You need a Christmas jumper before Friday, 25 December 2026, and you want it to fit the first time. Measure your chest, choose plain for long wear or embellished for parties, check returns before paying, and consider second-hand.
Pick your size and fit first
Go by your chest measurement and the seller's own size chart. The sources we use give no size charts, so the numbers below come from common practice, not from a source.
- Wrap a soft tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms, keeping it level and snug but not tight.
- Write the number down in inches and centimeters.
- Compare it with the seller's chart for that specific jumper, since sizing varies between sellers.
- Choose your size using the fit rule in the table below.
Our suggestion: which fit for how you wear it
| How you wear it | Fit to choose |
|---|---|
| Shirt or tee underneath | Relaxed fit, about 2 in (5 cm) of room beyond your chest measurement |
| Worn alone | True to size, about 0 to 1 in (0 to 2.5 cm) of room |
| Between two sizes | Check the seller's garment measurements and return policy, then decide |
Our suggestion: Our suggestion: order early enough to leave room for a return or exchange. Christmas is Friday, 25 December 2026, so aim to have the jumper in hand about two weeks ahead, by Friday, 11 December 2026.
Per Wikipedia, a more traditional alternative to the patterned pullover is a roll neck (turtleneck) pulled-on top. If you dislike loud patterns, that is a valid option.
Choose the type for how you will wear it
Match the style to the occasion. Wikipedia defines a Christmas jumper (UK) or Christmas sweater (US) as a sweater with a Christmas or winter design. The patterned ones are more often knitted than crocheted.
- Party or contest: choose embellishments. Per Wikipedia, tinsel, reindeer and sparkles are what make a sweater "ugly". Ugly Christmas Sweater Contests are held annually in the United States.
- Charity day: Save the Children runs an annual Christmas Jumper Day in December, encouraging people to raise money by wearing their jumpers on a set day. Any festive jumper works.
- Office or family day: a plain or lightly patterned design is easier to wear for hours, such as an 8-hour workday (our suggestion).
Our suggestion: Our suggestion: read the fiber label before you buy. The sources we use do not compare wool, cotton and acrylic, so judge warmth and itch from the label and the seller's notes. If you are sensitive to scratchy knits, try the jumper over a long-sleeve layer for 10 minutes before committing.
What to check before you buy
Run this list in the store or on the online listing. Items 1 to 4 are our suggestions, not sourced rules.
- Read the fiber content and care instructions.
- Look closely at seams, trims and attached decorations for loose or flimsy parts.
- Confirm the return window, ideally one that runs past Christmas, and who pays return shipping.
- For lights or sound, find out which batteries it needs and whether they can be removed.
- Check seller details and reviews if buying from a small site.
On that last point: the New York Times reported in 2012 that independent company websites with ugly-sweater themed names were a major venue for sweater sales. Per Wikipedia, ugly sweater party guests also often sourced sweaters from thrift stores or family collections, so second-hand is a normal route.
Buy less waste: second-hand, swap, re-wear
Buying used or swapping is the route the sources point to. The charity Hubbub said in 2019 that as many as 95% of Christmas jumpers contain plastic, and that 2 in 5 get just one outing. It encouraged swapping, buying second-hand or re-wearing instead of buying new.
Our suggestion: Our suggestion: ask friends or family if anyone has a jumper to swap, and check thrift stores before buying new. Then plan 3 wears, such as a party, a charity day and a family photo, so the jumper earns its place.
If you are also dressing the rest of the holiday, see Christmas Stocking: Pick the Right Size and Type, Skip the Rest.
Safety: what the sources say and don't
The sources we use give no rules on flammability, lights, batteries or tinsel, so we state none as fact.
Safety: Per Wikipedia, tinsel and sparkles are common embellishments, so check that trims are firmly attached. Per Hubbub (2019), up to 95% of Christmas jumpers are made using plastic, so read the label and follow the maker's care and safety instructions.
Our suggestion: Our suggestion: for light-up jumpers, remove batteries as the maker directs, and keep any decorated jumper at least 3 ft (1 m) from open flames such as candles and fireplaces.
Care and keeping it after Christmas
The care label decides washing and drying. No source gives temperatures or a lifespan, so the steps below are our suggestions.
- Follow the care label for wash method and drying.
- Spot-clean trims where the label allows, and dry flat if the label says so.
- Store it clean and folded, not hung, in a dry spot until next December, about 12 months.
- Replace it when seams split, trims fall off or the fabric thins.
- If you will not wear it again, pass it on or swap it, in line with Hubbub's advice.
A little history
Per Wikipedia, Christmas jumpers became popular in the UK in the 1980s after TV presenters began wearing them at Christmas. The first Vancouver-area ugly sweater party was held in 2002 in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a roll neck an acceptable Christmas jumper?
Yes. Wikipedia describes a roll neck (turtleneck) pulled-on top as a more traditional approach to the Christmas jumper. It suits anyone who wants a festive look without loud patterns or trims.
Which jumper counts as an ugly Christmas sweater?
Per Wikipedia, embellishments such as tinsel, reindeer or sparkles are what make a sweater count as ugly. If you are entering a contest, look for those features.
When is Christmas Jumper Day?
Save the Children runs it each year in December, as a day when people raise money for the charity by wearing their jumpers. Check the charity's site for the exact date, since it changes yearly.
