While there are still many an advent calendar door yet to open, our beauty team has already given in to the festive spirit and requested their Christmas nails. So, if you're stuck for inspiration, allow us to share our chosen shades, designs and nail lengths. Plus, you can even peruse last year's entries, which are still very fitting for the festive season.
When it comes to selecting your classy Christmas nails, there's definitely no shortage of stylish looks. You can stick with the classics, like a rich holly-berry red manicure or opt for something slightly moodier, with burgundy and trendy garnet nails both being very chic choices. Alternatively, for those really wanting to embrace the festive spirit, star designs and shimmery effects like cat-eye nails are also very apt for the party season. That said, with so many Christmassy avenues to go down, it can be hard to land on just one look to tide you through December.
Thus, it can be helpful to seek out some visual inspiration of what other stylish people are wearing, to help whittle down the many, many merry manicures at your disposal. This is where our team makes its dramatic entrance, as we've already sorted out our holiday nails – and they span everything from simple Christmas nails to modern Christmas French tip nails.
The festive nail designs and colours our very own team is wearing
Though bright reds, greens and glitters often spring to mind when thinking of a quote-unquote festive nail look, there is space to get creative. You can get away with more timeless nail colours and even elevated neutrals, under the guise that they're chic and go with everything – from your Christmas day knit to your New Year's Eve party wear. Or go all out with a design that just oozes festive cheer.
There is such a thing as too much choice, though, which is where our team's nails might come in handy...
Our Christmas nail essentials
Before we dive into our jolly talons, we've also rounded up a few nail care staples that will keep your nails and hands looking fresh and hydrated, as well as our go-to top coat - for those who prefer to do their manicures at home.
RRP: £10.99
Offering a gel-like gleam without any of the LED curing, this essie top coat is a must-have for those looking to achieve a professional-looking manicure at home.
RRP: £15
Infused with sweet almond, coconut and walnut seed oils, this cuticle nourishes your nail beds and hydrates your cuticles and the surrounding skin for healthier and radiant looking talons.
RRP: £52
A hand cream is a true staple, especially in the winter months as it will not only keep your nails and cuticles nourished but also help ward off dry knuckles and the like. Plus, this iconic pebble-like cream from Chanel will look so chic in your handbag or on your dresser.
1. Aleesha's holly-berry red nails
Kicking off our list of chic 2025 Christmas nails is our digital beauty eCommerce editor, Aleesha Badkar, who has opted for a very luxe-looking take on a classic festive favourite: holly berry nails.
"For me, Christmas has to be all about the reds. This deep, juicy, holly berry colour feels so festive to me, evoking images of satin ribbons, shimmery baubles, candy cane-encrusted sweet treats and free-flowing Cranberry-laden cocktails. On the rare occasion I opt for a non-neutral shade like this, I tend to keep the length slightly shorter, but when I saw the glossy finish of this brand new seasonal drop at my regular salon, I knew only a long almond would do it the justice it deserves."
2. Sennen's icy French tips
For digital beauty writer Sennen Prickett, classic festive-like reds were already feeling a bit tired by the time December rolled around, so she went back to basics, but with a festive twist.
"I must admit, I’m slightly fatigued of all the festive nail polish shades this year. I’ve already adorned a plethora of red and plum shades on my talons this autumn-winter, so wanted to switch up my manicure for Christmas - while keeping my nails minimal. With all this in mind, I landed upon a simple, snowy white French tip design, paired with an ultra-glossy top coat. Although not specifically oozing all things Christmas, this manicure is effortlessly timeless enough to go well with every and any outfit - meaning it seamlessly takes me from my work Christmas party to the big day itself, through to the Twixmas period afterwards. Truly, what more could you want?"
3. Fiona's short and timeless red mani
As far as digital beauty editor, Fiona McKim is concerned, December 2025 is the month of bright and juicy cherry-red nails - a true Christmas classic.
"I know, I know. Red nails for Christmas? Groundbreaking. About as groundbreaking as me trotting out that old Devil Wears Prada quote every time I make a predictable style decision. But what is this season for, if not embracing tradition? Plus, these nails have to see me through a late December wedding as well as more traditionally festive merriment, so chic, versatile, and not too holly-jolly were the requirements.
"Also, there is something innovative going on here. You are looking at a BIAB manicure that was created two full weeks before this photo was taken, and yet, the cuticle gap is barely visible. What is this magic? It’s So Shell - a boutique salon chain that uses Ukrainian manicure technique and supremely precise cuticle work to create a flawless mani that lasts and lasts (and lasts). The appointment takes a bit longer than your average, but you get that time back and then some in stretching out appointments."
4. Becky's star and French tip look
For contributing beauty writer, Becky Spicer, December is a chance to add a little more magic and nail art to her usual manicure.
“I decided I wanted something a little more magical as we go into December.” Becky adds: “I even travel back to Bristol for my favourite nail tech, Hannah (I quite literally trust nobody else with these nails). I opted for a new BIAB gel set, with a rounded shape, dark French tips and gold stars to mimic chrome without the time constraints. I love how the colour is black in some lighting or iridescent purple in others. A subtle nod to the season with a little magical whimsy — so cute!”
Our 2024 Christmas nail picks
If none of our team's 2025 offerings are tempting you, though, fear not, as we've also saved last year's Christmas nails for your perusal, as we also picked some very chic shades and designs then too - like glittery tiger stripes to luxe shades of burgundy.
Aleesha's festive red almond nails
If you love classic red paired with almond nails, digital beauty editor Aleesha Badkar's 2024 Christmas mani might be right up your alley. "For me, nails are pretty much always nude, cream or sheer – but when I saw the new reds my salon had in for the season, something in them called to me," she says. "If I ever do branch out and go red, it's usually either something super dark (ie. Chanel Rouge Noir) or a bright, almost orange shade to suit my warmer skin tone. But this deep, true red just said 'elegant Christmas chic' to me."
Fiona's sparkling tiger print manicure
For those who love glitter but don't necessarily want to adhere to the traditionally 'festive' designs – like candy canes and so on – digital beauty editor Fiona McKim wore the perfect alternative last year. "One word: rawr. Tiger print may not be the first design that comes to mind for festive nails, but ‘tis the season to try something jazzy, so I thought, why not?" she says. "This subtle tiger design – if that’s not an oxymoron – is from Townhouse’s AW24/25 Wild Edit menu, which is described by founder and creative director Juanita Huber-Millet as an ode to the 'power found in the natural world while offering a sophisticated and refined aesthetic.'
"I agree. Animal print is practically neutral (see also: leopard), and this sheer pink and bronze combination perfectly complemented my sparkly Christmas day jewellery while being low-key enough not to look outrageous on Boxing Day, when the odds on me making it out of pyjamas are a clean 50/50. I had loads of compliments on these nails, too – so you could say they were spreading joy (very festive)."
Sennen's burgundy bow nails
Bow nails are still very much a trending look, especially this festive season, so if you're keen to embrace a chic design, follow digital beauty writer Sennen Prickett's lead, with her 2024 burgundy bow and French tip design.
"I’d love to say I creatively imagined this festive nail look myself, however, the idea came totally from my lovely nail tech’s genius brain," she says. "That said, I absolutely adore this manicure design. I’m not a huge fan of typical Christmas nail art, but these nails feel both festive and subtle. I wore a burgundy French tip the month before and adored it, but I loved it even more so when paired with this icy chrome finish layered over the top – it’s perfect for the party season. As for the burgundy bow nail sticker details, they switch up the look to make it more Christmassy in an incredibly inoffensive and chic way that is ideal for minimalist nail lovers (like me)."
Naomi's short mulled-wine mani
Having sported short squoval nails for much of autumn, digital beauty writer Naomi Jamieson chose to jump on the almond train last Christmas and paired the elegant shape with a very luxe hue. "I'd had dark red almond nails in mind for Christmas for some time now, but I always felt that my natural nails weren't long enough to carry the elongated shape – without a helping hand from extensions," she says. "So, I was really consistent with my BioSculpture nail appointments, and boy, did it pay off. Finally, they were long enough to afford that rounded edge while still looking long (when they're actually only just peaking over my fingertips, so still very manageable).
"For December, I wanted a hue akin to that of a red velvet bow, and this colour perfectly fulfilled that assignment. The combination, to me, just looks so chic and timeless, especially when worn alongside a cream knitted jumper." P.S. It's BioSculpture's 'Thornberry' shade, in case you're looking to recreate the look exactly.
