30 Holiday Nails That Will Have You in a Festive Mood in No Time

My holiday checklist consists of choosing the right outfit, hairstyle and, of course, a festive manicure. There’s just something about rocking a red, green or gold shade that will put me in the holly jolly mood. Now, I’m not one to gatekeep, so I compiled a list of 30 holiday nails to wear all month long. Whether you’re looking for some simple DIY options, prefer an intricate design and impressive nail art or love any excuse to wear glitter on your nails, I got you covered. Keep reading to find a mani for you, no matter your level of skill or spirit.

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It doesn’t get more classic than a set of red and gold stripes, especially when they remind me of the famous Radio City Rockettes. This is one design you can do right at home with some polish and painter’s tape.

If you’re getting ready for a classy holiday party, this statement-worthy manicure is sure to complement any outfit. Once you apply a base coat, place some pearl stick ons and you’re good to go.

I love a tiny hand-painted tree for those who prefer subtlety, and luckily, you don’t have to be a professional artist to recreate it. All you need is a striping brush (and a steady hand) to draw a black zig-zag line across your nail. Then, add a pop of color in-between the lines to act as small (and downright cute) ornaments. 

Sweater nails were all the rage in 2022, and continue to be a sought out design today. Just take a cue from Mari and try a calming white and pale grey palette.

When French tips meet a red candy cane stripe. This modern take is a great representation of the holiday treat. All you need is a white and red polish, along with painter’s tape for those clean, crisp lines. 

Want holiday nails that are simple, but still show a bit of appreciation for the season? Well, this minimal manicure is just for you. The green stripe won’t take too long to recreate—plus, the pop of color is just what you need to get in the spirit. 

I love the way the festive colors and gold foil pop against the white base. The best part is, you don’t have to be perfect. Put on your artist’s hat and add thick strokes along the nail as you please. 

Nothing screams holiday quite like this signature pattern. Once you nail the red French tip, use a striping brush to draw vertical and horizontal lines before adding a touch of gold. And don’t forget the holly (jolly) berries, too.

Can’t decide on the exact holiday nail design? I love this mish mosh of festive lights, stars, snowflakes and Santa Claus.

Deck your nails with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la.

Yes, green and red have always been synonymous with Christmas. But let’s face it, gold is just as festive and this manicure is proof. If you want to drip in gold, this step-by-step tutorial will surely have you shimmering in no time. 

Bedazzle in red, green and gold gems this season. The fun part is you can display it differently on each nail, focus on the tip or cover the entire base for a sparkling finish. 

Wear it now, wear it later, wear it whenever. Red hearts are festive, no matter the time of year.

Like the right house wine, I love a nice red blend manicure for the holidays. The trick here is applying painter’s tape across the nail for a sharp line. 

Chef’s kiss for this mistletoe design. Attempt to freehand or grab some festive stickers to get the job done. 

Here’s a good option for shorter nails. Thanks to the vertical lines and neutral base color, this will be the only present you won’t want to unwrap this season. 

I adore the simplicity of these holiday nails, specifically for sporting just a single ornament per fingernail.

File this under intermediate nail art: Bejewel the base of your half-moon manicure with gold studs and you’ve got yourself a holiday winner. 

Nude or red flowers, I leave that up to you. Just make sure to outline the petals with thin black lines to make them stand out.

For when an all red mani feels too predictable, add some wavy lines to the mix.

Use a dotting tool (or the tip of a ballpoint pen) to create these shiny little ornaments. Also, have fun with placement and the number of baubles you sport on your nails. The more, the merrier (pun intended). 

Nail artist Amy Rickaby put a twist on the traditional French mani with this unique shape that she’s calling ‘festive fans.’ Featuring jewel tones of green, red and silver, it’s the glitter that truly brings these holiday nails together. 

These tiny mistletoe designs are downright adorable and a dotting tool is perfect for getting those small green and red dots all over your nails. Take it up a notch and focus the look on certain nails, leaving your pointer and pinky in chic green French tips instead.

Velvet nails were made for the holidays. Also known as a cat-eye manicure, the technique uses a special polish and a magnet to get a multi-dimensional finish. I’ve rocked this mani before, and let me tell you, it has a shine that you simply want to show off. 

Speaking of velvet, how about rocking this iteration? This manicure plays with negative space, focusing on the outer edge of each nail. Regardless what color polish you choose, this mani also works well into your New Year’s Eve plans. 

Whether you’re taking a trip to Jollywood Nights or you’re just a big fan of Mickey, consider this Disney-inspired manicure for the season. If you’re a nail art pro, sport different designs on each nail. Or, you can just use this as a reference at your upcoming nail appointment. 

While the The Nightmare Before Christmas can be considered great for Halloween nail art, the Disney film *does* have some Christmas elements to it. Deck your nails in Jack Skellington dressed as Santa, Sally’s dress in jolly shades and spooky presents. 

A gift is not complete without a bow and this manicure is by far the best present this year. Use a nail art brush to create two large ovals and add squiggly lines to mimic flowing ribbons. Need more guidance? I found just the video tutorial to brush up on your artistic skills. 

French ombré nails are the latest trend putting a twist on the traditional manicure. Also known as ‘Frombé,’ the gradient effect works well for the holidays. According to Juli Russell, a manicurist and DIY expert for Sally Beauty, apply a base color (in this case a lighter red) before gradually blending it with a darker red color so “the second color intensifies as it gets closer to the tip of the nail.”

There’s nothing like the smell of gingerbread cookies baking during December, so why not showcase the sweet treat on your nails? You can try recreating the adorable gingerbread on your finger, or you can pop on these festive press-ons to save you the time (and patience).