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9 festive nail art designs to try this Christmas season

Santa Claws is coming to town

By Delaney Loane

Digital Beauty Editor / December 13 2024

We know that December to-do lists tend to be of the ‘ridiculously long’ kind, but we happen to think that adding ‘get a covetable Christmas manicure’ to yours is an excellent idea.

Sure, you might want to wait until you’ve got some of your pressing elf tasks out of the way (if you’re opting for particularly pointy claws that might make present wrapping, advent calendar opening or cookie icing trickier), but there’s no doubt North Pole-inspired nails (or anything of the like) will amp up your Christmas spirit tenfold.

But don’t worry; there’s no need to put ‘find Chrissy mani designs’ on your list – we’ve done that part for you. So if you’re feeling festive (and we damn well hope you are), allow us to gift you some seriously stunning seasonal nail art inspo. Whether you go the ‘DIY while watching Elf route’ or head to the salon is totally your call...

1/ Christmas Morning Nails

Embody the magic of unwrapping presents in your pyjamas on Christmas morning with this mix and match set.

Image via: @nailsby.hails

2/ Sugar Plum Fairy Nails

Take inspiration from one of the most iconic characters of the season, Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy, and paint your nails in a palette of frosted pastels.

Image via: @simlynail

3/ Christmas-Themed Neutral Nails

Just because it's the festive season that doesn't mean you have to give up your favourite neutral nail polish — just use it as a back drop for some seasonal motifs.

Image via: @thenaillologist

4/ The Christmas Barbie Manicure

Channel your inner Barbie doll with this monochromatic pink manicure — pink princess shimmer is not optional.

Image via: @thenaillologist

5/ Santa's Little Helper Nails

Inspired by the Christmas Tree green of Santa's dedicated workforce (read: Christmas elves), this set uses cat eye polish for that velvet finish.

Image via: @thenaillologist

6/ The Pine Green Manicure

A little bit moody, and very chic, the pine green manicure's inspired by an iconic symbol of the season — a lush Christmas tree.

Image via: @betina_goldstein

7/ Seasonal Nail Stickers

Adding a nail sticker or two to your manicure is an easy way to embrace the spirit of Christmas without it becoming the centre of attention.

Image via: @overglowedit

8/ Frosty The Snowman Nails

Who knew cold, blue fingers could look so good? A blue metallic or chrome manicure with some Christmas motifs is a simple style to achieve this festive season.

Image via: @overglowedit

9/ Mrs Claus' Claws

If there's a Mrs Claus out there we imagine she'd be sporting a Ferrari shade of red nail polish and making it her own with a few carefully painted snowflakes. Icon behaviour.

Image via: @overglowedit

Main image credit: @nailsby.hails

After more manicure inspiration this season? Make your manicure your chicest summer accessory with these nail trends.