We love the holiday season and we especially love getting our nails into the Christmas spirit too. There are so many fun and festive Christmas nail designs that you can copy this winter season to keep your nails on point, whether you do your own nail art at home or head to the salon, and here are our favorites for the season!
From snowman to Santa, shades of red and reindeers, silver and gold, pretty plaids, festive French tips, and lots of glitter in between, we’ve got tons of ideas to satisfy all manicure tastes. So give yourself the gift of a cute Christmas manicure this holiday season!
Looking for more nail design ideas? Check out:
At home Christmas nails vs. salon nails:
While you can do so many manicure looks at home now with gel manicure kits, it can be a little intimidating to some who are not as steady with their hands or just generally prefer the pampered experience at their local nail salon.
While gel manicures will generally last longer than traditional polish (usually 2-3 weeks for a gel manicure), there are traditional polish brands that boast several weeks of wear from their products and you don’t have the longer gel removal process at home if you choose to take off your own polish.
Some of the trickier techniques like chrome or magnetic polish also might be a little easier in the hands of a professional, but if you have a gel nail kit at home, they are looks that are fun to try and master. You can also stamp your nails so you can get delicate items like snowflakes perfect every time!
Of course, doing a press-on nail is the easiest way to get your perfect spring style at home by yourself, so there’s no shame in finding your favorite look and grabbing your nail glue.
Evergreen Accents
This deep forest green manicure has all the classic looks of French tip nails with a festive twist in a bow accent nail.
Try a French tip stamper to make your manicure easier to do at home!
Candy Cane Lane
This festive design features all over candy canes to keep your nails looking sweet this Christmas. This is also a cute design for short nails!
Just take a dotting tool and alternate dots of red and white in a “J” shape to create the design.
Oh Christmas Tree
These abstract Christmas trees are a fun way to add some holiday cheer to your manicure.
Peppermint Patty
These peppermint red and white nails are Instagram ready and just right to be the star of any holiday party.
Mistletoe Lane
Wear this sweet mistletoe manicure design and you just might get your crush to kiss you this holiday season!
Dab some glitter polish on the end of each nail with a makeup sponge and use a dotting tool for the berries and small brush for the leaves.
Gingerbread Man
How about a set of Christmas nails featuring a gingerbread man that looks good enough to eat?
You can ask your nail artist to paint your cute cookie or use a nail sticker to easily create your own look.
Golden Touch
We love when Christmas nail art ideas bring in some sparkle, so this golden look will help you shine.
Christmas Wreath
These green pearl nails feature a festive Christmas wreath that would make any front door proud.
Pearlized Cranberry
Pearl nails are super trendy and you can mix and match French tips and full color nails in a deep red shade.
You can create your own pearlized look at home by adding a coat of pearl polish, and before setting, dotting the nail with drops of more polish before swirling the dots together with a dotting tool.
Christmas Checkers
This trendy manicure brings in all the fun of the checkered print in a classic festive green shade.
Santa Haute
This adorable Santa hat idea is one of our favorites and looks really pretty with an almond shaped nail.
Snowy Day
These pearlized white nails look like ice crystals on a snowy morning.
You can create your own pearlized look at home by adding a coat of pearl polish, and before setting, dotting the nail with drops of more polish before swirling the dots together with a dotting tool.
Winter Pearls
These half moon pearl accent nails remind us of snowballs and would look pretty with just about any outfit.
Just create a half moon shape with white over a nude shade and then glue nail pearls across the line with rhinestone glue.
Glitter Lined
For a holiday twist on the standard French tip mani, try this doubled lined glitter option to add a little ooh la la.
Candy Cane Lane
These nails are holiday perfection with red French tips and candy cane accent nails.
Classic Christmas Plaid
What’s more classic than a red and green plaid manicure for the holiday season? You can also do just a few accent nails with this look for a toned down version.
You can also DIY this look with plaid nail foils and nail foil glue to get the perfect plaid without having to paint each line individually.
Peppermint Tips
For a twist on a French manicure, this merry manicure adds a peppermint swirl design to your nails’ tips.
Reindeer Love
This sweet little reindeer is ready to join Santa’s sleigh! Try just one as an accent nail or add to every nail for a whole team.
You can also add a reindeer nail sticker to the perfect at-home manicure for a festive DIY look.
Green Waves
This wavy green pattern is modern but keeps you in the Christmas color palette.
Santa Baby
This sweet Santa face will add some jolly to your December days.
Holiday Bows
Add some girly flair with festive vibes to your classic French manicure with this red polish bow design.
To create bows at home easily, try a bow sticker or charm to get the same look.
Mad For Plaid
This red and cranberry plaid is what holiday dreams are made of! Add a few snowflake accents and your look is holiday party ready.
You can also DIY this look with plaid nail foils and nail foil glue to get the perfect plaid without having to paint each line individually.
All That Glitters
These glitter ombre nails will bring just the right amount of sparkle to your winter season.
Dab some holographic glitter polish on the end of each nail with a makeup sponge and fade it out 1/3 from the top of the nail.
Here Comes Santa Claus
Find yourself saying yes to Santa this holiday season with these adorable Santa nails!
Ornament Nails
How cute are these tiny 3D ornaments that accent this design?
You can take this idea to your nail tech, or try your hand at mini tree painting with a dome of clear nail art glue for the 3D effect, OR, just use a Christmas ornament nail sticker for an easy DIY dupe.
Wine and Dine
Usher in the festive season with this wine-colored cat eye, which is perfect to add a bit of drama to your Christmas manicure.
Ho Ho Ho
Feel merry and bright with this Pinterest-pleasing Santa and candy cane design that will match your favorite pair of Christmas pjs.
Beary Christmas
This cutie Christmas bear manicure is ready for winter with just a few sweet nail stickers.
Half Moon Merlot
This half moon design done in a deep merlot color is the perfect red to carry you through the winter season.
Snow Drifts
These white abstract lines remind us of curving snow drifts in winter (and they would be really pretty in white glitter too!).
Frosty Accents
This winter scene is downright storybook on a snowy, starry night and cute through Christmas and beyond.
Lace and Pearls
Add the look of lace and pearls to your winter manicure for a fun yet sophisticated look.
Fir Forest
Add a snowy Christmas wonderland to your nails with this winter design.
For an at-home version, you can paint your nails a neutral color with a perfect at-home manicure, add some snow banks at the base of each nail, and then use snowy tree nail stickers to complete the look.
Snow Way
You don’t have to give up pink nails in winter! Keep your favorite shade and add pretty snowflake designs over the top.
If snowflakes are too tricky for you to freehand paint yourself, try using a snowflake stamp or snowflake nail stickers for a similar look.
Oh Christmas Tree
Bring the holiday spirit to your nails with this pretty Christmas tree and sweater nail accent.
White Christmas
These shimmering white cat eye nails are perfect for the snowy winter season.
Snowy Sweater
These half sweater nails are a great way to add in a sweater pattern as an accent to a nude nail.
Chrome Snowflakes
This chrome periwinkle blue looks so pretty under some delicate white snowflakes.
If snowflakes are too tricky for you to freehand paint yourself, try using a snowflake stamp or snowflake nail stickers for a similar look.
Gold Reverse
Add some gold chrome to a reverse French tip design for a touch of shine.
Silver Tips
Add some silver chrome to your French tip nails with this shiny manicure.
Hot Cocoa Vibes
As if you need an excuse to get hot chocolate, give these hot cocoa nails a try!
Rose Gold Shimmer
This design with double outlined glitter French tips is perfect for Christmas into New Year’s Eve.
Forest Green French
Pick your favorite shade of green and do a French tip for a colorful take on a classic.
Try a French tip stamper to make this festive manicure easier to do at home.
Cranberry Punch
For a monochromatic Christmas look, a classic red manicure with a glossy top coat is a classic for a reason.
Silver Bells
These silver glitter French tip outlines are just the right touch of sparkle and will match any holiday outfit.
Green Velvet
This minty green cat eye mani gives the look of soft velvet and it’s so pretty!
Burgundy-Kissed Tips
For a pop of holiday color, these berry tipped nails are perfect to keep things classy but festive.
Try a French tip stamper to make this crimson manicure easier to do at home!
Icy White
These hologram nails remind us of pretty icicles and will still look on trend for New Year’s Eve.
Candy Cane Stripes
Glitter outlined candy cane stripes is the ultimate look for the Christmas nail maximalist.
For a DIY look with no striping brush involved, try a nail polish strip to easily get a similar look.
All That Glitters
These soft golden glitter tips are all you want for Christmas if Santa and candy cane nails aren’t your thing.
Hologram Holidays
Since the holidays are officially sponsored by all things glittery, these icy hologram nails will look great by the fire as well as by the disco ball for New Year’s Eve.
Holiday Classic
While it may not be sparkly or colorful, the classic French tip design is always a good choice if you want to do something elegant for the season.
Try a French tip stamper to make this classic manicure easier to do at home!
