Marrying festive designs and colours with neat and practical lengths, these short Christmas nails promise elegance and ease this season.
While long nails will always afford a chic look, for those of us who can't seem to grow our nails out or prefer a minimalist and low-maintenance manicure, the 2025 nail trends have been a real breath of fresh air. Short nails have been so popular, from squoval shapes to trimmed almond nails; it's truly been the year of the short manicure. And with party season fast approaching, now is the perfect time to start considering exactly what hues and designs you'd like to adorn those fingertip-grazing talons with. Thankfully, there's no shortage of simple Christmas nail designs out there, whether you're a French tip lover or are seeking a way to inject some festive colour into your everyday look.
There's so much inspiration out there, in fact, that we've already found 16 very sophisticated and glamorous Christmas designs for short nails, all of which are very easy to recreate, be it at home or in the salon. So, if you've got your December nail appointment booked, here are the looks we're considering...
16 short Christmas nails for an elevated but subtle look this season
It's a common misconception that short nails don't lend themselves well to nail art and the like. If autumn and winter alone have taught us anything, it's that most designs can be adapted to suit more understated lengths - short French tip nails being one such example, as well as trendy polka dot nails.
Then there's the matter of short nails and block nail colours. While this writer might be a tad biased (burgundy short squoval nails are something of a signature look of mine), there's just something about a neat square or squoval nail topped in a classic red, plum or dark burgundy that just oozes chic. Which doesn't half bode well for the festive season, where reds and other dark nail colours are traditionally the go-to.
If though, you're still stuck for inspiration, we've selected 16 looks - varying from more detailed Christmassy motifs to ultra glossy, solid shades - to consider requesting or recreating this December...
Our short Christmas nail essentials
Before we dive into all things manicure inspiration, allow us first to share a few of our short nail essentials, from a nourishing hand cream (to shield your skin from the harsh winter weather) to our favourite glitter polish - for a speedy festive look.
RRP: £14.90
Whether you're opting for a crisp and classic French tip or a milky white base colour to then apply a pearly chrome coat, this OPI nail polish in the shade Alpine Snow is a lovely choice for the festive season.
RRP: £16
For a quick but elevated festive nail look at home, we recommend Manucurist Active Shine, which offers your nails a sheer tint of pink shimmer. It's also the definition of healthy nail polish, being formulated with beetroot extracts, Hexanal and AHAs - which work to strengthen, brighten and add shine to your talons.
RRP: £29
For a simple and elevated Christmas nail look, you can never go wrong with a dark red, and this Chanel nail polish is one of the chicest shades.
1. Classic holly-berry red nails
Regardless of whether you have short or long talons, a classic berry-red is the perfect option for Christmas. That said, there's just something so chic about pairing this sort of bright, festive red with squoval or short square nails.
2. Silver nails
Silver Christmas nails are always a great and very chic option, especially for those who want a festive-themed manicure, without opting for anything too bright or obvious. Silver feels modern, cool and perfectly party-ready, whether you opt for an all-over wash of metallic chrome or cuff design. You could even go for sa ilvery French tip nail look.
3. Shimmery cat eye nails
Cat eye nails have been very popular this year, and with the shimmery, metallic effect pairing so perfectly with the classic festive colour palette (think reds and greens), we can see it being a very in-demand Christmas manicure look too. Short nails always go so well with this glittery look, as we think a more trimmed and neat length makes it feel more wearable and versatile.
4. Plum nails
Plum nails, like classic burgundy, have been a go-to this winter, and we especially love the moody hue paired with short almond nails. The combination feels so elegant, but equally, this luxe shade will also complement any nail length easily.
5. Icy chrome nails
For a chic and elevated Christmas manicure, treat your short nails to a glazed look. Simply request a sheer pink or milky white base colour topped with this sort of icy, pearly sheen, and you've got yourself a very expensive but subtle nail look on your hands. This pearlescent mani will also work beautifully for New Year's Eve and even through chilly January.
6. Chic glitter nails
While glitter polishes can get a bit of a bad rap for being tacky or too youthful, we think they can look really chic with short squoval and square nails, especially - and when paired with a dark or moody base colour. This black shimmer manicure is perfect for those seeking a modern twist on Christmas nails.
7. Snow-topped French tips
For a playful and festive twist on a classic French tip, consider these snow-capped nails. When paired with a sheer nail polish or a soft nude, the design looks so dainty and subtle but instantly evokes thoughts of snow-covered windows - making them perfect for this time of year. They're also easy to recreate at home, with the help of a thin nail art brush (like this brush set from Amazon).
8. Dainty bow nails
The beauty of a short manicure is that just one, teeny tiny shape or design can create a very chic and intentional look - without there being too much empty space, which can sometimes make the detail look random. The silver bow nails are the perfect example of this, and when paired with an elegant nude or pink afford a very wearable and festive finish.
9. Glitter double French tips
Glitter French tips are the perfect way to elevate your nails for Christmas without treading into tacky territory. A sheer base (as seen above) will pair beautifully with a gold, silver or even a red glitter polish.
10. Dark green nails
Want a straightforward and luxe festive mani? Go for a dark emerald green and a neat squoval shape and you've got yourself a very elevated and fuss-free look.
11. Burgundy nails
As with dark green nails, a burgundy hue is perfect for marking the festive season in style. Short, wine-coloured nails have been so popular this autumn/winter, so it makes sense to rely on them for a sophisticated Christmas manicure too.
12. Mistletoe nails
If you're looking for a manicure that is both festive and subtle, take inspiration from these dainty mistletoe nails. The design itself is easy to recreate with the help of a brush or dotting tool and all you'll need is a green polish, as well as a gold and a nude or milky base coat. The combination is certainly festive but also looks clean and elevated.
13. Milky white nails
If you're not a fan of bold reds and greens, a neutral nail look - like a milky white or cream - is always a timeless and very elegant option, especially for an occasion or event. This soft hue, in particular, goes with everything and looks so expensive atop short nails.
14. Chrome or glitter cuffs
For another alternative to classic French tips, opt for a chrome or glitter cuff in either gold or silver, for a modern but no less festive look. Plus, lining the base of your nail can actually make your talons appear longer.
15. Glitter-dipped nails
For a truly party-ready nail look, top the tips of your nails in glitter - preferably larger chunks of shimmer, to afford that cascading, almost falling snow-like effect. This manicure will work on all shapes but looks especially good on short almond styles.
16. Star nails
A delicate star nail has to be one of our favourite classy Christmas nail designs. You can opt for chrome or glitter and apply the twinkling details to any base colour, but we especially love this gold and pink combination - as well as the addition of a French tip. This is another look that's perfect for Christmas, but also for New Year's Eve.
