Popsugar Beauty Christmas Festive Nail Art For 2023 26 Christmas Nail-Art Designs That Are Festive Without Being Cheesy 2 November 2023 by Tori Crowther Image Source: Instagram For most people, one of the best things about the festive season is dressing up in a fancy outfit. However, for beauty enthusiasts, the star of the show is either the glitzy-themed makeup or the accompanying nail art. But just because you're partial to festive manicures doesn't necessarily mean you prefer tinsel designs, an ugly-jumper-inspired manicure, or Christmas tree nails. In fact, we're here to prove that holiday nail art doesn't have to be cheesy to be cute. (Although, for the record, we'd call Christmas tree nails anything but cheesy.) We're in a new age of creativity led by stellar nail technicians. Festive nails can range anywhere from chic candy-cane swirls to ombré polish with mistletoe and even subtle snowflake nails. No matter where you decide to take it, there's an option for you. If you want to keep it classy, graphic lines and glitter finishes are the way to go. If you're looking to step it up a notch, cashmere and crystal nails are as stylish as they are cool. Winter nail art is beyond any specific holiday, so don't be afraid to experiment with the entire cosy aesthetic of the season. Ahead, we've rounded up the chicest holiday nail art designs that will have you celebrating tastefully. Related: Sweater Nail Art Is the Coziest Winter Trend So Far Grey Jumper Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mindy Tran (@mindynailsdecor) on Nov 19, 2018 at 2:28pm PST Nothing is cosier than jumper nails, which feature 3D details on an accent finger that match the texture of a knitted jumper. Read more about the trend here. 1 / 26 Pink Snowflake Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Couture Nails Salon (@couturenailsrosarito) on Jan 5, 2018 at 6:22pm PST Just because it's the festive season doesn't mean you need to stick to the same traditional colours you see everywhere. Case in point? This snowflake nail art painted on top of a bright-pink polish. 2 / 26 Black and Gold Abstract Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tara (@tarab_styles) on Dec 15, 2017 at 6:31pm PST Switch up your standard festive nail art by implementing varying designs within a singular theme, like this look that incorporates a different gold glitter look on each finger. 3 / 26 Silver Snowflake Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAILS BY CAMBRIA (@nailsbycambria) on Dec 21, 2017 at 2:03pm PST Give your nails the winter-wonderland touch with a silver-glitter-meets-white-snowflake design. This one requires a steady hand, but makes the perfect festive nail art. 4 / 26 Red and White Jumper Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by KATIE MASTERS (@nailthoughts) on Dec 17, 2017 at 7:27am PST Or add the white jumper detail to a singular accent nail and paint the rest of your fingers a bright cherry red. 5 / 26 Red and Gold Star Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harli • (@nailsbyharlig) on Dec 9, 2017 at 6:58pm PST We love a classic burgundy manicure in winter, and these gold-star additions (created with a metallic polish and thin nail brush) take the holiday nail art up a notch. 6 / 26 Blue and Gold Abstract Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by CND (@cndworld) on Dec 5, 2017 at 7:54am PST V-cut french manicures are simple, understated, and chic as hell, but you can give them a festive twist by incorporating classic colours like deep blue and metallic gold. 7 / 26 Mistletoe Ombré View this post on Instagram A post shared by MODERN SALON (@modernsalon) on Dec 24, 2017 at 10:43am PST Mistletoe nail art doesn't have to be obvious or in your face; instead, try adding the design to the tips of every other nail and paint on a cool ombré design leading up to them for dramatic effect. 8 / 26 Negative-Space Gold Snowflake Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by KATIE MASTERS (@nailthoughts) on Dec 21, 2017 at 7:16am PST Negative-space nails — which feature a design on bare or clear nails — are the ultimate minimalist manicure idea. We especially like this seasonal addition of gold snowflake decals. 9 / 26 Winter Berry Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nina Park. Nail Art. Boston. (@ninanailedit) on Nov 25, 2018 at 8:16am PST Adding subtle festive details — like the winter berries design here — to a solid nail-polish colour like dark blue or green gives your holiday nail art a touch of whimsy without being too over the top. 10 / 26 Burgundy Stencil Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jelena (@friendly_nails_studio) on Nov 8, 2018 at 5:46am PST Matte burgundy nails look especially chic with a singular stencilled detail in a classic wrapping-paper design. 11 / 26 Reverse Sparkle Ombré Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harli • (@nailsbyharlig) on Nov 18, 2018 at 8:15am PST The most festive twist on the inverted french manicure is this sparkly nail design, which features flecks of silver glitter along the cuticle. The perfect example of chic festive nail art. 12 / 26 Rose Gold and Burgundy Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mindy Tran (@mindynailsdecor) on Nov 21, 2018 at 11:31pm PST The easiest holiday nail art design idea: change up your polish finishes. Take this burgundy and rose-gold manicure, for example, which plays with matte and glitter. 13 / 26 Abstract Red Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harli • (@nailsbyharlig) on Nov 19, 2018 at 12:42pm PST The colour red will be everywhere this festive season, but painting on the colour in an abstract shape — like just the tip of each nail as shown here — makes this holiday nail art feel fresh. 14 / 26 Glitter French Manicure Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nina Park. Nail Art. Boston. (@ninanailedit) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:16am PST French manicures look a lot more festive when you incorporate a glitter polish. Bonus points if you add other elements, like a snowflake here and there, to each nail. 15 / 26 Olive Green and Gold Sparkle Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olive & June (@oliveandjune) on Dec 21, 2017 at 5:58pm PST An olive-green polish that matches your Christmas tree or wreath is a perfect choice on its own, but adding in a few flecks of scattered gold glitter to a nail or two makes it an extra festive holiday nail art look. 16 / 26 Beige Jumper Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mindy Tran (@mindynailsdecor) on Nov 19, 2018 at 2:27pm PST If you want to try the cashmere-sweater nails trend but still want to keep it cosy and simple, we suggest a neutral base colour like the beige worn here. 17 / 26 Pink and Gold Glitter Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Licensed Esthetician (@caitlinclancybeauty) on Nov 12, 2018 at 6:53am PST Subtle gold details on a clean, neutral-coloured polish will pair well with any holiday outfit and make great festive nail art. 18 / 26 Icy Blue With Gold Flake Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicole Smith (@nicolesmithnails) on Mar 13, 2018 at 3:46am PDT Metallic foil finishes are the perfect topper to any opaque holiday polish. We suggest adding it to one or two accent nails for fun but subtle holiday nail art. 19 / 26 Red and Green Sparkle Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tori | Tori's Pretty Things (@torisprettythings) on Dec 27, 2017 at 4:02pm PST Try mixing things up by featuring a different colour on each fingernail — but give it a festive upgrade with greens, reds, and glitter varnishes. 20 / 26 Black French Tip With Gold Snowflake Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sierra Coulson (@sierranailsit) on Dec 21, 2017 at 6:22pm PST Why not give your "french moon" manicure a festive nail art touch by adding a singular snowflake decal on a single finger? 21 / 26 Red, White, and Gold Swirl Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mutsa E M (@memnails) Swirl nails are already trending this year, but you can level it up by drawing inspiration for your next design from classic wrapping-paper colours, like red, white, and gold to make it a festive nail art design. 22 / 26 Rudolph and Red Plaid Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by @naileditbyus Give Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a subtle nod by adding the cartoon to an accent finger. Paint the rest of your nails either a single polish or an equally simple look. 23 / 26 Icy Blue and Silver Tip Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐍𝐮𝐍𝐮 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 (@nunu_nailss) Jack Frost provides the ultimate icy nail inspiration — just take this blue, silver, and white design. 24 / 26 Candy-Cane Swirl Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beautiful Nails (@beaunailss) The classic holiday candy gets a nail-art upgrade with this swirl design. 25 / 26 White Cashmere French Manicure View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phase 2 Beauty Salon (@phase2.beautysalon) Give your french manicure the 3D touch with this embossed cashmere-sweater detail on the tips. 26 / 26 ChristmasNailsFestive BeautyNail TrendsHoliday BeautyBeauty TrendsNail ArtHoliday