Mulled wine or icy nude? 9 Christmas nail designs to see you through party season
Offering luxe wearability, these holiday-ready manicure designs are perfect for the festive month ahead...


Looking for chic yet festive nail designs to last you through the Christmas holidays? We've found nine easy-to-achieve merry manicure looks for you to recreate this December...
2024 nail trends have been nothing short of plentiful, and with December in full swing, it's only natural that we're welcoming a lineup of new manicures to add to the mix. November nails gave us a taste of the festive season with the likes of maroon nails and burgundy French tip nails gaining popularity - a few of which have been sported on our very own woman&home beauty team's winter nails.
Now December is in full swing, we're on the hunt for manicure inspiration to carry us through the Christmas season. From star nails to cosy alpine green talons, we've found nine festive nail looks, that are both wearable and ooze luxury, for you (or your nail tech) to recreate...
The Christmas nail designs we're loving this season
When it comes to Christmas nails, you might automatically think of Christmas tree nail art and flamboyant candy cane stripes, but, in fact, there are a multitude of manicure designs that are chic, wearable and get you into the festive spirit.
A post shared by Fliss Alton (@gelsbyfliss)
A photo posted by on
From burgundy mulled wine polishes to glitter French tips, these Christmas nail designs are not only simple to achieve at home but will also suit whatever shape or length you're sporting on your talons - from long almond to short square nails...
Our nailcare staples
Ensuring you're stocked up with nailcare essentials is a necessity for a long-lasting, salon-worthy manicure. However, it's even more important in the cooler winter months when your hands are in need of some extra TLC - think nourishing cuticle oils and rich hand creams...
RRP: £9.99
Give dry palms a well-deserved boost of moisture with this nourishing hand cream from Nursem. Enriched with manuka honey, white willow extract, glycerin and pro-vitamin B5, this fast-absorbing formula works to moisturise, soothe any inflammation or soreness and restore the skin.
RRP: £15
Keep your cuticles in tip-top condition thanks to this Nails Inc. repairing oil. Its superfood blend of oils, such as sweet almond, argan and rosehip, offers deep hydration, while revitalising and regenerating your natural nails - protecting them from chipping and breaking.
RRP: £16.90
Infused with vitamins A and E, this 3-in-1 nail treatment acts as a base coat, top coat and strengthener. Perfect for those with weak and brittle talons, this formula helps protect against discolouration, chipping, peeling and splitting, while also offering a long-lasting glossy shine.
9 Christmas nail designs to carry you through the festive season
Whether you're preparing your at-home Christmas mani or you're looking for inspiration ahead of your Christmas nail appointment, we've rounded up nine nail designs that are perfect for the upcoming festive season...
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
1. Mulled wine nails
A post shared by Dian Mitchell (@paintedby_didi)
A photo posted by on
Mulled wine nails have been a popular choice in the run-up to December. Whatever your nail shape, this rich red hue oozes the ultimate sophisticated luxury in the winter months and is sure to complement any outfit.
2. Icy nude chrome nails
A post shared by Fliss Alton (@gelsbyfliss)
A photo posted by on
For minimalist manicure lovers who may feel intimidated by the classic winter nail trends, why not opt for a neutral nail polish with an icy white chrome powder over the top for a chic, pared-back look.
3. Minimalist star nails
A post shared by Fliss Alton (@gelsbyfliss)
A photo posted by on
For those wanting to utilise their artist streak, look no further than these dainty star nails. Recreate the look with glittery nail polish, like in the image above, or inject some vibrancy into the manicure by opting for a colour of your choice - either way, they pair exceptionally well with an almond nail shape.
4. Alpine green nails
A post shared by Harriet Westmoreland (@harrietwestmoreland)
A photo posted by on
Resembling the greenery of Christmas, from holly to pine trees, this jewel-toned alpine shade evokes opulence for an expensive-looking manicure. Complete the look by opting for a squoval nail shape and finishing with a high-shine top coat.
5. Glitter French tip nails
A post shared by Fliss Alton (@gelsbyfliss)
A photo posted by on
For those who ask for a French tip at every nail appointment, add some Christmas spirit by opting for glitter nail polish to grace the end of your talons. This versatile look can be tailored to suit you, whether you choose a typical metallic hue, such as silver and gold, or you prefer a touch of colourful sparkle.
6. Candy cane red nails
A post shared by Julia Diogo (@paintedbyjools)
A photo posted by on
No words are needed for this classic candy cane red hue. If you're someone who steers clear of nail art, this true red shade makes for the perfect all-over block colour - extra points for completing the look with an ultra glossy top coat, like the essie Gel Couture Top Coat.
7. Gold leaf nails
A post shared by Megan Rose (@gel.bymegan)
A photo posted by on
If you're looking for an easy-to-achieve, at-home manicure that will lend itself perfectly for both Christmas and New Year's Eve, these gold leaf nails are your answer. Simply opt for a barely-there nude polish, before adding flecks of the gold leaf and finishing with a gel top coat.
8. Snowy cream nails
A post shared by Mateja Novakovic (@matejanova)
A photo posted by on
Although typically opted for in the warmer summer months, an off-white manicure can actually also work great for Christmastime. Mirroring snowy days and indulgent mascarpone cream, this soft shade is a subtle manicure lover's dream - and looks especially great on shorter nails.
9. Metallic gold nails
A post shared by Megan Rose (@gel.bymegan)
A photo posted by on
Nothing screams Christmas more than a metallic hue and this gold nail polish is the perfect candidate for a party-ready manicure. Whether you wear it as a block colour or opt for a gold French tip, this look is the ideal balance between subtle and standout.

Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails. She is also a judge for the annual woman&home Haircare, Skincare and Beauty Awards.
Previously, Sennen achieved a First Class Fashion and Beauty Journalism degree at Birmingham City University, before undertaking her role as Junior Digital Fashion and Beauty Editor at FROW Magazine. During this position, she wrote about the latest industry news, new product launches, viral trends and thoroughly reviewed a lineup of beauty products. Since leaving FROW, Sennen has gone on to create fashion, beauty and lifestyle content with numerous brands, including Who What Wear UK, HuffPost UK and Harvey Nichols.
When she’s not writing about all things beauty, Sennen spends her spare time outside of work watching the latest Netflix series, doing lots of online shopping and going on countryside walks with her dog.
-
Our beauty team tested an entire skincare routine of Tatcha products, these are the 9 that are actually worth investing in
This luxury Japanese skincare brand makes home to an array of quality buys that are set to elevate anyone's routine
-
Dr Amir Khan reveals 5 tricks to prevent car sickness, perfect for long drives and ferry trips this summer
The doctor shared his insights on how to prevent car sickness exclusively with woman&home, as our resident GP
-
Our beauty team declare these the 9 best Tatcha products that are actually worth investing in
This luxury Japanese skincare brand makes home to an array of quality buys that are set to elevate anyone's routine
-
How to get Jennifer Aniston’s 'simple' signature glow – straight from her makeup artist
The pro teaches us how to add 'dimension' to the face with sun-kissed color
-
Budget to Blowout: These are the three gentle cleansers I rely on, as someone with sensitive skin
These formulas do a stellar job at cleaning my sensitive and temperamental skin, without causing any irritation
-
Kate Middleton’s favourite Clarins lip balm is a handbag essential for hydrated, smooth and pretty pink lips
Kate Middleton has long been a fan of Clarins' products and her go-to lip balm from the brand offers a sheer wash of colour as well as hydration and moisture
-
The 3 anti-humidity hair products our Beauty Editor is using on repeat this week
Our Beauty eComm Editor's On Repeat product recommendations column is back with a trio of anti-humidity hair products
-
Joan Collins' skin secret is a bargain 2-in-1 cleanser that we can't believe is £2 now
Joan revealed that she's been using the budget cleanser for "40 years" and swears by the gentle but effective formula
-
Bye long locks: Renée Zellweger’s pixie cut is the empowering hairstyle we're choosing for summer
For those debating a shorter cut this season, Renée Zellweger's latest hairdo is all the inspiration you need
-
Sienna Miller's go-to foundation delivers remarkable results in 'seconds'
Sienna Miller reveals the 'magic' blurring foundation that she relies on to get a natural, your-skin-but-better look