Ugly sweater party theme
Plan an ugly sweater party theme with a frozen drink machine: mocha and margarita bowls, a peppermint rim, a kids slushie, food, games, and printables.
An ugly sweater party theme pairs tacky holiday sweaters with a frozen drink machine pouring Mocha Cappuccino and Strawberry Margarita, finished with a Peppermint Cocktail Sugar rim. Fill one bowl with Vanilla, alcohol-free, and the kids get a peppermint rimmed "snowball" slushie.
Dates to know
Our machines are booked out Nov 21 to Dec 3, 2026, so plan your ugly sweater party for early November (Nov 3 to 20) or for Dec 4 or later. December weekends fill fast, so book online as soon as you pick a date.
The look
The tackier the better. Use red, green, white, and a lot of tinsel.
- Tinsel garland around the drink table and the machine cart
- Mismatched string lights and blinking ornaments
- A plaid or flannel tablecloth
- Paper snowflakes taped to the windows
- A "Tacky sweater runway" made from a strip of red paper
- A photo wall with props: Santa hats, reindeer ears, and giant glasses
The two bowls
| Option | Bowl 1 | Bowl 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cozy and bright | Mocha Cappuccino | Strawberry Margarita |
| Red and green | Lime Margarita | Strawberry Margarita |
| Dessert bar | Mocha Cappuccino | Orange Dreamsicle |
| Cranberry stand in | Cherry Limeade | Lime Margarita |
Kids slushie bowl
Every mix is alcohol-free until you add alcohol. Vanilla with a peppermint rim makes a snowball slushie, and Cherry or Green Sour Apple gives a red or green option. For a family party, keep one bowl for adults and one for kids, or rent a second machine so the kids get two flavors. Label every bowl.
Rim and garnish
- Peppermint Cocktail Sugar on Mocha Cappuccino and Vanilla
- Chocolate Cocktail Sugar on Strawberry Margarita or kids cups
- Lime Margarita Salt on Lime Margarita
Garnish with mini candy canes, a dusting of crushed peppermint, or a maraschino cherry. Each 4 oz rim package rims about 40 drinks.
Food ideas
- A hot chocolate bar for the non frozen crowd
- Sliders, meatballs, and a cheese board shaped like a wreath
- Christmas cookies and a decorate your own cookie station
- Tamales, a Texas holiday favorite
- Popcorn in red and green
Games and activities
- Ugly sweater contest: categories like tackiest, most lights, and best homemade.
- White elephant gift swap: set a simple rule and let the stealing begin.
- Sweater relay: teams race to put on and pass a giant sweater.
- Holiday song trivia: play the first few seconds and guess the tune.
Printables
Make a tacky invitation on our party invite page with "Ugliest sweater wins" in the headline. Then print:
- Bowl labels: "Grown up cheer (21 and up)" and "Snowball slushie"
- Sweater contest ballots
- White elephant rules card
Our party tools page has more planning helpers, and our Christmas party frozen drinks guide has more holiday flavor ideas.
Planning note
One machine serves up to 100 guests, and one mix serves about 20. We set up 2 to 3 hours before the party and need a standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit. Holiday lights can load a circuit, so plug the machine into an outlet that isn't shared with decorations. Book online at least 2 days ahead, and remember the Nov 21 to Dec 3 closure.
Ready to plan? Check dates and book online in minutes, or get a quick estimate first.