As the holiday season rolls around, nails become more than just grooming — they’re an expression of festive spirit, style, and personality. The year 2025 has brought a wave of fresh, creative nail-art trends that mix classic Christmas vibes with modern elegance, sparkle, and subtle sophistication. Whether you’re planning cozy get-togethers, glamorous parties or family celebrations, your manicure can elevate the holiday mood.
Here are 7 trending Christmas nail designs to try this year
1. Velvet-Glass & Chrome Nails
A new favourite this season is the “velvet-glass” finish — combining the cat-eye metallic effect with a super-glossy, glass-like top coat for a luxe, high-impact look. Rich jewel-toned bases like deep cranberry, forest green or aubergine work beautifully, and can be topped with sleek chrome tips or full-nail chrome for maximum glam. A perfect choice for holiday parties, night-outs, or festive photos.
2. Classic Red & Festive Hues (Red, Green, Gold)
The evergreen combination — classic bright red, deep green, and gold — remains a go-to for festive manicures. Try simple solid red nails for timeless holiday spirit, or get playful with candy-cane stripes, glitter gradients, or red-glitter ombré for added sparkle. The red-and-green combo, sometimes sprinkled with gold accents or decals, also screams “Christmas cheer.”
3. Snowflakes, Bows & Holiday Motifs
Festive motifs like delicate snowflakes, little bows, tiny Christmas trees, candy-canes or gift-wrap ribbons add a playful, cheerful vibe — perfect for those who want holiday spirit, not just classy nails. Accent nails work especially well: you could pick one or two nails for motifs and keep the rest simpler for a balanced, wearable look. Great for family get-togethers, festive brunches, or fun holiday parties.
4. Mix-and-Match & Mismatched Nails
A playful trend this season: each nail tells a different story — red-glitter ombré on one, a candy-cane stripe on another, a snowflake here, and a bow there — creating a fun, festive collage. This style suits those who love variety and want their manicure to reflect the full holiday vibe without being too uniform. Also a clever way to mix subtle and bold elements — perfect if you can’t pick just one favourite.
5. Milky / Nude Manis with Subtle Festive Accents
For those who prefer understated elegance over glitter and glitz — sheer milky or nude nails are trending in 2025. You can still embrace the festive mood by adding a tiny detail — a thin gold stripe, a small snowflake on an accent nail, or a subtle green tip. This style is versatile, classy, and ideal for work-to-party transitions or more low-key celebrations.
6. Longer Almond / Coffin Shapes for Glamorous Party Looks
Many are opting for longer nails with almond, coffin, or even stiletto shapes — it gives more space for nail art and looks especially dramatic for parties. Long nails paired with glitter, chrome or velvet-glass finishes make for a standout manicure perfect for holiday photos or festive gatherings. If you typically go for short nails, this season is a great time to experiment — nails are a fun way to spruce up your entire holiday look.
