Christmas Jumper Day Ideas: DIY Jumpers for School
The easiest christmas jumper day ideas start with a plain jumper you already own: pin on felt shapes, add tinsel or pom-poms, or iron on a funny slogan, and you've got a festive jumper in one evening. Friends can match a theme (reindeer squad, the whole nativity, a Christmas dinner) so your form group looks planned, not panic-bought.
If your friend group wants to coordinate jumpers and keeps ending up with three identical Rudolphs, The Costume Rack is built for group costume planning so nobody turns up as the same thing. Start my costume
When is Christmas Jumper Day 2026?
Christmas Jumper Day is the UK fundraiser run by the charity Save the Children. People wear a festive jumper to school or work and donate a small amount.
It's usually held on a Thursday in early to mid December. The exact christmas jumper day date changes each year, so check Save the Children's official Christmas Jumper Day page for the confirmed 2026 date before you plan. Your school may also pick its own day, often the last week before the holidays.
In the US and Canada it's more common to see "ugly sweater day" or an ugly sweater party. Same energy, different name. Our ugly sweater ideas post is the North American version of this guide.
DIY a plain jumper in one evening
You don't need to buy a christmas jumper. Grab any plain jumper or sweatshirt (red, green, navy, gray, cream all work) and pick one of these.
No-sew christmas jumper ideas
- Safety-pin decorations: tinsel, mini baubles (plastic ones), or felt shapes pinned on from the inside so you can take them off later.
- Felt cut-outs with fabric glue: a reindeer face, a tree, a snowman, a pudding. Felt is cheap at craft shops.
- Iron-on letters or transfer paper: spell out a slogan.
- Pom-pom tree: glue colored pom-poms in a triangle shape for a Christmas tree.
- Ribbon "present": two strips of ribbon in a cross with a bow on top. You're now a gift.
Quick sew ideas
- Stitch on bells (jingle all day, your teachers will love it).
- Sew a felt Rudolph nose onto the chest of a brown jumper.
- Add a pocket "stocking" with a candy cane sticking out.
Homemade christmas jumper ideas that come off later
Pins, safety pins and fabric tape mean you get your normal jumper back in January. Good if it's your only nice one.
Funny christmas jumper ideas
Funny christmas jumper day designs get the most photos.
- "Sleigh all day" in glittery letters.
- "Elf on the shelf" with an actual small toy pinned on the shoulder.
- A Christmas tree with one bauble labeled "my last brain cell."
- "Mince pie tester" with a tiny paper pie pinned on.
- Rudolph with a light-up nose (battery LED from a craft kit).
- A snowman that's melted at the bottom of the jumper.
- "Nice-ish" with the "naughty" box ticked.
- Brussels sprout: green jumper, green pom-poms, done.
Keep slogans school appropriate. If a teacher has to ask you to turn it inside out, it wasn't worth it.
Group and friend christmas jumper themes
This is where christmas jumper design ideas get fun. One theme, everyone a different piece.
| Theme | Roles |
|---|---|
| Reindeer squad | Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen (name on each jumper) |
| Christmas dinner | Turkey, sprout, pig in blanket, roast potato, gravy |
| The nativity | Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, a sheep, a star |
| Twelve days of Christmas | Each person a different "day" |
| Christmas tree | One person the tree, others the baubles, star and lights |
| Christmas films | Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch, The Holiday |
Pick roles in the group chat early. Nobody wants two sprouts.
Group jumper themes fall apart the same way every year: someone suggests "Christmas dinner," three people go for the turkey because it's the easiest, and the gravy never shows up. The Costume Rack does group costume planning, so each friend claims a different role before anyone starts gluing felt. Start my costume
No jumper? Last-minute fixes
Woke up on Christmas Jumper Day and forgot? Same.
- Borrow a sibling's or parent's jumper. Roll the sleeves.
- Tinsel scarf. Wrap a strand around your neck over your uniform jumper.
- Paper decorations safety-pinned to your normal school jumper.
- Festive accessories: a Santa hat, reindeer antlers, Christmas socks, light-up earrings.
- Drawn-on: a paper star or Rudolph face taped on with fabric tape.
Most schools just want you to join in and donate. A festive hat with your normal uniform usually counts.
Raising money on Christmas Jumper Day
Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children is about raising money, so add a fundraiser.
Christmas jumper day fundraising ideas for school
- Jumper contest: a small entry fee per person, a vote at lunch.
- Bake sale: mince pies, cookies, gingerbread.
- Guess the number of sweets in a jar.
- Teacher's jumper vote: pay to vote for the best (or worst) staff jumper.
- Festive playlist requests at lunch for a small donation.
Christmas jumper day poster ideas
If you're on the student council, make posters that say the date, the donation amount and what's happening. Draw a jumper outline that people can "decorate" with stickers when they donate. Keep it bright and readable from across a corridor.
Wear it again (not just once)
A festive jumper you made is not a one-day thing.
- Wear it to the Christmas movie night, the family dinner and the office or school party.
- Take the pins off and keep the decorations in a bag for next year.
- Swap jumpers with friends next year for a fresh look.
- Use the same jumper for an ugly sweater party in the US or Canada.
Halloween group costumes use the same planning skills. See our trio halloween costumes for that.
Plan your group's christmas jumper day ideas now
Open The Costume Rack in your browser on your phone and start a group plan for your jumper theme. Each friend locks in their own role, so you turn up as one coordinated crew with no doubles. Nothing to install.
FAQ
When is Christmas Jumper Day 2026 in the UK?
It's usually a Thursday in early to mid December, but the date changes each year. Check Save the Children's official Christmas Jumper Day page for the confirmed 2026 date. Some schools pick their own day.
What are easy DIY christmas jumper ideas?
Pin tinsel, felt shapes or plastic baubles onto a plain jumper, or iron on a slogan. A pom-pom tree or a ribbon "present" takes under an hour. Pins mean you can remove it all afterwards.
What are funny christmas jumper ideas for school?
"Sleigh all day," a melting snowman, a Brussels sprout jumper or Rudolph with a light-up nose are all funny and school-friendly. Keep slogans clean so you don't have to turn it inside out.
What can I wear if I don't have a christmas jumper?
Borrow one, wear a tinsel scarf or Santa hat with your normal uniform, or pin paper decorations to your school jumper. Most schools just want you to join in and donate.
What are good group christmas jumper ideas for friends?
Reindeer squad, a Christmas dinner, the nativity or the Christmas tree with baubles all work. Pick roles in advance so nobody doubles up. The Costume Rack can handle the group planning so everyone gets a different part.