25 Nail Ideas for December Celebrations From Festive to Minimal

It’s the most wonderful time of year—snow, gifts, and puffer coats galore. The seasonal joy is palpable, and we’re celebrating from head to toe. That includes our nails. Come December, we find ourselves leaning into the holly jolly spirit, which, when it comes to a fresh set of nails, can be anything from sparkly tips that mimic holiday lights, playful motifs like bows and hearts, and thematic, seasonal colors like reds, green, and yes more sparkle (you can never truly have enough).

Whatever and however you’re celebrating this December—there’s a nail design for that. Ahead, we rounded up 25 of our favorite seasonal nail ideas to take you through the upcoming month.

1. Leopard print bows

A leopard-detailed French tip looks good at any time of year, but these ruby red stones and red bow accents add the perfect touch of coquette mixed with holiday cheer and we’re definitely taking notes.

Get the look: While you can take the hand painted route for this, you can also use nail decals for a practical shortcut. This set from Amazon ($7) comes with six sheets of multi-colored bows ranging in color from red, pink, and blue so you can mix and match.

2. Moonstone metallic tips

If you want to opt for metallic nails that aren’t super busy with art, try a reflective moonstone polish like Nostalgia by Death Valley Nails ($18) which @melanated.mani used here.

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Get the look: If you don’t want to pick up a whole new bottle of polish you can use your favorite baby blue color and dust some iridescent powder ($6) on top for a reflective finish.

3. Negative space glitter

Even a minimalist can appreciate a good glitter moment. This design (or something like it) is perfect for ringing in the new year and sipping on something bubbly.

Get the look: To create this peek-a-boo effect, start with a chunky gold glitter nail polish like the Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish in Summit of Style ($10) on the bottom half of each nail. Set with a top coat and let dry. Next, use a piece of tape to cover up that middle sliver of the nail before adding two coats of black polish. Let dry completely before removing the tape. Voila!

4. Winter wonderland snowflakes

Get into the holiday spirit with a winter wonderland-inspired manicure. No two snowflakes look alike, so you can really let your creativity shine here (and don’t have to worry about being too precise).

Get the look: The key to nailing this mani is finding the perfect opaque metallic silver base color. We suggest the Lights Lacquer Polish in Spanglish ($13).

5. Matte red tips

Simple with just a hint of holiday joy—just the way we like it. We love the way the matte finish really elevates this cherry red.

Get the look: Transform any polish with a soft, non-shiny finish using the Olive & June The Matte Top Coat ($9).

6. Cozy winter bears

Could these sweet little teddy bears be cuter? We think not. Customize each bear’s get-up for a one-of-a-kind mani that’s totally you (or your skilled nail artist).

Get the look: Essie’s Step Out of Line nail polish ($7) is the perfect deep blue to serve as the base for this mani. As for the bears, we’ll leave those to the professionals.

7. Glitter green reverse French tips

Another minimalistic take on glitter, this barely-there design is the perfect no-fuss find—it’s as simple as a swipe of glitter and a glossy top coat.

Get the look: Get out your thinnest nail art brush and swipe a thin line of ILNP’s Shimmer Nail Polish in Good Fortune ($10) and clean up with a detailer brush. Keep the rest of the nail bare and top with an ultra-glossy top coat.

8. Gifts galore

Wrap your nails up like the gifts they are. We love this different take on a holiday mani—it’s totally topical without feeling too on the nose.

Get the look: The best part about this manicure is that you can mix and match colors as you please. Just be sure to pair corresponding ribbon colors with each nail.

9. Holiday lights to-go

Have you ever seen holiday lights look so chic? We think not. Save this string-of-lights set and take it to your nail artist for a fancy, yet simple holiday mani.

Get the look: You can skip the hard work here and simply go with these tree light nail stickers from Amazon ($7). No one will ever know the difference.

10. Festive French tips

We love playing around with a French manicure—in this case, a monochromatic, seasonal palette and a hint of glitter really take the look to the next level.

Get the look: What really makes this manicure stand out is the contrast between the matte bases and shiny, glitter tips. To really play that up, you’ll want to use an extra glossy finish on the tips on top of a matte base, like the OPI Mirror Shine Top Coat ($15).

11. Confetti sparkles

If you want a cute seasonal look that’s easy to DIY, copying a similar format to this look, which is a simple neutral base with your choice of shimmer on top—done and done.

Get the look: Try using a creamy pink (but not too pink) base like DND’s Tea Time Sheer Gel Polish ($17) for a vibe similar to this one. Then, focus some shimmery polish, like this L.A. Colors Color Craze Nail Polish in Glitter Bomb ($3), at the tips of your nails.

12. New Years chrome

You can’t go wrong with a classic chrome manicure. It’s equal parts cute and bold and looks really cool.

Get the look: You’ll need a holographic powder like this one from Belleboost ($7) is key to executing the perfect chrome like the one seen above.

13. Glossy green

Seasonal manicures don’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. This simple green coat gets the job done without any of the fuss that can come with nail art.

Get the look: Look no further for the perfect holiday green. The Olive & June Long-Lasting Nail Polish in One for You, Two for Me ($9) is the moody dark emerald green of our dreams.

14. Holiday hearts

If you want a seasonal look that isn’t as bold as—say—Santa hats and stripes, look no further than thee teeny little hearts on a clear base.

Get the look: When it comes to tiny nail details like these hearts, we go straight to Amazon for the perfect nail stickers—this set of 10 sheets of heart nail stickers ($9) is our personal favorite.

15. Red and green stripes

Instead of straight across traditional French-tip lines, opt for a vertical design like this seasonal set, which uses red, green, and silver for a final result that looks like a beautifully wrapped gift.

Get the look: An ultra glitter-y silver is essential to perfecting this mani. We suggest trying something like Londontown’s Shimmering Nail Highlighter in Stardust ($20), which has a multi-dimensional effect for extra glitz.

16. Holiday plaid

A plaid manicure is always a staple in our wintertime manicure rotation. Give it a more festive feel with some seasonal colors, like red and silver.

Get the look: Skip the fine lines and shaky hands. Instead, try some press-ons like the Dashing Diva Gloss Holiday Nail Strips in Snowball Fight ($17).

17. Sparkling lights

This manicure channels twinkling holiday lights in a sleek way: paired with a deep blue French tip line and multicolored sparkly stones.

Get the look: We like this set from Amazon ($6), which features nine different sheets of flat-back rhinestones that you can use to replicate a similar look.

18. Mixed metals and swirls

Negative space manicures are always a good idea, and this swirling design uses mixed metals to create a multi-dimensional look that marries the best of both worlds.

Get the look: Pick up the the Allstarry Chrome Nail Powder Set in Gold and Silver ($6) which has two easy-to-use powders if you’re DIY’ing a multi-metal chrome set at home.

19. Festive mix-and-match

Keep holiday season fun and bright with a cheery manicure like this one. We love the multicolored checker print with peppermint swirls paired with holiday motifs.

Get the look: This manicure really comes to life with unique shades of green and red.  For a similar look we suggest trying Essie’s Nail Polish in Forever Yummy ($10) and OPI’s Infinite Shine Polish in Won for the Ages ($15).

20. Festive florals

It might be cold out but these flowers are in full bloom and this set is perfect for anyone heading away on a holiday getaway (or even if you’re just laying on the couch, tbh).

Get the look: The Sally Hansen Nail Salon Pro Tool Kit ($8) has all the tools you’ll need to recreate this floral look.

21. New Years glitz and glam

Welcome the new year in style with a glitzy take on a classic French. It’s equally classic and trendy with a traditional white tip, with multi-colored sparkles—perfectly setting the vibe for the year ahead.

Get the look: Remember those gems we told you to grab before? You can use them here too.

22. Holly jolly tips

Give each finger their own little Santa hat to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Be sure to add in the white detailing to really nail the look.

Get the look: These Santa hat and candy cane nail decal stickers ($5) will get you this festive take on a French in minutes flat.

23. Glitter gradient

An easy manicure perfect for those last few days of the year. Simply paint some of that glitter polish on the corner of a makeup sponge and blot onto the top third of the nail to get a gradient-like effect.

Get the look: To recreate this look, you’ll want a chunky, multi-colored sheer glitter polish like Ella + Mila’s Nail Polish Birthday Collection in Ninth Street ($10).

24.Chrome-lined French

We love the subtle detailing of the chrome outlines in this set, which elevates the look and adds a little fun without compromising the simplicity of the design.

Get the look: The secret to achieving a similar look? A slightly tinted, glossy top coat, like the Dior Nail Glow Polish ($32).

25. New Years bubbly

If you want a festive, end-of-year manicure that isn’t too loud, ask your nail artist to pair your white pointed tips with a metallic color of your choice. In this case, silver looks fabulous and sparkly enough for a New Year’s Eve Party.

Get the look: If you have a steady hand, try painting a silver metallic diagonal stripe on your French set using a thin detailer brush, like the one found in this gel polish bottle from Amazon ($7).