Whether you ring in the holidays with an ugly sweater and some eggnog, a holiday vacation, a gift exchange with your friends, or sifting through our gift guide for the perfect gift, we all welcome the holiday season in our own ways. But what gets me in the holiday spirit more than anything is picking out the perfect holiday manicure. And thanks to the vast Pinterest board of holiday nail ideas I’ve been saving all year, I’ve got plenty to choose from.
Don’t worry—you don’t have to cover your nails in reindeers and Santas to feel festive. Holiday nail art can range from simple, elegant colors to exciting and creative looks. It’s up to you how festive you want to get! I combed through all the holiday nail ideas I’ve saved—and I’m sharing my favorites for you to pick out your own holiday manicure.
Your Guide to Holiday Nails
The holiday season is the ultimate excuse to indulge in festive beauty trends, and nothing says you’re in the holiday spirit quite like a fresh set of holiday nails. Whether you’re drawn to classic reds and greens, chic winter whites, or playful pops of shimmer, holiday nail art is the perfect way to treat yourself and show off your style. From elegant, understated manicures to bold, fun designs, there’s no shortage of inspiration to help you celebrate the season in style. Think of your nails as the finishing touch to your holiday look—just the right amount of festive flair to make every day feel a little more special. So go ahead, embrace the beauty of the season and let your nails shine with ideas that are as unique as you are.
1. Silver Wrapping
A shiny silver design is just what you need to ring in the end of the year. This mani stays in style even through New Year’s, so it’s perfect no matter how you’re celebrating.
2. Icy Tips
This icy tip design is the perfect winter nail inspiration! It’s simple, yet gets you in the mood for the cold holiday weather.
3. Snowflake French
Spice up your typical French manicure with some dainty snowflake designs. These add just the right amount of festive to your nails without overdoing it.
4. Christmas Lights
Nothing sets the holiday vibe quite like strings of Christmas lights! These small designs are great for shorter nails, and really add some festive spirit.
5. Candy Cane
If you can’t decide on just one design, this inspiration picture should get you excited. This mixed mani looks like a candy cane just waiting to be eaten!
6. Green and Gold Trees
If cutting down the Christmas tree is your favorite part of the holidays, this one’s for you! This set incorporates soft greens, gold, and a spotlight nail with adorable tree designs.
7. Neutral Festive French
If you’re trying to stray from the typical red or green set, these neutral designs will keep you festive without all the color.
8. Gold French
Elevate a classic French manicure with a sleek gold color instead of white. It’s both elegant and festive!
9. Green Checkerboard
Plaid nails are totally reminiscent of cozy, nostalgic Christmas decor or wrapping paper. This green color totally reminds me of classic winter foliage.
10. Simple Christmas Tree
By using a small nail brush, you can add some simple designs to your nails that really bring them to the next level. This set uses a red French tip and a gold Christmas tree design—it’s perfect if you’d like to practice your nail design skills.
11. Sage Shine
This shiny green set is simple and easy to recreate! The sage green is topped with a glitter polish that makes it shine and sparkle.
12. Double Silver Sparkle
This design is super unique and creative—think a French set, but double! The silver touch adds a little more glitz and glam, which is perfect for the holidays.
13. Grinch French
If the Grinch movies are your favorite holiday films, these designs are perfect for you. They’re fun, festive, and let you rep the Grinch green on your nails.
14. Glossy Deep Green
This deep, glossy green color could be used year-round—but there’s something about a dark green that gives off cozy, moody, holiday vibes.
15. Pink Santa Hat French
Barbie girls unite! Just because red and green are the usual stars of the show during Christmas, doesn’t mean you can’t show off your hot pink mani. Don’t forget the Santa hat design for extra festive points.
16. Emerald Swirls
Green and white go so well together! This design is great for shorter nails, and is super easy to recreate with a thin white nail polish.
17. Winter Fruits
When I think of winter fruits, I think of deep red pomegranates and cranberries. These gorgeous nails use those seasonal fruits as inspiration for these deep red nails.
18. Red Glitter Tips
Add some glitter to your next red French manicure for an extra festive, holiday-inspired touch!
19. Christmas Confetti
This festive set is the perfect mix of subtle and fun—and is so easy to do yourself at home! Pick out your favorite holiday colors and make those small polka dots!
20. Blue French With Snowflakes
This icy baby blue color reminds me of snow days and ice skating. The glitter and small designs are oh-so festive, and great for the whole winter season.
21. Festive Tortoise Tips
Seasonal plants and greenery can be found around my whole house during the holidays, which is why I love these garland-inspired designs with a tortoise touch—it’s both trendy and festive.
22. Festive Art
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with classic holiday designs. Cookies, candies, lights—make these designs easier to achieve with nail stickers, or practice your own nail art.
23. Wrapped Gifts
With wishlists and gift ideas on our minds, why not add some presents to our nails too? This multicolor bows and wrapping design is perfect for those with holiday shopping on their mind.
24. Holiday Skittles
Holiday candy is abundant in our household, and this set totally reminds me of colorful Skittles. They’re shiny, glittery, and perfectly festive.
25. Black Snowflake Sparkle
If you love black nails, this manicure is the perfect way to mix the dark color with some festive glitter and small designs.
26. Classic Red
Sometimes there is truly nothing better than a good ‘ole classic red mani. Bright, festive, and fun.
27. Candy Cane Reverse French
Spice up your usual French manicure with this reverse French—it’s totally unique, and paired with adorable candy cane stripe designs.
28. Red Chrome & Snowflakes
Chrome has taken over the nail game, and I can understand why. This red chrome set is gorgeous on its own, but with the small snowflake designs? Perfect.
29. Christmas and Hanukkah
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or maybe even both, small tree and candle designs are super fun to incorporate into your holiday manicure this year.
30. Snowman
Get your small nail brushes out, or pick up some small dainty nail stickers to get this look! Everyone loves a sparkly white snowman.
31. Red Ombre
Keep things simple yet festive with a red ombre look. It’s elegant while still playing into the holiday cheer.
32. Green & Gold Designs
These incredible green and gold designs are straight off our Christmas inspiration boards. Have fun mixing and matching different styles and colors!
33. Blue and Silver
The deep blue and silver colors paired together give off chilly, snowy, vibes for sure. This design turns a typical French into something a little more exciting.
34. Festive Foliage
Add a little bit of greenery to your nails with these dainty foliage details. Paired with a simple base, they’re festive but not too over the top.
35. Mistletoe
Bring the mistletoe with you wherever you go! These small designs are easy to achieve and add a hint of those classic green and reds to your manicure.
36. Green Ombre
Green ombre nails are another easy way to incorporate some Christmas cheer into your next set in a more subtle way. Pick your favorite green and get ready to be obsessed.
37. Simple Sparkles
Some small, simple sparkle designs is all it takes to turn a simple manicure into a holiday look. Use stickers or a small nail brush to achieve the dainty style.
38. Bows and Glitter
Bows and glitter basically sum up my home during the holidays. This mixed manicure uses bow designs, chunky glitter, and different reds to achieve a totally festive look.
39. Candy Wrapper
Don’t these remind you of the classic Kisses wrappers? If there’s any time to indulge a little extra in the chocolate, it’s during the holidays.
40. Winter Blues
This bright winter blue is sparkly, cool, and great for any manicure during the colder months.
41. Festive Wreath
I’m totally obsessed with this deep green set, and paired with the small Christmas wreath? Even better.
42. Glossy Chocolate Brown
This glossy chocolate brown color is just so cozy. It’s simple and elegant—great for someone who doesn’t want designs or an over-complicated look.
43. Ombre Gold Tips
Ombre gold tips are the perfect holiday set that can last you through the New Year. These give you all the sparkle and glitter, without being too tied down to the typical red and green Christmas colors.
44. NYE Stripes
While Christmas is likely at the front of our minds, we can’t forget about New Year’s! This festive stripe set is totally party-ready.
45. Black French & Silver Balls
Add these tiny silver balls to your next manicure for an easy holiday touch. Jingle bell-inspired or not, they’re so adorable.
46. Candy Canes
A spotlight nail is the easiest way to change your manicure from simple to exciting. Add some small candy cane designs for a delicious, festive look.
47. Christmas Tree
Add a small and simple Christmas tree to any of your nails to add a little bit of winter festivity to your next manicure.
48. Silver French
Keep things simple and sleek with these barely-there silver French tips. It adds a hint of shine and sparkle, without being too overpowering.
49. Winter Florals
Poinsettias are the ultimate holiday floral, and they just add so much winter cheer to your nails. This design is dainty with just the right amount of festive touch.
50. Rudolph
Give everyone’s favorite reindeer some time to shine this year! These dainty Rudolph designs are so cute and festive for the holiday season.
Ready to get glam for the holidays? You’ll love these:
- The Best OPI Nail Polish Colors To Get in the Holiday Spirit
- Festive Outfits Made Easy: The Everygirl’s 2025 Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
- The Delicious Perfume Trend Taking Over the Internet
- This Volumizing Product Gave Me The Best Hair of My Life
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
The post 50 Holiday Nail Ideas That Give All the Festive Vibes appeared first on The Everygirl.
