Nothing says classic holidays like a gaudy sweater. Between homemade baked goodies, extra large mugs of hot chocolate and infinite bottles of wine, holiday get-togethers with your loved ones can get notoriously chill; so why not be your coziest selves with an ugly holiday sweater party? We’re diving into everything you need to host the kitschiest, flashiest ugly holiday sweater party, Quarter to Five style.

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A kitschy festive tradition

An ugly sweater party is essentially similar to any other costume party — except it’s cozy! Did you know that the trend originated in our very own Canada, with the first-ever ugly sweater party taking place in Vancouver, B.C. in the early 2000s? This ironic bash isn’t about creating an ultra-Instagrammable event; it’s about getting together with your nearest and dearest for low-key holiday fun. Encourage your crew to show up in their favourite ugly holiday attire, whether that means a sweater they found in their parents’ attic or a cardigan they DIY’d themselves. Themed invitations are key to setting the tone for your party; let your guests know that it’s going to get ugly.

Dressing your space up to the nines

Creating the perfect ambience to go with your festive attire is essential to bringing your ugly sweater vision to life. Head to your nearest thrift store to find the kitschiest holiday decor you can to match your crew’s ugly fits. You can also stock up on child-sized holiday sweaters and hang them up as a garland, or use them as a table runner. Don’t forget to overdo the twinkling holiday string lights, show off your worst group photos and definitely use mismatched dinnerware to amp up the ugly factor.

Ugly eats and low-key drinks

Every ugly sweater party needs an ugly food table to match. Up the ante with an ugly cake — the ultimate baking activity that allows even the worst of cake decorators to shine. Any baked treat is ideal for a cozy night in with your closest friends and family — try finding sweater-shaped cookie cutters for your cookie plate or create a Christmas wreath-shaped charcuterie board. Forget Pinterest-approved food tables; retro and fun foods are key. For drinks, opt for red or green Jell-O shots spiked with Mad Jack for a holiday apple flavour, or green and red martinis. If your crew is into brews, create a beer sampling table with Canadian classics like Molson Canadian, Coors, Rickard’s and Miller High Life; alter their tints with a few drops of tasteless green or red food colouring to stay on-brand.

Let the ugly games begin

An at-home ugly sweater party isn’t a party without holiday-themed games and activities. Add a ‘taboo’ rule to your invitation for a party-long challenge your crew won’t forget; all you need to do is hand each guest a holiday pin when they arrive. If someone mentions the taboo words — ‘ugly’ or ‘holidays’ — the person who catches them first steals their pin, and whoever has the most pins at the end of the night wins an ugly prize. Holiday karaoke is also the perfect complement to an ugly sweater bonanza, so your gang can sport their ugly fits while belting their favourite holiday songs. Better yet, split your ugly crew in two and host a battle of the bands-themed karaoke session — may the best team win! Use this guide as your go-to handbook for throwing your very own ugly sweater holiday bash. Whether you’re on a budget or ready to spend lavishly for your next get-together, these simple and effective ugly sweater party tips can help you throw your new yearly tradition. Don’t forget to commemorate your ugly sweater party with plenty of photos; you’ll need them for next year!