During the holidays, we’re usually bombarded with images of Santa, reindeer, snowmen and even The Grinch. And while we’re willing to support the staples on decor and wrapping paper, we don’t want them anywhere near our nails. Thankfully, there are tons of holiday nail art options that don’t involve colorful characters.
Whether you like a little sparkle or are still fawning over negative space special effects, there’s a stylish holiday mani for you. Red and green will always be popular colors, but expand the Christmas color scheme by choosing alternative shades like deep burgundy, shiny pink and gorgeous gray. And don’t be afraid to keep it simple by just adding subtle glitter to your tips.
Here are 17 chic holiday nail art ideas that are still super festive.
[ Next: 20 Awesomely Tacky Holiday Nail Art Ideas ]
Update: 18 Holiday Nail Art Ideas Without a Single Santa in Sight
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Update: 18 Holiday Nail Art Ideas Without a Single Santa in Sight #1
Candy cane stripes with an abstract twist.
Image: @nailartbyqueenie
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Gold glitter makes even more of a statement when sprinkled over a black base.
Image: @cassmariebeauty
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Give red a break and try a glittering green polish. Use the equally festive shade to create an eye-catching negative space manicure.
Image: @paintboxnails
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Show some restraint by only giving the center of each nail the metallic treatment. The fantastic thing about this design is that you don't have to paint crisp lines to get the effect.
Image: @betina_goldstein
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Update: 18 Holiday Nail Art Ideas Without a Single Santa in Sight #5
Paint parts of each nail a stellar silver for a subtly sparkling mani.
Image: @stephstonenails
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Jazz up a traditional red polish with some strategic (and geometric) pops of shimmering gold.
Image: @aliciatnails
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A coppery polish casually swiped on the bottom of your nails is an easy way to shine this season.
Image: Imaxtree
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Green and gold also scream holiday and this arrow nail mani will make the season bright.
Image: @fleuryrosenails
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Paint your nails a candy apple red, but leave a corner of each nail bare for a new take on negative space.
Image: @misspopnails
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Just add some Swarovski crystals on the tips.
Image: @thehangedit
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Snowflake nails that twinkle like Christmas lights? Yes, please.
Image: @ritaremark
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Colorful glitter accents really dazzle against a gray base.
Image: @jinsoon
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Top off gold nails with a red lattice design for a mani that really stands out.
Image: @michellesaundersjames
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Rock these gold chevron accents on select nails straight through New Year's Eve.
Image: @cassmariebeauty
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Skip gold and silver in favor of pink glitter. It's festive yet unexpected.
Image: @paintboxnails
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A red hot moon mani is festive without being overly dramatic.
Image: @jinsoonchoi
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Update: 18 Holiday Nail Art Ideas Without a Single Santa in Sight #17
Split the difference by teaming a light pink hue and a burgundy shade.
Image: @betina_goldstein
