Cat Ugly Christmas Sweaters That Win the Party

Want a cat ugly Christmas sweater that actually wins the party? Choose a design with one clear cat joke people can read from across the room, such as a "guilty" cat writing to Santa or a cat knocking over the tree, then pick your usual size for a fitted look or one size up for a cozy one. Here are three cat designs from our Christmas 3D apparel collection and how to choose.

What makes a cat Christmas sweater funny?

Every cat owner knows the holiday script: the tree goes up, the ornaments come down, and the cat looks completely innocent. The best cat sweaters lean into that story. A good one has a single punchline, a bold color you can spot in a crowd, and a pattern border that still says "Christmas sweater" when the joke is out of view.

3 cat designs that win the party

1. "Dear Santa, I Can Explain"

A black cat in a Santa hat poses for a "mugshot" under the words "Dear Santa, I can explain". The light grey base with red and black snowflake bands makes the joke easy to read in photos. Pick this one for an ugly sweater contest: it tells the whole story in five words.

2. The cat who knocked over the tree ("What?")

A black cat casually pushing a decorated tree over, with a big "WHAT?" underneath. Fair Isle-style bands in red, cream and navy give it the most traditional sweater look of the three, so it also works for family dinners and office parties.

3. A cat-lover elf hoodie for colder nights

Prefer a hoodie? This red 3D hoodie turns you into the "pet all the cats" elf, with a striped elf collar, belt and shoes printed on the front. It is a good choice for outdoor markets, light-viewing walks or anyone who runs cold.

How to choose between them

Fit and fabric

The two sweatshirts are unisex all-over-print designs. According to the product pages they are 95% polyester and 5% spandex with dye-sublimation printing, so the pattern is printed into the fabric rather than knitted. That keeps them lighter than a wool knit, which is handy in a warm, crowded room. For layering over a shirt, stay with your usual size; for a relaxed fit, size up once. Check the size chart on each product page before ordering.

Gift idea: pair a sweater with a cat blanket

Shopping for a cat mom or cat dad? Pair one of the sweaters with this sherpa fleece throw: a cat in a Santa hat holds a red "Be Kind" ornament on a black, paw-print background. It is from $49.95 in our Christmas blankets collection, and our sherpa vs fleece vs quilt guide explains sizes and care.

Tips to win the ugly sweater vote

• Act out the joke: carry a small "evidence" ornament for the "I Can Explain" design.
• Match as a pair: one person in a cat design, the other in a dog design. Our dog ugly Christmas sweater picks make an easy cat-vs-dog duo.
• Keep the rest plain: black jeans or a dark skirt let the print do the work.

FAQ

Are these real knitted sweaters?

No. They are printed sweatshirts with a knit-look pattern (95% polyester, 5% spandex), which makes them lighter than a chunky knit.

Are they unisex?

Yes, both sweatshirts and the hoodie are unisex. Use the size chart on the product page to compare with a top you already own.

What is a good cat lover Christmas gift under $50?

Any of the three designs above ($45.95) or the cat sherpa throw (from $49.95).

Shop all Christmas 3D apparel