There is something truly one-of-a-kind about the holiday season — the cold air that sharpens the senses, streets glowing with twinkling lights, and even your usual coffee order suddenly coming with a dash of cinnamon cheer. And if there’s one thing that instantly puts you in that cozy-festive mood, it’s a Christmas manicure. The kind that makes you want to wrap your hands around a mug of hot cocoa just to show them off.
So what’s trending this year for Christmas nails 2025? Are glitter explosions taking over, or are delicate snowflakes stealing the spotlight? Will jewel-toned looks dominate, or will the classic red-and-white Santa color story reign again? After browsing inspiration boards, testing shades, and talking to pros, I’ve narrowed down my favorite holiday nail looks of the year — designs you can easily recreate at home. Let’s unwrap them one by one.
Frosted Plum Elegance
Who knew plum could look this luxurious during Christmas time? Instead of the expected reds and golds, this manicure pairs a deep mulberry polish with soft lilac accents and a subtle glitter fade along the tips. Snowflake detailing gives it a playful holiday twist while still maintaining a refined finish. Think velvet party dress energy — moody, polished, and quietly festive.
Use OPI Good Girls Gone Plaid for the base and Essie Lilacism for the accent shade. For the frosted shimmer, add a touch of Zoya Astra along the tips and finish with painted or decal snowflakes. It’s glamorous without trying too hard — dressy, but wearable enough for brunch the next day.
Holly Berry Delight
Classic never means boring — especially at Christmas. Holly leaves and bright berries over a crisp white background feel nostalgic yet stylish. The addition of green glitter on one accent nail ties everything together and gives it a modern, cheerful touch. It’s familiar in the prettiest way — warm, seasonal, and joyful.
Paint the nails with OPI Alpine Snow first, then add the leaves with Essie Office Green. A dotting tool will help place perfectly round berry dots using a vibrant candy-red shade. This design brings back childhood memories of sugar cookies, wrapping gifts late at night, and watching old Christmas movies — playful, cozy, and undeniably festive.
Elegance in White and Red Gift-Wrapped
This manicure literally reflects the look of wrapped Christmas presents: clean white polish tied with red glitter ribbon bows. It’s adorable without being tacky — sophisticated surface, seasonal theme, and crisp red lines that balance cute and classy.
Use OPI Alpine Snow for the base and DND Ruby Red for the ribbon lines. Draw the stripes with a thin detailing brush, then add tiny bow decals. A glossy topcoat seals everything and transforms the design into high-fashion wrapping paper for your fingertips. It’s a look that always sparks conversation — a small gift you give to yourself.
Cranberry Luxe
If “elegant holiday glam” had a signature look, this would be it. A matte cranberry finish takes center stage, enhanced by gold lattice accents and a delicate snowflake. It feels like a vintage Christmas card brought to life — rich, nostalgic, and timeless.
Try OPI Malaga Wine for the base and Butter London The Full Monty for the golden lines. A matte topcoat is essential — it gives the polish that velvety, couture texture. This manicure is dramatic without being loud, regal without being dated. Picture it with gold earrings and a wool coat — old-Hollywood winter glamour.
Silver Snow Wonderland
Few color combos say “holiday magic” quite like bold cherry red paired with shining silver accents. Snowflakes, tiny holiday icons, and sparkling dots lift the look without overpowering it. It’s cheerful, polished, and party-ready.
Use Essie Forever Yummy for the red and Sally Hansen Celeb City (or metallic gel) for the silver. A dotting tool makes snowflake placement easy. It’s simple enough to do on a Sunday but glamorous enough for a Christmas Eve celebration — the kind of manicure that makes you hear holiday music in your head.
Frosted Wine & Candy Stripes
This design feels like a mug of mulled wine beside a crackling fire — warm, deep burgundy in matte form with candy-stripe and snowflake details. The mix of textures (matte base plus glossy and metallic accents) creates dimension that feels rich yet subtle.
Layer OPI Malaga Wine with a matte topcoat, add candy stripes using Gelish Arctic Freeze, and place silver dots with a dotting tool. It plays into the holiday contrast trend — warm tones against winter brightness. It’s the perfect manicure for nights spent watching holiday movies with friends — soft sweaters, twinkling lights, total comfort.
Wine Snowflakes and Matte Gold
If quiet luxury had a Christmas manicure, this would be it. Matte burgundy paired with champagne-gold accents gives a regal finish without any fuss. Soft white snowflake details pull the whole look together — glamorous, delicate, and absolutely festive.
Use CND Bordeaux Babe for the matte base and Essie Good as Gold for the gold polish. Apply thin layers for a brushed-metal effect, then soften everything with a matte topcoat. This design feels like wearing jewelry on your nails — perfect for dinners, candlelit parties, and clinking glasses of champagne.
Red With Holly Berries Classic
Nothing embodies Christmas quite like traditional red nails, especially when paired with a holly leaf and berry accent. It’s nostalgic in the sweetest way — creamy red, soft green, and just enough detail to make the manicure fun rather than flashy.
Choose Essie Forever Yummy for the red base and apply the holly accent using decals or a detailing brush. Finish with a matte topcoat for a velvety effect. It’s bright, sentimental, and universally flattering — the kind of look that always earns compliments.
Rose Gold Snowfall
If you love soft, romantic holiday aesthetics, this look is for you. A neutral pink base melts into rose-gold glitter tips topped with delicate snowflakes. It sparkles gently, like fresh snow in candlelight — understated, dreamy, and ridiculously pretty.
Use OPI Bubble Bath for the base and Essie Penny Talk for the shimmer. Add stamped or decal snowflakes to keep the lines sharp, then seal with a glossy topcoat. It’s effortless in the best way — subtle but luxurious, and versatile enough to pair with sweaters, satin, or sequins.
Midnight Starry Sky
This design is for the dreamers — a deep navy base paired with icy white detailing creates the perfect night-before-Christmas mood. The fine stars and swirling accents look almost like frost forming across a frozen window, giving the manicure an ethereal, winter-night feeling. It’s mysterious, calm, and surprisingly simple to recreate at home.
Midnight Starry Sky
This is a dreamer one – the deep navy base and the icy white designs are providing the full night-before-Christmas feel. The subdued stars and frothing details are ethereal almost in being frozen painted. It is enigmatic and quiet and, strangely enough, it is easy to reproduce at home.
To the blue, OPI “Russian Navy” and to the white details, China Glaze “White on White.” Introduction of tiny rhinestones to add a dimension – they reflect light well. Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik has frequently referenced that contrast is “drama instantly” and this appearance demonstrates this point flawlessly.
I had navy nails last Christmas Eve, and? I could not take my eyes off them with the twinkle lights. And they were very small galaxies in my fingers. It is the type of manicure that makes one feel really down-to-earth and enchanted at the same time, such as making a wish upon your own little universe.
For the blue base, OPI Russian Navy is ideal, while China Glaze White on White works perfectly for the crisp white art. Add a few tiny rhinestones for extra dimension — they catch the light beautifully and turn every movement into a subtle sparkle. Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik often says contrast brings “instant drama,” and this design proves that effortlessly.
I wore navy nails on Christmas Eve last year and couldn’t stop admiring them under the tree lights — it felt like holding tiny galaxies at my fingertips. This manicure gives you that magical blend of grounded and whimsical, like making a wish on your own little pocket-sized universe.