Love ’em or hate ’em, ugly Christmas sweater parties have become a staple at office gatherings and family events. Although their origin is murky, ugly Christmas sweater parties—once a niche activity—have become an enduring, mainstream way to celebrate the holidays. Regardless of whether the first ugly Christmas sweater party was held in Kalamazoo, Michigan, or Vancouver, British Columbia, the trend has become a worldwide phenomenon, with such parties now taking place in cities around the globe. To help you join the fun, A-Z Animals has created a list of seven animal-themed (ugly?) Christmas sweaters for your consideration.
Narwhal Sweater
Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are among the deepest-diving mammals, with some recorded dives approaching 6,000 feet.
©Courtesy of halloweencostumes.com
If you love the Christmas classic Elf, you’ll adore this narwhal-themed Christmas sweater. The 100% acrylic sweater has an all-over knitted pattern that features two narwhals toasting marshmallows over an appliquéd campfire. The sweater is several shades of blue and white with an orange ribbed crewneck. The narwhal sweater is available exclusively at halloweencostumes.com in six sizes from S to 3XL for $39.99.
3D T. rex Sweater
The T. rex (Tyrannosaurus rex) had one of the most powerful bites of any terrestrial animal, estimated at up to 3.6 tons of pressure, and could swallow large chunks of meat, possibly up to 50 pounds, in a single bite.
©Courtesy of costumeagent.com
You’re sure to be the hit of the ugly sweater party wearing this 3-dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex sweater. You’ll be hitting, bumping into, and knocking over all manner of items with the T. rex’s tail. Fortunately, both the tail and the head of the T. rex are detachable. The sweater features an overall red and green pattern with trees and dinosaurs and is made of 85% cotton and 15% wool, making it as soft and warm as a mother’s hug. The 3D T. rex sweater, available at uglychristmassweater.com in 10 sizes, from XS to 6XL for $48.99.
Fa La La La Llama
If a llama’s load is too heavy or unbalanced, it will lie down and refuse to move.
©Courtesy of jollidays.com
The whimsical appliqued llama, festooned in winter attire and front and center on Jollidays’ Fa La La La Llama Christmas sweater, is more charming than ugly. The 100% acrylic pullover crewneck sweater is red with green trim and an overall knitted pattern of snowflakes. If you can’t bring yourself to wear a truly ugly sweater, consider this adorable alternative, available in M, L, and XL for $34.99.Jollidays.com has a family llama sweater collection with matching options available for the entire family, including men, women, boys, girls, toddlers, and even pets.
Cappy Holidays
©Courtesy of GameStop.com
Capybaras have evolved from a simple meme into a lasting cultural phenomenon, thanks to their chill vibe. Ironically, Geeknet’s polyester and acrylic crewneck pullover Cappy Holidays sweater keeps the chill away. The sweater is primarily red and green with white accents. A capybara sporting a Santa hat adorns the front of this sweater, which is simply begging to be worn to an ugly Christmas sweater party. According to their website, the Cappy Holidays sweater is a GameStop exclusive, available in six sizes from XS to 2XL for $7.98.
Unicorn Sweater
Narwhal tusks were once sold as unicorn horns, which were believed to possess magical powers.
©Courtesy of tipsy elves.com
This 100% acrylic crewneck pullover sweater from The Tipsy Elves features Santa Claus, carrying a sword and riding a unicorn beneath Saturn’s rings. I found myself wondering why Santa was carrying a sword, rather than why the jolly old elf was riding a unicorn. According to the Tipsy Elves, Santa traded in his reindeer-driven sleigh for a unicorn as a result of his midlife crisis. The elves may have been too tipsy to notice the sword. Regardless, you’ll be hard-pressed not to feel festive in The Tipsy Elves‘ Unicorn Christmas sweater, which is available in nine sizes from XS to 5XL for $39.95.
Bigfoot Sweater
The Patterson-Gimlin film, a 1967 short film featuring what appears to be a large, hairy, bipedal creature walking through a forest in Northern California, is the origin of the modern-era Bigfoot, though similar creatures are found in ancient lore.
©Courtesy of shop.app
This crewneck pullover sweater featuring the illustrious Bigfoot is carefully crafted from a soft acrylic/wool blend. The sweater features an all-over print, applied using a dye-sublimation technique that produces vibrant, long-lasting colors. The wheat-colored sweater has brown cuffs and collar, with brown, rust, and dark green accents. The sweater’s design features Bigfoot strolling past rust-colored Christmas trees. The Bigfoot Christmas sweater is available at shop.app in eight sizes, from S for $44.99 to 5XL, for 51.99.
Tangled Up in Tinsel
Sailors and fishermen believed that having a black cat (Felis catus) on their ship would bring them good luck and a safe journey home.
©Courtesy of kohls.com
Numerous adjectives accurately describe this Christmas sweater, and ugly isn’t one of them. Why relegate black cats to Halloween, when you can have a ridiculously adorable black cat with googly eyes tangled up in tinsel on a green sweater with red cuffs and collar for Christmas? The 100% acrylic crewneck pullover sweater is green with an overall snowflake pattern. The black cat appears to be falling forward, but is saved by the silver, glittery tinsel that crisscrosses the front of the sweater and the sleeves. The sweater, available at kohls.com, is marketed for men and comes in sizes S-2XL for $21.24.
