25 Simple Christmas Nail Designs to Try This Season (2024)

Between holiday shopping, Friendsgivings, Secret Santa gift exchanges, and work parties, ’tis the season of a lot of event. We love the idea of going the easy route when it comes to your holiday manicure. So, here’s some pretty simple Christmas nails that look great and are easy to DIY.

These designs only require a limited selection of holiday colors, and basic tools like a toothpick or a nail brush. But the best part? They’re totally photo-worthy. You know your mom’s going to make you take 1,000 cousin pictures, anyway.

Try these easy Christmas nail designs, from candy cane stripes to snowflake French tips, and more.

1. Alternating Shimmer Nails

A little shimmer is better than no shimmer. But seriously, just glitter-fy them all, babe.

2. Luminous Snowflakes

Somehow, these look just like real snow. Not the President kind from The Hunger Games prequel, although his beard is pretty luscious.

3. Parallel Lines

Okay so we didn’t take out our ruler and measure them, but they seem pretty parallel to us. We knew geometry class wasn’t totally useless.

4. Half French

These sassy partial French tips give off a real non-conformist streak. Like the Grinch, but red.

5. Lined With Gold

Almost anyone can recreate this simple nude look with gold accents. We said almost. We’re self aware.

6. Red Sugar

These red sugar-dipped nails look practically edible. Just like the ones we put on our tree and accidentally nibble each year.

7. Gradation of Glitter

The hardest part of recreating this look is showing the restraint to avoid over-glittering them all.

8. Square With Glitz

Square nails don’t get enough love, in our opinion. Circles get all the glory nowadays.

9. Simple Christmas Nails

Add a little pizazz to your Christmas manicure by alternating designs between the nails. Rudolph, ostracized once again.

10. Easy Being Green

We wouldn’t mind decorating the Christmas tree if the result was this cute. On second thought, we might just be bad at decorating.

11. Wrapping Paper

Who needs scissors when you can trim the wrapping paper with these claws? It was a sassy thing to say, but please pass the scissors thank you.

12. Candy Cane Stripes

We can practically taste the peppermint. Yeah, we just brushed our teeth. So what?

13. Darling Dots

These dotted nails are easy enough to recreate, all you need is some round-tipped object and the patience of a saint. Good luck with the second part.

14. Abstract Tree Designs

“Abstract” is a kind way of saying “we did this kind of poorly but let’s pretend that was on purpose.” Simple, see?

15. Gold Touches

Shimmery gold chrome accents have a place on any Christmas spread. Especially if they’re passing us the stuffing.

16. Holly Jolly Mani

We can’t promise that you’ll feel jolly when you look at these, but we can promise that we didn’t forget to get you a Secret Santa gift this year.

17. Tiny Trees

How does it get any easier than this tiny tree nail design? Going au natural? Ah, you’re no fun.

18. Tied With A Bow

These nails are like us. Hanging on by an imaginary thread. One acetone swipe away from assured destruction.

19. Black Christmas Nails

Goths like the holidays, too. We asked them. (We are them.)

20. Extreme Shine Red

Keep it simple, stupid. We’re not calling you stupid, it’s just an expression. Cookie?

21. Green Glitter on Black

A shimmering top coat is a great way to add some holiday-spirited intrigue to your plain mani. And a shot of something strong is a great way to add some oomph to your eggnog.

22. White Snowfall

Get the picture? Want festive nails? Take a holiday color, and just add glitter.

23. Bright Red With Silver Glitter

Accent nails give us an unwarranted amount of joy. They’re like when you open a present and it’s something you actually want, not just another pair of socks. Sorry, Aunt Jeanine.

24. Christmas Miniatures

You might thing tiny designs are easier to create than bigger ones, and you might be right. Ask a nail tech if you want to be sure.

25. Swirl Dipped Nails

For a manicure that looks expensive and fancy, but actually is pretty dang simple. The mashed potatoes of the beauty world.