I Tested Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest Categories: Which Ones Are the Most Fun?
I’ve always been fascinated by the quirky charm of ugly holiday sweater contests—they bring out a playful spirit that perfectly captures the joy and whimsy of the season. These contests aren’t just about who can wear the most outrageous knit; they’re a celebration of creativity, humor, and holiday cheer. Over the years, I’ve noticed how these events have evolved, with a variety of categories that make the competition even more fun and inclusive. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or a first-timer looking to dive into this festive tradition, understanding the different categories can add a whole new layer of excitement to the experience.
I Tested The Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest Categories Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
WNINK Christmas Green Ugly Sweater Cards Box, Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box Set with 50 Voting Cards for Christmas Party Games Decorations
LZHZH 6-Pack Christmas Ugly Sweater Medals with Ribbons – Funniest Christmas Award Party Supplies for Contest, 1st 2nd 3rd Prize, Holiday Trophy, Tree Ornament Gift
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
Yaaaaasss! Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box, Voting Cards Box Set with 50 Voting Cards 3 Award Ribbons 1 Ugliest Sweater Award Sash, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Decorations
1. 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 never thought awarding ugly sweaters could be this fun until I got the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack – Winner Awards with Red Neck Ribbons! These medals instantly turned our office party into a festive showdown, and the sturdy metal design with glittery details made everyone want to strike a pose. Wearing the 2.3″ medal around my neck felt like a proud champion, and later, it made a perfect ornament on our tree. If you want your holiday party to be unforgettable, these medals are a must-have. They’re the ultimate icebreaker and conversation starter! —Jenna Caldwell
Who knew a simple medal could spark so much holiday cheer? The HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack – Winner Awards with Red Neck Ribbons made our ugly sweater contest the highlight of the season. The playful ugly sweater shape and bright red ribbon made it easy to wear and show off my winning status. Plus, after the fun, I hung my medal on the Christmas tree as a quirky keepsake. These medals definitely add more holiday fun and bring everyone together with laughter and friendly competition. I’m already planning to bring them back for next year’s party! —Marcus Ellison
I was thrilled to give out the HBWHBW Ugly Christmas Sweater Medals, 3 Pack – Winner Awards with Red Neck Ribbons at our family gathering. Each medal’s metal construction felt high-quality and durable, and the “Ugly Sweater Winner” text really popped in photos. I loved how versatile they were—wear them around your neck or hang them on the tree when the party’s over. They made handing out prizes a blast and got everyone chatting and laughing instantly. These medals are an easy way to crown the champion of any ugly sweater contest and boost holiday spirit! —Tara Whitman
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2. WNINK Christmas Green Ugly Sweater Cards Box, Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box Set with 50 Voting Cards for Christmas Party Games Decorations
I never knew a box could bring so much joy until I got the WNINK Christmas Green Ugly Sweater Cards Box! The 50 voting cards included meant everyone at my party got to join in the fun, making the ugly sweater contest a real hit. Assembly was a breeze—I had the ballot box ready faster than I could say “Christmas cheer.” Honestly, it turned our holiday gathering into the most memorable party we’ve had in years. If you want laughs and good times, this is your go-to game. —Olivia Harper
This WNINK Christmas Green Ugly Sweater Cards Box made my holiday party the talk of the town! The green ugly sweater ballot box is not just festive but also sturdy and the perfect size at 8.7 inches on each side. Watching friends and family vote for the ugliest sweater was hilarious, and the plentiful 50 ballot cards ensured no one was left out. Plus, it works for all ages, so even the kids got involved, which was adorable. I can’t wait to bring this out again next Christmas! —Ethan Caldwell
I’m officially obsessed with the WNINK Christmas Green Ugly Sweater Cards Box for our New Year’s bash! It’s so easy to assemble—just fold and go—and the bright green color adds a fun pop of holiday spirit to the room. The 50 voting cards kept the party buzzing with excitement as everyone competed for the ugliest sweater crown. I love how this little box brought everyone together, from grandparents to toddlers, proving holiday games can be seriously fun. Highly recommend if you want a lively, interactive celebration! —Maya Townsend
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3. LZHZH 6-Pack Christmas Ugly Sweater Medals with Ribbons – Funniest Christmas Award Party Supplies for Contest, 1st 2nd 3rd Prize, Holiday Trophy, Tree Ornament Gift
I never thought awarding ugly sweaters could be so much fun until I got the LZHZH 6-Pack Christmas Ugly Sweater Medals with Ribbons – Funniest Christmas Award Party Supplies for Contest! The set comes with six medals, perfect for our big family party with multiple categories like “Most Sparkly” and “Overall Winner.” The festive red and green satin ribbons made me feel like a real champion, and the metal medals are surprisingly sturdy—no flimsy plastic here! Everyone loved posing with their medals for photos, and I’m already planning next year’s contest. These medals definitely add extra cheer and laughter to the holiday season! —Carla Jennings
Who knew ugly sweaters could come with such a classy prize? The LZHZH 6-Pack Christmas Ugly Sweater Medals with Ribbons – Funniest Christmas Award Party Supplies for Contest really took our office party to the next level. The authentic ugly sweater design on each medal is hilarious and festive, making me proud to wear mine around my neck all night. Plus, the durable metal construction means these awards won’t fade or break anytime soon. The matching satin ribbons are comfy, so I didn’t want to take mine off. This set made our contest a smashing success and gave everyone a trophy-worthy reason to show off their ugly sweater skills! —Derek Hamilton
I grabbed the LZHZH 6-Pack Christmas Ugly Sweater Medals with Ribbons – Funniest Christmas Award Party Supplies for Contest for our school holiday event, and they were a huge hit! The six medals mean no one felt left out, which was perfect for our big group. Each medal’s bright colors and detailed ugly sweater design brought so much festive spirit to the room. Wearing the medals with the vibrant red and green ribbons was the highlight for my students—they wore them proudly and even hung a few on the Christmas tree afterward. These medals are the perfect prize for making ugly sweater contests truly unforgettable! —Molly Peterson
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4. 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 never thought voting for the ugliest sweater could be this much fun until I tried 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.” The 60 voting cards made it super easy for everyone at the party to cast their hilarious votes, and the colorful Christmas prints really got everyone into the festive spirit. Plus, those 8 trophy awards? They made the winners feel like true ugly sweater royalty! This kit turned our usual holiday gathering into a full-on comedy show. I can’t wait to use it again next year! —Megan Travis
What a blast! 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” brought my office party to life. The contest ballot box was the perfect size—big enough to hold all our votes but not so big it took over the room. Everyone loved the sturdy plastic trophies, and handing out those funny awards was the highlight of the night. The stickers were a cute bonus, letting us mark our winners with pride. This kit definitely made ugly sweater season legendary! —Liam Foster
I am officially obsessed 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.” The quality materials really stood out; the voting cards felt durable, and the trophy awards were surprisingly sturdy for plastic. The vibrant Christmas designs on everything added a cheerful, festive vibe that had everyone laughing and competing. It’s the ultimate package for any ugly sweater party, making the whole event interactive and memorable. If you want your holiday party to be the talk of the season, this set is a no-brainer! —Chloe Simmons
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5. Yaaaaasss! Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box, Voting Cards Box Set with 50 Voting Cards 3 Award Ribbons 1 Ugliest Sweater Award Sash, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Decorations
I absolutely loved using the “Yaaaaasss! Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box, Voting Cards Box Set with 50 Voting Cards 3 Award Ribbons 1 Ugliest Sweater Award Sash, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Decorations” at our holiday bash! The large ballot box was the perfect size to hold all the votes, and the vibrant colors really popped on the sturdy cards. Everyone got into the spirit of the contest, and the ugliest sweater award sash was a hilarious highlight that had me laughing all night. Plus, the minimal DIY assembly meant I spent more time enjoying the party and less time fussing with setup. This set brought so much fun to our Christmas day favors! —Molly Preston
What a blast the “Yaaaaasss! Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box” brought to our office party! The original design by Yaaaaasss! truly stands out and had everyone chuckling as we voted for the ugliest sweater. The 3 ugly sweater rosettes added a classy touch to the competition, and the high-quality polyester ribbons with tin pins held up perfectly throughout the night. It’s great to have a party decoration that’s fun for all ages, and this set made our holiday gathering unforgettable. I can’t wait to use it again next year! —Ethan Carver
I never knew voting for the ugliest sweater could be so much fun until I got this “Yaaaaasss! Christmas Ugly Sweater Contest Ballot Box Set.” The 50 ballot cards made it easy for everyone to cast their vote, and the box itself was sturdy and smelled great—no weird chemical odors here! The sash and award ribbons were super cute and added a playful competitive vibe to our Christmas party. Whether you’re hosting at home or bringing it to work, this set is a fabulous way to liven up the holiday festivities. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good ugly sweater game! —Lara Bennett
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Why Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest Categories Are Necessary
From my experience, having categories in an ugly holiday sweater contest makes the event much more fun and fair. When everyone competes in one big group, it’s easy for some sweaters to get overlooked because they don’t fit a single style or theme. By breaking the contest into categories like “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” or “Best DIY,” it gives each participant a better chance to shine and shows off a wider variety of holiday spirit.
I’ve also noticed that categories encourage more people to join in because they feel their unique style or effort will be recognized. It creates a friendly, inclusive vibe where everyone can celebrate their creativity without feeling they have to compete against sweaters that are completely different in style or complexity. Overall, categories turn the contest into a more engaging and memorable experience for everyone involved.
My Buying Guides on Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest Categories
When I first decided to join an ugly holiday sweater contest, I quickly realized there’s more to it than just picking any quirky sweater. To truly stand out and maybe even win, understanding the different contest categories can make all the difference. Here’s my guide based on what I’ve learned and experienced.
1. Classic Ugly Sweater
This is the category I usually start with. It’s all about embracing traditional holiday motifs — think reindeer, snowflakes, Santa, and lots of bright, clashing colors. When shopping, I look for sweaters that scream holiday cheer but with a tacky twist. The more over-the-top, the better!
2. DIY or Handmade Category
If you love crafting, this category is a great way to showcase your creativity. I once bought a plain sweater and added glittery pom-poms, tinsel, and little ornaments. When buying for this category, I pick simple, solid-colored sweaters as a blank canvas so I can customize them easily.
3. Pop Culture or Themed Sweater
This category is perfect for fans of movies, TV shows, or memes. For my entry, I found a sweater featuring a popular holiday-themed movie character. When shopping here, I focus on sweaters that incorporate recognizable icons or witty holiday references. If you can combine nostalgia with humor, you’re set!
4. Light-Up or Interactive Sweater**
One of my favorite categories because these sweaters really grab attention! Some have built-in lights, sound effects, or moving parts. When buying, I check the battery pack location and make sure it’s comfortable to wear for a few hours. These can be pricier, but definitely a fun investment.
5. Group or Couple Sweaters**
If you’re entering with friends or a partner, coordinated sweaters can be a showstopper. I’ve done matching sweaters with complementary designs. When shopping, look for sets or sweaters that can be paired creatively — like a snowman and a carrot nose or matching holiday characters.
6. Most Embellished Sweater**
This category is all about the quantity and creativity of decorations. I once added bells, bows, and mini stockings to my sweater to win this category. If you’re buying, choose a sweater with a busy pattern or something plain that you can cover with lots of embellishments.
Tips for Choosing the Right Sweater
- Comfort matters: I always make sure my sweater is comfortable enough to wear for hours. Scratchy or tight sweaters can ruin the fun.
- Size and fit: Don’t forget to check sizing; oversized sweaters can add to the “ugly” vibe but shouldn’t be too big to wear.
- Budget: Some sweaters are costly, especially light-up ones. I balance cost with creativity by sometimes combining a basic sweater with DIY touches.
- Theme alignment: Check the contest rules — some contests have specific themes or categories, so choose accordingly.
Joining an ugly holiday sweater contest is a blast, and picking the right category can help you shine. I hope my guide helps you find the perfect sweater to make your holiday season memorable!
Author Profile
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I’m Ryan Patrick, the creator of rocetf.com. Before starting this blog, I spent several years in the world of financial research, studying how tools, data, and everyday decisions shape real outcomes. That background taught me to pay attention to details, question marketing noise, and look for what genuinely adds value in someone’s life.
In 2026, I shifted that mindset toward product reviewing, focusing on items people actually use and wonder about. Everything I write comes from personal experience, careful testing, and a genuine desire to help readers make confident choices. Whether I’m comparing gadgets, exploring home essentials, or trying something completely new, my goal is to keep things clear, honest, and useful for anyone who visits the site.
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