Christmas jumper day ideas

Christmas Jumper Day falls in early to mid December in most UK schools and offices, usually raising money for charity. You don't need to buy a new jumper - one plain one and a glue gun covers nearly everything below.

We don't sell costumes - we make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house, printed in the UK - so nothing below is a sales pitch for an outfit.

If you're organising it at work, the last section covers collections, prizes and keeping it light.

DIY jumpers from one plain jumper

• Tinsel sewn or glued round the neck and cuffs.
• Baubles safety-pinned on, hanging from a drawn branch.
• A felt Christmas tree with real fairy lights, battery pack in the pocket.
• Cotton wool snowman with a felt hat and a carrot nose.
• Wrapping paper and a bow taped on: you are the present.
• Felt reindeer face with a red pompom nose.
• Drawn-on snowflakes in fabric pen across a navy jumper.
• A knitted stocking pinned to the front, filled with sweets.

Funny office jumper ideas

• 'Out of office' printed and pinned to a plain jumper.
• A jumper covered in printed mince pies with one bite taken.
• Sellotaped-on receipts: the true cost of Christmas.
• Fairy lights that flash, worn by someone who sits opposite the boss.
• A snow globe effect: clear pocket, cotton wool, a tiny figure.
• The team logo redrawn in tinsel.
• 'Bah humbug' in felt letters, worn entirely straight-faced.

Kids' school jumper day

• Felt shapes glued onto a school jumper - it washes off most of them.
• A snowman made of three cotton wool circles.
• Reindeer antlers cut from brown felt on the shoulders.
• Pompoms glued on as baubles.
• A star on the front with their name in the middle.
• Tinsel sewn round the cuffs only, so it survives playtime.

No jumper, no problem

• A festive t-shirt under a cardigan.
• Tinsel round a plain top and nothing else.
• A Santa hat and a badge, if the office is relaxed about it.
• A borrowed jumper from someone who's finally decluttered.
• A charity shop jumper - the best ones are always second hand anyway.

Running a jumper day at work

• Pick the national date so everyone remembers it.
• Set a suggested donation rather than an amount people must pay.
• Take one group photo, early, before people go to lunch.
• Give small prizes - worst jumper usually wins the biggest laugh.
• Say what the money raised went to afterwards; it doubles next year's turnout.

Shop party supplies

Pin badges for prizes

Something to hand the best and worst costume of the night.

How to write it so it lands

• Glue rather than sew if you want the jumper back to normal in January.
• Battery fairy lights beat anything that needs a plug.
• Keep the decorations removable and reuse the same jumper every year.

Where to shop next

• Couples Halloween costumes
• World Book Day costume ideas
• Halloween makeup ideas
• Group and family Halloween costumes
• DIY Halloween costumes
• Kids Halloween costumes
• Book week costume ideas
• Pet Halloween costumes
• Halloween costume ideas
• Fancy dress ideas
• Halloween party ideas
• Party supplies
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

When is Christmas Jumper Day in the UK?

It usually falls on a Thursday or Friday in early to mid December, with most schools and workplaces following the national charity date.

How do you make a Christmas jumper at home?

Start with one plain jumper and add tinsel round the neck, felt shapes, pompom baubles or a cotton wool snowman. A glue gun and an hour covers it.

What if I don't own a Christmas jumper?

Tinsel round a plain top, a festive t-shirt under a cardigan, or a charity shop find - which is usually the best jumper in the room anyway.

How do you run Christmas Jumper Day at work?

Pick the national date, suggest rather than demand a donation, take the group photo early, hand out a prize for the worst jumper, and share the total raised afterwards.