27 Festive Christmas Nail Ideas and Inspiration to Try in 2023 (2024)

Christmastime is here and that means it’s time to start wrapping presents and busting out your ugly Christmas sweaters. There is no better way to accessorize than with some festive Christmas nail ideas for 2023.

There are so many designs you can do to celebrate capitalism’s favorite holiday, so we made it easier by narrowing down some options for you. Whether you like gingerbread men or copious amounts of red glitter, we have options for all styles.

Don’t like either? Maybe you’re due for a visit from three ghosts. They might put you back on the right track.

27 Christmas Nail Designs 2023

1. Xmas Sweater Nails

These are much less itchy than the matching ones your grandma bought you when you were a kid. Who says Christmas sweaters have to be ugly?

2. Gingerbread Man Nails

Run, run, as fast as you can to the nail salon for this fun nail design. Just keep an eye on the gingerbread man. If he gets away, he’s pretty hard to catch.

3. Glitter Dust Nails

Show off with some blingy glitter dust nails. This classy design is perfect for showing off how well you’re doing when you run into your high school ex at your hometown bar. Perhaps we’ve watched too many Hallmark movies this year.

4. Red Christmas Nails

This nail design could easily be mistaken for gift wrapping. If we had a present for every finger, then that’s a pretty good Christmas haul.

5. Gift Wrapped Nails

This bow probably won’t require someone to hold their finger in the middle to make sure it’s tight. It’ll just smudge.

6. Gold Metallic Accent Nails

This minimalist nail design does the most and the least at the same time. It’s like us at our parent’s house for a week.

7. Reflective Glitter Nails

Use the flash on this design to get the glitter to really shine. Like the camera flash. It won’t work by opening a trench coat.

8. Rose Gold Reindeer Nails

We can’t forget Santa’s favorite, Rosie the Rose Gold Nosed Reindeer. She is allowed in the reindeer games. Hey, we have to make up for the wage gap somewhere.

9. Red Snowflake Accent Nails

Now this is a nail design Mr. Claus himself would sleigh in. It would never clash with his outfit.

10. Mistletoe Nails

Hold up your thumb wherever you go to secure those Christmas kisses. With consent of course.

11. Festive Green French Tip Nails

This simple design is perfect for those who want to be Christmas-y but in a way where you might need a magnifying glass to see it.

12. Garland Nails

Garland just about looks good anywhere. Over fireplaces, down staircases. It even looks good on nails.

13. Red Snowflake Nails

Get yourself a set of nails as long as your Christmas wish list. Ours is pretty short, though: world peace–and a Dyson air wrap.

14. Candy Cane Nails

The only thing that would make this nail design better would be if it was made with actual candy canes. Cute nails and a snack.

15. Festive Jewel Nails

It’s definitely a jolly holiday when your nails are bedazzled. The problem is, once we bedazzle one thing, the next thing we know everything is bedazzled. Our dogs better watch out.

16. Chrome Christmas Tree Nails

The star on top of these Christmas trees really makes the design in this chrome nail look. Choose any type of tree you’d like. We’re gonna go with Douglas Fir this year.

17. Tree Accent Nails

Change up the accent to be anything Christmas-related. Gingerbread house, stockings, gremlins. We mean anything.

18. Neon Christmas Nails

Who says Christmas can’t be neon? And if they do say it, they’re just being a Grinch. Nothing a little holiday spirit and eggnog can’t fix.

19. Red Gem Nails

A subtle red gem nail design reminds us of gumdrop buttons. Not the gumdrop buttons!

20. Christmas French Tip Nails

This French tip nail design has all the classic colors of Christmas: red, green, gold, and silver. Bonus: these also double as Taylor Swift eras nails.

21. Beige Fantasy Nails

The textured snowflake tips give us sweater vibes. What, your hands don’t get cold?

22. Rose Gold Ornament Nails

We love an accent nail, but we love two accent nails even more. Three accent nails might be going a little overboard. Four is back to okay, because then it’s technically one. Now we’re confused.

23. Ornament Gem Nails

One would think you wouldn’t have to worry about breaking these when you fall, but you still do. Nail glue just isn’t as good as Krazy Glue.

24. Abstract Christmas Nails

If we squint hard enough, it looks like a Christmas tree. Who wouldn’t want nail art that can also be hung up in MOMA?

25. Ribbon Nails

A good manicure is the greatest gift of all. Well besides a puppy. And maybe an all-expenses paid trip to Disney World, while we’re asking for things.

26. Candy Stripe Nails

These candy stripe nails look good enough to eat. Or put on a toothbrush.

27. Vintage Bauble Nails

We love a classic Christmas ornament, but we have to ask, what counts as vintage to Gen Z? 1992?