30 Christmas Nail Designs That Are Surprisingly Understated

Get glowing with neutral nails bedazzled in Christmas lights.

A dark green–and-gold combo is an alluring way to channel a Christmas nail design without feeling too cliché.

Top off a classic red manicure with gold accents for festive flair.

Or finish off a matte look with gold metallic tips for a playful twist on the classic French manicure.

Pops of red make for a pretty accent color during the holidays—or any time of year.

Capture the winter wonderland around you with a white nail design featuring flecks of metallic silver.

Metallic stripes in any color combination are instantly merry—and party-ready.

Add a touch of glitter to the tips of your nails for a modern look that's perfect for ringing in the New Year.

Set against a pop of festive crimson, these dainty geometric accents feel reminiscent of falling snowflakes.

What's better for a Christmas mani than candy cane–esque stripes of white and red? 

If you're a fan of glitter and a pretty ombré-inspired application, we recommend this showstopping take in warming ruby red. 

Adorned in pretty pastels, an elegant display of ornaments feels right on point for the season and still feels fresh and understated thanks to the comparably tame color scheme. 

A sporadic sprinkle of pearls and diamonds set against a crystal-clear background feels one part snow globe, one part snowfall, and one part ornamental in nature. 

This wouldn't be a true Christmas-inspired nail roundup if we didn't include at least one actual snowflake, right? So here's our pick!: Intricate and accented by a sparkly hue of champagne, this snowflake design stays classy (not cheesy). 

To emulate a classic holiday nail look with a twist, opt for a sharper almond shape outlined in a still-wintry hue of periwinkle with fresh, winter-wonderland vibes.

For a truly minimalist holiday nail design, we suggest going for something simple that will handily catch the light ever so slightly, like this stripe of glittering gold against a neutral nail. 

Jelly nails are still very much a thing for the holiday season, and we're very much into this red-hot take on the trend. In fact, it reminds us of the spicy candies with which we loved to decorate our gingerbread men. 

White marble feels classic and understated for Christmastime, but we especially love this slightly less expected version with sparser accent nails. 

Foiled ribbons of silver and gold not only reminds us of one of the most classic Christmas songs of all time (rewatch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer circa 1964 if you need a reminder) but glittering wrapping paper as well. 

This burning metallic red is a festive treat for the holidays, while the gold detailing is glam enough to pair with your best party dress come NYE.

This super-sparkly look will have you set from now through New Year's Eve.

This double French manicure is understated yet holiday-ready with delicate double-gold detailing.

Sparkly green adds a fun twist to the usual holiday gold or silver sparkles. A delicate dotted line following the negative space mani amplifies the holiday cheer.

Deck the halls—or your nails—with fun, cheery holly. A few shiny red nails add great composition paired with the delicate design.

A deeper red base than the traditional bright cherry gets covered in gold flakes, making this inverted French manicure oh-so holiday appropriate.

Wrapped up like a present, these half sparkly nails come with festive red ribbons, too.

Talk about a fun twist on a classic design. These red and green alternating French tips have us dreaming of Christmas Day.

Okay, so these aren't exactly simple, but we can't help but love these individually painted ornaments. Why not turn your fingers into a Christmas tree?

Amp up a nude manicure with golden flakes and star outlines for a winter wonderland look that'll definitely complement your holiday party dress.

Yes, red French tips work for any time of the year, but there's something about the bright color that just feels extra festive during the holidays.