Baby and Toddler Ugly Holiday Sweaters Too Cute Not to Buy
The “ugly Christmas sweater” has become as quintessential to the holiday season as mistletoe, Christmas caroling and good ol’ shopping mall Santa Claus himself. While the tradition may have started in the early 2000s as a tongue-in-cheek homage to sappy Christmas sweaters past, it’s lingered for a reason: We’re suckers for nostalgia, for parties with a (silly) purpose and an excuse to wear something festive. We also love a good tradition to pass down to our children, who, until they have a say in the matter, are the perfect pint-size models to pull off looks we may not have the sartorial courage to wear ourselves. So turn up the holiday cheer this season by having your kiddo don one of the cutest baby or toddler “ugly” Christmas sweaters around. Because if anyone can pull off a polka-dot cardigan featuring a parade of prancing reindeer, it’s your munchkin! And because the tradition has definitely carried over to Hanukkah too, we’ve also included some dreidel and menorah-embellished options in the mix.
These baby boy and girl Christmas sweaters (and Hanukkah sweatshirt) will make everybody’s holiday season a little jollier. Oh, and by the way: Most of this awesome apparel is available in toddler sizes too.
A Reindeer Romp
Hands up if you’d wear this to an ugly sweater party if it came in your size! It’s part of a cuddly two-piece outfit (check out those candy cane-striped leggings) that’ll not only win the baby ugly Christmas sweater game, but also keep your babe toasty.
Buy it: Carter’s Baby 2-Piece Reindeer Sweater & Striped Pant Set, starting from $15, Amazon.com
A Sweet Snowflake
We can’t get enough of the pom-pom sleeves on this snowflake baby Christmas sweater.
Buy it: Hatley Pompom Snowflake Sweater, $42, Nordstrom.com
He’s a Mean One
When in doubt, draw inspiration from your favorite Christmas movie. This infant ugly Christmas sweater comes emblazoned with a smirking Grinch graphic.
Buy it: Dr. Suess Baby Boys’ The Grinch Ugly Holiday Sweater, $14, Target.com
Santa, Baby
Has baby been an awful good girl (or boy) this year? Give the gift of this precious baby ugly Christmas sweater. We love Santa’s trendy buffalo check hat. And the fuzzy beard? Well, that’s just beyond.
Buy it: Mud Pie Christmas Alpine Village Santa Buffalo Check Sweater, $40, Amazon.com
A Nose for Cuteness
Is there anything more awww-worthy than a baby ugly sweater romper? YES! One that has a hood complete with a pom-pom Rudolph nose and itty-bitty antlers.
Buy it: The White Company Reindeer Knitted Romper, $49, TheWhiteCompany.com
It’s a Rudolph Rave
To heck with Dasher, Dancer, Blitzen and the rest of those non-flashy reindeer. This baby ugly Christmas cardigan knows how to party, featuring the one and only all-star Rudolph and his festive nose.
Buy it: Mini Boden Festive Deer Cardigan, $52, Nordstrom.com
Hey Buddy
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear—and dressing your baby just like Elf. No, not the On The Shelf guy, but the one and only Buddy from Will Ferrell’s hysterical holiday movie Elf. Because the best baby ugly Christmas sweaters go all out.
Buy it: Tipsy Elves Infant Elf Ugly Christmas Sweater, $30, Amazon.com
On a Roll
This ugly baby sweater is adorable and funny: The dreidel-adorned graphic reads, “this is how I roll.” What more could you want from a casual Hanukkah sweatshirt?
Buy it: 7 Ate 9 Apparel This Is How I Roll Funny Hanukkah Sweater, $23, Etsy.com
All Buttoned Up
This too-cute ensemble looks like a classic cardigan over a bow tie-adorned top, but it’s actually a comfy onesie with a snap-on tie. Your festive newborn is sure to steal the show in this baby ugly Christmas sweater getup.
Buy it: The Humble Lemon Christmas/Holiday Baby Preppy Cardigan Bow Tie Set, starting from $30, Etsy.com
Irony With a Snap Crotch
It’s not actually a sweater, making this Christmas motif-festooned onesie the perfect outfit for your little one’s very first tongue-in-cheek baby ugly Christmas sweater. It’s also very affordable.
Buy it: Baby Starters Newborn First Ugly Sweater Bodysuit, $8, Zulily.com
The Best Present
Dress them up like the gift they are. This red and green colorblocked baby ugly Christmas sweater is finished off with a massive gold bow.
Buy it: Tipsy Elves Baby Ugly Xmas Sweater, $35, Amazon.com
These toddler boy and girl Christmas sweaters are, again, really darn adorable. And they come in fun, festive designs that’ll excite even the fussiest of tykes. That goes for the Hanukkah option too!
Have a Dino-Mite Holiday
Dinosaurs are cool. Dinosaurs in Santa hats are even cooler. But the coolest thing about this toddler Christmas sweater is that your opinionated kid will be amped to wear it. The “ugly” design is actually quite dapper!
Buy it: The Children’s Place Toddler and Boys Merry Rex-Mas Shawl Collar Sweater, $35, TheChildrensPlace.com
Eight Lights, Eight Arms?
This creative ugly Hanukkah sweater is printed with a charming octopus filling in as a menorah. The creature’s smiling face is seriously too-cute.
Buy it: Tstars Happy Hanukkah Octopus Menorah Ugly Hanukkah Toddler Sweatshirt, starting from $21, Amazon.com
Red Ruffles
A ruffled trim is never not darling on a toddler. And when it comes to cuteness, the button back on this Christmas sweater really seals the deal.
Buy it: Janie and Jack Fair Isle Sweater, $54, JanieandJack.com
A Christmas Mouse
Because sometimes, the only thing they want to wear is something with their favorite Disney character on it.
Buy it: Disney Toddler Girls’ Minnie Mouse Ugly Holiday Sweater, $17, Target.com
All Dressed Up
What better holiday outfit for your merry babe than this fa-la-labulous toddler ugly Christmas sweater dress? It comes patterned with snowflakes, reindeer and adorable evergreen trees.
Buy it: Hanna Andersson Dear Deer Sweater Dress in Cotton & Merino, $64, HannaAndersson.com
Hoodie for the Holidays
Okay, so this toddler ugly sweater is technically a cotton hoodie, but come on! It’s too good to ignore. Your truck-loving kiddo will obsess over the funny “I’m digging Christmas” design.
Buy it: Tstars Online I’m Digging Christmas Ugly Sweater Tractor Toddler Hoodie, starting from $30, Etsy.com
Too Cute to Care
This toddler ugly Christmas sweater is also a sweatshirt, but that’s kind of the whole point. The sassy pullover reads, “too cute for ugly sweaters.” Touché.
Buy it: Royal Majes Tees Kids Ugly Christmas Sweater, $25, Etsy.com
Tree-Rex
What can we say? Everybody loves a good dinosaur pun—especially tots.
Buy it: H&M Jacquard Knit Sweater in Red/Dinosaur, $15, HM.com
A Look to In-Vest In
There’s only one thing better than a regular toddler ugly Christmas sweater: a toddler ugly Christmas sweater vest. This silly reindeer pullover is sold with a button-down shirt and corduroy pants for a smart—but still on-theme—outfit.
Buy it: Good Lad Toddler Boys Three Piece Green Reindeer Appliqued Sweater Vest, $60, Amazon.com
Peace and Joy
This is the chillest snow monster we’ve ever seen. We’re also into those striped sleeve cuffs on the toddler ugly Christmas sweater.
Buy it: Gap Toddler Intarsia Sweater in Comet Blue, $35, Gap.com
A Jolly Red “Suit”
When all else fails, dress them up like Mr. Claus himself. This knit toddler ugly Christmas sweater is undeniably festive.
Buy it: H&M Christmas Sweater in Red/Santa, $18, HM.com Updated December 2019
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