The festive season has arrived, bringing with it a host of delightful experiences. From sipping on seasonal coffee drinks to enjoying snowy days and finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones, it’s widely known as the merriest time of the year. Without fail, one of the highlights of December is adorning our nails with stunning Christmas designs. As you explore the options, you’ll discover a plethora of joyful ideas that capture the essence of the holidays—it’s genuinely challenging to pick a favorite. Whether it’s the rich, deep red tones trending this season, snowflake-themed manicures, or nails adorned with festive ribbons, each design is as charming as the next. Skeptical? Keep reading to discover 20 Christmas nail designs that are guaranteed to instill the holiday spirit and might even inspire you to schedule your next manicure appointment.

Christmas Nail Ideas:

01. Christmas Sparkles

If you adore the timeless elegance of a classic red manicure during the winter season but crave a touch of holiday flair, pay attention to these exquisite Christmas nails. To achieve this precise look, start by applying Essie’s Forever Yummy ($10) as your red base. Next, infuse a touch of gold sparkle to the upper part of your nail using Essie’s Summit of Style ($10). You can opt to conclude the design at this point, or for an added festive touch, delicately draw white snowflakes using Essie’s Blanc ($10).

02. Starry Night

Sporting trendy nails like these guarantees you won’t be standing solo under the mistletoe this year—just bask in the sparkle and shine. When replicating this nail design, you have a couple of options. One route involves topping a classic glazed donut chrome base with gold star decals. Alternatively, you can achieve the same captivating effect by applying a milky, shimmery nail polish, such as OPI’s Kyoto Pearl ($11). Whichever path you choose, your manicure is sure to be absolutely mesmerizing.

03. Holiday Spirit

Confetti-adorned Christmas nails speak our love language, and achieving this look at home is incredibly simple. Begin by applying a natural-looking base color of your choice, and then use festive colors such as red, green, white, and silver to create small dots that emulate the playful effect of confetti.

04. Ice Princess

If you prefer a more glamorous vibe for your Christmas nails, you’re bound to appreciate the icy, maximalist energy exuded by this set. What adds a playful touch to these nails is the diversity on each finger: featuring classic French tips, pink candy cane stripes, a delicate snowflake, and even a ribbon-wrapped nail. This feminine manicure is undeniably stunning.

05. Christmas Red

A timeless Christmas nail idea that never loses its charm is a vibrant, festive shade of red. This manicure is particularly adored for the understated sparkle that the red imparts, and the color shift that reveals hints of orange and copper glitter. The specific shade to achieve this look is Death Valley Nails’ Hiss ($14), a hue that might just secure a permanent spot in our collections.

06. Christmas Gift

Let’s be honest: You’re the real gift this Christmas, so why not have nails that match the festive spirit? We adore this playful set that starts with a classic French manicure as the base but transforms it into a holiday-ready look by “wrapping” each nail with a red ribbon and a bow at the center.

07. Jolly and Bright

For Christmas nails that truly stand out, this laurel green shade is just what you need. Lights Lacquer’s I Smell Snow ($11) boasts a striking diamond shimmer, adding a touch of both festivity and brightness. The highlight, undoubtedly, lies in the beautiful hand-painted snowflakes, making this manicure particularly enchanting.

08. Merry Mismatch

Mismatched nails become a favorite when Christmas arrives—they provide a perfect canvas to incorporate all our beloved holiday elements into one manicure. This joyfully mismatched design is definitely making its way onto our fingers this year. From an adorable gingerbread person to candy cane tips and even mistletoe, it truly encompasses all the festive charm.

09. Christmas Bows

If you share the love for bows that seems to be sweeping through Pinterest this year, let us introduce you to one of the sweetest manicures we’ve ever come across. Begin by applying a few coats of your preferred red polish, and then adorn your nails with bows. You can craft your own with a fine line brush if you prefer, but for a hassle-free process, consider using the delicate gold bow stickers from Deco Beauty’s Mon Cheri Pack ($10).

10. Cherry Wine

Regardless of what you label these nails—cherry wine, deep red, or something entirely different—one thing remains certain: This is the color of the season. Our top pick is OPI’s Got the Blues for Red ($11)—just be sure to apply three coats for maximum drama.

11. Festive Accents

From wreaths to trees, snowflakes, and beyond, the enjoyable aspect of these mismatched Christmas nails is the ability to customize them to your heart’s content. Paint each design individually, opt for one as an accent nail, or go for a matching set—the options are truly limitless. Just ensure you have a neutral base color and an array of festive hues like red and green.

12. Emerald Green

If red isn’t your preferred color, an emerald green shade can be just as ready to celebrate throughout the holiday season. You can opt for a solid green color, such as Olive and June’s shade “One For You, Two For Me” ($9). However, our hearts have been captured by Mooncat’s subtly shimmery shade, “Access Denied” ($14), which adds an extra layer of festivity and boldness.

13. Candy Cane

Embark on a journey down candy cane lane with these festive nails. What we adore about this manicure is the eclectic mix of each individual nail—solid red, French tips, and even an abstract design. However, the star of the show is undeniably the candy cane nail, adorned with stripes and sparkles galore.

14. Mix-and-Match

There’s no doubt that you’ll secure a spot on the nice list with a Christmas manicure as playful as this. Embracing mix-and-match vibes, these versatile nails showcase classic French tips, snowflakes, and even confetti polka dots. To recreate this look, all you’ll need is a base color of your choice, along with red, white, and sparkly silver polishes.

15. Monochromatic Christmas

Whether you prefer square, almond, round, or short nails, this design will look delightful on any nail shape. We admire how this manicure skillfully incorporates black and white hues for the holiday season, featuring snowflake, bow, and sparkle designs.

16. Snowflake Season

Winter has arrived, and whether you’re hitting the slopes or simply sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, you need nails that capture the snowy vibes. Begin with a rosy neutral base coat, add a subtle layer of sheer shimmer, and then incorporate hand-drawn mistletoe and snowflake designs (or request your nail tech to recreate them) for a charming cold-weather finish.

17. Subtle Shine

In our humble opinion, these shimmery nails are like the festive sister of a glazed donut. The sheer sparkle finish is truly exceptional and perfect for a Christmas manicure. The specific shade featured here is Le Manoir’s Oyster Velvet ($22), which comes to life with the help of a magnet.

18. Ornament Mani

When the Christmas tree is already up and you’re still in the mood for some holiday decoration, why not focus on your nails? A 3D ornament design is a relatively simple way to craft a mesmerizing manicure. Begin with black French tips on a base color of your choice, and then adorn your nails with fun gems in oval shapes.

19. Sparkle Mani

You can’t go wrong with sparkles for all your holiday manicure needs. Holo Taco’s “Bottle Service” ($14) is a glittery golden hue with a metallic shimmer that deserves a place on your nails this Christmas.

20. Snow White

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, these nails are the perfect way to bring that dream to life. Opt for your favorite shimmery white hue, such as Dazzle Dry’s “Pearl” ($22), and be sure to apply at least three coats to ensure the polish doesn’t appear streaky.

In the realm of festive nails, the holiday season offers an array of enchanting possibilities. From the classic elegance of deep reds to the playful charm of mismatched designs and the dazzling allure of shimmery shades, there’s a Christmas manicure to suit every style and preference. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless appeal of red and green classics or tempted by the bold creativity of unique designs, these holiday nail ideas promise to add a touch of magic to your celebrations.

As winter unfolds, the diversity in Christmas nail trends unveils a canvas of creativity. The season invites individuals to express their holiday spirit through a myriad of colors, patterns, and finishes, ranging from the traditional to the avant-garde. Whether it’s the simplicity of a single vibrant shade, the intricacy of hand-painted snowflakes, or the glamour of glittering accents, these festive manicures encapsulate the joy and merriment that define the magical atmosphere of the holidays. Embracing the spirit of self-expression and celebration, these Christmas nail ideas provide a delightful way to make a statement and showcase one’s unique style during this joyous time of year.