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We have at least six chances to sport ugly holiday sweaters this season

By Katie Toussaint

My friend Scott tagged me in this really terrible picture of us (above) on Facebook during my birthday party last year. It was ugly-sweater themed, so I opted for a fluffy Santa sweater I borrowed from my mom (don’t tell) and Scott went all out with cats shooting laser beams out of their eyes.

I love tacky/ugly-sweater parties because you aren’t trying to impress anyone by looking super hot – you’re trying to impress everyone by looking as absurd as is humanly possible. Take that, societal standards.

Good thing we have at least six chances to sport our ugly holiday sweaters this season:

(1) The South End Holiday Party

Get thee to the Charlotte Art League in your tackiest. There will be shopping opportunities, a tacky sweater contest and holiday-themed comedy from Improv Charlotte, plus a photo booth to document your absurdity. Hosted by Donna Scott Productions.

When: Dec. 4, 9:30 p.m.-midnight

Cost: Free. But bring an unwrapped new toy to donate to Kids First of the Carolinas.

(2) The Ugly Sweater Run

Toss aside your sleek Lululemon running jacket and pull on some festive, frumpy wool for this 5K at Romare Bearden Park. Participants receive a custom vintage knit hat, unlimited hot chocolate and a beer if they are of age.

When: Dec. 5, noon

Cost: $40 with early registration, $50 day of. Supports Save the Children.

(3) Ugly Christmas Sweater Party & ACC Championship After Party 

Shake your jingle bells (which should be attached to your sweater) at Label at NC Music Factory to the beats of DJ Loui Vee after the ACC game.

When: Dec. 5, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

Cost: Free with RSVP until 11:30 p.m.

(4) 16th Annual Santa’s Uptown Bar Crawl

Red and green apparel is expected here and “striped stockings, ugly sweaters and Santa hats are strongly encouraged” by hosts Elevate Lifestyle and Lazyday Charlotte. Merrily crawl your way through shot and drink specials with no cover charge at participating establishments: BAR Charlotte, Vida Vida, SUITE, Rooftop 210, Prohibition, BlackFinn AmeriPub, Mortimer’s, Fitzgerald’s, Libretto’s, RiRa’s

Bubble, Roxbury, SIP, VAULT, Hooters, TILT and Whisky River.

When: Dec. 12, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Cost: $15 in advance, $25 day of

(5) Ugly Sweater Holiday Party

Don your reindeer antlers and indulge in eggnog, candy cane shots and prizes for the ugliest sweater at Whisky River. Oh and come hungry. There’s a fruit-cake-eating contest.

When: Dec. 18, 8-10 p.m.

Cost: $12. And bring two cans of food for to donate to those in need.

(6) 8th Annual Tacky / Ugly Sweater Party benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Because you know you’re still into house parties. I attended the sixth annual event and things got festive. A keg donated by The Blind Pig, jello shots, spiked cider, snacks – what more could you need? Beer pong, corn hole and a tacky/ugly sweater competition, of course. Note: Only people 21 and over can handle this party, hosted by Ashley McFarland and Kyle Bender.

When: Dec. 19, 7 p.m.

Cost: To partake in the spirits, donate $20 to benefit the 2016 Guys & Dolls Auction supporting cystic fibrosis research.

Bonus: Laura Wright is crafting ugly sweaters in exchange for donations to her Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund (email wrightlaura82@gmail.com). Behold, a masterpiece from last season:

Have a holly jolly ugly-sweater season, all.

Photos: Scott Correll, Weldon Weaver, Laura Wright

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "We have at least six chances to sport ugly holiday sweaters this season."

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