37 Short Christmas Nails Ideas: Festive Designs that Sleigh All Day

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The festive season is around the corner and for most of us the preparations begin way before we bring out the first string of lights to decorate the Christmas tree. 

And while decorating the house and prepping the perfect Christmas playlist are essentials, let’s not forget one thing: nails. 

Uh yes honey, your nails also need to be holiday fabulous! 

However, if long nails aren’t your cup of tea (or if you’re in the process of preparing gifts and Christmas cookies), short Christmas nails are the solution! 

From simple, elegant looks that could be worn in the street to over the top holiday looks, there are plenty of cute ideas to get your nails ready for winter!

Without further ado here are some fun, festive and super chic short Christmas nail designs, to help you stay stylish all December.

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Holiday-Ready: Festive Short Christmas Nails Ideas You’ll Love

1. Ho Ho Ho

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2. Purple Textured Short Christmas Nails

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3. Gingerman & Candy Cane

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4. Santa’s Hat

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5. Clasic French Tips & Snowflake

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6. Black Short Christmas Nails

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7. Candy Cane Short Christmas Nails

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8. Sparkly Nails

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9. Short Christmas Nails Art

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10. Simple Christmas Nails

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11. Chrome Acents

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12. Blue Short Christmas Nails

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13. Christmas Bow Tips

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14. Colorful Short Christmas Nails

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15. Chrome Nail Art

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16. Christmas Mistletoe Nails

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17. Glitter Nails & Blue Tips

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18. Purple Sparkle

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19. Red Frenchies & Snowman

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20. Yummy Nail Art

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21. Simple Snowy Ombre

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22. Nude Nail & Chrome Details

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23. Gold Frenchies

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24. Winter Forest Nail Art

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25. Nude Short Christmas Nails

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26. Purple Christmas Details

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27. Blue & White

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28. Christms Gnome

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29. Christmas Star Flower

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30. Pink Christmas Nails

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31. Red Glitter

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32. Chrome Christams Tree

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33. Snowflake Nails

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34. Chrome Glitter Red

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35. Simple Short Christmas Nails

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36. Blue Sparkle

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37. Slim Red Chrome French Nails

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Why Go for Short Christmas Nails?

The last one is short nails and it is very convenient, besides which does not require 

Special Wearing, especially during the holidays. 

Be it typing at the keyboard, decorating cookies or wrapping gifts, short nails do not bend or get in the way of the activity you are involved in. 

More of them can be as stylish and festive as longer ones if the designs used on them are perfect!

To any group of people who do not have long nails or those who just cannot stand having long nails or even for those who simply do not like long nails but at the same time want to have an enviable Christmas holiday, then you are in the right place. 

Of course you can still get super cute holiday nail art — short nails are just a little more functional with all that sparkle!

Festive Short Christmas Nails Designs to Try This Christmas

Classic Red with a Twist

It is impossible to discuss Christmas nails without discussing red. It’s iconic. 

But instead of plain red, is it possible to make the shirt a little more interesting and diverse? 

The glossy shine in cherry red appeals to short nails, but adding gold glitter tips will enhance them. 

It could well be described as a version of French manicure set during the season of celebration or carnival. 

It’s so simple, just apply glitter on the tips, and of course, you are so ready for the holidays!

Another variation of the red is one hand painted with a cute xmas design, a holly berry or striped like a candy cane.

Snowflakes and Sparkles

Snowflakes are perfect for winter and are equally cute on short nails. 

Begin with a soft baby blue or white as it will create that cold winter feel when implemented. 

Next, with a thin brush (or a sticker for nails if you don’t want to draw) draw snowflakes, it is enough to do it for one or two nails only.

You can also use glitter – come on, Christmas nails can’t be without glitter.

Silver or any glitter with an iridescent appearance will work great over light blue or white for that snow, frost appearance. 

There’s no need to do them to scale perfectly since snow isn’t perfect! And the last one, doesn’t necessarily have to be so fancy.

Christmas Tree Accent Nail

If you are the kind of person who wants something very special but not too loud, go for colored Christmas tree nail art. 

Apply most of your nails in a natural color like light brown or baby pink and just put a little tree on your ring finger. 

You can use green polish to outline the tree and simple brown ones for basic shapes of tree and then apply small red, gold or silver to depict as ornaments on the tree.

Want to make it even easier? 

Stick to the Christmas tree! 

They will prove you that perfect look without having wrestled to achieve the right shape.

Candy Cane Stripes

This is where you can mix fun with one of the most important purposes of a screen, – simplicity. 

Candy cane stripes are cute for short nails because the stripes are very clearly painted on – they do not have to be intricate and thin. 

First apply the white Building Code on the garment and then after it has dried, apply the diagonal red stripes with equal precision. 

The result? 

A cute and lovely hue perfect for the yuletide season but not overpowering and in your face.

If you’re spontaneous and in a holiday mood, apply glitter on top of the stripes to make it a little more fancier.

Golden Glam

For those who prefer not going over the top, but still want some glamor for the holidays, a golden glam manicure is a way to go. 

Gold is such an almost neutral color, and definitely appropriate for the festive time of year. It is an excellent way to achieve that glamorous, super fancy look – even when the metallic gold is a mere accent through stripes and dots.

This means that going for a soft nude or pink to all the nails and painting a stripe of gold at the middle of the nail is one fun idea. 

It’s very simple to do with some nail striping tape, and it takes your nails into a brand new realm of holiday appropriate without actually doing glitter nails.

Nail Care Tips for the Holidays

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Okay, let’s not kid ourselves — from the bitter freezing cold to all the hand washing the flu floating around has called for, our nails endure a major battering through this festive time. 

Ensure that they receive a good dose of the product by applying both cuticle oil and hand cream. 

But because your nails are moist your manicure will be healthier in appearance and the manicure will last longer.

Short Nails Still Need TLC

Don’t think that short nails require no care since they are short! 

Be sure to cut them properly and it is good to sometimes gently cut your nails with a file, make sure you wash your hand with warm water to soften your hands and skin around the nails so that you can easily trim them at times they get untidy, also remember to smooth the surface when trimming your nails. 

This will help your Christmas nails give them that smooth and professional look even before you are painting them.

Easy At-Home Short Christmas Nails

Most people might think that having Christmas nails involves going to a salon, but it’s not the end of the world if you want to do it yourself. 

Using three basic accessories and some colors that are characteristic for the holiday in question one can get the nails done in a professional manner at home. 

If you don’t think you can do freehand designs yet, then stickers and decals are your go to. 

You can find so many adorable holiday items to select from; from snowmen miniatures to reindeer or small ornaments.

Another pro tip? 

Painter tape or nail strips make geometrical shapes perfect like modern Christmas trees or any design in the form of a gift box. 

If your nails are not very long, it’s all about using as much of the space as possible, so every detail counts here!

Press-Ons: The Quick & Easy Solution

No time to do your nails yourself as you wished but still you want your digits to look fancy and festive? 

Enter press-ons. 

Evening out nails have improved over the years and are now found with all sorts of holiday designs including snow and hats of Santa Clause. 

The best part? 

It only takes a couple of minutes to put them on and when you use the right glue, it can stay longer than a week.

They’re also the best since they give you the opportunity to change your set as often as you want – just snap one on whenever you please.

Ready to Rock Your Short Christmas Nails?

Regardless of whether you are going to a formal office Christmas party, or just want to add a little festive touch to your everyday attire, short Christmas nails are perfect. 

There are so many delightful holiday designs out there and they will keep your nails looking great all winter.

So gather your go-to polish, perhaps a cup of cocoa (with marshmallows included), and let’s soul-sleigh those holiday nails excelled!

Cute nails, holiday cheer, and glamorous jewelry – everything you need for the best season of the year, right?

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Lindsey Harris
Author
Lindsey is a professional nail artist based in Utah, US. Her specialties are party and occasion nails, she loves to work with glitter and gemstones in her nail studio. She loves sharing her knowledge of the nail industry and curating the latest nail design trends. She is contributing to a number of other industry related magazines.