10 Festive Holiday Nail Ideas

With the holiday season upon us, I am so excited about our plans! One of my favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit is with a good set of holiday themed nails. Here are some festive holiday nail ideas I have saved over the years for inspiration for when I go to the nail salon. Here are 5 more holiday nail ideas to consider as well! 

This post was originally posted in November 2019 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2024.

10 Festive Holiday Nail Ideas

OPI Good Girls Gone Plaid

To be fair, I love a good, dark manicure year round.  This color is one of my favorite go-to colors, and I especially love it during the holidays as an alternative to traditional red nails. I am not one for a traditional red polish, even during the holidays, so this one is still festive, seasonably appropriate, while still being unexpected in the color.

OPI Hot Toddy Naughty + Gold Glitter

This is my go-to manicure for perfect holiday nails! I get gel manicures, so these glitter nails are easy to remove. The dark nail polish base is probably my favorite part of this manicure as it really helps the gold glitter stand out.

OPI Black Onyx + Gold Flecks

I should just say that I love any version of gold glitter or flecks in a manicure. This black and gold manicure was finished off with a thin, light white line and perfect for holiday cocktails and going into New Year’s Eve.

Holiday Plaid

Here is an adorable Christmas nail art from Kristina as well. I love this holiday plaid statement nail! The gold accent lines are so festive as well.

Silver Tips

Photo: Style Your Occasion

For a more subtle glitter manicure, these silver tips are a great option! I wear more gold than silver, so I would opt for gold, and this would be the only way you would catch me with a French tip.

Red & Green Christmas Nail Design

Photo: @DOVENAILSBYSHARON

For a more traditional Christmas nail design, this red and green manicure with the snowflake nails would be a great option for your nail artist to recreate.

Mistletoe Statement Nail

Photo: @ONENAILTORULETHEMALL

This manicure is a cute option for a holiday inspired manicure while remaining more subtle with the holiday nail art designs. I like the negative spaces with the mistletoe being down by the half-moon.

Candy Canes

Photo: Barbara

This cute candy cane manicure is so fun with the gold glitter detail incorporated on some nails!

Christmas Trees with Metallic Gold

Photo: FashionablyKay

This black and gold winter wonderland manicure is stunning! While I generally stay away from really holiday specific manicures, I am completely on board with this version. I like the black and gold and the gold glitter details give the effects of gold snowflakes.

Disco Ball

Photo: Pinterest

This shimmery holiday manicure is giving disco ball energy and it would be absolutely perfect for the holiday party circuit and heading into New Year’s Eve! I especially like the mix of silver and gold for the season as well.

Shop a variety of OPI Reds including my favorite burgundy colors here.

If you are looking for a nail technician in Raleigh, be sure to book an appointment in advance with Pranee at Paintbase in North Hills. She is spectacular and her attention to detail is outstanding. For a nail artist, check out Rachel of Sugar Beauty Studio who is incredibly creative and talented. Both of these professionals take the best care of natural nails and I highly recommend!

What’s your favorite holiday manicure idea? Do you prefer a more traditional holiday manicure or a funkier one?