20+ Festive December Nails to Try This Holiday Season in 2025

Okay, let’s be honest: I live for December nails! This is *our* time to shine—literally. It’s the one month where “too much glitter” doesn’t exist. From cozy, festive Christmas vibes to full-on New Year’s Eve glam, this is when our nails get to be the star of the show. I’ve been saving up my favorite ideas, and I absolutely cannot wait to share my top picks for this season!

Festive December Nail Ideas

1. The Undisputed Classic: Cherry Red

You just can’t argue with a classic! A perfect, high-gloss cherry red is the “little black dress” of December nails. It’s festive, it’s confident, and it looks incredible on every skin tone, from Christmas dinner to your office party.

2. Emerald Green Velvet

If red isn’t your thing, this is my top pick. This “velvet nail” (or cat-eye) effect in a deep, rich emerald green is so luxurious. It looks like a different color from every angle and just screams “Christmas” in the most elegant way possible. It’s pure, liquid-like magic.

3. Delicate Gold Glitter Ombré

This is my go-to for “festive but make it classy.” A sheer, neutral base with a beautiful ombré of fine champagne-gold glitter fading down from the tip. It’s glamorous, it’s soft, and it works for every single party from Christmas to New Year’s Eve. It’s also great for hiding growth as your manicure gets older!

4. The Cozy Cable Knit

This is my *favorite* cozy look! We use a 3D gel (or build up polish) to create the actual texture of a cable knit sweater. A matte top coat is a must—it makes it look so realistic. It’s like a tiny, warm sweater just for your nails! I love doing this in white, cream, or a soft, dusty pink.

5. Delicate Snowflake Accents

You can’t do December without a little snow! I love doing a single, detailed snowflake on an accent nail. My favorite combo is a frosty, matte, icy-blue base with a crisp white snowflake. A tiny rhinestone or a speck of silver glitter in the center just makes it perfect. It’s winter magic!

6. Festive Candy Cane Stripes

This one is just pure, classic fun. You can’t be in a bad mood with candy cane nails! I like to keep this modern by using a shimmery, metallic red instead of a flat crème. It just gives it a little extra “oomph.” A super high-gloss top coat is a must to make them look extra sweet.

7. Full-On Silver Chrome

When New Year’s Eve calls, you answer with *this*. This isn’t just glitter; this is full-on, high-shine, liquid-metal silver chrome. It’s like a disco ball on your fingertips. It’s my top request for NYE because it’s pure, unapologetic glam and catches every single light in the room.

8. Midnight Blue & Stars

This is such a dreamy, sophisticated look for the entire winter. I use a deep, inky, midnight blue base (a matte top coat looks amazing here) and then hand-paint tiny, delicate stars in metallic silver and gold. It’s like a magical winter night sky on your fingertips. So perfect for NYE, too!

9. Festive Holiday Plaid

I love a plaid nail for December! It’s the nail art equivalent of a cozy flannel blanket. I use a matte top coat over shades of deep green, navy, and a tiny silver or gold glitter stripe. It’s so festive and warm, perfect for a Christmas tree-hunting day.

10. Minimalist Holly Berry Accents

If you don’t want a full-on design, this is perfect. On a clean, simple base (like a milky white, sheer nude, or even a classic red), I hand-paint one tiny, minimalist sprig of holly. It’s an adorable, subtle nod to Christmas that is still very chic and work-appropriate.

11. The “Ugly Sweater” Mani

This one is just pure fun! I love recreating the “ugly sweater” (or more like, “cute-but-busy” sweater) look. I use a fine brush to paint little Fair Isle patterns, tiny reindeer, or zigzag lines. A matte top coat really sells the “knit” vibe. They’re such a conversation starter at parties!

12. Icy Blue “Frozen” Nails

This is your “Ice Queen” look, and it’s stunning. The “glazed donut” or chrome trend is still going strong, but for winter, I love using an icy, pale blue. It gives this futuristic, frozen, mirror-like shine that is just mesmerizing. It’s perfect for the entire winter, from Christmas straight through February.

13. Black & Gold Art Deco

Hello, New Year’s Eve! Nothing says “party” like a “Great Gatsby” vibe. I start with a high-gloss black base (so chic) and then use a super-fine brush to draw on sharp, geometric Art Deco lines in a brilliant, opaque gold. It’s sophisticated, glamorous, and perfect for ringing in 2026.

14. “Pop!” Champagne Bubbles

This is such a fun and abstract look for New Year’s Eve! On a sheer nude or clear base, I use a dotting tool to create “bubbles” in silver, gold, and white glitter, cascading up from the cuticle. It looks just like a glass of bubbly! It’s playful, festive, and so unique.

15. Rich Burgundy Crème

If bright cherry red feels a bit *too* festive, a deep, rich burgundy or bordeaux is your answer. It’s the grown-up, sophisticated sister. It’s still in the red family but has a warmth and depth that is just so elegant. I especially love this on shorter, well-manicured nails.

16. “Sugar Glitter” Snow Nails

I love a nail you can *feel*. The “sugar glitter” technique is where I apply fine glitter over a wet polish and *don’t* add a top coat. It gives this amazing, sandy, sugar-like texture that sparkles like crazy. A white-on-white “sugar” nail looks exactly like freshly fallen, sparkling snow. It’s magical.

17. Hanukkah Blue & Silver

For those celebrating the Festival of Lights, a beautiful blue and silver manicure is a must! I love a deep, royal blue as the base. You can do so much with this, from a silver glitter ombré, a minimalist silver Star of David, or my personal favorite: a modern, sparkling silver French tip. So elegant!

18. The Single Ornament Nail

This is a super cute, artistic take! We paint 9 nails in a solid, gorgeous color (like this matte red) and then, on one accent nail, I hand-paint a detailed, intricate “ornament.” It looks like a little jewel hanging on your nail. It’s a great way to do “Christmas” in a very high-fashion way.

19. Glitter French Tips

This is how you take a classic and make it party-ready. It’s a modern French manicure, but instead of the white tip, I use a high-impact, full-coverage glitter. A gold or silver tip is classic for NYE, but I *love* using a festive emerald green or ruby red. It’s classy, but with a twist!

20. Little Reindeer Accent

I had to end with something super cute. I love doing a simple, neutral base (like cream or beige) and then painting one tiny, minimalist reindeer face on the ring finger. A little dot of red glitter for Rudolph’s nose is the perfect finishing touch. It’s just adorable and guaranteed to make you smile!

Your Perfect December Manicure Awaits

And that’s a wrap on the most wonderful time of the year… for our nails! Seriously, December is too short to have a boring manicure. With 20 ideas, we’ve covered everything from that stunning “Emerald Green Velvet” to the super-fun “Champagne Bubbles” for NYE. This year, I’m seeing so many clients lean into texture—the “Cozy Cable Knit” and “Sugar Glitter” snow nails are my most-requested looks.

My personal favorites? I’ll always be a sucker for a classic “Glitter French Tip” for a party, but that “Midnight Blue & Stars” look is just pure magic. It’s the perfect blend of wintery and glamorous. Remember, this is the time to have fun, so don’t be afraid to try that bold red or that full-on silver chrome.

I hope this list got you in the festive spirit and gave you the perfect inspiration for your holiday appointments! Let me know which one you’re booking. And if you want more trends and pro-tips, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter for all the latest!