20 Holiday Gel Nail Ideas Packed With Polished Personality

The holiday gel nail ideas season is in full swing, making festive beauty trends—especially manicures—a top priority. While deep jewel tones are always a classic choice, there are many playful ways to embrace a The holiday gel nail ideas season is in full swing, making festive beauty trends—especially manicures—a top priority. While deep jewel tones are always a classic choice, there are many playful ways to embrace a holiday-ready nail look.

From colorful striped nails and fun polka dots to cherry red bows and festive Christmas designs, bold styles truly stand out. For a more timeless and elegant option, adding a seasonal twist to classic French nails is always a chic choice.-ready nail look.From colorful striped nails and fun polka dots to cherry red bows and festive Christmas designs, bold styles truly stand out. For a more timeless and elegant option, adding a seasonal twist to classic French nails is always a chic choice.

Whichever merry and bright mani you choose, just remember: Gel applications will make them last a lot longer (and sometimes even all month long). With that, scroll on for 20 holiday gel nail ideas to try this season, showing that there’s endless creative ways to get in the spirit.

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Merry and Bright Stripes

ICYMI: Striped nails are having a real moment on socials and in real life, with people all over the world adopting the fun, high-contrast Holiday Gel Nail Ideas looks. The beauty of this trend is that you can try it in literally any color combo, so whether you prefer a Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic or a retro, candy-coated mood, you can make it work with this mani.

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Green Velvet Glitter Nails

No time for Holiday Gel Nail Ideas art but hoping for a holiday manicure that’s just as special? Opt for glittery velvet nail polish. You can never go wrong with shades of evergreen this time of year.

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Kitschy Festive Check

For kitschy take on Holiday Gel Nail Ideas opt for a mismatched gel mani featuring colorful checkerboard and peppermint swirl designs. Adding a few solid chrome or velvet nails to the mix will balance out the look.

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Red Velvet Glitter

This ruby red almond mani doesn’t disappoint when it comes to a sparkly, festive finish. Like green, pretty much all shades of red work this time of year.

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Cottagecore Holiday Nails

If you prefer less saturated nail looks, check out this cottagecore twist on a holiday gel mani. The cream, matcha, blush, and dusty blue palette is easy on the eyes but still certain to turn heads.

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Abstract Holiday Skittle Swirl

Ribbons, presents, wreaths, and trees might be popular nail art this time of year, but you don’t have to keep it super holiday-specific, so long as your palette fits the occasion. The abstract, chic swirls of this mismatched mani look like they belong in Whoville.

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Classic Tartan Nails

If the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic is more your vibe, tartan nails are a must this holiday season. If a hand full of plaid feels like too much, mix it up with a few solid chrome nails in silver or gold.

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Candy Shop Fantasy

If your holiday muse is The Nutcracker‘s sugar plum fairy, this sweet, bright look is an absolute dream. Pink, red, and kelly green make for a can’t-miss mani.

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Bejeweled Bows

Nail artist San Sung Kim is the queen of intricate, over-the-top nail art and her velvet bow mani is a playful, fanciful sight to behold. Use any extra nail gems and stickers you have lying around for this look, or consider heading to a pro for the most precise finish.

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Sweet Ski Nails

If your favorite holiday pastime is hitting the slopes, try this all-out gel nail design. Doodled bows and bright plaid create playful contrast against negative space accents.

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Cutout Green Glass Velvet Nails

Speaking of negative space nail accents, let’s take a moment for this cutout heart mani, which features Grinch green velvet with a big heart. The look may not take direct inspiration from the holiday cartoon icon, but it certainly works to get the story across.

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Minimalist Holiday Motifs

If solid finishes aren’t your thing but you want something classic, consider dainty holiday motifs painted on neutral, almond-shaped nails. Every little design here feels like it belongs in an elegant snow globe.

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Starry Night Nails

These deep blue nails look luxurious and serene, from their subtly cloudy base to the tiny sparkles that enhance each star design. Depending on your goal, this gel mani can hold meaning for a specific December holiday or simply celebrate the solstice.

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Frosted Red Aura Nails

Maybe it’s just us, but these red and white aura nails feel right at home amidst those blustery, magical days of the holiday season. They look frosted without any chrome accents—though you certainly could add a glazed finish to the mix if you desire.

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Precious Postage

December is the month of cheerful snail mail, and these Holiday Gel Nail Ideas postage-inspired nails nod that. The intricate gingerbread, bow, and stamp designs look elegant atop a clean, well-manicured base.

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Candy Cane Mismatched Mani

If you prefer mostly solid manicures with cutesy nail art, this peppermint mani is sweet as can be. The mix of patterns in a cohesive red and white palette make for a versatile take on Holiday Gel Nail Ideas favorites.

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Rosy Winter Wonderland Nails

Pink nails might not seem like the most obvious choice for the Holiday Gel Nail Ideas, but the way we see it, it’s balletic and belongs in a winter wonderland. With its snowflake details, bow accents, and pops of velvet, this just may be your next favorite seasonal manicure.

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White Christmas Mismatched Mani

Searching for neutral gel nails that still feel festive? Feast your eyes on this white Christmas mani, complete with snowflakes, sweater designs, and a sweet gingerbread man.

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Blinged-Out Candy Cane

On the opposite end of the spectrum, these red and white bedazzled nails make for a positively glitzy candy cane aesthetic. If you have a gala on the agenda, this is one Holiday Gel Nail Ideas mani that’s bound to turn heads.

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Short and Sweet Seasonal Favorites

If you find that short nails are more functional or you simply can’t seem to grow yours out, know that any length can get in on the merry and bright mani magic. Here, the milky white base blends with peppermint, gingerbread, bow, and tree accents for a classic Holiday Gel Nail Ideas mani that doesn’t skimp on Holiday Gel Nail Ideas art.