13 DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters You Still Have Time to Make This Year

December brings many things:

tree lightings, family gatherings, white elephants, and ample opportunities to rock a DIY ugly Chrismas sweater.

While many brands offer seasonal sweaters featuring quippy sayings and seasonal motifs, crafting your own using

thrifted pieces, upcycled fabric, and old

holiday decor can help you cut down on waste. And considering that Americans toss out

25% more trash during the holidays, that's an important feat.

From snow globe bellies to crocheted Christmas lights, these handmade holiday sweaters will help to get you in the spirit, sustainably.

Crochet hobbyists: take the extra step and craft your own wooly strand of Christmas lights. With sustainable yarn and a thrifted

sweater, you have the ultimate eco-activity.

Get the whole family in on the DIY action with this felted sweater for kids. Decorate a soon-to-be-donated crewneck with felt or scrap fabric to create a memorable holiday scene.

Get creative (and original) by using nature-inspired stencils to decorate your holiday sweater. Make one for your mini, too.

Those who prefer tropical climates to a snowy season will love this DIY option, which calls for felt and yarn—both of which can be sourced sustainably.

The couple that sleighs together, stays together.

Upcycle leftover tinsel, ribbon, and sequins to make a seasonal statement with the help of your other half.

This one's for the

vintage lovers. Level up a printed cardigan with faux "fur" cuffs crafted from leftover

tinsel. After all, better in your closet than in the landfill!

Trade your sweater for a stylish DIY bandana made from scrap fabric. Though this DIY was designed for

dogs, there's no reason us two-leggeds can't get in on the fun.

Discarded bows, bells, and felted decor find new form when tacked onto an old sweater—and that string of lights with one faulty bulb is officially given new life.

'Tis the season of

cardboard boxes. Repurpose some of those piling packages by transforming one into a wearable gingerbread house, the better to transform any outfit into an ugly holiday ensemble.

Thrift shops, your local

Goodwill, and other donation sweaters are stocked with holiday sweaters. Pick your favorite and ramp up the ugly with found materials and old wrapping accessories.

All of those bows and present toppers you surreptitiously saved now have an actual purpose. Decorate your favorite cable knit, either giving it an entirely new life with the use of a glue gun, or a temporary dress-up with the help of safety pins.

This temporary sweater upgrade requires leftover wrapping ribbon—and some extra human hands. Wrap yourself like a present, all while keeping your sweater of choice intact for future wear.

Surprise! Your stomach is now a snow globe. Grab a clear plastic bowl from your kitchen and fill it with torn-up wrapping paper, existing ornaments, or found greenery to create a seasonal landscape.