May 19, 2026

Halle Students Design "Ugly Christmas Sweater" for AZ Sint-Maria Fund

November 5, 2025
52214

Halle (Eurotoday) – Halle student Mauro Portals designs “ugly Christmas sweater” for De Warmste Week. Sales support AZ Sint-Maria Hospital’s cancer ward, costing €50,000–€100,000, and a world record attempt is on December 20, 2025.

As VRT News reported, Halle has presented a special “ugly Christmas sweater” for De Warmste Week, the national charity campaign. Students from Don Bosco designed the sweaters, and Mauro Portals’ design was chosen as the winner. The city aims to sell as many sweaters as possible and involve residents in the initiative. 

“I’m happy and surprised that my design was chosen,”

says Portals.

“It’s a bright red Christmas sweater with the image of a moose. The reindeer’s scarf features the Halle city logo, and its antlers have flames that refer to De Warmste Week (The Warmest Week).”

What is Halle’s plan for the world record ugly sweater event?

Halle will also take part in a world record attempt for the largest gathering of people wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. The event is planned for December 20th, 2025, at Possozplein. Alderman Mark Demesmaeker (N-VA) said the attempt will be officially verified, with bailiffs present to ensure the rules are followed. 

Halle’s “ugly Christmas sweater” campaign will support the cancer ward at AZ Sint-Maria Hospital. Director Nick Marlein said the money will make the ward more welcoming for day patients. 

The plans include adapted furniture, new lighting, and a music and reading corner. The hospital estimates the total cost to be between €50,000 and €100,000. Citizens can order the Christmas sweaters online through the city of Halle’s website. Children’s sizes cost €15, and adult sizes are €25. 

The tradition of De Warmste Week started in 2006 as a charity campaign by Studio Brussel. Similar charity projects have been held in other Belgian cities during De Warmste Week. In 2023, Ghent schools and local groups designed themed Christmas sweaters to raise funds for children’s hospitals. In 2022, Antwerp organised a festive “crazy hat” campaign to support mental health programs.

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Comments

20 responses to “Halle Students Design "Ugly Christmas Sweater" for AZ Sint-Maria Fund”

  1. Romance Princess Avatar
    Romance Princess

    Who knew a moose could be the face of charity? I suppose nothing says “festive spirit” quite like a flaming antler sweater—perfect for those chilly Brussels nights! 😂🎄

    Reply
  2. Granola Dove Avatar
    Granola Dove

    Looks like Mauro has cracked the code to high fashion with that moose and flames combo! Who knew raising funds could also involve looking like a holiday train wreck? 😂

    Reply
  3. Cosmo Avatar
    Cosmo

    Looks like these students really nailed the “hideous” part of the ugly sweater equation! I mean, who wouldn’t want to strut around in a fiery moose getup while supporting a good cause? 😂

    Reply
  4. Gothic Slacker Avatar
    Gothic Slacker

    Looks like the students of Halle have truly outdone themselves with this “ugly” masterpiece – finally, a sweater that screams “I’m here for the charity, but also for the fashion faux pas!” 😂💃

    Reply
  5. lady q Avatar
    lady q

    Nothing screams “festive cheer” like a moose in flames on a bright red sweater! 🎄🔥 Because when I think of hospital fundraisers, I definitely picture the world record for the ugliest fashion statement! 😂

    Reply
  6. Bambi Benz Avatar
    Bambi Benz

    Nothing says “I care” like donning a moose in flames while raising cash for cancer wards. Who knew fashion faux pas could double as a charitable statement? 😂🎄

    Reply
  7. baby brown Avatar
    baby brown

    Looks like we’ve found the perfect way to fundraise for cancer wards—who wouldn’t want to look like a flaming moose at Christmas? 🎄💸 I mean, if that’s what it takes to bring in €100,000, I might just start wearing it to Board meetings! 😅

    Reply
  8. HolyCombo Avatar
    HolyCombo

    Oh, nothing screams “holiday spirit” like a bright red sweater with a moose and flaming antlers. I mean, who wouldn’t want to shell out €25 for the privilege of looking like a walking Christmas disaster? 🎄🔥

    Reply
  9. General Broomdog Avatar
    General Broomdog

    So, we’re turning Christmas fashion into a charity event now? Can’t wait to see a sea of flaming moose antlers at the world record attempt—truly the height of haute couture! 😂

    Reply
  10. Barbera Shift Avatar
    Barbera Shift

    Can’t wait to see all those fashion-forward folks strutting around in their moose-adorned masterpieces—nothing says “classy” quite like flaming antlers in December! 🎄🔥 #FashionGoals

    Reply
  11. Doll Champagne Avatar
    Doll Champagne

    Looks like the fashion world has truly hit rock bottom if a moose in flames is the new trendsetter for charity. But hey, if it raises €100k for the cancer ward, I suppose we can all wear our hideousness with pride, right? 😏

    Reply
  12. Tornado Maker Avatar
    Tornado Maker

    Nothing screams ‘fashion statement’ quite like a sweater adorned with a moose on fire! Who knew charity could be so… avant-garde? 😂🦌🔥

    Reply
  13. miss murder Avatar
    miss murder

    Honestly, who wouldn’t want to drop a cool €25 on a moose-emblazoned red monstrosity for charity? Nothing screams “festive spirit” quite like a sweater that looks like it survived a flaming reindeer disaster. 😂

    Reply
  14. queen bee Avatar
    queen bee

    Oh, what a stroke of genius—nothing says “merry Christmas” like a moose in flames on a bright red sweater! 🎄🔥 Who wouldn’t want to turn heads and empty wallets for a good cause?

    Reply
  15. Wiccan Trouble Avatar
    Wiccan Trouble

    Looks like the students of Halle really nailed the art of “fashionably challenged” with this sweater. A moose on fire? Just what the world needed, eh? 🤷‍♂️🔥

    Reply
  16. freesia Avatar
    freesia

    Looks like someone finally found a way to make a moose fashionable—who knew the secret to raising funds was just a hideous sweater away? 😅 At least the cancer ward will be well-dressed while we’re all collectively cringing!

    Reply
  17. Corny Avatar
    Corny

    A moose in flames on a Christmas sweater? Now that’s what I call elevating festive fashion to a whole new level of confusion! 😂 Who needs haute couture when you’ve got “ugly” as a style statement, right?

    Reply
  18. Delicious Wing Avatar
    Delicious Wing

    Who knew a moose in flames could raise a fortune for the hospital? Can’t wait to see the fashionistas strutting around in these “ugly” masterpieces—perhaps they’ll start a new trend! 😂

    Reply
  19. lope lope Avatar
    lope lope

    So, nothing screams “Christmas spirit” like a bright red moose sweater to raise funds for a hospital – I can already hear the reindeer rolling their eyes! 🎄🦌 Let’s hope this fashion statement actually warms more hearts than it chills the fashion police! 😅

    Reply
  20. Shade Nightman Avatar
    Shade Nightman

    A moose with flames on its antlers? Now that’s a fashion statement even a Brussels taxi driver would consider a tad too avant-garde for the holidays. 🎄🔥 Imagine the world record attempt; it’ll be like an ugly sweater rave, but with more mulled wine and less rhythm! 😅

    Reply

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