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.

13 DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters to Make This Year

1. Christmas Lights Sweater

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.

2. Kid’s Christmas Tree

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.

3. Pink Evergreen

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

4. Holiday in the Sun

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.

5. Mr. and Mrs.

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.

6. Tacky All the Way

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!

7. Ugly Holiday Bandana

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.

8. Light It Up

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.

9. Gingerbread Box

‘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.

10. Up the Ugly

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.

11. Bows and Baubles

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.

12. Tie It Up

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.

13. Clear Bowl Snow Globe

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.