Some people celebrate the holidays by throwing on a pair of flannel pajamas and watching a Christmas movie or two. I, however, go balls to the walls. We're talkin' a full-size Christmas tree in my tiny studio, nonstop Christmas music on vinyl, covering my entire apartment in lights—ya know, the whole nine yards. There is one thing both holiday minimalists (sry, can't relate) and full-on Christmas enthusiasts can agree on, though: Sporting a set of Christmas nails is the easiest and ~chicest~ way to feel festive during the holiday season.
Whether you're slapping on some nail stickers, decking the halls your nails in glitter, or covering your entire nail in a Grinch decal (see below!!), you can get all the festive vibes without going full cheese when it comes to your next nail design. Just check out this massive list of Christmas nails, including simple nail designs, accent nail ideas, winter nail art, and more.
1. Plaid Nails
I have to wear my "Christmas plaid" pajamas in order to open gifts (it's a requirement from my very festive mom). But if I can also put plaid on my nails, maybe it's not so bad. These incorporate a more muted holiday palette, with olive green and burgundy. It's the more trendy than traditional route.
2. Mismatched Ornament Nails
Like the box of vintage ornaments in your grandma's attic, these nails are festive and kitschy in a modern way. Best part? There's no such thing as "perfect" when every nail is a little different. This means you've got lots of room for mistakes if you're DIYing (and less pressure on your nail artist).
3. Festive Nails
If you like to keep things more customary to the standard Christmas motifs, cover your nails in all the classic accoutrements of the holiday. We're talking bows, plaid, and ornaments. Bonus points if you use gemstones, like these nails above.
4. Minimal Christmas Nail Art
Festive does not have to equal overwhelming. If the idea of holiday shopping, finishing out the year, spending excess time with your family (sorry, Mom!), and staring down at an intricate mani all month long sounds daunting, keep it simple instead. The key here is placing any little holiday nail decals on top of a sheer, neutral base (our go-to is either OPI Bubble Bath or Essie Ballet Slippers).
5. Christmas Wreath Nails
I am part of the itty bitty nail committee, so I love designs that can easily be worn on short nails. Case in point: These adorable wreaths that take up the width of your nail without requiring much length. Shorties, rejoice.
6. Traditional Christmas Nails
Wanna look down and look like Christmas threw up on your nails? Ask your nail artist for a cutesy take on a few traditional designs, like a Christmas tree, wreath, stars, and ornaments. A red and green color palette, plus some gemstones, can go a long way.
7. 3D Ornament Nails
Deck your mani like a Christmas tree with dazzling nail gem accents. These ornament-inspired designs sure know how to make a statement for holiday celebrations. Whether you go for subtle elegance of bold bling, your nails will shine bright like a diamond.
8. Holiday Icon Nails
Can't decide on just one design? You don't have to this holiday season! Starting with a nude base, jazz up each nail with a festive design (hey, Mr. Gingerbread Man). The neutral color keeps the look chic, while the playful art adds some seasonal charm.
9. Holiday Present Nails
Nails that look like tiny presents? I'm obsessed. Adorn your nails with ribbons and bows to bring the joy of gift-giving to your fingertips. It's the perfect way to remind people that you're the real gift lol.
10. Mint Candy Cane Nail Design
Candy canes and mint chocolates are some of the most underrated parts of the holidays, IMO. This Christmas nail design finally gives them their moment—it's subtle with the French tips, yet still totally festive.
11. Minimalist Christmas Tree Accent Nails
If you're into those minimalist Scandinavian Christmas trees, then you'll prob love these accent nails too. Nail artist Iram Shelton opted for green nails on the rest of her hand, but if you wanted an even more sleek look, you could just go with a sheer "Bubble bath" nail look instead.
12. Silver Snowflake Nails
I, for one, will be manifesting a white Christmas with these snowflake nails. I'll prob just paint on a base coat and add some silver snowflake stickers. But if you're heading to the salon, ask your artist to do the snowflakes in silver chrome for a shinier finish.
13. Gingerbread Nails
This gingerbread mani with glittery-gold accents feels both statement-making and neutral, thanks to its mix of negative spaces and accent nails. Pro tip, tho: Instead of trying to draw a bunch of mini gingerbread men by hand, try sticking on a few gingerbread nail stickers instead for way less stress.
14. Winter Wonderland Nails
Want your nails to look like a legit winter wonderland? Show this nail design to your manicurist ASAP. Beware: A design this intricate will take some time and cost more than your average salon mani. But you could make it a bit cheaper (and potentially even a DIY) by popping on some nail stickers instead of painting.
15. Muted Christmas Color Nails
Olive green, burgundy, ivory, gold—these are probably the fall nail shades you relied on last season. But when paired together, they make a super pretty and surprisingly toned-down Christmas manicure. And if you’re not feeling up to precise nail art today (relatable), skip the work and instead paint each nail a different shade.
16. Mint Candy Cane Nails
This turquoise mani looks like vintage Christmas wrapping paper, especially with the candy-cane design. But don't be fooled by the art—zoom in, and you'll see that each candy cane is actually just a series of dots that anyone can copy. Just grab a fine-tip dotting tool and carefully dot red and white polish in the shape of a cane across each nail, finishing with a top coat.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Chaise Sanders is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes in the beauty, hair, and nail spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing about nail trends, like Hailey Bieber's best nail looks and the best press-on nails the internet has to offer. Along with regularly testing out different nail styles and types, she works with the industry’s top nail artists to help discover new brands, trends, and products.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail stories, like fall nail colors and winter nail colors. She’s an authority in all nail categories, but is an expert when it comes to Christmas nail ideas, courtesy of her massive Pinterest board.
Chaise Sanders is a NYC-based writer with a knack for all things lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and style. Her work has graced the pages of Cosmopolitan, Country Living, InStyle, and more. When she's not busy crafting words, you can find her on Instagram roaming the streets of New York City, hunting down the best food spots, hidden gems, and deals.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
