It’s time to get your nails ready for all the festive events coming up.
Nothing says “holidays” quite like a fresh manicure with seasonal colors and designs.
For each look, I’ll provide step-by-step instructions so you can recreate these festive manicures at home. I’ll also include tips on what colors and designs work best for the holidays.
So get ready to spread some holiday cheer with your nails!
Metallic Christmas Lights Nails
Get your nails ready to light up the holidays with this fun metallic Christmas lights design! The colorful squiggly lines resemble strands of glittering lights.
Start by applying a dark green, burgundy, or navy blue polish as the base color.
While it’s still damp, take a small thin striper brush dipped in liquid chrome or metallic polish.
Use it to draw abstract squiggly lines across your nails to recreate dangling Christmas lights.
Make some lines silver, others gold, and others rose gold for lots of shine and dimension.
Keep the shapes irregular and doodle-like for an artsy festive effect.
Once completely dry, finish it off with a layer of clear top coat.
The glossiness helps make the metallic polish pop!
These playful Christmas lights nails are sure to brighten up any holiday outfit.
The shiny metallic strings of lights reflect the joyful energy of the season. Have fun with the abstract doodling and get creative with the colors!
Red and Green Christmas Nails
Kicking off our list of December nail ideas is a classic red and green manicure.
These Christmas colors are perfect for the holidays and will pair well with any outfit.
For this look, start off by painting your nails with a bright cherry red shade.
Make sure to apply two thin coats to get full, even coverage.
Once the red polish dries, use a small brush dipped in forest green polish to paint on miniature Christmas trees.
Place the trees in the lower corner of your nails, keeping the design small and simple.
Next, use the same green polish to paint on small dot garland wrapping around each nail.
Complete the manicure with a layer of clear topcoat to smooth and seal in the design.
These red and green nails are a quick and easy way to get into the holiday spirit! The petite Christmas trees and garland add a subtle festive touch.
Glitter Candy Cane Nails
What’s Christmas without candy canes?
This next December nail idea features sweet striped candy canes made out of glitter polish. The sparkly manicure is guaranteed to spread holiday cheer!
Start by painting your nails with two coats of a plain red cream polish. Once dry, use striping tape to section off a small diagonal portion of each nail.
Paint over the striping tape with a glittery white polish. Let it dry before carefully removing the tape to reveal glossy candy stripe accents.
Finish by painting on a few bold white stripes and sealing everything with a shiny topcoat. The glossy texture helps the glitter really stand out!
These glitter candy cane nails are simple but statement-making.
The touch of sparkle gives your manicure a festive flair!
Royal Blue and Gold Nails
Looking for holiday nails that are less traditional?
Try out this regal blue and gold look. The jewel-toned colors give off major royal Christmas vibes.
First, apply a medium royal blue shade on all your nails except the ring fingers. On the ring fingers, paint on a shimmery gold polish instead.
Once everything is dry, use striping tape to section off the tips of the blue nails.
Paint the taped off tips gold, creating a stylish ombre contrast.
Let it dry before removing the tape. Finish with a layer of fast-drying topcoat.
The blue and gold ombre effect is subtle yet eye-catching.
These polished nails are perfect for holiday parties or Christmas Day! The colors feel festive but still chic.
Snowflake French Manicure
French manicures get a seasonal upgrade with this snowflake nail idea. It puts a fun twist on the classic white-tipped look.
Start by applying your favorite nude or sheer pink polish as the base color. Once it dries, paint the nail tips white, creating a french style.
Dip a small nail art brush in silver glitter polish. Use it to painted delicate glittery snowflakes on the white tips.
Focus the snowflakes on the corners of your nails for symmetrical designs.
Top it off with a clear topcoat to smooth and protect the glitter.
This snowflake french manicure is so graceful and girly.
The glittery snowflake accents add just the right amount of holiday magic!
Frosted Gingerbread Nails
How cute are these frosted gingerbread nail designs?
The sprinkled polka dots and squiggly icing details will fulfill all your gingerbread house dreams.
Begin with a base of creamy nude or tan polish to mimic gingerbread cookies.
Wait for it to dry completely before using a small dotting tool dipped in white polish to paint on abstract dots.
The messy polka dots represent sugar crystal sprinkles.
Next, take a thin nail art brush dipped in white and draw squiggly lines across your nails to recreate drizzled icing. Finish up with shiny topcoat to seal in the frosted effect.
These playful gingerbread nails are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer this season!
The colorful sprinkles and icing drizzle design is so fun.
Plaid Red and Black Nails
‘Tis the season for plaid! This black and red plaid nail idea is perfect for any festive holiday occasion.
Start by painting your nails a solid bright cherry red.
Once it’s dry, use striping tape to tape off small vertical and horizontal sections on each nail, creating a plaid pattern.
Take a slim brush dipped in black polish and carefully paint over the striping tape, filling in the plaid design.
Slowly remove the striping tape after the black polish dries so you’re left with clean lines. Finish up with a layer of clear topcoat to smooth everything out.
These black and red plaid nails are classic and classy.
The design feels festive and wintery without being over-the-top. It’s great for both casual and formal events!
Gold and Burgundy Ombre Nails
I’m obsessed with how luxurious these gold and burgundy ombre nails look!
The mix of warm, rich colors is so perfect for the holidays.
Paint your nails with two coats of opaque burgundy polish. Immediately after, brush on a quick layer of glittery gold polish near the tips while the burgundy is still slightly damp.
The dampness will help the colors blend together nicely.
Use a makeup sponge to softly blend the gold up into the burgundy, creating a faded ombre effect.
Top it off with super shiny topcoat and you’re left with beautiful, holiday-ready nails!
These glittery ombre nails are sure to dazzle this holiday season!
The gold fading into burgundy reminds me of two colors I always associate with Christmas.
Holly Nails
Let’s get into some nature-inspired holiday nail art with these simple holly nail designs!
The leafy accents are subtle yet seasonally appropriate.
First, paint your nails all over with a deep forest green shade.
Let it dry before using a small, thin brush dipped in red polish to paint on tiny dabs for holly berries. Place a cluster of 3-4 red dots in the corner of each nail, keeping them neat and petite.
Finish by painting on curved, wing-shaped leaves in a lighter green color.
Add one leaf opposite the berries on each nail. Once the polish dries, apply a clear topcoat on top for shine and longevity.
These sweet holly nails are perfect for anyone loving a minimal, natural holiday look!
The touches of red add just enough Christmas flair.
Glittery Evergreen Nails
Give your nails a sparkly evergreen makeover with this glittery Christmas tree nail idea.
It’s so simple but packs a festive punch.
All you need is a dark forest green polish, a glitter topper, and some striping tape.
Paint your nails with the deep green shade first. Place striping tape diagonally across your nails while the green polish is still wet.
Brush on the glitter topper polish over the striping tape.
Let it dry fully before removing the tape. This leaves you with pretty evergreen textures and glittery tinsel accents!
These glittery evergreen nails are a fun way to add some shimmer to a classic Christmas manicure.
The green color looks gorgeous with any holiday outfit.
Frosted Peppermint Nails
These sweet peppermint candy nails are just begging to be your next holiday manicure!
The sparkly red and white checks are too cute.
Start with a base of white polish on all your nails. Immediately after, place pieces of striping tape horizontally across each nail to section off rows.
Next, take a small brush dipped in a bright cherry red polish and carefully paint over the striping tape.
Once the red polish dries, slowly peel off the striping tape to reveal clean white and red stripes.
Finish up with a sparkly topcoat to give your nails a frosted peppermint look.
These polished peppermint nails will make you look like a delicious holiday treat! Feel free to add more striping tape rows for thinner stripes if you want.
Shimmery Silver Snowflakes
You can never go wrong with a classic snowflake manicure for the winter.
These shimmery silver snowflakes are so simple but so pretty!
Apply two coats of your favorite sheer, pearlized white polish as the base.
While it’s still slightly damp, take a small thin brush dipped in silver glitter polish and paint on abstract snowflake designs.
Keep the snowflakes smaller on your pinky, ring, and middle nails for dimension.
Make the flakes larger on the pointer and thumbs.
Once dry, finish it off with a shiny topcoat. The subtle silver sparkle against the milky white base is so graceful and icy!
Snowflake nails are a timeless choice for December.
Have fun with different sizes and placements to make each snowflake unique.
Champagne Nude Nails with Gold Leaf Tips
As a classy final touch for your holiday nails, try accenting with gold leaf tips!
Here’s a quick champagne nude manicure topped with gilded edges.
Start by applying two coats of a soft champagne or nude polish. Immediately after, brush a layer of glittery gold leaf-shaped decals or striping polish onto the tips.
The nude base color should still be slightly damp so they stick.
Once fully dry, seal it all in with a fast-drying top coat for smooth, salon-quality holiday nails! The gold leaf tips are so luxurious.
This manicure may be simple, but it definitely looks expensive. The gold leaf tips are perfect for New Year’s Eve or any classy holiday occasion!
With so many options, from candy canes to snowflakes, you can spread festive cheer on your nails all season long.
I hope these step-by-step tutorials give you the inspiration you need to do your own holiday nails at home.
Let me know which design is your favorite! And don’t forget the shiny topcoat to really make the colors and glitter pop.
Wishing you and your nails a very happy, healthy and beautiful holiday season!
