8 Stunning Christmas Manicure Ideas For Short Nails

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to get festive with your style, and that doesn't just mean busting out your Christmas sweaters. We're talking head-to-toe merriment, and that includes the tips of your fingers. Themed manicures are always a good idea, and there's nothing like glittery, tinsel-like nails to get you in the decorating mood. Although there are plenty of bold ways to rock a chrome red manicure, you can totally up your Christmas game with more elaborate designs, particularly if you have short nails.

While those with long talons have more real estate to play around with different designs, we've found manicure inspo that proves you can still have fun with practical, short nails. With the right tools, you can totally create some impressive holiday designs. Whether you want to bring a pic to your manicurist as a guide, or you're inspired to tackle your Christmas nail art as a cozy DIY project, we're sure that at least one of these suggestions will spark that joyful spirit and have your heart grow three times larger, just like the Grinch's.

Nothing says Christmas like a red and green color palette, and you can get creative with just a few bottles of nail polish. Give each of your fingers its own design by using yuletide motifs, such as a bow, evergreen trees, and white polka dots that resemble snow. We love the plaid accent nail, which you can recreate with a set of Gellatik nail art pens. After applying white nail polish, draw stripes of varying widths using red, green, and black. We know that tartan scarves are a holiday staple, but now your nails can match your festive 'fit.

If you're not into bright colors, channel your inner goth girl with a moody green and black Christmas manicure. Yes, we're reclaiming black nail polish as an adult staple, and you can still show your holiday spirit with some carefully thought-out designs. Put a twist on the classic French manicure by using dark green instead of white at the tips. Or, layer green over black for a three-dimensional effect. Bows are super easy to draw using white polish, and there's always that tried-and-true plaid pattern that is nothing if not Christmas.

Red nails are a classic year-round look, but add a bit of festivity for the holidays with some holly and ivy accent nails. First, add a base layer in a nude color, such as Essie Ballet Slippers, which is a gorgeous pale pink hue. Next, create three little dots using a bright red polish, and then add a couple of green leaves around the berries. Finish it off with a tiny white stripe in the middle of the leaves and scatter a few polka dots for a snowy effect. We can practically hear Santa's sleigh bells.

Christmas tales aren't just for kids, and if you want to relive your childhood memories through your nails, go for it! Rudolph is the epitome of Xmas, and as Santa Claus' VIP sleigh-puller, he deserves a spot on your nails. A simple version can be made with a few small brown, black, and red circles. If you don't want your hands to be overly cartoony, you can add some more elevated designs on your other digits. Try a starburst design, a decorated tree, or even a candy cane. And don't forget to protect your handiwork with a good layer of OPI topcoat.

Take the quiet luxury approach to your holiday manicure by going with an neutral manicure with a hint of stars. This will make your short nails look polished without drenching them in color; a good option for those who want a look that will carry over beyond Christmas and New Year's Eve. Start with a pale neutral color, like sheer off-white or ballet slipper pink. Then, using a special brush, such as the Artdone Nail Dotting Tool, dab on tiny circles in in silver, blue, red, green, and gold. Finally, use a thin silver nail pen to create four lines outside of the circles for a starburst effect.

Watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a yearly tradition that never gets old, and you can celebrate your favorite Dr. Seuss story with a manicure that pays homage to the titular character. This cartoonish nail art is so adorbs, with different motifs from the film on each finger. There's the bows worn by Cindy Lou Who, Christmas tree lights, candy canes, and of course, the green monster himself. Although the Grinch is grumpy throughout the story, we guarantee that your heart will burst with joy every time you look at your digits. If you're not quite sure of your character painting skills, a pack of AKLHDSK Christmas Nail Stickers can help achieve the look.

When you love dark nail colors but don't want to go full-on black, opt for a gorgeous, wintery emerald shade instead. This almost-inky hue calls to mind rich pine, and is perfect for staying up watching Christmas classics by the fire with a warm mug of spiced tea. To offset the moody hue, create a lighter design on an accent finger. A leafy drawing in a lighter shade of green with specks of white and red is just perfect for welcoming in the holidays in the most subtle way.

Your Christmas manicure doesn't have to just be red and green. Multi-colored glitter nails are just as festive, and they'll go with any outfit you wear. This silver glitter holographic polish by Born Pretty will have your hands shining like tinsel. Wear it alone or layered over another color — baby pink will give it a finish reminiscent of "The Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy." Don't just stop at the polish. Add a few nail stickers by Noopec in a sunburst design to bring even more sparkle to your manicure. Be sure to brush on some top coat over the stickers to keep them intact until your next Christmas nail design.