23 December Nail Ideas Beyond Just Your Standard Holiday Nails
2023 has provided us with immense beauty inspiration, especially on the manicure front. Each month has seen new trends emerge—from chrome French to oyster-inspired nails. And now that December is here, it's high time to pick our last manicure of the year. To help you do just that, we rounded up 23 nail ideas for December. From simple and sophisticated sets to grandiose festive designs, the mani possibilities are endless. Check them out below.
01 Red, Green, and Silver Plaid Nails
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How pretty are these shimmering wrapping paper-inspired nails?
3D nails have risen in popularity here in 2023, so this red, green, and gold bauble mani is perfect for December. To create the textured accents, you'll need to use builder gel—or book a nail appointment so a pro artist can do it for you.
Blue and gold is a classic festive color combo—florals in December, though, now that's different. To DIY this nail look, you can use floral nail stamping plates dipped in gold polish.
If you love a neutral nail look but want to lean into the festive season, consider a sheer polish mani dotted with star decals.
06 Silver Glitter French Ombre Nails
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Here's another silver nail look we love for December. The ombré glitter French manicure would be perfect all month long, but especially for New Year's Eve.
For a black tie December nail look, consider a shimmering mani with black accent nails. Then, for extra wintry, festive allure, add a few snowflakes for good measure.
Craving a kitschy holiday-themed nail look? Check out this shimmering candy cane mani.
12 Sage and Emerald Swirl Nails
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Teal, pistachio, and moss green may not seem like the most festive colors, but here you can see just how well they pair together. With matte, metallic, and gloss finishes, this is one head-turning mani.
13 Pink and Peach Snowflake Nails
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Festive nails can be neutral. These pinky-peach rose gold nails prove it.
Navy and white nail polish combine for a high-contrast December nail look we can't take our eyes off of. The best part? You can recreate the design with dotting tools and a little patience.
15 Burgundy and Evergreen Stripe Nails
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For a moodier December nail look, opt for darker shades of traditional Christmas colors.
16 December Mismatch Nails
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Mix-and-match nail art continues to be a big trend in 2023. To show a little love for one of the year's most popular nail art ideas, opt for a mismatched manicure like the blue snowflake one above. We particularly enjoy the matte sweater-inspired accent nail.
17 Snowflake and Houndstooth Nails
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Love the idea of a mismatched December mani? This snowflake and houndstooth one is whimsical yet perfectly chic at the same time.
18 Green Swirl Nails
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Remember: Shades of green are always in for December. Here, evergreen and mint pair beautifully for a cool swirly nail look.
19 Black, Gold, and Silver Tweed Nails
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Stripes and snowflakes may seem like the obvious option for a December nail print, but we're here to turn your attention to tweed. Truly, how pretty are these black, gold, and silver patterned nails?
20 Gold Chrome Holly Nails
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Opting for a solid coat of gold intermixed with French tips in the metallic shade is bound to make for an unforgettable nail look.
21 Icy Blue Velvet Nails
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Illusion French manicures are major in 2023, making this icy blue velvet nail look the perfect closing statement. Trust us, though: You'll want to wear this beautiful mani well past December.
22 Burgundy Shimmer Star Nails
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Glittery red nail looks are fit for December. They bring images of Santa Claus to mind—especially when you add shimmering gold accents to the mix.
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