The 10 Christmas nail designs we want to try this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, and it's officially the perfect time to elevate your beauty game. Be it berry-toned lips, shimmering golden eyeshadow, or a dash of hair tinsel: Christmas brings out festive beauty elements we might shy away from the rest of the year. But no routine is worthy of ringing in the new year sans the best Christmas nail designs.

Now is the moment to fully embrace those Christmas nails with maximalist flair – whether that means decadent poinsettia-red glitter, delicate silver chrome, a dusting of tinsel-like sparkle across your tips, or a festive take on the French manicure.

Headed to the salon or set on finding the perfect celebratory look? Vogue Scandinavia has curated the definitive list of the 10 holiday nail designs we’re absolutely itching to try this season.

Is there any detail more evocative of Christmas than a sumptuous red ribbon tied into the perfect bow? This year, embrace that enduring charm by incorporating this fabulously festive motif into your manicure. Best part? With a neutral base, they’ll last you through those liminal holiday days, giving your grow-out a grace period.

From the vibrant, sugary sheen of a candy cane to the deep ruby of a candied cranberry, a classic red manicure is the quintessential festive manicure. This holiday season, embrace richer shine through a subtle touch of chrome for a truly perfected and polished finish.

Forget the top of the Christmas tree. This year, we want to see stars on our fingertips. For an undercover festive manicure that is as applicable to Christmas as New Year’s Eve, these chrome stars deliver the perfect one-two polish punch.

Indulge in a sweet moment with this candy cane-inspired Christmas design: a classic red-and-white stripe doubled up for a twist on the French tip. Flirty, fun, and perfectly festive, this whimsical manicure is ideal for the season. Merry French-mas!

A lavish gold glitter ombré gives your holiday nails that Midas touch. Undeniably festive, it reminds us of shimmering Christmas tinsel wrapped around the tree. Better yet, it is the perfect seasonal accessory that will retain its celebratory sparkle all the way to the New Year's Eve countdown and long past your fir tree’s flung out.

The ubiquitous presence of holly in holiday songs – from 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas' to 'The Holly and the Ivy' and 'Deck the Halls' – makes it the quintessential symbol of the Christmas season. To truly embrace the festive spirit, translate this iconic greenery onto your nails with a holly-trimmed manicure, perhaps adding a whimsical sprig of mistletoe for a touch of romantic mischief?

Sugar, spice, and everything nice: this festive manicure is a delicious invitation to evoke the cosy charm of a classic gingerbread house. Unfortunately, it won’t come with that freshly baked smell we all love and adore.

The weather outside is frightful, but on your nails it's so delightful. Capture the ethereal beauty of a Scandinavian snowstorm with this pearlescent manicure. Apply to a single nail for a subtle accent, or fully commit to a dazzling, all-over swirl for that ultimate winter statement.

A silver chrome manicure is the perfect solution for those seeking a festive touch without going all-in for Christmas. With a metallic sheen, it speaks to that perennially popular trend, but still offers a subtle, sophisticated nod to the season.

Coordinate your Christmas PJs with tartan tips and checkered nails – already tapped as a must-try trend for 2026 by Hailey Bieber’s nail artist. This sophisticated, plaid mani features subtly festive tones, perfectly finished with a preppy bow for all of the season's celebrations.