Christmas is the perfect time to flaunt some holiday spirit with your manicure and short nails can be just as festive as long ones. Christmas nail ideas, whatever your taste, simple elegance, or playful designs, you will find inspiration here to get into the holiday mood. Now let’s take a look at 15 merry and bright nail designs that are just right for the season!

1. Candy Cane Stripes

Red and white diagonal stripes, the same color stripes as the Christmas treat, these are classic designs.

To add a little sparkle, add glitter, or to add a glossy topcoat over the colors. If you’re a fan of a simple, yet striking festive look, this is perfect for you.

2. Glittering Snowflakes

Snowflake your nails with delicate snowflakes painted over a light blue or a frosty white base.

Glitter polish is perfect to use for the snowflakes to make them look icy. It’s subtle but stunning for any holiday gathering.

3. Red and Gold Elegance

A luxurious Christmas vibe is pair bold red nails with gold accents. They think of gold foil, stripes, or tiny stars on a red base.

This is a perfect design to spice up your holiday style.

4. Festive Plaid

Then bring out that pumpkin spice/chevron/other crazily popular 2016 trend scarves for your nails with classic Christmas colors of red, green, or white and plaid designed nails!

To get nice clean crisp lines use fine brushes or nail strips. It’s a warm and cheerful pattern for the season.

5. Frosted Glitter Tips

Frosted glitter tips over a nude or pale pink base will keep it chic and simple.

It’s a frosty look that resembles snow-covered nails and goes well with anything.

This is a nice subtle design for a festive look.

6. Christmas Tree Accents

Mini Christmas trees can be used as accents on a solid-colored base.

Use green polish, gold or silver ornaments, and a tiny star at the top.

Have other nails simple to balance out the look.

7. Gingerbread Delight

Paint nails in a warm brown tone and paint the white icing-like designs over it to get the charm of gingerbread cookies.

To make it whimsical add tiny dots, swirls, and heart shapes.

8. Holiday Lights

Paint colorful string lights on a neutral or dark base to brighten your nails.

To make the bulbs sparkle like real lights add tiny dots of glitter polish. I love the playful Christmas cheer of this design.

9. Santa’s Suit

Make your nails look like Channel Santa: Red nails with white fur detailing and a black belt.

The fun and bold design is a scream of the holiday spirit. If you pair it with glitter, it’s extra festive. For Christmas Home Decore check here.

10. Snowy Ombre

Have a white-to-blue ombre design to create a magical snowy effect.

For a dreamy winter look add snowflake or glitter accents. This design is easily customizable with different shades.

11. Festive Polka Dots

Simple nails can be turned into festive masterpieces with polka dots in Christmas colors such as red, green, gold, and white.

The use of a dotting tool provides clean, even dots and plays with sizes for a fun variation.

12. Holly Berry Magic

Holly leaf and berry accents add a festive touch to a nude or light pink base.

This design is subtle and elegant Christmas vibes for your nails.

13. Nordic Sweater Patterns

This design is inspired by cozy Christmas sweaters with geometric shapes and lines in red, white, or green.

This is the festive and nostalgic style that is perfect for the season.

14. Golden Ornaments

Make your nails glittery with a gold base and little stars, dots, or very complex swirls.

Metallic polish gives you maximum shine and elegance.

15. Peppermint Swirls

Make swirl red and white polish look like peppermint candies.

To get a glossy finish add a glossy topcoat. This playful and festive sweet design is perfect for any holiday party.

Final Words

These 15 short nail ideas will make your holiday manicure merry and bright! There’s something for everyone from classic designs to bold festive patterns. Which idea will you try this Christmas?