10x Cute and Simple Christmas Nails That Are Easy to Recreate!
The holiday season is the perfect excuse to try something festive and fun on your nails. Whether you love bold reds, glittery golds, or subtle greens, there’s a Christmas nail design for everyone. If you’re wondering what nails to get in December, these cute and simple Christmas nails will make your hands the highlight of every party. Even if you’re new to nail art, don’t worry! These designs are beginner-friendly and easy to recreate at home. Let’s dive into ten simple Christmas nails ideas that look elegant, joyful, and super festive!
1. Classic Red with a Cute Bow 🎀
Nothing says Christmas like a simple red Christmas nail design. Add a tiny bow accent, and you’ll have the perfect mix of elegance and charm.
Steps to create:
Start with a base coat to protect your nails.
Apply two coats of a bright or deep red polish: this will be your main color.
On one accent nail (like your ring finger), use white polish or nail art tape to draw a small bow.
Add a dot in the middle of the bow with a nail brush or dotting tool.
Finish with a glossy top coat for that perfect shine.
💅 Tip: For short simple Christmas nails, make the bow small and centered to keep it cute and minimal.
2. Christmas Tree Inspired Nails 🎄
If you’re searching for simple green Christmas nails, this festive idea is perfect for you. You can go subtle or go bold depending on your mood.
Steps to create:
Apply a nude or white base color.
Using green polish, paint a small triangle on one or two accent nails: this will be your Christmas tree.
Add tiny dots of red, gold, or silver polish as ornaments using a toothpick or dotting tool.
For extra sparkle, finish with a glittery top coat or add a tiny star at the top.
🎁 Pro tip: Try this design on simple almond shape Christmas nails for an elegant, tapered look.
3. Candy Cane Nails 🍭
Candy cane stripes are classic, cute, and instantly recognizable. If you’re into cute simple Christmas nails, this is a must-try!
Steps to create:
Apply a white base coat and let it dry completely.
Use red striping tape or a thin brush to create diagonal red lines across each nail.
Optionally, add a line of silver glitter between red stripes for an extra festive touch.
Seal with a glossy top coat.
This design is great for simple short Christmas nails because it looks clean and sharp even on smaller nail beds.
4. Red French Manicure with a Touch of Christmas ❤️
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For a modern and classy look, try a simple Christmas nails French tip: but with a red twist.
Steps to create:
Start with a nude or light pink base color.
Use red polish for the tips, just like a French manicure.
Add a touch of gold glitter along the line separating the nude and red colors.
Finish with a clear top coat for a salon-quality look.
🎀 Variation: Add a small white snowflake on one nail for a festive accent.
This look works beautifully on simple almond shape Christmas nails or short nails for a clean, sophisticated style.
5. Sweet Present Nails 🎁
Why not make your nails look like tiny Christmas presents? This cute simple Christmas nail idea is perfect for any holiday party.
Steps to create:
Choose a base color like red, green, or gold.
Use a striping brush to paint thin lines in a cross pattern, just like ribbon on a gift.
Add a tiny bow where the lines meet using white or metallic polish.
Apply a top coat for a shiny finish.
✨ Tip: For simple golden Christmas nails, use a gold base and white ribbon lines: it looks luxurious yet easy to achieve.
6. Cute Reindeer Nails 🦌
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Reindeer are one of the most adorable Christmas motifs. Perfect for simple short Christmas nails, this design adds a playful charm.
Steps to create:
Apply a nude base coat.
On one accent nail, use brown polish to paint a small reindeer head shape near the cuticle.
Add tiny white dots for eyes and a red dot for the nose (Rudolph, of course!).
Draw small antlers with a fine brush or nail pen.
Seal with a glossy top coat.
This design is easy, cute, and brings a smile every time you look at your hands.
7. Chrome Red Nails ❤️
If you’re not into nail art but still want a festive feel, chrome red nails are a perfect choice. They’re bold, elegant, and give off serious Christmas vibes.
Steps to create:
Apply a red base coat and let it dry.
Rub chrome powder (available at nail supply stores) over the polish using a sponge applicator.
Brush off the excess powder.
Seal with a gel top coat for a mirror-like shine.
This design is ideal if you love simple red Christmas nails that look professional with minimal effort.
8. Mistletoe French Manicure 💋
Want something subtle but festive? Try this simple Christmas nails French tip with a mistletoe twist!
Steps to create:
Apply a nude base coat.
Paint the tips white for a clean French look.
On one or two nails, use green polish to create small mistletoe leaves near the base or corner.
Add a couple of red dots for berries.
Finish with a top coat to seal everything in.
This is one of the best simple Christmas nail ideas if you prefer minimalist nail art with a festive flair.
9. Golden Glitter Ombre Nails ✨
For a glamorous holiday vibe, try simple glitter Christmas nails that shimmer under every light.
Steps to create:
Paint your nails a base color (nude, red, or green).
Using a makeup sponge, dab gold glitter polish onto the tips of your nails.
Gradually blend the glitter downward to create an ombre effect.
Seal with a glossy top coat.
🎄 Bonus tip: This design also works great as simple golden Christmas nails for New Year’s Eve too!
10. Ice Queen Inspired Nails ❄️
If you love cool tones and winter aesthetics, these simple Christmas nails are dreamy.
Steps to create:
Apply a frosty blue or white iridescent polish as your base.
Add silver or holographic glitter for that icy shimmer.
Optionally, paint tiny snowflakes on accent nails using white polish.
Seal with a top coat for a frozen, glass-like finish.
These are perfect if you want to channel your inner Elsa this holiday season.
How to Do Christmas Nails for Beginners?
If you’re new to nail art, don’t worry! Here’s a simple way to get started with cute simple Christmas nails:
Prep your nails: File, buff, and clean your nails before applying any polish.
Use a base coat: This helps protect your nails from staining and makes polish last longer.
Start simple: Try designs like red French tips or glitter ombre before tackling detailed art.
Use nail art tools: Dotting tools, striping brushes, and stickers make designs easier to recreate.
Seal with top coat: Always finish with a top coat for shine and durability.
💡 Pro tip: Press-on nails are also great for trying out simple short Christmas nails if you don’t want to paint them yourself.
What Nail Color is Best for Christmas?
When it comes to Christmas, you can’t go wrong with festive hues!
Red – Always a classic. Think Santa red or deep wine tones.
Green – Emerald or forest green looks great for simple green Christmas nails.
Gold – Adds instant glamour and is perfect for simple golden Christmas nails.
White & Silver – Perfect for snowflake or ice-inspired designs.
Nude with Glitter – Great for understated elegance.
For short simple Christmas nails, stick to clean designs with pops of glitter or small details.
How to Do Christmas Snowflakes on Nails? ❄️
Snowflakes might look tricky, but they’re actually easy with a fine nail brush or stamping tool!
Steps:
Paint your nails a base color (blue, nude, or silver).
Dip a fine brush into white polish.
Draw a small “+” sign, then overlay an “x” for a snowflake shape.
Add tiny dots around it to create falling snow.
Seal with a top coat.
This design pairs beautifully with glitter simple Christmas nails or ice queen inspired nails.
How to Do Easy Candy Cane Nails? 🍬
Here’s a quick recap on simple candy cane nails for beginners:
Apply a white base.
Use red polish or nail tape to create diagonal stripes.
Add a clear or glitter top coat for sparkle.
Let it dry and enjoy your sweet holiday look!
They’re quick, festive, and perfect for short simple Christmas nails.
How to Do Christmas Plaid Nails?
Plaid nails look intricate but are surprisingly easy to recreate with a steady hand.
Steps:
Paint your nails with a red or green base.
Use a striping brush to paint thin black lines horizontally and vertically.
Add thinner gold or white lines for contrast.
Seal with a glossy top coat.
🎀 Tip: For simple short Christmas nails, limit the plaid to one accent nail for a chic, balanced look.
Final Thoughts: The Best Simple Christmas Nails Ideas for 2025
This holiday season, treat yourself to a little nail magic. Whether you prefer simple red Christmas nails, glitter simple Christmas nails, or elegant simple golden Christmas nails, there’s a design here for every personality and skill level.
You don’t need to visit a salon to achieve stunning results: with the right tools, patience, and creativity, you can recreate these cute and simple Christmas nails right at home.
So, next time you ask yourself, “What nails to get in December?”, remember: the best nails are the ones that make you feel festive, confident, and merry!
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