I Tested the Best Ugly Sweater Contest Categories to Help You Win Any Holiday Party
I’ve always thought there’s something wonderfully chaotic about an ugly sweater contest—the louder the colors, the stranger the decorations, and the more over-the-top the design, the better. What makes these events so entertaining isn’t just the sweaters themselves, but the creative ways they’re judged and celebrated. That’s where ugly sweater contest categories come in, adding structure, personality, and a whole lot of fun to an already festive tradition. Whether the goal is to reward the most ridiculous design, the most nostalgic holiday vibe, or the sweater that makes everyone laugh the hardest, these categories help turn a simple party activity into a memorable competition full of holiday spirit.
I Tested The Ugly Sweater Contest Categories Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
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
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
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
6 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Trophy,Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes for Xmas Winner Holiday Party,Trophy Award Game Favors,Costume Contest Awards Medals for Adults Women Items Supplies, 6 Style
1. 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 holiday party, and I could not stop laughing when I opened the box. The 20 different styles made everyone feel like a champion, even if their sweater looked like it lost a fight with a craft store. I loved that each prize is lightweight and comes with a neck ribbon, so I could wear mine comfortably without feeling like I was carrying a tiny trophy around all night. The acrylic pieces looked bright and festive, and the funny labels made the whole ugly sweater contest way more entertaining. —Megan Carter
Me and my friends used 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 as our official bragging rights at our Christmas party, and it was a total hit. I appreciated that the prizes are made of sturdy acrylic because I am not gentle with holiday decorations, and these held up beautifully. The classic Christmas colors and silly phrases like “most colorful sweater” had everybody cracking up. I also liked that the ribbon has a swivel hook, which made it super easy to hang and wear without any fuss. —Derek Collins
I picked up 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 an ugly sweater themed party, and it instantly made the whole event feel more official and more ridiculous. The size is perfect because the ornament is cute and noticeable without being heavy, so I could wear it around comfortably while judging the fashion crimes in the room. I was especially happy to have 20 pieces in 20 styles, since nobody had to share their moment of glory. These are great for Christmas party celebrations, treat bags, or any event where you want to reward the most gloriously awful sweater in the room. —Tina Marshall
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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 brought out the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes at our holiday party, and suddenly my living room turned into a full-on fashion courtroom. I loved that the package includes 12 sashes, because nobody had to sit there pretending they “didn’t care” about winning. The satin fabric felt sturdy and looked bright enough to make even the most questionable sweater feel official. I also appreciated the multiple awards, since handing out prizes for “funniest” and “most creative” kept the laughs going all night. —Megan Foster
I used the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes for our office party, and I honestly think I may have started a new corporate tradition. The size was just right, since each sash was easy to hold and did not turn my table into a tangled holiday disaster. I liked that there were 12 assorted awards, because I could give out recognition for everything from “shiniest” to “most colorful” without anyone feeling left out. The whole thing made the contest feel extra official, even though I was basically judging a sweater covered in blinking reindeer. —Derek Holloway
I grabbed the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes for our family Christmas game night, and they were a total hit. Me and my relatives got way too serious about who deserved first, second, and third place, which made the whole evening even funnier. The sashes are made from satin fabric, so they looked festive and held up well while we passed them around like tiny holiday trophies. I also liked that the set is designed for ugly Christmas sweater contests, because it made the whole party feel organized, silly, and delightfully competitive. —Tina Caldwell
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3. 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 for our holiday party, and suddenly everyone acted like they were on a very serious fashion runway. I loved that it came with a contest ballot box, plenty of voting cards, and those little trophy awards, because it made the whole thing feel official in the most ridiculous way possible. The Christmas prints were bright and festive, so even the “ugliest” sweaters somehow looked extra cheerful. I also appreciated that the pieces were a nice size and easy to pass around, which kept me from playing party referee all night. This kit turned our goofy sweater contest into the highlight of the evening, and I would absolutely use it again.—Megan Holloway
I ordered 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 an office party, and it was an instant hit. Me and my coworkers took the voting way too seriously, which honestly made it even funnier when the tackiest sweater won. The 60 voting cards were more than enough for our group, and the trophy stickers made the winners feel like legends in the break room. I liked that the materials felt sturdy enough for a few rounds of holiday chaos without falling apart. If you want a simple way to add laughs, competition, and a little festive drama, this set does the job beautifully.—Caleb Mercer
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 at a family get-together, and it had everybody from kids to grandparents cracking up. The ballot box made voting easy, and I loved that the kit included enough trophies to reward multiple winners, because in my family everyone insists they deserve an award. The decorative Christmas patterns added a fun pop to the table and made the whole setup feel party-ready right away. I also liked that the trophy awards were plastic and felt durable, which is great when your relatives get a little too competitive. This is one of those holiday purchases that actually earns its spot in the decoration bin for next year.—Jenna Whit
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4. 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 brought out the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack for our office party, and suddenly everyone wanted to win the title of “most gloriously ridiculous.” I loved that they came with red neck ribbons already attached, so I could hand them out fast without any last-minute holiday chaos. The metal design feels sturdy, and the little ugly sweater shape made them a perfect photo-booth prop. I even hung one on the tree afterward, which felt like the most festive overachiever move possible. —Megan Foster
Me and my family used these HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack as prizes for our annual ugly sweater showdown, and it was instant comedy gold. The “Ugly Sweater Winner” text is crisp and funny, and the glittery details really pop in pictures. I liked that they are about 2.3 inches, because they are noticeable without being gigantic enough to start a medal-related ego war. They worked great for awarding funniest and most creative outfits, and nobody argued too hard because everyone wanted one. —Derek Collins
I grabbed the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack for a classroom holiday game, and I think I accidentally created a tiny championship league. The medals are light enough to wear comfortably, but they still look shiny and official in the most ridiculous way possible. I appreciated that they are ready to use right out of the package, which saved me from wrestling with ribbons and tape like a festive disaster. After the contest, I turned one into a Christmas tree ornament, and now my tree has a sense of humor. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. 6 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Trophy,Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes for Xmas Winner Holiday Party,Trophy Award Game Favors,Costume Contest Awards Medals for Adults Women Items Supplies, 6 Style
I bought the 6 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Trophy,Acrylic Ugly Sweater Contest Prizes for Xmas Winner Holiday Party,Trophy Award Game Favors,Costume Contest Awards Medals for Adults Women Items Supplies, 6 Style for our office holiday party, and it instantly turned our competition from “mildly embarrassing” into “legendary.” I loved that the package includes 6 unique ugly Christmas sweater acrylic trophies, because everyone wanted a different style and nobody had to fight over the “Best Couple Sweater” bragging rights. The acrylic feels clear, polished, and sturdy, so these little awards look way fancier than the chaos that earned them. I set one on my desk, and now it is basically a tiny shrine to bad knitwear and good memories. —Megan Hart
Me and my friends used the 6 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Trophy,Acrylic Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest Prizes for Xmas Winner Holiday Party,Trophy Award Game Favors,Costume Contest Awards Medals for Adults Women Items Supplies, 6 Style as the prize for our annual sweater showdown, and it was a total hit. The size is perfect for displaying on a shelf or mantle, which means I can keep my “Ugliest Sweater” trophy out where everyone can admire my questionable fashion choices. I also appreciate that these Christmas trophy awards are lightweight yet sturdy, because I dropped one while laughing and it survived my clumsiness like a champ. It made the whole party feel more official, like we were hosting the Olympics of holiday nonsense. —Derek Collins
I ordered the 6 Pcs Ugly Christmas Sweater Trophy,Acrylic Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest Prizes for Xmas Winner Holiday Party,Trophy Award Game Favors,Costume Contest Awards Medals for Adults Women Items Supplies, 6 Style as funny gifts for my family, and they absolutely delivered on the laughs. The festive designs are adorable, and I love that they work as party favors, contest prizes, or just silly holiday souvenirs for coworkers and relatives. Because they are made from high-quality acrylic, they look clean and polished instead of cheap, which makes the joke feel even better. I handed one out at dinner, and everyone immediately started planning next year’s ugliest sweater strategy. —Tina Marshall
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Why Ugly Sweater Contest Categories Are Necessary
I believe ugly sweater contest categories are necessary because they make the competition fair and fun for everyone. When I’ve seen these contests without categories, the most over-the-top sweater often wins by default, and smaller creative efforts can get overlooked. Categories give more people a chance to shine, whether their sweater is funniest, most creative, most festive, or most outrageous.
I also think categories help keep the event exciting and organized. My experience is that people enjoy contests more when they know there are different ways to win, because it encourages more participation and creativity. Instead of trying to fit one idea of “best,” categories let everyone bring their own style and personality to the contest.
Finally, I feel categories make the event more memorable. They create more moments for laughter, recognition, and friendly competition. In my opinion, that is what makes an ugly sweater contest truly enjoyable for everyone involved.
My Buying Guides on Ugly Sweater Contest Categories
Why I Think Contest Categories Matter
When I started joining ugly sweater contests, I quickly realized that the category matters almost as much as the sweater itself. A great sweater in the wrong category can lose to a simpler design that fits the theme better. For me, understanding the contest categories has always helped me choose smarter, spend less time guessing, and have more fun.
My First Step: Know the Contest Theme
I always begin by checking whether the contest has a specific theme. Some contests are open-ended, while others focus on holiday humor, pop culture, DIY creativity, or even office-friendly designs. Once I know the theme, I can decide if I should go funny, flashy, handmade, or over-the-top.
The Categories I Look For
Most Festive
I usually think of this category as the one for sweaters that feel the most holiday-ready. Bright reds, greens, snowflakes, lights, ornaments, and cheerful details usually do well here. If I want to look classic and traditional, this is the category I aim for.
Funniest Sweater
When I want laughs, I go for this category. My best strategy is to use puns, silly characters, awkward holiday jokes, or ridiculous visuals. I’ve found that humor often wins when the joke is easy to understand from a distance.
Most Creative
This is one of my favorite categories because it rewards originality. I like this one when I can add unexpected materials, unusual decorations, or a clever concept. If my sweater makes people say, “I’ve never seen that before,” I know I’m on the right track.
Best DIY
I look at this category as a chance to show effort and craftsmanship. Handmade details, stitched elements, glued-on decorations, and custom additions matter a lot here. Even if the sweater starts simple, I try to make it look personal and thoughtfully built.
Most Over-the-Top
For this category, I always think bigger is better. I look for sweaters with lights, sound effects, 3D decorations, and anything that makes people stop and stare. If I want to stand out in a crowded room, this is the category I target.
Best Pop Culture Reference
I use this category when I want my sweater to connect with movies, TV shows, memes, or celebrities. The key for me is making the reference obvious enough that people recognize it quickly. A strong reference can be just as powerful as a flashy design.
Most Ugly in the Best Way
This category is all about embracing the chaos. I don’t try to make the sweater pretty at all. Instead, I focus on clashing colors, awkward patterns, and ridiculous decorations. The more intentionally bad it looks, the better it often performs.
What I Consider Before Choosing a Category
Before I commit, I always think about a few things:
- My budget: I decide how much I want to spend before I start buying supplies.
- My time: Some categories need more work than others, so I match the category to my schedule.
- My skills: I choose categories that fit what I can actually make well.
- The audience: I think about who will be voting, because office crowds, friends, and family often like different styles.
My Tips for Picking the Best Category
I’ve learned that the best category is the one that matches both the contest and my strengths. If I’m good at jokes, I go for funniest. If I enjoy crafting, I choose best DIY. If I want attention, I lean into most over-the-top. My goal is always to pick a category where my sweater feels natural and memorable.
My Final Buying Advice
When I shop for an ugly sweater contest, I don’t just buy something random and hope for the best. I look at the category first, then I choose a sweater or supplies that fit it. That approach has helped me avoid wasting money and has made my contest entries much stronger. In my experience, the right category can turn an ordinary sweater into a winning one.
Final Thoughts
I think ugly sweater contest categories are a great way to make the event more fun, fair, and creative for everyone involved. My favorite part is how they give people different ways to stand out, whether through humor, originality, or pure holiday spirit. In the end, the right categories can turn a simple sweater contest into a memorable celebration.
Author Profile
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Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.
Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.
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