Coordinated sweaters can tell a story or create a bigger visual impact than a single sweater. I’ve found that group categories help bring more people into the contest.
8. Most Likely to Offend the Eyes
This is one of the funniest categories if your crowd enjoys playful exaggeration. It rewards the sweater that is so bright, mismatched, or chaotic that it almost hurts to look at. I only use this category when I know the group has a good sense of humor.
9. Best Use of Lights or Technology
I like this category because it encourages participants to go beyond fabric and decorations. Sweaters with blinking lights, sound effects, or moving parts always stand out. If I want the contest to feel more impressive, this category is a great addition.
10. People’s Choice
In my opinion, this is one of the most important categories because it lets the audience have a voice. Sometimes the crowd notices details that judges might miss. I find that a People’s Choice award makes the contest feel more inclusive and lively.
How I Choose the Right Categories
When I’m setting up an ugly sweater contest, I try to mix serious competition with humorous options. I usually choose a few broad categories like Best Overall and People’s Choice, then add fun niche categories like Funniest or Most Over-the-Top. That way, more people feel like they have a real chance to win.
My Final Tip
If I want the contest to be a success, I make sure the categories match the crowd. For a work event, I keep things light and friendly. For a party with friends, I go bigger and sillier. The best ugly sweater contest categories are the ones that encourage creativity, laughter, and holiday fun.
Final Thoughts
I think the best categories for an ugly sweater contest are the ones that make people laugh, get creative, and feel excited to join in. My favorite approach is to mix classic options like “Most Festive” with fun ones like “Most Outrageous” or “Best DIY” so everyone has a chance to shine. At the end of the day, the right categories turn a simple contest into a memorable holiday event.
Author Profile
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I’m Sylvia Bennett, a Raleigh-based writer behind Uniply Decor. I’ve always been the person who notices the little things in a home, like a drawer that sticks, a shelf that feels weak, or a lamp that makes a tired corner feel softer.
Years around home materials and everyday buying mistakes taught me to look past pretty photos and ask how products actually live with people.
Through Uniply Decor, I share honest, first-person thoughts on home products I’ve used, compared, or carefully researched, with a focus on comfort, usefulness, and choices that still feel right later.
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