If you are hosting or planning an ugly sweater party during the holidays, then do we have a ton of great ideas for you! It doesn’t take much to add a few fun decorations and activities to make your ugly sweater party the talk of the season. The best part: most all of the supplies you need can be found without spending lots of money, especially if you are a thrift store shopper!

Here are a few things to think about to get this ugly Christmas sweater party started:

Those ugly sweater party decorations:

From decorating your walls, to decorating the wine glasses and bottles, here are a few great ideas to help transform the space for your party!

Photo credit: And Everything Sweet 

Find a few old sweaters and use the material to wrap cones to look like designer Christmas trees or wrap boxes to create fun containers for party favors. Use wrapping paper or material as a backdrop or table runner. The possibilities are endless!

Thrift Store Shopper Tip: When find sweater material at used clothing stores for cheap, that makes the party even better!

Photo credit:Oh My! Creative

Check out this tutorial at Oh My! Creative for step-by-step instructions on how to create a great looking wine glass for your party. 

Thrift Store Shopper Tip: Get a variety of glasses at your local second hand store, decorate them and everyone can take home their own as a parting gift! Holiday themed plates and bowls are easy to find and make your food table scream with holiday spirit!

Photo credit: Ladybehindthecurtain.com 

Get out your old glasses and mason jars. Re-purposing has never been more fun than when you can take old sweaters and Christmas decor and create something so fun!

Photo credit:Oh My! Creative

Oh what fun it is to wrap all your bottles in sweater sleeves, Hey! (Go back and re-read to the tune of “Jingle Bells” to get into the holiday spirit). But all holiday joking aside, what a great way to decorate your drinks and reuse those sweater socks or sweaters that had a rip in them or wore out!

Ugly Sweater food and drinks:

From cookies to cakes with sweater decorations to lots of goodies, here are a few great food ideas. 

Photo credit: And Everything Sweet 

Great creative with your frosting on cookies by cutting out “sweater/shirt” shapes in sugar cookie dough and decorating them with festive sweater designs. Cake pops, gingerbread men cookies and even chocolate covered Oreo can be easily decorated to fit your sweater theme. 

Photo credit: My Recipes

Thrift  Store Shopper Tip: For fun plates and platters, shop smart and find great deals on vintage items at your local second hand store. What a fun way to add to your party decor and save money!

Ugly Sweater Party activities:

From photo booth props, to fun awards for your contest, these ideas are such to have everyone in stitches! 50 Ugly Christmas Party Ideas.

Plus play a few of your Minute to Win it games to get everyone involved!

Photo Credit: Zach and Callie 

For those fun Photo booth props, shop at the Arc Store for those large picture frames and add your own holiday touches. They make great props to spice up your photo booth and make those photos pop!

This is a great idea from Nestful of Love!

Add a few lights or decorations to a frame and you have the perfect photo booth prop!

Thrift  Store Shopper Tip: Frames are one of those staple items at most thrift stores. Shop at the Arc Store for those large picture frames and add your own holiday touches. They make great props to spice up your photo booth and make those photos pop! 

Your own ‘winning’ Ugly Sweater:

Buy it, borrow it, add to it, or make it! Creativity is the key to a great ugly sweater. Whether you find one on sale and just slip it on before the party, or decide to be clever and create your own, here are a few ideas to spark your creativity. 

Thrift  Store Shopper Tip: Remember to check out your local thrift store for those authentic ugly sweaters, or even find a basic sweater as a “canvas” for your own additions. Here is a link to our article on how to find your Ugly Christmas sweater at a second hand store!

Ready to start saving money on your ugly sweater decor? Come on in to one of our Arc Store locations in Chico, Paradise and Oroville. We love to hear about all your creative ways to save money and host a great holiday party as well!