The top 5 Christmas nail art trends for 2025

It’s time to get the decorations out of the attic and blast some Mariah Carey… Christmas is on its way!

Scratch has rounded up trending nail styles to help you celebrate sparkle season in style.

Festive figures

Every year, our favourite Christmas characters defrost, ready to epitomise the festive period once again. From Santa to The Grinch, Rudolf to Buddy the Elf, it’s time to sport seasonal stars on your nails.

Click here for Christmas gonk inspiration for nails.

Yuletide yummies

Feature the taste of Christmas on your talons with warm gingerbread, colourful candy cane, yule log and hot chocolate nail art. With food-inspired sets rising in popularity this year, delicious digits are bound to be common nail requests.

Feast your eyes on gingerbread nail art.

Christmas chrome

Nothing says Christmas quite like chrome. Turn everyday nails into tinselled tips with the reflective shimmer of isolated accents or an all-over metallic glaze. Popular festive chrome colours include gold, silver and red, but any look can be elevated with a hint of holographic handiwork.

View our gallery of Christmas chrome nail inspo here.

Merry minimalism

Micro nail art has boomed this year, with many people opting for simple and subtle nail styles. Add a touch of merry magic to manis, such as via French tip Santa hats or miniature festive favourites.

Check out Scratch‘s roundup of subtle seasonal sets.

Christmas cat eye

Add some seasonal sparkle to nail styles with one of 2025’s most popular trends: cat eye. The reflective, metallic finish is perfect for parties and general jollity. Elevate the texture with geometric patterns like candy canes or tartan.

Take a look at entries into the ‘Christmas cat eye’ #ShowScratch Creative Challenge.