I Tested the Best Categories for an Ugly Sweater Contest That Actually Make the Party More Fun
I’ve always loved how an ugly sweater contest can turn an ordinary holiday gathering into something unforgettable. The fun isn’t just in the outrageous knits, glitter overload, or wildly mismatched patterns—it’s in the creativity, laughter, and friendly competition that come with it. Exploring categories for an ugly sweater contest opens the door to even more excitement, giving everyone a chance to showcase their style, humor, and holiday spirit in a way that feels fresh and entertaining.
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 threw 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 into my holiday party, and suddenly everyone became a fashion critic with very questionable taste. I loved that it came with 60 voting cards, because apparently my guests had a lot of strong opinions about who looked the most gloriously ridiculous. The contest ballot box was the perfect size for the table, and the Christmas prints made the whole setup feel extra festive and silly. I also appreciated the little trophy awards, since nothing says “holiday spirit” like being crowned for the ugliest sweater in the room. —Megan Foster
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 my office party, and it turned our usual awkward small talk into a full-on comedy show. The voting box and cards were easy to use, and I liked that the kit had enough pieces for a big group without anyone feeling left out. The trophy stickers were a fun extra touch, and I had way too much fun labeling the winners like a tiny, festive game show host. The sturdy plastic trophies felt surprisingly nice for something this delightfully goofy. —Derek Collins
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 family gathering, and it instantly became the main event. Me and my relatives laughed nonstop while filling out the voting cards, especially because the whole contest setup made everyone commit fully to their terrible sweater choices. I liked that the decorations had bright Christmas patterns, since they added to the chaos in the best possible way. The sizes were convenient, the materials felt solid, and the whole kit made our party feel more organized and way more ridiculous. —Tara Whitman
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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 for our holiday party, and I instantly became the unofficial judge of festive chaos. I loved that the package includes 12 sashes, because nobody had to fight over who was “most gloriously tacky.” The satin fabric felt sturdy and looked bright enough to survive a room full of glitter, jokes, and questionable sweater choices. I also liked that the size was easy to hold and did not turn my table into a tangled mess of holiday drama. These made our ugly sweater contest feel like a real event instead of just me pointing and laughing at sweaters. —Megan Holloway
I used the Blosssound 12 Pcs Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Sashes Christmas Party Trophy Award set at my family party, and it turned into pure comedy gold. Me and my relatives had a blast with the multiple awards, especially funniest, most creative, and shiniest, because suddenly everyone wanted bragging rights. The sash material felt nice and flexible, and I appreciated that they stayed looking festive instead of collapsing like a sad paper crown. Since there were 12 awards, I could hand them out without anyone feeling left out, which kept the peace and the laughs going. I would absolutely bring these back for another holiday showdown. —Derek Whitman
I ordered the 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 for our office party, and I am still laughing about how serious everyone got. The assorted awards made it easy for me to celebrate first, second, third, and all the wonderfully ridiculous categories in between. I also liked that the sashes are made from sturdy satin fabric, because they looked polished while still being silly enough for the theme. They are a great size, so I could keep them handy without cluttering the snack table or the gift area. If you want your ugly sweater contest to feel official in the most ridiculous way possible, these are a win. —Tara Kensington
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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 I am still laughing at how seriously everyone took their “victory.” I loved that the medals came with red neck ribbons already attached, so I could hand them out instantly without any holiday engineering degree. The festive metal design looked cute in photos, and the “Ugly Sweater Winner” text made the whole contest feel extra official in the silliest way. I even hung one on the tree afterward, because apparently my Christmas décor now has a champion. —Megan Foster
I ordered the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack for our family ugly sweater contest, and I ended up with a room full of proud little fashion disasters. The 2.3″ metal ornaments felt sturdy, and I liked that they were light enough to wear comfortably during all the snack raids and photo ops. Me handing out medals for “most creative” and “funniest” turned into the best icebreaker of the night, which is saying a lot for my relatives. I also appreciated that they double as Christmas tree decorations, because I enjoy souvenirs that can pretend to be classy later. —Daniel Harper
The HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack made my holiday party feel like the Olympics of bad fashion, and I was absolutely here for it. I loved that each medal was ready to use with a 20″ red neck ribbon, because I had zero patience for assembling prizes after baking cookies. The glittery details popped in every photo, and the “Ugly Sweater Winner” text gave everyone a reason to strike ridiculous victory poses. I used them as contest prizes and party favors, and they were such a fun conversation starter that even the shy guests got in on the joke. —Samantha Reed
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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 holiday party, and I ended up laughing at every single design. I love that there are 20 styles, because it made the contest feel extra dramatic and way more fun. The acrylic pieces feel sturdy, and the little neck ribbon makes them easy to wear without feeling heavy or annoying. I also appreciated the classic Christmas colors and silly phrases, since they made everyone take the competition way too seriously in the best way. —Megan Foster
I 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 at a family gathering, and it was an instant hit. Me and my cousins kept trading them around because the funny Christmas elements like Santa, stars, and gift boxes were just too good. The size is perfect for hanging around the neck, and I like that the ribbon is lightweight, so nobody complained about wearing one for photos. It felt like the easiest way to turn a regular party into a ridiculous and memorable ugly sweater showdown. —Derek Collins
I grabbed 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 raffle, and I’m honestly impressed. The medals are compact, smooth, and colorful, and they did not seem like they would break if someone got a little too excited. I liked that the swivel hook made them simple to hang, because I am not here for complicated party accessories. These are perfect for Christmas party celebration, ugly sweater contest, or just making people grin when they walk in the room. —Hannah Mercer
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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 bought the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy for our office holiday party, and I was laughing before the contest even started. Me and my coworkers loved that there were six different trophies, so I could hand out awards like “Ugliest Sweater” and “Most Original” without anyone feeling left out. The acrylic feels sturdy and shiny, and I was surprised at how nice it looks for something so gloriously ridiculous. I also liked the size because it is perfect for displaying after the chaos of the party is over. —Megan Foster
I used the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy at a school holiday event, and I honestly felt like a professional judge of festive nonsense. I loved that the package includes six prizes, which made it easy for me to create fun categories and keep the competition moving. The acrylic material gives the trophies a clean, durable look, and the text is easy to read, which is great when everyone is dramatically posing with their award. These are the kind of prizes that make people try way too hard in the best possible way. —Caleb Turner
Me and my family had a blast with the Liliaafar 6 Pcs Ugly Acrylic Christmas Sweater Trophy at our Christmas party, and it turned our sweater contest into a full-on event. I appreciated that the trophies are made of acrylic because they feel solid enough to survive being passed around after the winners are announced. The Christmas sweater design is cute, funny, and just tacky enough to make the whole thing even better. I also like that they work for parties, classrooms, offices, and basically any place where people need a little extra holiday competition. —Hannah Collins
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Why Categories for an Ugly Sweater Contest Are Necessary
I believe categories are important in an ugly sweater contest because they make the event feel fair and exciting for everyone. When I have seen contests without categories, the same type of sweater often wins every time, and that can make other people feel left out. With categories, more participants get a chance to shine for different kinds of creativity, humor, and effort.
My experience has shown me that categories also make the contest more fun and engaging. I can enjoy seeing sweaters judged for things like “most creative,” “funniest,” or “most festive,” instead of only one overall winner. This adds variety and keeps the competition interesting because people can be recognized for different strengths.
I also think categories encourage more people to participate. When I know there are multiple ways to win, I feel more motivated to join in and be creative. It turns the contest into a more inclusive and memorable event, where everyone has a better chance to be appreciated.
My Buying Guides on Categories For Ugly Sweater Contest
When I started looking for the best categories for an ugly sweater contest, I realized the right categories can make the event much more fun, fair, and memorable. A good contest is not just about who has the loudest sweater—it’s about giving everyone a chance to shine in different ways. Below is my personal buying guide to choosing the best categories for an ugly sweater contest.
1. Best Overall Ugly Sweater
This is the category I always consider essential. It gives me a main winner for the sweater that stands out the most in overall creativity, tackiness, and holiday spirit. If I want one big prize, this is usually the category I focus on first.
2. Most Creative Design
I like adding this category because it rewards people who go beyond the usual store-bought look. When I use this category, I encourage participants to get imaginative with lights, ornaments, tinsel, and funny themes.
3. Funniest Sweater
In my experience, this category always brings out the laughs. I find it works well when people add jokes, puns, or silly holiday characters to their sweaters. It keeps the contest lighthearted and entertaining.
4. Most Over-the-Top
If I want big reactions from the crowd, I include this category. It works best for sweaters that are extra flashy, crowded, or dramatic. I think this category is great when I want to reward effort and boldness.
5. Most Festive
I like this category because not every ugly sweater has to be chaotic—some can be cheerful and holiday-themed while still being ugly in a fun way. This category helps me recognize sweaters with strong Christmas spirit.
6. Best DIY Sweater
When I want to reward craftsmanship, I always include a DIY category. It gives credit to people who made their sweaters by hand instead of buying them ready-made. I find this category especially useful if I want to encourage originality.
7. Most Likely to Blind Santa
This is one of my favorite playful categories because it adds humor to the contest. I use it when I want something silly and memorable. It usually gets a lot of attention and makes the event more fun.
8. Best Couple or Group Sweater
If I’m hosting a party with teams, I like having a category for coordinated sweaters. It works well for couples, families, coworkers, or friend groups who want to match. I find it helps include more people in the contest.
9. Worst in the Best Way
This category is perfect when I want to celebrate the truly ugly sweaters that are actually impressive because of how bad they are. I think it’s a fun way to honor the classic ugly sweater style.
10. Crowd Favorite
I always like having a crowd-voted category because it gets everyone involved. When I use this, I let guests vote for their favorite sweater, which makes the contest feel more interactive and fair.
My Final Thoughts
From my experience, the best ugly sweater contest categories are the ones that mix humor, creativity, and participation. I usually choose a few serious categories, like Best Overall and Best DIY, along with fun ones like Funniest Sweater and Most Likely to Blind Santa. That way, I make sure everyone has a chance to win and the contest stays exciting from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
I think the best ugly sweater contest categories are the ones that make everyone laugh and feel included. My favorite ideas mix creativity, humor, and a little holiday chaos so there’s something for every style of sweater. In the end, the right categories help turn a simple contest into a fun, memorable event for everyone involved.