40 Festive Holiday Nail Designs That Will Make You Sleigh

This post is to inspire you to show off your creativity and style with these festive holiday nail designs and ideas.

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The holiday season is a time for celebration, joy, and of course, looking your best. From family gatherings to fancy holiday parties, having the perfect manicure can add that extra touch of glam to your look. So why not get festive with your nails this year?

Thanks to the popularity of press-on nails and nail stickers, you can easily change up your nail game without breaking the bank or spending hours at a salon.

From classic reds and greens to fun patterns and designs, here are some festive holiday nail designs that will make you sleigh this season. Keep reading to get inspired!

Classic Red and Green

When it comes to the most festive holiday nail designs, you can’t go wrong with traditional red and green. These colors instantly scream Christmas and will have you feeling festive all season long. You can keep it simple with a classic red or green manicure. Or, get creative by incorporating both colors into your design! Try alternating red and green nails or adding some glitter for extra sparkle.

Festive Red and Gold

Red and glittering gold is another festive nail design for the holidays. This glitzy color duo is perfect for any occasion, from a cozy dinner with loved ones to a glamorous New Year’s Eve party. You can opt for a simple red base with gold accents or get creative with red and gold glitter for some extra sparkle. This elegant combination will surely make you stand out in a crowd.

A Flurry of Festive Nail Designs

Bring the beauty of a snowy winter wonderland to your nails with this design. A white base with silver or iridescent glitter resembles fresh snow, while snowflake decals or hand-painted designs add that extra touch of magic. You can even add some rhinestones or pearls for a more glamorous look. This design is perfect for those who want to keep it simply stunning.

Effortless Milk Bath Nails

Milk bath nails are a popular trend this holiday season, and for good reason. This design resembles the look of milk being poured into water, creating a unique and mesmerizing effect on your nails. The best part? You can achieve this look with just a few swipes of nail polish and some nail art tools. This is especially popular for those Winter Brides who want a classy, elegant, but still holiday-inspired manicure.

Knit Sweater Design Inspiration

Nothing says cozy winter vibes more than a knit sweater design on your nails. This look can be achieved by using a nail stamping kit or hand-painting the design with a thin brush. Choose any festive color like red, green, and white to complete the sweater look. Or, go with the color of your favorite sweater! There’s no limit to this design.

Elegant Black and Gold

For a more sophisticated and chic holiday look, go for a black and gold design. A black base with gold accents or decals is both elegant and eye-catching. You can also add some white or silver details for a bit of contrast. This design is perfect for those who want to make a statement without being too flashy.

Metallic and Molten Nails

Metallic and molten nails have been trending all year, and they are perfect for the holiday season as well. Choose a metallic color like silver, gold, or rose gold for a glam look, or go for a molten effect with a matte top coat and chrome powder. This design is versatile and can be customized to your liking by your nail tech or a simple press-on design.

Holly Jolly Festive Designs

Embrace the holiday spirit with a holly-inspired nail design. Paint your nails in a deep green shade and add little red berries using dotting tools or toothpicks. You can also incorporate some gold or silver accents for some extra glam. This design is perfect for those who want to bring a little touch of nature into their design.

Icy Blue Wonderland

For those who prefer to stay on top of the nail color trends, icy blue is the perfect option for you. You can keep it subtle with a clean coat of your nails, or add some holographic glitter for an extra pop. It’s an easy color that will carry you over from Christmas to NYE! This design is perfect for those who want a chic and current look.

Candy Cane Cutie Festive Nail

Bring some sweetness to your nails with a candy cane-inspired design. Paint your nails in alternating red and white stripes and add a touch of glitter for some extra sparkle. You can also opt for a reverse candy cane design, where the base color is white and the stripes are red. This design is perfect for those who want a fun and playful look for their festive nails.

Jewel Tone Elegance

Jewel tones are a popular choice for the holiday season as they add a touch of luxury and elegance to any look. Opt for shades like emerald green, ruby red, or sapphire blue for a rich and opulent feel. You can also add some gold accents or glitter for some more festive pop. This design is perfect for those who want a sophisticated and glamorous look.

Winter Nail Care Tips

Winter can be harsh on our nails, so it’s important to take extra care during this season. Keep your cuticles moisturized by applying a cuticle oil or balm daily. Also, make sure to wear gloves when going outside in the cold weather to protect your nails from drying out. Lastly, try not to use acetone-based nail polish removers as they can be very drying. Opt for a non-acetone formula instead.

An easy tip for removing press-on nails is to soak your nails for 20 minutes in a mixture of hot/warm (but tolerable) water, olive oil, and dawn dish soap. You really only need a few drops of the oil and dish soap so don’t over pour! They should pop right off, but keep soaking if you have any difficulty taking them off.

Buff off any residual glue and finish with a nail strengthener.

For more trendy nail designs and color inspiration, check out my post here.