What started as a joke soon became its own day filled of ugly sweaters.

On December 20, people all over the nation celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day by having their own personal sweaters to wear.

It all started in 1980. “The first ugly sweaters were made under the name jingle-bell sweaters,” according to http://tiny.cc/sweaterday.

Within this time period, well-known character, Dr. Cliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show (played by Bill Cosby) would wear outrageous sweaters. This gave popularity to ugly sweaters and soon influenced the huge mass marketing within it.

By the time the ‘90s came around, the ugly sweater trend had started to wither away, until two men from Vancouver, Canada decided to make the first “ugly sweater” party in hopes of raising money for their friend’s cancer treatment. The party was a huge success, and soon became an annual one for those to celebrate and raise money to those in need.

To make your own ugly sweater, National Today gives us three simple steps for everyone to participate in this fun holiday!

First, find an old sweater that is in need of redecorating.

Second, grab a glue gun, tinsel, string lights, and any decorations you want. Allow yourself to express your creative side, and make the ugliest Christmas sweater possible.

Finally, celebrate this day by taking a chance to give back and share happiness with those around you. Show off your ugly Christmas sweater online, and give your friends and family something to laugh at.

Make sure to go around and spread the Christmas cheer from your sweater to theirs. And if you don’t celebrate Christmas, feel free to make your ugly sweater featuring colors and symbols from other winter holidays. Check out the video on the main page for creative holiday ideas.