Ever since Adam Sandler penned his famous ditty “The Chanukah Song” on SNL back in 1994, Hanukah got a shot of much-needed levity. While we had great food, chocolate, and games, we didn’t have wacky holiday sweaters that made noise, lit up, or had dancing gingerbread, or in a Jewish person’s case, dancing dreidels on them.
Nowadays, there are so many funny, cool, and yes, ugly Hanukkah sweaters and sweatshirts around, you kinda wish that the holiday lasted more than eight nights so you could wear them all. Luckily, this year people are once again throwing (socially distanced) holiday parties, so we can break out the ugly Hanukkah sweaters that we’re slowly amassing.
We Jews may be a bit behind in the ugly holiday sweater schtick, but we’re slowly catching up. Soon there could be an equal number of ugly Christmas sweaters and ugly Hanukkah sweaters. While there are a lot of ugly Christmas sweaters with all sorts of woodland creatures, we’re starting to see Ugly Hanukkah sweaters with cats, llamas, and alpacas.
Read More: The Best Hanukkah Decorations
This year Hanukkah kicks off November 28th and goes all the way through December 6, 2021, so you can really stretch out your ugly holiday sweater (and sweatshirt) wearing. So, to brighten your Hanukkah party (all menorahs aside), we’ve rounded up some hilariously ugly Hanukkah sweaters. From a dinosaur menorah sweater (yes, that’s really a thing) to a Hanukah sweater that lights up, we’ve gathered a collection of unique and funny ugly Hanukkah sweaters that are guaranteed to elevate any Hanukkah party with some lightness, fun and festivity. Check them out below.
1. Blizzard Bay Men’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Santa
BEST OVERALL
This mesmerizingly ugly sweater is like the start of a really bad joke, “Santa, a reindeer and an orthodox rabbi walk into a bar…” Three appliqued figures are doing a kick line over a background of a brilliant eye-wateringly clashing nordic print. It’s so ugly that it’s hilarious. And you can’t keep your eyes off it. That’s what makes it one of the best ugly holiday sweaters in the history of ugly holiday sweaters. Wear this sweater and nothing and no one will outshine you, not even the menorah.
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2. Dreidel Hanukkah Ugly Sweater
MOST FESTIVE
What makes this the most festive ugly Hanukkah sweater out there, you ask? Well, for starters, it’s got all the makings of a great Hanukkah holiday: the Star of David, the dreidel game and a touch of snow. This royal blue sweater screams “Happy Hanukkah” in the most festive of ways.
3. RosieTees Keep the Han in Hanukkah Sweatshirt
BEST FOR STAR WARS FANS
This pun-tastic Hanukkah sweatshirt’s guaranteed to deliver laughs and groans, just the way a great ugly Hanukkah sweater should.
4. Festified Classy Hanukkah Cadigan
BEST CARDIGAN
Let’s get one thing straight: this ain’t your grandfather’s cardigan. However, it does feature the same classic cardigan cut. Only here, we’ve got the classic colors of Hanukkah — silver and blue — with a festive pattern filled with menorahs, Star of Davids, dreidels, and more.
5. Dino Menorah Hanukkah Sweater
MOST UNIQUE
This eye-catching and hilariously unique Hanukkah sweater is unlike any other. We’re pretty sure that the menorah shaped like a dinosaur T-Rex pretty much speaks for itself, and we guarantee you won’t run into another sweater quite like it.
6. Forum Novelties Happy Hanukkah Sweater
THE CLASSIC
This bright blue sweater subtly tells everyone what a nice big menorah you have. Seriously, wear this when you’re visiting family for a Hanukkah dinner, and all the bubbes will kvell when you walk into the room.
7. Red Bubble Meowzel Tov Chanukah Shirt Zipped Hoodie
BEST FOR HOODIE LOVERS
Wacky, tacky and silly, Hanukkah graphics aren’t just for sweaters and pullovers, hoodies can also showcase a tweaked sense of holiday humor. This ugly Hanukkah hoodie’s graphic is perfectly designed that even when you unzip it, the image works.
8. Ugly Hanukkah It’s Lit Sweater
BEST THROWBACK
Not only does this ugly Hanukkah sweater shine the spotlight on the ultimate symbol of the holiday (a menorah), but it also captures a cool ’90s aesthetic with the repeating squiggly pattern on the arms and torso. And we can’t forget about the “It’s Lit” saying that so appropriately matches the vibe.
9. Tipsy Elves Funny Hanukkah Sweater
FOR THE DIRTY JOKESTER
Buyers beware; this sweater will probably not fly at your family Hanukkah celebration. It’s the dirtiest sweater we could find, making it ideal for holiday parties with your close friends. But if anyone without a raunchy sense of humor asks what the shirt means, just tell them it means that Hanukkah can be tiring and Jews last eight days anyway.
10. KalisClosetCo Happy Llamakkah Sweatshirt
FOR THE PREPPIE
A quasi-Fair Isle background pattern (Preppies love Fair Isle anything) made up of Stars of Davids and geometric figures nicely frame the Hanukkah Llama wearing a winter scarf. Wait a minute, there isn’t a “Hanukkah Llama.” But it is a silly holiday sweater that comes in 10 other colors.
12. Street Fighter Hanukkah Sweatshirt
FOR THE GAMER
Gaming and Hanukkah might not seem too compatible, but this Street Fighter-inspired sweater proves that they most definitely are. It portrays a Hasidic Jewish man in Street Fighter style, shouting “Hanukkah” instead of the typical “Hadouken” and throwing a Star of David. It’s a fun blend of geek culture and Hanukkah, and it’s sure to get a laugh from any meme-lover or gamer.
13. Peace Love and Latkes Hanukkah Sweatshirt
FOR THE ZEN MASTER
Any holiday gathering –– whether it’s a family Christmas, office holiday party or Hanukkah –– can get a little hectic. That’s why this “Peace, Love and Latkes” sweater is a great idea. It reminds everyone to take it easy, love each other and eat latkes. It’s certainly on the tamer side of funny Hanukkah sweaters, making it highly versatile as well. Everyone will understand the message and appreciate it.
14. PositivityUp Alpaca Funny Hanukkah Sweatshirt
MOST SMILE-INDUCING
No one knows why or how alpacas got involved with Hanukkah. They weren’t involved with Judah and the Maccabees, heck, they weren’t in Israeal at that time, nor are they anywhere in the Five Books of Moses. But, they’re so damn silly and fun, we’re not complaining if they want to get into the act. You got an alpaca wearing sunnies, a scarf and a hat, carrying a menorah on its back. It’s framed top and bottom with a row of menorahs and Stars of David. Kitschy? Yes? Ugly? Kinda. Weird? Yes. It’s such a goofy sweatshirt that you could wear it to work, to happy hour and even an after-party.
15. Tipsy Elves To Lit to Quit Hanukkah Sweater
IT LIGHTS UP!
For years, Christians cornered the market with their light-up ugly Christmas sweaters. Finally, we have our own! This handsome navy unisex crewneck sweater’s menorah and surrounding stars light up and blink on and off. This is almost the peak perfection of ugly holiday sweaters.
16. Hanukkah Menorah Sweater
MOST “LIT” SWEATER
When it comes to finding ugly Hanukkah sweaters, you’ll find a slew of sweaters out there with the word “lit” somewhere on the sweater. And while we have a few on this list, we really love the way that this one looks. It’s got several borders, one with the Torah and the other with the Star of David, while the word of the day: “lit” sits front and center.
17. ‘Jewnicorn’ Ugly Hanukkah Sweater
FOR THE MEME-LOVER
Hanukkah might be over 2,000 years old, but that doesn’t mean you can’t update your Hanukkah gear for 2021. This Hanukkah sweater does just that, featuring a meme-d out graphic of a rainbow unicorn with the caption “Jewnicorn.” It’s a great gift idea for family members with a sense of humor or as a unique outfit piece for Zoom holiday parties.
18. Matzo Balls Hanukkah Sweatshirt
BEST FOR THE FOODIE
What’s better than matzo ball soup? Nothing. Also known as “Jewish Penicillin,” this dish is easily the best part of Hanukkah. Sure, when you’re a kid there are eight days of presents, but as an adult, you’re looking forward to that tasty soup on a cold winter’s evening. Armed with this 80/20 cotton/polyester blend sweatshirt, you’ll have no problem repping the true gift of Hanukkah, matzo ball soup. Not only is it stylish, but this sweatshirt is also hilarious and will let everyone know you value a home-cooked meal.
19. FemFetti Meowzel Tov Crewneck Sweatshirt
BEST FOR CAT LOVERS
What’s more festive than a cat wearing a yarmulke? And that cat probably has a better dreidel game than most of us, too. This giggle-inducing sweatshirt also comes in gray.
20. Tipsy Elves Hanukkah Sweater
BEST FOR LIFE OF THE PARTY
Here’s a tongue-in-cheek way of greeting everyone at a party, this play on words has the rabbi is saying “Challah!” instead of “Hollah!” It will definitely get people talking.
21. ‘Let’s Get Lit’ Ugly Hanukkah Sweater
BEST FOR THE WILD HANUKKAH PARTY
Hanukkah parties are traditionally pretty mellow events –– light some candles, eat some latkes, exchange some gifts and go to bed –– but they don’t have to be boring. In other words, Hanukkah can be lit, as this punny sweater suggests. It features a menorah, and the party phrase “Let’s Get Lit.”
22. Schmidt Ugly Hanukkah Sweatshirt
BEST FOR BIG BROTHERS
New Girl’s Schmidt is serving up some spicy Hanukkah sass on this relaxed-fit sweatshirt. Best worn when dealing with younger (and annoying) siblings.