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  4. Spread Yuletide Cheer with This Year's Best Tacky Christmas Sweaters

Spread Yuletide Cheer with This Year's Best Tacky Christmas Sweaters

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated November 16, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Tacky Tinsel Tree Sweater
Credit: Amazon

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here. Christmas lights will soon embellish the streets of our small Southern towns and the scent of apple cider will fill our homes. The excitement is almost too much to bear. Below the Mason-Dixon, the list of events to attend during the holiday season can seem to be endless. After all, we have to make time to see even our most distant relatives, and we wouldn't dare miss Mama's annual Christmas dinner! With all of the holiday festivities to come, it's time to start planning your Yuletide outfits.

During the busy holiday season, you're sure to receive at least one invitation with a dress code involving a crazy and fun holiday sweater. It's no surprise that Christmas in the South is all about outdoing each other, and it's all in good fun, of course. We want to help you do just that with a list of the best tacky Christmas sweaters to sport at your next holiday party. It's the only time of year when tacky clothes are encouraged; make the most of it. Now is the time to get a head start on shopping for festive Christmas sweaters to wear to holiday gatherings and parties so you won't have to scramble at the last minute.

Whether you're looking for an all-out Christmas sweater with tinsel or a more laid-back option, our picks for the best festive sweaters will be a hit at your Christmas parties. We have a feeling these sweaters just might help you win the best dressed award. 

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Glowing Christmas Lights Sweater

Glowing Christmas Lights Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: $49.95; amazon.com

This tacky holiday sweater is for anyone who really wants to shine! The glistening green, gold, and red Christmas lights pop on the royal blue background.

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Decorated Christmas Sweater

Decorated Christmas Sweater
Credit: Belk

BUY IT: $58; belk.com

With real tinsel and ornaments, this little number is sure to win the sweater contest. 

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Christmas Present Sweater

Christmas Present Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $49.95; amazon.com

Be the gift at your holiday festivity and show up sporting this flamboyant sweater. It's even complete with an adorable to-and-from name tag.

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Light Up Christmas Tree Sweater

Light Up Christmas Tree Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: $59.99; amazon.com

This tacky holiday sweater is a classic. The long sleeves resemble candy canes, and the star at the top of the Christmas tree lights up.

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Tacky Tinsel Tree Sweater

Tacky Tinsel Tree Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $49.95; amazon.com

For anyone looking to go ultra-tacky, this is the sweater for you. It's complete with tinsel and suspenders. Oh my!

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Reindeer Snowflakes Sweater

Reindeer Snowflakes Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $24.99; amazon.com

Without a doubt, this holiday sweater would be Rudolph's choice.

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Reindeer Knitted Sweater

Reindeer Knitted Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $26.94; amazon.com

It wouldn't be the Christmas season without a few friendly reindeer and this little guy is sure to bring joy wherever he goes.

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Sequined Reindeer Sweater

Sequin Reindeer Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $19.99; amazon.com

This sweater is proof that it's possible to be both glamorous and tacky. Simplicity is key with this one.

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Christmas Stocking Sweater

Christmas Stocking Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $49.95; amazon.com

We're all about a Christmas sweater that's both cute and practical! The festive stocking can actually hold your holiday goodies. It's perfect for a bottle of wine.

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Mrs. Claus Christmas Sweater

Mrs. Claus Christmas Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $24.24; amazon.com

If you're Mrs. Claus' biggest fan, don't pass up this sweater! The added hoodie makes it cute and casual.

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Girly Snowman Sweater

Girly Snowman Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $26.94; amazon.com

If you've had enough red and green, give this pink Christmas sweater a try. It's unique without shying away from the holiday magic.

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Fair Isle Knitted Sweater

Fair Isle Knitted Sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: $36.99; amazon.com

This sweater is a good option to spread holiday cheer if you're not totally on board with the crazy Christmas sweater trend. 

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Light Up Tacky Christmas Tree Sweater

ugly women's christmas sweater
Credit: Etsy/SilverSpoonLifestyle

BUY IT: $74.95; etsy.com

Of all the ugly sweaters out there, this one is a tree topper. 20 multi-colored lights, glittering (but soft and comfy) garlands, a 3D snow globe, and jingling bells make this the tackiest, funniest sweater we've seen.

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Quarantine Christmas Sweater

covid ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Etsy/TeejShirtz

BUY IT: from $32.79; etsy.com

This sweatshirt really speaks to the times.

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Tinsel Holiday Sweater

garland tinsel ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Macy's

BUY IT: $24.50; macys.com

We'll take a tinsel-festooned ugly Christmas sweater any day, please.

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Holiday Llama Sweater

llama ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Macy's

BUY IT: $24.50; macys.com

Proof that llamas are cool and that reindeer shouldn't steal all the fun.

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Sequined Santa Sweater

santa ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Macy's

BUY IT: $19.99; macys.com

Jolly Saint Nick positively grins on this ugly sweater.

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Home Alone Filthy Animal Pullover Sweater

home alone ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $30; target.com

For the man in your life who absolutely needs an ugly Christmas sweater, might as well reference a classic. 

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Dr. Suess' The Grinch Pullover Sweater

grinch ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $30; target.com

He's a mean one, that's for sure.

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Grinch All Your Sweaters Are Ugly Holiday Sweater

grinch ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $27.99; target.com

Leave it to the Grinch to tell everyone what you're really thinking of their sweaters.

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ELF Cotton-Headed Ninny Sweater

elf ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $30; target.com

It's not Christmas without Buddy. It's just not.

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Holiday Llama Sweater

llama ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $32.99; target.com

One smart llama sports a pair of glasses and several fluffy, dangling pom poms to help you welcome the holiday spirit.

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Die Hard Christmas Movie Sweater

die hard ugly christmas swetaer
Credit: Target

BUY IT: $30; target.com

Is it a Christmas movie? Is it not? This sweater might instigate a little lively holiday debate.

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Fair Isle Button-Front Christmas Sweater

fair isle ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Old Navy

BUY IT: $49.99; oldnavy.com

The classic Christmas print on an oversized, cozy cardigan.

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Fair Isle Zip-Front Christmas Sweater

fair isle ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Old Navy

BUY IT: $79.99; oldnavy.com

If the guy(s) in your life don't like all that is merry and bright, try this somber (though still festive) sweater instead.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater with Flashing Lights

reindeer ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $23.68; amazon.com

Choose from over 20 tacky options—they all come with real, blinking lights activated by movement.

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Ugly Santa Crew Neck Christmas Sweater

santa golf ugly christmas sweater
Credit: Amazon

BUY IT: from $22.53; amazon.com

Will Santa golf? Play hockey? Drop a new rap single? Join a biker a gang? You get to choose.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 27 Glowing Christmas Lights Sweater
    2 of 27 Decorated Christmas Sweater
    3 of 27 Christmas Present Sweater
    4 of 27 Light Up Christmas Tree Sweater
    5 of 27 Tacky Tinsel Tree Sweater
    6 of 27 Reindeer Snowflakes Sweater
    7 of 27 Reindeer Knitted Sweater
    8 of 27 Sequined Reindeer Sweater
    9 of 27 Christmas Stocking Sweater
    10 of 27 Mrs. Claus Christmas Sweater
    11 of 27 Girly Snowman Sweater
    12 of 27 Fair Isle Knitted Sweater
    13 of 27 Light Up Tacky Christmas Tree Sweater
    14 of 27 Quarantine Christmas Sweater
    15 of 27 Tinsel Holiday Sweater
    16 of 27 Holiday Llama Sweater
    17 of 27 Sequined Santa Sweater
    18 of 27 Home Alone Filthy Animal Pullover Sweater
    19 of 27 Dr. Suess' The Grinch Pullover Sweater
    20 of 27 Grinch All Your Sweaters Are Ugly Holiday Sweater
    21 of 27 ELF Cotton-Headed Ninny Sweater
    22 of 27 Holiday Llama Sweater
    23 of 27 Die Hard Christmas Movie Sweater
    24 of 27 Fair Isle Button-Front Christmas Sweater
    25 of 27 Fair Isle Zip-Front Christmas Sweater
    26 of 27 Ugly Christmas Sweater with Flashing Lights
    27 of 27 Ugly Santa Crew Neck Christmas Sweater

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