80 Holiday Nail Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Wear

‘Tis the season for Christmas nails—because let’s face it, all that cooking, decorating, and gift wrapping is much easier to romanticize when you’re doing it with a festive manicure.

Whether you typically opt for a classic Big Apple Red, a healthy dose of glitter, or more on-the-nose Christmas nail art, this year’s creative manicure ideas might tempt you to try something new. Nude nails, for example were wildly popular in 2025, and holiday nail trends are meeting the moment: “Delicate gold accents over a natural base feels soft, feminine, and festive without going overboard for the holidays,” Nail Artist & Educator Sofiia Mazur tells Glamour. “The gold gives that subtle, festive glow while staying minimal.”

What else is trending in the Christmas manicure realm? Lots of the design motifs you’d expect (see bows, reindeer, snowflakes, and Santa hats) plus some holiday spins on our favorite trends from the year, like toasted nails and velvet manicures: “Clients love the dimensional sparkle and the luxurious, glowing effect created by the magnetic pigments,” says nail artist Valeriia Telemaniuk

Ready to meet your perfect holiday manicure? Ahead, you’ll find…

• The best Christmas nail inspiration for every taste, shape, and skill level
• Answers to common Christmas manicure FAQs, straight from the experts