How to Host the Ultimate Ugly Mug Party + Boozy Hot Chocolate Recipe!
- Alex Pinard
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re tired of the same old white elephant swaps and “bring a cookie” nights every holiday season, it’s time to upgrade to something with more personality — and a lot more laughter. Enter: The Ugly Mug Party, the gift exchange you didn’t know you needed.
Think: the chaotic charm of an ugly sweater party meets the thrill of a white elephant… but with mugs. Horrifically patterned mugs. Mugs shaped like questionable animals. Mugs that make you say, “Who… who designed this?”It’s pure holiday joy.
Whether you're hosting your besties, coworkers, book club, or your boozy aunt squad (a sacred group, truly), here's exactly how to throw an Ugly Mug Party that people will talk about all year.
What Is an Ugly Mug Party?
It’s simple: everyone brings the ugliest, weirdest, most ridiculous mug they can find, wrapped and ready for a gift exchange.Think mugs that look like:
A screaming cat
A lopsided homemade pottery class disaster
Something your ex would drink out of (scary)
The most chaotic color combos imaginable
You can find fantastically hideous options on Amazon — ceramic disasters, pun mugs, animal mugs, the works — perfect for slipping in a few affiliate links in your post.
How to Host an Ugly Mug Party
Here’s your blueprint for a flawless, hilarious night.
1. Set the Theme
You can go classic “Ugly Mug,” or spice it up:
Ugly Holiday Mug
Worst Mug at the Office
Handmade Catastrophe Edition
Mugs That Shouldn't Exist But Do
2. Tell Guests to Wrap the Mug Sneakily
Part of the fun is the dramatic reveal.Encourage people to wrap their mugs in:
Misleading boxes
Five layers of wrapping paper
A gift bag nobody should reuse
3. Decorate for Maximum Kitsch
Lean all the way in:
Tinsel
Clashing colors
A tree decked out entirely in tiny mugs
Vintage Christmas decor that may or may not be haunted
If it looks like a coffee shop owned by a retired clown? You nailed it.
4. Serve Drinks in Normal Mugs… Until the Exchange
Keep things classy upfront.Then, once everyone has opened their ugly mug, that becomes their drinking vessel for the night.
And yes, you absolutely should have a boozy specialty drink ready…
Boozy Brown Sugar Bourbon Hot Chocolate
(Serves 6)
This is cozy, a little fancy, and guaranteed to taste even better when sipped from the ugliest mug in the room.
Ingredients:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
6 oz bourbon (1 oz per serving — adjust to taste)
Optional toppings: whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint, or a cinnamon stick
Instructions:
In a saucepan, heat milk, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over medium heat until steaming (don’t boil).
Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth.
Add vanilla and bourbon.
Pour into the ugliest mug of your choosing.
Top with whatever makes your heart happy (and your dentist nervous).
How to Do the Mug Exchange
There are a few classic formats:
Option 1: White Elephant Chaos
Draw numbers
Steal or swap to your chaotic heart’s content
Encourage dramatic reactions
Make people defend why their mug is the ugliest
Option 2: “The Mug Walk”
Like a cake walk but with mugs.Number the mugs. Play music. Walk in a circle.When the music stops, pull a number — whoever’s standing on that number gets the matching mug.
Option 3: Mystery Grab Bag
Throw all mugs into a bin or sack big enough to be suspicious.Everyone reaches in blindly and pulls one out.Warning: This one gets LOUD.
Add Awards (Because Competition Makes Everything Better)
Printable or DIY certificates are perfect.Good categories include:
Ugliest Mug Overall
Most Unhinged Mug
“This Should Be Illegal” Mug
Mug Most Likely Made in a Basement Pottery Class
Prettiest Mug (Because one always sneaks through)
Fun Games to Amp Up the Party
If you want this to be more than a quick exchange, mix in a couple of themed games:
1. Mug Shot Photo Booth
Set up a backdrop.Give guests “crime signs” like:
“Charged With Crimes Against Aesthetics”
“Guilty of Mug Theft”
“Caught Sipping in Style”
Instant Instagram gold.
2. Guess Who Brought the Mug
Lay all mugs out before the revealEveryone writes down their guessesWhoever guesses the most correctly wins a prize (maybe… another mug).
3. Mug Trivia
Write mug-related trivia:
Coffee facts
Famous mugs from TV shows
Ridiculous mug history
Holiday drinking traditions
Winners pick a prize or get candy canes thrown at them lovingly.
Need inspiration? These mugs are chef’s kiss hideous (or awesome!)
