Last Updated on 30th September 2025
Every winter Britain divides into two camps. On one side are the festive faithful: those who pull on a reindeer jumper with flashing LED lights the moment the nights draw in. On the other are the Scrooges and Grinches, rolling their eyes at anything involving snowflakes, tinsel, jingling bells, and walking out of shops with Mariah Carey warbling about what she wants for Christmas.
Regardless of which camp you sit in, most people agree the calendar need to flip into December to be truly considered the countdown to Christmas. In my opinion you have to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night first. I put the lights and tree up first weekend in December, mainly to make sure it lasts the full festive period.
But that doesn’t stop some people kick starting their holiday season by delving into the depths of their winter wardrobe. If they want to wear their favourite Christmas jumper and reindeer antlers, that’s cool by me.
Why Do People Wear Christmas Jumpers?
Love them or loathe them, ugly Christmas jumpers are now one of the UK’s most unmistakable holiday icons. In fact, research suggests Britons spend over £220 million a year on Christmas jumpers, proving demand is far from fading. What began as quirky knitwear has turned into a December staple for high street shops, office Secret Santas, and family photos alike.
Why? Well they like to feel Christmassy, and who are we to stop their clear delight at spreading Christmas cheer. It’s not like they’ve dressed up as Santa in the workplace!
A Brief History of the Christmas Jumper
If you don’t count the Scandinavian fisherman wearing a patterned wool sweater for warmth, the tradition’s roots stretch back to the 20th century, when knitted sweaters featuring snowflakes and holly appeared as seasonal gifts. At first, they were more “cringe” than cool, the sort of present your great aunt knitted with love, but which you weren’t entirely sure you could wear in public.
Pop culture gave them a boost in the 1980s and 90s, but it was films like 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary that truly catapulted them into the mainstream, turning awkward ugly sweaters into the ironic fashion statements. By the time Christmas Jumper Day launched in support of Save the Children in 2012, they had officially become festive uniforms celebrating the garishness. The irony being it was the same style, just embraced with nostalgic celebration.
What Makes Christmas Jumpers So Joyful?
Christmas jumpers are unapologetically playful and invitation to be merry. They invite you to laugh at yourself, to embrace whimsy, and to signal: “Yes, I’m here for the festive cheer.” From office parties to family dinners, they are social equalisers, the sillier the design, the bigger the smile. And lets be honest, who doesn’t want to turn heads when they enter a room.
A Brand Built on Festive Fun
For every proud jumper-wearer, there are still a few holdouts. Some insist they’d never be caught dead in one, preferring to stay in their Scrooge lane. But if demand is any indicator, the lovers are winning.
When Christmas Jumpers began in Spain in 2018 with just six designs, inspired by time spent in London and Edinburgh, it was meant to bring a bit of British festive fun back home. Fast forward to 2025, and the company offers more than 150 adult models and 65+ for kids. “We never imagined six jumpers would become 200 designs,” says the founder, “but it shows how much people love celebrating Christmas together.”
Are Matching Christmas PJs the New Tradition?
If jumpers are for showing off at the office party, matching Christmas pyjamas are for the living room. Once reserved for sitcom families, coordinated sets have become a global phenomenon. Parents, children, and even pets are getting in on the act. Waking up on Christmas morning in matching red-and-green flannel is no longer kitsch, it’s Instagram-worthy tradition that screams “look at us, we’re a fun family unit”.
Responsibility Behind the Glitter
But isn’t just about novelty patterns and funny Christmas Jumpers. Over 25% of its catalogue is now made from certified organic cotton, backed by the rigorous GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). This guarantees high environmental and social standards across the supply chain.
The company also partners with Save the Children. For every order placed, they donate the equivalent of a meal for a family through the charity’s Children’s Emergency Fund. Contributions support climate-resilient farming, protect children from malnutrition, and ensure access to education in vulnerable regions.
Looking Ahead to Christmas Jumper Day 2025
The festive garment tradition shows no signs of slowing. With Christmas Jumper Day scheduled for 12th December 2025, millions across the UK will don their festive knitwear in support of Save the Children. Christmas Jumpers’ new collection, spanning sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts, underwear, and PJs, is set to play its part in keeping the spirit alive.
My advice? Swallow the bah humbugs, get a Xmas jumper on, eat a mince pie, and I’m sure you will feel the festive cheer rising, and be surprised how free you feel.
