Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Girls' Night Out!

When I mentioned I was planning on throwing another Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, a bunch of readers commented and asked to see pictures of this year's event. How could I not share some holiday hideousness with you? {wink} This year, I organized the Girls' Night Out for my MOPS group with my sister-in-law (SuSu), and we added a twist...a Tacky White Elephant Gift Exchange. It was a night to remember!
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas {Girls' Night Out} from Serenity Now



If you want some ideas for throwing your own Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, you can click here to read last year's post, or just check out today's pics. We're pretty loose when it comes to party rules:
  • Any tacky attire is welcome (ugly sweaters, vests, puffy painted sweatshirts, plaid pants, crazy socks, accessories) The tackier, the better!
  • Guests bring an appetizer or dessert to share
  • Each guest brings a wrapped tacky white elephant gift with their name signed somewhere inconspicuous (ie. From: Amanda T)
  • Tacky gifts should be $5 or less, or even something from your own home. Tacky gift wrap (torn newspaper, non-Christmas bags, an old sock) is highly encouraged
We encouraged the ladies to get into the fun of the evening by offering prizes for Tackiest Outfit and Tackiest Gift. The moms walked the "runway" as I narrated the show ("Sally is wearing a brilliantly shiny Vegas-style sequined top tonight. Don't you love her suspenders?"), and then we voted on whose outfit we liked best. The winning mom, in a green tutu, won a $20 gift card to Charming Charlie so she could go out any buy some actual cute accessories.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas {Girls' Night Out} from Serenity Now
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas {Girls' Night Out} from Serenity Now
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas {Girls' Night Out} from Serenity Now
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas {Girls' Night Out} from Serenity Now


For the gift exchange, we had each mom select a gift and then we sat in a circle and the moms took turns opening their gift, saying who it was from, and displaying it for everyone to see. We had a foot massager from the Goodwill, a Santa toilet seat cover, some really gross skull and feather earrings, and a Christmas gnome missing an arm. 
Tacky White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange, from Serenity Now
Tacky White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange, from Serenity Now

Tacky White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange, from Serenity Now


The gift wrap was a hoot--one was taped with blue painters tape, Christy brought a Valentine's Bag with "Happy Valentine's" crossed out and "Merry Christmas" written in Sharpie, and I wrapped mine in newspaper and made a "bow" with a coffee filter.  
Tacky White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange, from Serenity Now
Tacky White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange, from Serenity Now


Our lovely friend, Angie, offered to host the event for us, which was perfect since she has a large home and it was decorated for Christmas in time for the party. We had Christmas music in the background, and lots of tasty food to sample.
Hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, from Serenity Now
Hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, from Serenity Now
Hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, from Serenity Now


If you've never hosted an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party before, I highly recommend it! So much less stressful than hosting something formal, and always good for some laughs! (I'm in the back row wearing the "tacky" snow hat I received in the gift exchange)
Throw Your Own Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! from Serenity Now blog


What's the best Christmas or holiday party you've ever attended?

*This post is part of my Christmas series, A Season of Serenity at Home. Please visit this link for a round-up of all the current posts to date. Lots of Christmas inspiration to inspire your stress-free Christmas holiday!
A Season of Serenity at Home (Christmas Series) from Serenity Now

*Don't forget to enter this week's Framed Photo Canvas Giveaway! I'm giving 3 away, plus free shipping!


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12 comments:

  1. Fun! This looks like a great evening. And it's good for us all to laugh!

    A couple of years ago my oldest son Will was invited to a tacky sweater party. He came home and asked if I had an old Christmas sweater he could wear (Will's the oldest but far and away the smallest of my sons, so he had no problem fitting into a shapeless sweater of mine). He wore my prized Christmas vest that Jack bought me at Talbot's back in 1999. I was so sad to think of that vest as tacky--but added a knitted cap with fur lining and attached earmuffs a la Cousin Eddie--and he won first prize!

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  2. This looks like such fun! I've never hosted a tacky Christmas sweater party, but I'd love to do it someday. Thanks for the ideas.

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  3. This looks like so much fun! I'm especially lovin' that green tutu ;)

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  4. I've been waiting for this post, yay! How fun!! I'm hosting my first Ugly Sweater party next Friday, and can't wait! My mom sent me a hideous cardi that even has bells hanging off it. heehee I already know some women won't be sporting an ugly sweater, they don't thrift, if you know what I mean? Snobs! haha

    ~ Catie

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  5. Your girls night out ideas are always so fun!!! Love that everyone went all out to get into the spirit!

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  6. hahaha! Love this idea!! How hilarious it would be to get together with your friends for an ugly sweater party. Girls parties are great anyway!

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  7. That looks like such a fun time! The green tutu cracks me up...seems like it was in almost every picture:)

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  8. I just love it. The ugly sweater. LOL

    Vanessa

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  9. This party looks like SO much fun. Our supper club group talked about doing it for December but the girl who is supposed to host hasn't followed through, so I think my tacky sweater (that was oh-so-cool in 1993) will have to wait another year to be worn again.

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  10. Oh, Amanda, this could not be MORE fun! I love this idea for a party!

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