An expert's guide to hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party

Looking for a festive and humorous way to celebrate Christmas with friends? Go garish by throwing an ugly Christmas sweater party.
The Christmas season means it's almost time for lots of gatherings with friends and family. Christmas is a holiday that is known for bringing people together, and there are lots of traditional Christmas festivities to enjoy, including carolling and holding large family dinners. One Christmas party trend that is on the upswing is the ugly Christmas sweater party. This party is a simple, hilarious and festive way to get your friends and family together for the holiday season.

The first step to throwing an ugly sweater party is to invite guests, and let them know that an ugly sweater will be required to attend. You might also give your invitees some ideas for where to find Christmas sweaters, like thrift stores or online auction websites.

The next step for preparing for your ugly sweater party is to find your own ugly sweater. Since you are the host, you will want to go all out with your sweater. Consider looking at second-hand stores, online or at large department stores.

Just like any other Christmas party, you'll want to decorate for an ugly sweater party. Decorate your tree, hang tinsel and put up some mistletoe. If you want to maintain the tacky theme, consider looking for large and gaudy Christmas decorations that are available at many party supplies stores. You will also want to prepare food and drinks to serve, like eggnog, Christmas cookies or small hors d'oeuvres.

Once the time for the party rolls around, greet guests who arrive at your home. Let them know that you will be holding a contest for the ugliest sweater and make a note of what everyone is wearing as you interact. When guests have all arrived, announce the winner of the ugliest sweater. Present the winner with a tacky gift, like another ugly sweater or a stocking full of useless knickknacks.

If guests show up without an ugly sweater, you will not want them to feel out of place. Go to a thrift or dollar store to stock up on extra ugly sweaters. You can hand them out to guests when they arrive.

Above all, get ugly and have fun!