Deck the Nails: 10 Easy Manicure Ideas for December

As the holiday season rolls in, it’s the perfect time to showcase your personal style and creativity through stunning nail art.

Manicures are an essential part of our self-expression, and with the endless possibilities of nail designs, there’s no better time to experiment than during the festive month of December.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 easy yet eye-catching manicure ideas that will not only match the season’s spirit but also elevate your entire look.

From sparkles and snowflakes to candy canes and Christmas trees, we’ve got you covered with the perfect nail designs for December.

So get ready to dazzle and impress with these fabulous manicure ideas!

1. Snowy Wonderland

Nothing screams December quite like a winter wonderland, and what better way to bring the magic of the season to your nails than with a snowy design? This manicure idea is perfect for those who want to keep it simple yet make a statement.

• Base Coat: Start by applying a pale blue shade to your nails. This will serve as the perfect icy backdrop for your snowy design.
• Snowflakes: Using a thin nail art brush or a toothpick, carefully draw snowflakes of various sizes on each nail. Opt for a white nail polish to create the perfect contrast against the blue base.
• Finishing Touch: Seal your design with a clear top coat, ensuring that your snowy wonderland will last throughout the season.

2. Sparkling Starry Night

December nights are all about the glitz and glamour of holiday parties, and this sparkling starry night manicure is the perfect way to add some sparkle to your nails.

1. Base Coat: Apply a rich, dark blue shade to your nails. This will give the appearance of a deep night sky.
2. Glitter Gradient: Start by dabbing a gold glitter nail polish onto the tips of your nails. Gradually apply less glitter as you move towards the base of your nails, creating a gradient effect.
3. Stars: Using a small dotting tool or toothpick, draw small gold stars randomly across your nails.
4. Finishing Touch: Complete your sparkling starry night manicure with a clear top coat to lock in your design and add extra shine.

3. Classy Candy Canes

Nothing says “holidays” quite like candy canes, and incorporating them into your manicure is a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. This classy candy cane design is perfect for those who want to keep it elegant and chic.

To achieve this look, start by applying a nude or light pink base to your nails. Once dry, use a thin brush or striping tape to create diagonal white stripes across your nails. Next, add thin red stripes alongside the white ones to create the classic candy cane pattern. Finish your design with a clear top coat to seal and protect your festive manicure.

4. Christmas Tree Tips

This next manicure idea adds a festive twist to the classic French tip design by transforming it into a row of delicate Christmas trees. It’s a subtle yet creative way to celebrate the holiday season.

1. Base Coat: Apply a clear or nude base coat to your nails.
2. Tree Tips: Using a thin brush and green nail polish, paint small triangles along the tips of your nails, creating the appearance of tree silhouettes.
3. Decorations: Embellish your Christmas trees with small rhinestones or glitter, giving them a festive touch.
4. Finishing Touch: Complete your Christmas tree tips manicure with a clear top coat to seal in your design and add shine.

5. Elegant Snow Globe

This elegant snow globe manicure is perfect for those who want to make a statement while still keeping it classy. The design features a beautiful snow globe on the accent nail, with complementary snowflakes on the other nails.

Begin by applying a deep red or burgundy shade to all of your nails except for the accent nail. On the accent nail, use a nude or light pink polish as your base.Next, paint a circular shape in the center of the accent nail using white nail polish – this will serve as the snow globe’s base. Carefully draw a snowflake inside the circle, and add a few more snowflakes on the other nails. Complete the design by painting a delicate gold line along the edge of the snow globe, and finish with a clear top coat to seal in your elegant snow globe manicure.

6. Festive Fair Isle

Fair Isle patterns are a staple of winter fashion, and incorporating them into your manicure is a cozy and festive way to celebrate the season. This design may seem intricate, but with a little patience and attention to detail, you can achieve a stunning and unique look.

Start by applying a solid base color to your nails – we recommend a deep red or green for a truly festive feel. Using a thin brush or nail art pen, create a Fair Isle pattern on your nails using white nail polish. Be sure to vary the designs on each nail for a more authentic look. Once you’re satisfied with your pattern, finish with a clear top coat to protect your festive Fair Isle design.

7. Gleaming Garland

This gleaming garland manicure idea is perfect for those who want to add some festive sparkle to their nails in a subtle and elegant way. This design features delicate garlands adorned with twinkling rhinestones, offering a touch of holiday glamour.

1. Base Coat: Apply a nude or light pink base coat to your nails.
2. Garlands: Using a thin brush and green nail polish, paint delicate, curved lines across your nails, creating the appearance of garlands.
3. Rhinestones: Adorn your garlands with small, clear rhinestones, placing them strategically along the green lines for a twinkling effect.
4. Finishing Touch: Complete your gleaming garland manicure with a clear top coat to seal in your design and add extra shine.

8. Hanukkah Lights

This Hanukkah lights manicure is a beautiful way to celebrate the Festival of Lights and showcase your creativity during the month of December. The design features a menorah on the accent nail, with blue and silver accents on the other nails.

To achieve this look, start by applying a light blue base coat to all of your nails. On the accent nail, use a thin brush or nail art pen to draw a menorah in silver or gold nail polish. Paint small flames above each branch of the menorah using a mixture of yellow and orange polish. On the other nails, create a gradient effect with blue and silver glitter nail polish. Finish your Hanukkah lights manicure with a clear top coat to seal in your design.

9. Whimsical Winter Mittens

This whimsical winter mittens manicure idea is a playful and creative way to showcase your love for the season. The design features a charming mitten pattern, perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your nails.

Begin by applying a light blue base coat to your nails. Using a thin brush or nail art pen, draw a mitten shape on each nail using a contrasting color, such as red or green. Add small white dots or snowflakes to the mittens for a festive touch. You can also add a small string connecting the mittens, giving the appearance of a playful winter accessory. Finish your whimsical winter mittens manicure with a clear top coat to seal in your design.

10. New Year’s Eve Countdown

As December comes to a close, what better way to celebrate the upcoming new year than with a New Year’s Eve countdown manicure? This design is perfect for those who want to ring in the new year with a touch of glitz and glamour.

1. Base Coat: Apply a black or dark blue base coat to your nails.
2. Numbers: Using a thin brush or nail art pen, paint the numbers 10 through 1 on each nail using a gold or silver nail polish. Alternatively, you can use nail decals or stickers for a more precise look.
3. Glitter: Add some sparkle to your design by applying a glitter nail polish over the numbers, focusing on the tips of your nails for a gradient effect.
4. Finishing Touch: Complete your New Year’s Eve countdown manicurewith a clear top coat to seal in your design and add extra shine, ensuring that you’ll be ready to celebrate in style as the clock strikes midnight.

In conclusion, the month of December offers ample opportunity for creativity and self-expression through nail art. These 10 easy manicure ideas provide a range of festive and elegant designs, perfect for celebrating the holiday season, attending parties, or simply adding a touch of flair to your everyday look. Whether you prefer subtle and classy designs like the elegant snow globe and gleaming garland or more playful options like whimsical winter mittens and festive fair isle, there’s a December-inspired manicure idea for everyone. So go ahead and deck your nails with these stunning designs, and let your fingers be the life of the party this holiday season!