Whenever my brother-and-sister-in-law host a Christmas party, it’s always a hoot. They go out of their way to make it interesting with games and competitions – for the little kids and big ones (aka the adults) alike. This year, my B-I-L and S-I-L introduced an ‘ugly Christmas socks contest’ to the festivities – a twist on ugly Christmas sweaters. How they ever came up with the idea I don’t know, but I’m always up to a fun challenge so was eager to get started.
I ended up making matching ugly socks for both me and Hubs. Start with some festive toe socks and an empty lip balm container (the one I actually used was shorter than the one shown below).
Supplies for Ugly Christmas Socks
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- Toe socks. Try to find ones that have the festive design on the bottom so it doesn’t clash with the elements that are being added.
- Red pen (tip only)
- Old lipstick or lip balm tubes and/or lipstick pen
- Sew on Velcro or Velcro coins (I prefer stitch on varieties vs. adhesive so it’s more secure)
- Glitter / metallic paper, foam, vinyl or gift wrap
- Vinyl letters/numbers (optional)
- Elastic cord
- Double-faced tape
- Sewing needle and thread
- Glue (super glue gel or all purpose)
Raid Your Junk Drawers
The list above is only a guide. You can literally use whatever you happen to have lying around to get the same effect; use whatever works.
I used the empty lip balm container combined with the top of a pen sporting a red tip and fastened them together with double-faced tape (don’t use glue if you want the pen back afterwards!).
Likewise for my sock, I used a pen shaped as a lipstick, red tip and all, (like the one shown below) to fashion two rocket-like objects (one for each of us).
In retrospect, the lipstick pen would make a great stocking stuffer – but I chose to use it ‘outside of the stocking’!
SOURCE of Lipstick Shaped Ball Point Pen: Amazon
Assemble
I sewed a piece of velcro below the first toe on the sock. This is my sock below; the velcro is on the left foot. For Hubs, I attached the velcro to his right sock.
I wrapped the lip balm container with adhesive glitter vinyl (you can use whatever metallic substrate you have – even tin foil, but you’ll have to glue it). I didn’t bother to wrap the lipstick pen used for the other rocket because it was already made of metal. To make it even more rocket-like, I also fashioned the burning fuel flare out of more glitter vinyl. I positioned it coming out the bottom end and glued it on.
Then I added a random ID number onto the body using old leftover Letraset from years gone by (SN-2 for Hubs and CN-5 for me).
Here’s a close up of the ‘rockets’:
Flip the rockets over to the back side and glue another piece of velcro onto the underside of the rocket flare. You’ll be using the hook side that corresponds with the fuzzy piece previous sewn beneath the toe.
Knot a piece of thin elastic cord into a circle and glue it just above the velcro (this will help stabliize the rocket once it’s on the sock).
Wrap the elastic that’s now glued onto the rocket around the big toe. Here, it’s shown from the back.
Velcro Parts Together
Flip the rocket around and bring the two pieces of velcro together to connect them.
Here it is once attached. 
A left foot for me and a right foot for Hubs is shown below:
I got the smaller rocket because, as Hubs always jokes, my feet are like stumps (my toes don’t even fill the socks!). Hubs, on the other hand, (er – I mean foot) has piano toes so he can sport the bigger one :). But anyone can rock(et) ugly Christmas socks!
Confused? Have you guessed where I’m going with this? If not, all will be clear when you see the reveal right after this additional accessory!
To accompany my ugly socks I upcycled some old leg warmers. Remember those? Unbelievably, I still had some tucked away. The pug graphic was something I knit myself using scraps of black, red and white cotton yarn. ‘Bah Humpug’ seemed a fitting addition to my ugly socks.
Getting back to the ugly toe socks, here they are as modeled by me and Hubs. If you haven’t already figured it out, it’s ‘missile toe’! Get it? It’s a play on ‘Mistletoe‘.
I got a lot of traction out of this project when my husband’s family hosted this first ugly sock contest at our pre-Christmas get-together. Everyone appreciated the silly humour 😉. Don’t tell (shhh), but I’ve turned it into this year’s Christmas card!
If you found this project amusing, please pin and share!
Ugly Christmas Socks
A Bit About Mistletoe
Did you know the tradition of hanging Mistletoe goes back to the times of the ancient Druids and is supposed to bring good luck to the household? Unfortunately ‘Missile toe’ didn’t bring us luck in the contest. We came in just a foot or two behind the winner.
The grand winner was our hostess’ father who cut off the toes of his socks and bared his naked toes (it was a consensus that nobody could top that for ugly). This wasn’t a humour contest, but if it was I’m still not sure if we would have won hands down (or should I say feet down?). Those ugly toes peering through the socks for all the world to gaze upon were pretty funny too. Unbelievably, I guess I must have been having too much fun at the Christmas party because unfortunately I didn’t photograph the winner and other contenders 🙁
Take the Concept One Step Further
Be adventurous! Why not take the ugly Christmas sock concept one step further: make ugly Christmas stockings to adorn the mantle! Personalize them for each family member and see if everyone can guess which one is theirs! Or have the kids make them for each other if you really want to get everyone in on the fun!
Would you ever host an ugly sock contest? It might just knock your socks off!
Want more Christmas DIY ideas? Check out christmas craft ideas for adults.
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Check out a few other seasonal ideas:
- DIY Wine Bag
- Plastic Clamshell Shrink Art
That looks like a fun tradition, Sara. I like the variation on the theme (socks instead of sweaters). And those little rockets. You re so clever!
Sara, hands down those are the funniest socks I’ve ever seen. 🙂
Thanks Alys!
Bwahahahahahahaha, missile toe, that’s classic Sara. Love your unique take on projects. So clever
Glad you got a laugh out of it Michelle! My work is done 🙂