33 Best December Nail Ideas to Glam Up Your Holiday Season

December is the time that is full of sparkling – the lights are shining in every corner of the street, your calendar is packed with the parties and other merry-making events, and the overall warmth of the winter.

While you’re busy picking out festive outfits and planning your holiday shopping list, don’t forget one very important detail: your nails.

Indeed, the hands are very busy during the holiday season – from drinking eggnog at the office party to opening gifts or just showing off in the winter gloves.

Well, why not put an extra effort in making them feel special this season?

Regarding the best December nail ideas there are many choices possible.

December is one of the best times of the year, especially if you’re wearing fun prints, timeless pieces, and lots of shininess.

And whether you are a person who appreciates easy nail art with a hint of holiday vibe or you are the one who prefers to go fully themed with your nail art, there is plenty on offer.

Get ready to bring a seal to the holiday season!

Top 33 Best December Nail Ideas to Complete Your Holiday Style

Embrace the Classic Reds… But Add a Little Sparkle!

Let’s be real!

Red nails are almost synonymous to December.

Sometimes there is nothing more elegant and appropriate than a classic, timeless red manicure which is as perfect for winter holidays as the universal black dress.

But wait, we have yet to see who said that classic has to be monotonous.

This year you can just add that famous red and give it a small tinge of Christmas cheer.

I am thinking of a dark and shiny cherry red as deep as wine you would have when boiling some sort of mulled wine.

Now a little sparkle – golden strip on the nail or two glittery flecks on an additional nail.

It is still your holiday red but it is shinier and more glamorous and glints in all the right places.

However, if you want to go a little further, go for matte finish for some nails or include a gold foil in your design to make your polish a tad bit more glamorous.

Glitter Galore: Because December is All About the Sparkle

December is the month when glitter no longer makes people’s hearts race.

Of course, glitter nails can be terribly festive when you’re decorating your halls or, you know, when you just kind of want a piece of the holiday lights with you at all times.

They are like a party on your fingertips, I have mentioned and I will explain later on in this course that they can also work as superb tools to make people you encounter daily happier.

If you are a person who loves to have a little shimmer than the best way is a glittery manicure.

A silver or gold glitter polish will make you feel like a disco ball in the best way possible: if that’s what you are into.

But if you fancy something less in-your-face then how about glitter gradient?

Picture this: nude and glitter which you can start and gradually layer from the base upwards to almost the tip of the nails.

It looks classy, it will not overpower you and it’s definitely full of spirit to give you the holiday feeling you desire.

Snowflakes, Stars, and All the Winter Feels

Talking of winter magic, the best way to express it is by having a beautiful winter wonderland design on your nails.

White nails are ideal for this – there’s no mess, and the result looks most exquisite, especially when it’s winter outside.

But don’t stop at just plain white, you can add some snowflakes or small glitter icicles or even a snowman on one of the nails.

These designs may be a little difficult but if you feel really artsy, you can turn your nails into snow globes!

Better yet picture them as white snow like a clear blue base with little snowflakes and silver glitter like snow falling on the tips of the nails.

Finish off with a high-glass sparkle to emulate that newly-polished winter look, and you have a design that is not only dreamy but very ‘Instagram’-able.

The last lovely idea of how to capture that winter wonder is starry night nails.

December nights seem to be connected to the skies, and a deep navy or black base with tiny silver or gold stars will do the trick.

A few dots to copy the model of stars shining at night, and you’ve got yourself a holiday manicure that is as enchanting as the holidays themselves.

Cozy Up with Plaid and Ugly Sweater Designs

Next, let us explore comfort or in other words the perception of coziness.

Those are the best accessories for the winter, so let that comfort come to your nails too in the middle of this December.

Plaid designs are a nice way of achieving just that.

It is possible to get the red and black of the traditional plaid design or to take your chances on the contemporary shades of green and silver – all of them will make you feel the warmth of December.

And of course, we can’t forget about the holiday classic: It’s known as the ugly sweater.

Choosing the ugly sweater nail art is now very popular and it is very easy to understand why.

It is fun with a hint of eccentricity which makes it a lot of fun to try out different things with.

Talking about the patterns: from the light of the reindeer’s fur to snowflakes and Christmas trees – it would seem the choice is limitless.

It’s possible to paint your nails with vibrant opposite color combinations but you can also paint your nails with a couple of sweater like patterns on it.

The beauty of ugly sweater nails is that there are no rules—it’s all about having fun and getting into the holiday spirit.

French Tips Get a Festive Makeover

For those who are not so keen on going overboard but still wanting to get a feel of the xmas period you cannot go wrong with the French manicure.

But this time we are putting a spin on it-December.

The white tips are boring, why not try adding red or green tips?

It’s quite a discreet way of wishing the season since it doesn’t look exaggerated but it’s ideal if you prefer a little more business-like or formal festive appearance.

You can also add a thin line of glitter where the tip is joined to the base.

It’s still classic, but with a little something extra that says, “I’m here for the holidays, but I’m keeping it classy.”

Metallic Magic for Glamorous Nights

Nail polishes are interesting to work with especially when there is an occasion like December, then we all agree that metallic nails are something to look forward to.

Silver, gold, and copper are the epitome of the festive season—they sparkle, glitz, and glamorize your nails.

If you decide to go full-on metallic mani or merely incorporate some of it into your design, you will be replicating New Year’s Eve party looks throughout December.

Chrome nails are also ideal if you are looking for a little more rugged look.

Chrome silver or rose gold is quite vibrant and intense, yet it certainly falls in the holiday theme quite well.

Don’t Forget About Subtle Elegance

For those of you who are fans of plain and simple looking designs, you can also be able to come up with the best December nail ideas that are so simple yet elegant.

Imagine, the look of nude nails with minor gold details on it, or pastel color with a touch of glitter only at the tips.

It’s not that wild but really cheerful, this is great for people who like keeping things a little more classy during the holidays.

Another idea?

Check out matte nails in dark rich colors like forest green or navy-blue in the middle of the winter.

The texture provided by matte nails looks classy and it is trendy; the selected shades are warm and simultaneously elegant.

You can even put a high-gloss varnish on just one nail to make it quite tactile – a basic style, which, nonetheless, has just a touch of pizzazz.

Conclusion

No matter whether you like bright and shiny ornaments, or you like to keep things more low key, then December is the month for playing dress up with your nails.

As we go from glittery explosions to crisp plaid patterns, this month gives you the perfect excuse to try different designs.

So, grab that nail polish (or book that salon appointment) and let your hands do the talking all holiday season long!