Ugly Christmas jumper party

What it is

A light-hearted Christmas party where the dress code is the worst festive jumper you can find. Guests can buy, borrow or DIY one with tinsel and pom-poms. Games and a catwalk competition keep everyone mixing.

Plan ahead

• Three weeks before: send invitations so people have time to find (or make) a jumper.
• One week before: set up a “DIY jumper station” for guests who arrive in a plain jumper: felt shapes, tinsel, bells, pom-poms and safety pins.
• The day before: make the buffet foods that keep, buy prizes and print quiz sheets.

Set the scene

Tinsel everywhere, a tree, fairy lights, Christmas crackers on tables, and a red carpet runner for the catwalk. Play Christmas classics.

Games

Christmas movie charades

Write Christmas film titles on slips of paper. Guests act them out in teams.

Wrapping race

Give pairs one roll of paper and tape. Each person can use only one hand (the inside hands are tied together or held behind backs). First to wrap a box neatly wins.

Festive quiz

Rounds: Christmas songs (finish the lyric), Christmas around the world, Christmas films, and picture round of zoomed-in festive objects.

Jumper catwalk

Each guest walks the runway and does a 10-second pitch. Prizes: ugliest, most creative, best DIY, best couple or matching jumpers, most lights.

Food and drink

• Pigs in blankets, mini Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish
• Cheese board and crackers
• Mince pies, Christmas brownies
• Mulled wine, eggnog and a festive mocktail (cranberry, orange and ginger ale)

Tips

• Have a donation box for a Christmas jumper charity day.
• Keep a few spare ugly jumpers for guests who forget.