42 Easy Christmas Nail Art Designs for a Festive Holiday Mani
Did someone ask for acrylic polish and nail stickers for Christmas?
If you typically host a holiday cocktail party with friends or a Christmas Day dinner with your extended family, then taking time to paint your nails may be the last item on your party prep list this holiday season. But we're here to tell you that it's worth carving out the time for a fresh mani — there's just something about festive nails that really brings together your Christmas party outfit!
But what nail art to go with? When it comes to the holidays, the potential is endless. There are so many unique Christmas nail ideas to choose from for both long and short nails, including classic French manicures with a candy cane twist to Queen Elsa-approved designs featuring snowflake stickers and sparkles galore. Just browse through the list ahead to get inspired! And after you've picked out the perfect mani, don't forget to choose the perfect holiday hairstyle to finish off your look.
Sweet Pinwheels
Those iconic peppermint candies make a wow-worthy statement when rendered as Christmas nails.
Jewel Tones
Let vibrant colors do all the talking with this festive jewel-toned design.
Mid-Century Modern
For an understated chic look, try this modern design that nods at iconic imagery your design-obsessed friend will obsess over.
Cherry Red
White snowflakes jazz up cheerful cherry red tips in this knockout design.
Gold Stars
Gold stars add tons of drama. Keep the look from being too much with a couple of accent nails on a nude base.
Candy Cane Nails
A light green pastel acts as the festive French tip base for this white and red timeless look.
Pretty in Pink
Demure pink gets the holiday treatment with gold detailing meant to evoke ribbon.
Silver and White Festive
"Silver bells, silver bells. It's Christmas time in the city." And anyone who catches a glimpse of these nails will stop you on the street and ask how you created a winter wonderland on your nails.
Gingerbread Nails
Craving something sweet? While your gingerbread cookies are baking in the oven, paint your nails with a matching design for ultimate cookie lover goals.
Neutral Nudes
You might not conjure nudes when you think of festive nails, but these get a makeover for Christmas with snowflakes and sweater knits.
Abstract Christmas Trees
These nails shine brighter than Rudolph's nose on Christmas Eve night — and we love the multicolored polka dots as string lights.
Glittery Stripes
These glittery, striped nails evoke festive wrapping paper in a jewel-toned palette.
Santa Hats
You know it’s Christmas when each of your 10 fingers gets its very own Santa hat.
Emerald and Antique Gold Ombre Starry Night Skies
We can't get enough of this majestic nail art which would be a showstopper at any Christmas cocktail party.
Jolly Holly
Alternating solid green nails keep this holly motif from feeling overwhelming.
Pink on Pink
Call it “blush and bashful” or call it just plain pretty: This pink-on-pink French tip design is perfectly dressed up for holiday parties.
Cable Knit
This nail design is like wrapping your hands in a cozy and festive sweater.
Pretty in Purple
Try an unexpected hue, but give it a decidedly seasonal twist with a wintry motif.
Holiday Variety Pack
Can’t choose between Santa, holly, candy canes, snowflakes, or Rudolph? Get one of each!
Festive Red and White
Hand-painted stripes and snowflakes make this set a conversation starter, and glitter adds texture and sparkle.
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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