24 Festive Christmas Nail Design Ideas

Discover 24 Christmas nail designs to get you feeling festive this year

Christmas is around the corner, and everyone’s getting ready for the festive season. A Christmas manicure can get you in the spirit and make you feel festive. The nail trends for this year have all been pretty minimal yet colourful, too, and although Christmas manicures are typically red, green, and as glittery as possible, a few designs mix the two.

In this post, there are 24 festive Christmas nail design ideas that are typical Christmas manicures with a twist of this year’s trends. Everything from classic red designs to minimal tip designs; something for everyone this festive season.

1. Mrs. Claus

This is such a delicate design, but just perfect for the festive season. Red is the ultimate Christmas colour, and the little design on the ring finger that looks like a Christmas has is super fun and a great way to get into the spirit. This is perfect if you don’t want too much going on and would rather have a simple design, as it’s still very classy and subtle.

2. Abstract Christmas

Abstract nail designs have been very popular this year, and this is a unique way to incorporate them into your Christmas nails. Even though this design looks quite simple, the designs are so intricate and detailed that the simplicity creates its own statement look.

3. Gingerbread & Candy Canes

If you don’t like the traditional Christmas colours for a nail design, then this one is for you. A pink manicure is a classic design, but the added feature of the gingerbread and candy cane nail art keeps the design on theme. This is a fun and creative design that will look super cute for the Christmas season.

4. Tinsel Tips

Again, this is a simple, understated design, but it is still perfect for this time of year. The nude base is a classic, chic look, and then the gold glitter tips make the design much more festive. This is the ultimate Christmas party manicure, so if you are looking for a nail design for that, then this is it. I also like this design because if you don’t want to get your nails done before New Year, then this design will look great for both occasions.

5. Golden Tree

This nail design is elegant and sophisticated, the muted green and gold aren’t too loud, and then the short, simple square shape is very clean. The small tree design is cute and subtle great if you aren’t a huge fan of nail art, and the white nail adds a pop and makes the design stand out a lot more.

6. Night Before Christmas

Having a black nail design for the holidays can seem quite dark, and that it doesn’t really fit the theme; however, this is a great way of adding it to your design. The mix between black and champagne glitter is a great balance and doesn’t make it look too dull. The white snowflake design also brightens up the black and makes it more festive.

7. Christmas Candy

This design is super fun and creative. The green is a lovely pastel shade mixed with a classic red and white stripe design. The style of this manicure is unique and something many have not seen before. This nail design is perfect for someone that wants a creative, exciting manicure to get them in the Christmas spirit.

8. Iced Cookies

This is such a cosy, warm feeling manicure. The different shades of nude have really been on trend this year, and this is a great way of incorporating it into your Christmas nails. The different designs on each nail are creative and make the design much more special. The designs chosen are also very Christmassy and perfect for the winter season.

9. Christmas Pudding

What’s Christmas without a Christmas pudding, even if it is just your nail design. Although this nail design is completely nail art, it’s still simple and not overboard. The deep brown is rich, and the shimmer in it makes it stand out more. The white tip detail with the small touches of green and red are a great feature.

10. Santa Baby

A red manicure is classic every year for Christmas, and it is still a great design to have. There are so many ways you can do this design to suit you and what you like, but this design is perfect for Christmas. The different designs on each nail add excitement and something different to it, and the white again the red brightens up the whole manicure.

11. Golden Star

This design is ideal for someone that doesn’t like a coloured manicure but still want it to be festive. The nude base is classy and clean, and then the gold nail art is a very sophisticated way of having a Christmas design. It’s very simple and subtle, but the stars, candy cane and gingerbread designs are what makes it perfect for Christmas.

12. Tis the Season

Green is such a festive colour, but not many people think of green for nail designs. This deep green tone is a very elegant colour, and the pop of white and the tiny features of glitter enhances the design. The snowflake feature is great for Christmas, and what’s great about this design is that you can have this design before and after Christmas as it still has a winter theme.

13. Shining Star

Silver glitter nails always look chic and are a great festive option. The glitter with the white star detailing creates a nice contrast, making it more eye-catching. What’s good about this design is that you can have it before and after Christmas, as it’s festive but not as themed as other designs.

14. Festival Frills

Tip designs have been very popular this year, so it’ll be nice to try them out this festive season. Red, white and green are all perfect colours for a Christmas manicure, and abstract designs are a nice trend to do. Even though the colours are on theme, having a none themed design is a nice way of not overdoing it but still having a hint of Christmas.

15. Frosted Snow

White nails are such an effortless look on your nails; it creates such a chic, delicate look to your nails. Cluster glitter is a nice option for accent nails; glitter is very popular this season, so having thick glitter is not only trendy, but it’ll stand out and create a statement look. Not all Christmas nails need to have complicated nail art, and if you are looking for a simple and easy design for this holiday, this is the design for you.

16. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

This is such a cute, fun design; it’s a good in-between of being playful and subtle. The red tips are very popular this time of year, so adding an accent nail is a great way to appreciate the trend while adding personality and making it unique to yourself. The reindeer nail art is a lovely detail; it’s a much more mature take on nail art and a nice way of incorporating the Christmas theme into your manicure.

17. Christmas Tree

Mixing two popular designs is easy to create a trendy and nice-looking manicure. Tip designs are a straightforward way of adding detail to your nails, and choosing the marble effect for your tips is a stylish look that’ll definitely get a lot of attention. The gold features are a nice touch to make it a little more festive. The glitter gold outline and gold star are very Christmasy and just add the finishing touches to the look.

18. Bauble Sparkle

French tips are good nail options; they’re simple yet always look nice and put together. Even though they may not seem to be in the Christmas spirit, French tips are such a classic that they’ll look good even for the festive season. The subtle touch of a single coloured rhinestone on each nail is a nice detail that gives the design a special something and makes it even more perfect for the Christmas period.

19. Christmas Florals

Floral nail designs are always a lovely design to choose, so why not incorporate them into your Christmas manicure. This design has such a gentle, feminine feel to it; the deep red is such an elegant look paired with a subtle touch of the floral design is a beautiful pair. This is the perfect manicure if you’re looking for a classy design that looks festive but isn’t over the top.

20. Christmas Wreath

Not all Christmas nail designs need to be bright colours and full of design; sometimes, a simple nude base with a bit of nail art is just what you need. Nude nails are a classic that looks clean and fresh; they’re perfect for many occasions. The accent nail art is a lovely design, full of detail, but it isn’t overpowering because it’s only on two nails. In addition to that, because it’s a simple design, it’s a manicure throughout the festive season.

21. Green Fir Tree

Green has been one of the most trendy colours over the last few seasons, and the holiday season is a great time to try this out on your nail design. This deep green colour is such a luxurious colour paired with the white tip accent nails is a nice combination and makes the green and nail art stand out more. The fir tree nail art is small but such an intricate piece; it really completes the manicure.

22. Glitter Sky

Gold glitter is such a Christmas colour; it’s fun, festive and creates such nice looks. The mix between full nails and tips is a nice modern way of having glitter nails, and it’s a simple way of keeping them classy and not overpowering. The white snowflake design is a nice detail that not only makes the manicure perfect for Christmas, but you could also have it throughout the festive season as it has a winter feel to it.

23. Red Tips

Red is such an elegant colour, and there’s no better time to have it than Christmas. The mix of full nails and tips looks good; even though it’s a simple design having the two different details makes the manicure look more interesting and exciting. The white snowflakes are a great detail that adds a winter/festive season theme to it; it’s a nice way to bring the design together and make it perfect for Christmas.

24. Fairy Lights

Nude nails are a classy and sophisticated look that looks good all year round; it’s also a colour that looks good on everyone. This fairy light nail art is such a cool, unique design; the black line art is a good contrast against the nude, making the design more eye-catching. The multi-coloured rhinestones are a fun detail that’s great for a Christmas design; this is perfect for anyone looking for a playful, distinctive design this year.