Christmas Nails 2025: Trending Colors, Simple Designs & Festive Nail Art Ideas

When it comes to Christmas nail colors, it's hard to beat the classics. Nothing screams "Christmas" like a warm, red polish. From bright, cherry reds to rich, ruby hues, red is everywhere. We love that red is like the LBD of nails. It works for any occasion, from a casual Christmas work potluck to a glam, swanky party. To make red even better, this is one of those winter polish colors you can dress up with glitter or keep simple with a matte finish. And luckily for us, classic doesn't always translate to boring. Keep things fresh with the hottest red nail color of winter: Dark Dahlia. This shade of dark red with a plum undertone is the top nail polish for winter because it adds a luxuriously elegant feel to your manicure. (Image credit: @gel.bymegan)

When we think of Christmas, witchiness usually isn't the first thing on our minds. However, the premiere of "Wicked: For Good" has had a major impact on Christmas fashions this year. An Elphaba-inspired shade of green called Poison is making waves online. Why go green for Christmas? It's sophisticated, smart, and subtly festive. This color is reminiscent of pine trees, so it's ideal for when you want to get in the holiday spirit but maintain a minimalist aesthetic. You can stick to a solid shade of green for an easy at-home manicure, but if you want to make things a little glitzier, consider some understated gold accents. (Image credit: @fortheocean)

Looking to impress the fashion gurus in your life with THE Christmas trend of the year? Bows are the way to go. From high-end runways to viral TikTok and Instagram influencers, everyone's obsessed with big, dramatic bows. There are quite a few ways to incorporate this into your nails. The most popular option is red bows and ribbons painted on a white base. We've also seen some bold bow accent fingers featuring 3D charms or rhinestones. We love how easy it is to make a big splash, so this is our go-to choice for parties or creative events. (Image credit: @bymiaf)

No matter the time of the year, we always say, "Très chic!" to French tips. This classic design is a popular way to make your nails look polished but not overdone. For Christmas, try grabbing your French tip guides and kicking things up a notch with a little extra holiday flair. Red, glittery tips are always a solid choice, especially if you use the viral Santa hat design that's been floating around Instagram lately. Some other looks we're obsessed with include gold glitter tips or tips with a thin red outline around the white. Whatever style you pick, French tips add elegant appeal to your manicure. (Image credit: @ranamoon_beauty)

We're dreaming of a white Christmas with these delicate designs. Snowflake nail art is trending because it's so insanely versatile. You can choose from festive nail designs in white, red, blue, silver, and more, and it looks appropriately cheerful through New Year's Eve and longer. While we've seen some gorgeous professional designs, we also appreciate that this is an easy design to DIY. With snowflake stickers and stamping kits, you can turn your nails into a winter wonderland in no time at all. (Image credit: @polished_yogi)

Metallics are having a moment, and we're here for it. From futuristic chrome to glam gold, metallic accents are everywhere. We love that the sparkle, shimmer, and shine of metal make nails look extra special. When you want a party-ready look that's as bright as Christmas lights, metallic options are perfect. We've found ourselves saving a lot of full metallic nails on Instagram, but we're also enjoying metallic accents. Scatter delicate gold leaf on your nails, paint on a metallic French tip, or dot metallic stars on your nails for a hint of sparkle. When it comes to metallic nails, don't be afraid to mix and match finishes like rose gold nails with silver jewelry. (Image credit: @emi_aoki_nails)

Is your vibe more moody than cheery? Take a walk on the darker side with this dusky shade of red. Our trend forecasters have noticed a lot of interest in a specific shade: Cherry Mocha. This is a rich wine color with chocolatey undertones. When one editor tried it, she noticed that it was surprisingly easy to wear. It matches all sorts of colors, and you can wear this shade to both holiday parties and everyday events. Another great perk is that burgundy suits every skin color, nail shape, and nail finish. (Image credit: @sweetsquared.nails)

This one's for all the people who start getting ready for Christmas in October. If you're obsessed with Christmas and love whimsy, try a candy cane finish. This sweet look features red stripes on a white background. Candy cane nails are one of our top simple Christmas nails because they're essentially just stripes with a twist. This look is easy to DIY with stickers and a nail brush, or you can get a glam version from the salon. We've seen plenty of great versions ranging from a single accent nail to candy cane tips, it even works for a Christmas pedicure. Whatever style you pick, it goes perfectly with a vintage Christmas sweater. (Image credit: @lacasanailspa)

Capture the magic of snow with soft shades of white and porcelain. Subtle white with glitter is always popular, but if you want something especially trendy, go with "glazed" nails. This pearlescent, milky finish mimics the look of glazed donuts. One of our editors is in a wedding where the bride is planning on having glazed nails, but you don't have to be walking down the aisle to enjoy these. We also love wintry white nails for minimalist Christmas outfits, New Year's Eve parties, and winter birthdays. It may be the best nail color for an elegant winter look that adds a touch of specialness to everyday outfits. (Image credit: @nail_mored)

When talking about Christmas nail colors, we can't resist discussing the Pantone Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse. This rich, buttery, soft shade of brown will have you dreaming of hot chocolate, suede slippers, and gingerbread houses. We've been wearing brown nails all year because they're a great neutral that pairs nicely with office wear and casual clothes. However, for Christmas, we're craving something special. Try spicing things up with these trending nail colors for winter 2025 with Christmas details, gold accents, or a touch of shimmer. (Image credit: @nailsbymarissaf)

Get in a playful mood with these yummy designs. Gingerbread nails start with a textured brown base and then build a sugary look with white frosting and colorful gumdrops. We've seen some people do impressive freehand designs, but don't forget that you can use press-ons or stickers to get a similar look even if you aren't Picasso. Whichever design you choose, the result is a nostalgic, sweet look that's perfect for baking Christmas cookies or doing an annual rewatch of Christmas movies. (Image credit: @clasicasnails)

Florals? For winter? Groundbreaking. Try something fresh and unexpected with a holiday twist on a spring favorite. Use nail wraps or stickers to get delicate poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly for your nails. We love that you get all the romantic dreaminess of traditional florals but still get to celebrate the festive season. This look also works well with a variety of personal styles. Pick big, watercolor designs for a dramatic manicure or choose petite patterns for a dainty effect. (Image credit: @thehangedit)

Without a doubt, stripes are the Christmas pattern of 2025. From delicate stripes in candy-inspired hues to metallic stripes with an abstract flair, stripes are everywhere. This trend is perfect if your personal style is more modern. It packs a bold punch while being easy to do with a thin brush and some complementary colors. And take it from us: Striping tape is essential. This must-have tool will let you get the clean lines that make this pattern pop. (Image credit: @palm.nailsbyemma)

Ski-core is one of the top trends for the holidays, so we were thrilled to find out we could get our manicures involved in this theme. Cheerful plaid prints bring a cozy feel that will remind you of mountain holidays and log cabin getaways. Red and black buffalo checks are always classic, but we've also seen a lot of interest in blue and green tartans that mimic flannel shirts. Plaid is essentially just two layers of stripes, so you can pull out your trusty tape and thin brushes to create your own custom pattern. If you're in a hurry, you can also get a similar look with plaid nail wraps. (Image credit: @txmanimuse)