105+ Festive Santa Claus Nail Designs

ByCharlotte Rossi

Choose from more than a hundred different Santa Claus nail designs: traditional Santas, minimalist Santa-inspired motifs, and glittery Santa Claus manicures. 

Interested? Let’s dig deeper into how to turn your nails into your festive canvas. 

Traditional Santa Claus Nail Art

Traditional Santa Claus Nail Art is an old-fashioned but never-aging nail art trend featuring the image of Santa Claus, one of the most beloved Christmas characters ever.

It is no secret that a Santa Claus nail art design that is well-suited for Christmas is always popular among nail artists.

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art. Two nails feature Santa Claus faces, while the others are painted red. The hand is partially covered by a maroon knitted sleeve, with warm lights in the background.

It’s a festive Christmas nail trend, adding a unique touch to your look.

Or dive in and discover some of the best Christmas nail ideas, from classic Christmas nail art designs to more modern twists.

And remember: it’s all in the details. Just a hint of glitter here, a smattering of red there, and you’re an artist on your nails.

Minimalist Santa-Inspired Designs

If you are partial to the traditional Santa Claus nail art, you will like this style, but if you prefer more understated elegance, you will enjoy the minimalist Santa-inspired designs.

This more up-to-date approach to a Christmas manicure represents the holiday season in a more understated fashion. 

A pair of hands with manicured nails in dark green, red, nude, and those with festive Santa Claus nail art.

Maybe something as simple as a red and white Santa hat on one nail while the rest remains gloriously cool and snowy white. Or you might fancy small red dots, like holly berries, on a snowy backdrop.

These Christmas nail ideas are fresh ways to wear holiday nail art yet stay true to the theme.

Try this minimalist Santa-inspired nail designs this Christmas and let your nails stylishly and sophisticatedly scream ‘Merry Christmas.’ 

Fun Santa Hat Nail Ideas

Forget classic designs and go crazy with various Santa hat nail designs that will turn heads this holiday. 

This nail art design is a perfect holiday for Christmas-loving nail enthusiasts who like spicing their Christmas nails with fun.

A hand with red-and-gold glitter manicure, featuring an accent nail with a Santa hat design.

Play with the warm red and cool green to create fabulous nail art Christmas designs.

You’ll love little Santa hats on your red nails or the cheeky fun of your festive nails. So get creative with your idea, add glitter, or opt for the whimsical – whatever you choose to make your fun Christmas nails a real show stopper. 

Glittery Santa Claus Manicures

With just a little Christmas sparkle, a shiny Santa Claus manicure can light up your holiday season and brighten your day.

This Christmas nail art is the perfect combination of trendy yet classic. It will make you want to sit on Santa Claus’s lap and tell him what you want as a gift.

Start with red nail polish, the best Christmas nail base for this design. Using white polish, create Santa’s fluffy beard and hat brim.

A hand displays festive red manicured nails with two nails featuring detailed Santa Claus nail art.

Add a black belt and golden buckle, and make your Christmas manicure twinkle like holiday lights by applying a glitter top coat.

Experiment, experiment, experiment! DIY nail art is all about playing around with designs. Try out different nail trends until you find the perfect one for Christmas.

Remember, you’re having fun and might as well put a smile on everyone you meet with your sparkling nails. 

Santa’s Sleigh Nail Art

If you want another fun, festive nail art design to get into the Christmas spirit, a Santa’s sleigh nail art design is a fun and easy way to bring the holiday spirit to your nails.

Begin by painting your nails your favorite Christmas colors, which will serve as the background for Santa’s journey.

Close-up of a hand with festive red and white nails featuring reindeer and sleigh designs. The hand is adorned with various gold and silver rings and is partly covered by a red garment.

Secondly, you can either use nail stickers or press-on nails. Press-on nails are pre-painted on plastic and are easy to peel and stick onto your nails.

For the more daring, nail decals (to give them their proper name) or nail art stickers can be used to create more elaborate designs, such as those associated with Christmas.

From the reindeer pulling the sleigh to the gifts falling from it – so that your nails can tell a Christmas story as poignant as any carol. 

Creative Santa Beard Nail Designs

Bring out your creative side and turn your nails into Santa’s beard with this creative nail art. You can do the art of Santa’s beard nails at home or visit a nail salon.

These cute Santa beard nail designs are a great way to celebrate the season if you can manage it.

Close-up of hands with festive red manicure featuring detailed Santa Claus designs on each nail.

These can be made by your nail technician in your nail kit and painted onto your nail bed by hand.

You can also use press-on nails or fake nails. You can buy these already painted and ready to apply at home.

Santa’s Reindeer Inspired Nails

Another festive nail art to put under our belt and gallop in the Christmas mood is Santa’s Reindeer nails trend. Reindeer Christmas nails will help you gallop into the Christmas mood.

Short Nails? No Problem! It is a cute look for nail art on short nails. Wrap around Christmas design on accent nails with tiny reindeer faces. 

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art featuring reindeer faces on two nails and white snowflakes on the others.

Merry and Bright: Go for a merry Christmas theme, where each nail is a different reindeer. Use green and red backgrounds for a holiday theme.

Golden glitter nails like this will make your Christmas fantastic with neat reindeer designs.

You will be the first one to be invited to the Christmas party. 

Abstract Santa Claus Nail Art

And if you don’t want to stick to the magical world of nail art inspired by reindeer, Abstract Santa Claus Nail Art is your next stop in imaginative decoration.

The Abstract Santa Claus Nail Art is one of the biggest hits for Christmas decorations on nails.

Begin with a base of red French tips, then add a cute Christmas tree or snowflake nail art.

Close-up of hands with festive nail art. The nails are painted red, with some nails featuring Santa Claus faces and others with white and black designs. A person wears a gold ring on one finger.

Using snow will not make you naughty if you add a bit of a white Christmas to your Santa hat or beard.

For a short Christmas nail, abstract Christmas designs in green nail polish, like Christmas tree nails, will do the trick. You’ll have a Christmas look that’s as fresh as a snowfall. 

This holiday season, let your nails say it with this fun, abstract Santa Claus! 

Santa’s Workshop Themed Nails

With Santa’s Workshop, Themed Nails are a design trend that allows you to enjoy every minute of the holidays and feel like you are creating toys in Santa’s workshop. 

The gorgeous Christmas color palette will get you ready for all the preparations. Are you prepared for some creative and playful nails? All you need are the right tools.

Close-up of hands displaying festive nail art, featuring designs of Santa Claus, wrenches, a gift box, and a hammer on a neutral background.
  1. Begin with a white nail base and then layer on a blue Christmas night sky, with Christmas lights shining on your accent nail.
  2. Paint a candy cane striped red French tip, signifying Santa’s workshop entrance.
  3. Finish with a gold nail Christmas tree topper, adding festive sparkle.

This design is not a trend … it’s a statement. So why not let your nails tell your Christmas story this season? 

Santa Suit Nail Art Ideas

Santa Suit Nail Art is an excellent way to festoon those fingertips, a Christmas manicure that turns your fingers red and white with Saint Nick’s glee.

These Santa suit nail art ideas will bring the Christmas cheer to your fingertips. 

Or you could go retro Christmas and coat all your nails in Santa red, then paint a white collar and black belt on one nail.

Hands with manicured nails featuring Christmas-themed nail art, including images of Santa Claus, a snowman, and red and white accents.

Or add some sparkle or a glossy topcoat for a chic Christmas spin.

Another cozy Christmas theme could be motifs from your favorite Christmas jumper or designs from old Christmas cards. 

Whatever you decide, your Christmas Santa Claus nail designs will make you spread your holiday joy!

Festive Santa Claus Nail Stickers

If you are looking for some instant festive cheer, then Santa Claus nail stickers are the thing for you: quick, fuss-free, and festive nail updates for even the most nude of nails.

Close-up of hands showing festive nail art with designs of Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, and lights on a nude background.

Here’s a simple way to make your nails feel like Christmas:

  1. Begin with a snowflake nail sticker. It reminds you of the first snow, the magic of winter.
  2. Then, add a Santa Claus sticker. And each time you see it, you’ll think about Christmas cheer.
  3. Next, jazz it up with a sweater nail sticker. Sweater designs are hot and convey a cozy, homey feel, like a Christmas evening by the fireplace.

Candy Cane Santa Nail Art

From stickers to freestyle, what is Candy Cane Santa Nail Art, which appeared as a new trend this winter?

By combining the holiday symbol—the candy cane—with the symbol of the holiday celebrator—Santa—it seems the holiday spirit went out and got a mani-pedi. 

Picture candy cane stripes perpendicular to each other, overlaying Santa’s smiling face. You can do that, too, with the right brush, steady hand, and ample patience – painting a pure backdrop of white on your nails’ bases first.

Hands with festive red and white striped manicure, each nail featuring small Christmas-themed decorations like Santa Claus and holly.

You’ll paint the red and white stripes of candy canes diagonally, one after the other, carefully keeping them narrow and straight so that the effect is as uniform as possible. 

The last touch? Why, a miniature Santa, of course. Pick up the tiny brush and paint Santa’s face on one nail, his rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes brimming with goodwill.

Unleash your creativity this season with Candy Cane Santa Nail Art.

Santa’s Elves-Inspired Designs

Turning to the naughty side of Santa, you’ll love Santa’s Elves-Inspired Designs, which will put the fun and mischievous nature of Santa’s little helpers at the end of your fingertips.

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art featuring red polish, white polka dots, gold glitter accents, and a small, detailed elf face on one nail.

These designs are not just cute – they are the trend you want to nail this Christmas. 

  1. Elf Shoes: Because nothing says elf like their trademark curled shoes. Paint them on your nails – in bright green and reds, of course – and sprinkle a bit of glitter for that fairy shimmer. 
  2. Elf Hats: To show the elves’ festive spirit, put a pointy hat on each. Use shades of green and red; don’t forget a gold bell at the tip.
  3. Elf Faces: Be a little silly. Put some rosy cheeks and pointy ears; their grins will brighten your face. 

Classic Red and White Santa Art

Who doesn’t recognize the instantly recognizable Christmas red and white Santa art?

Christmas just got funky on your fingertips, and you could paint each nail with Santa’s red suit or his fluffy white beard if you want to be traditional and trendy at the same time!

Close-up of hands with festive red nail art featuring white snowflakes, Santa Claus, a Christmas tree, and a Santa hat design, displayed against a background of greenery.

You could take Christmas with you every step of the way. Play with glossy red lacquer for Santa’s suit.

You don’t have to stop at white polish for snow; try silver and glitter effects for superior sparkle. Shape is another area where creativity can excel.

Go for pointy stiletto nails for your badass pix, a sweet, traditional look. Go weird with it.

Charming Santa Belt Nail Designs

Add holiday cheer to your mani for fun, adorable, stylish Santa-belt nail designs. 

  1. Start with a Santa-red base coat – bright red immediately sets the festive mood.
Close-up of hands with red, festive nail art featuring Santa Claus faces and black belts on a background of greenery.
  1. Then, paint a broad black stripe down the middle of each nail. This is where Santa’s belt goes!
  2. Paint the buckle detail in gold or silver nail polish. It’s all in the detail here – this tiny pop of shine will add some festive sparkle.

Santa’s Gift Bag Nail Art

You can unleash your inner creativity with this ‘Santa’s Gift Bag Nail Art’ manicure idea. It’s unique and almost as festive! 

The design echoes the excitement of opening presents at Christmas, spilling with colors and glittering with festive cheer. 

You’ll need a color palette of party colors such as ruby red, frosty white, and glittering gold. Paint your nails red and draw Santa’s bag with gifts with a thin brush. 

Hands with manicured nails painted like gift boxes, featuring white and red colors with ribbon and bow designs.

Remember to add white trim at the top to evoke the puffiness of the sack’s brim.

This magical trend-conscious nail art makes you feel like you’re holding Santa’s gift bag in your hands. 

Christmas Tree Santa Nail Designs

You can swap out Santa’s gift sack for the iconic Christmas tree, relishing and reimagining the Christmas Tree Santa Nail Designs trend.

Tradition, festivity, and a dose of creativity equals endless possibilities for your digits.

Close-up of hands showcasing Christmas-themed nail art on manicured nails. Design features Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and festive colors in red, green, and white.
  1. Santa’s Tree: Imagine a Christmas tree—bright! And Santa’s standing behind it! The tree is bright green, and Santa’s hat is cherry red. 
  2. Twinkling Lights: Dust on glitter polish to make it look like twinkling Christmas lights sprinkled over Santa’s beard. 
  3. Gifts Under the Tree: Paint mini presents under Santa’s tree. This design is more intricate, so it’s for the seriously dedicated manicure fan. 

Dare to be different this festive season!

Snowy Santa Claus Nail Ideas

If you’re feeling festive, check out Snowy Santa Claus Nail Ideas. 

First, paint your nails pristine white to serve as the base for Santa’s smiling face. With a tiny brush, paint Santa’s face and hat on your thumbs and ring fingers.

Close-up of a hand with festive Christmas-themed nail art. Designs include Santa, snowflakes, and snowmen on white, red, and silver backgrounds.

For extra impact, sprinkle glitter on the white base of your remaining nails to mimic a snowfall. 

Or, you could go with Santa’s sleigh design on your nails. Use a thin brush to create the outline of Santa’s sleigh against the snowy night sky, and do not forget the reindeer!

These designs will be a holiday dinner delight.

Santa’s List Nail Art Designs

Now that you’ve read about Snowy Santa Claus Nail Ideas, why not take your holiday manicure to the next level with some Santa’s List Nail Art Designs?

This nail design is perfect for showing off your holiday cheer and adds a unique twist to make you stand out.

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art. One nail is painted with a Santa Claus face, and another features a miniature "Santa's List" with names and a small Santa hat. Other nails are glittery.
  1. Santa’s List Base: Nails painted in parchment-coloured polish. 
  2. Handwritten Detail: Draw thin lines with a brush and write fancy handwritten names on each nail. The names can be those of your loved ones, friends, or just random names for fun. 
  3. Santa’s Touch: Finish with a bit of Santa, such as a little red hat or a mini sleigh on one nail. 

Let Santa’s List Nail Art Designs override your favorite festive trend, and dare to be different with your holiday nail art.

Whimsical Santa Face Nail Art

Whimsical Santa Face Nail Art will let you say ‘Ho Ho Ho!’ in a funky, quirky and fun way.

This design captures the jolly spirit of Santa Claus, his red hat, and sparkling eyes, with a touch of playfulness.

Close-up of a hand with festive red nails, featuring a Santa Claus face and white snowflake designs. Twinkling fairy lights are wrapped around the fingers.

Experiment with variations of red and white shades to create a dimensional effect. Add a festive touch with a bit of sparkle.

Whimsical Santa Face Nail Art will bring the holiday spirit with you everywhere you go, and it’s not just nail art; it’s magic.

It is a quirky, fun, and imaginative way to declare your love of Christmas – you will be the fashion leader at all your Christmas parties. 

Elegant Santa Claus Nail Designs

Elegant Santa Claus Nail Designs are a perfect way to add sophistication to your holiday outfit.

The designs mix the Christmas spirit with classic sophistication, perfect for a woman who wants to be as festive as she is stylish.

Close-up of a hand with long, manicured nails featuring a matte red finish on most fingers and a white marble design with red accents on the ring and pinky fingers.

Here are three stunning, elegant Santa Claus nail designs to inspire you.

  1. Santa’s Glittery Suit: a glossy foundation base of red speckled with gold glitter – a nod to the hero of the holiday and the epitome of class. 
  2. Frosted Santa: It has a frosty white base with silhouettes of Santa on it—an icy, elegant design.
  3. Santa’s Night Sky: A deep blue backdrop with twinkling stars and a tiny Santa sleigh. A sophisticated, magical version of Santa’s Christmas Eve flight. 

Indulge in these glamorous designs and make your holiday season stylishly unforgettable.

Santa’s Chimney Nail Art Ideas

Learn to paint your nails like a chimney with Santa’s Chimney Nail Art Ideas, and you can turn your fingertips into little dioramas of the moment when Father Christmas descends the chimney and drops his sack of presents on the hearth.

Close-up of three fingernails with festive holiday nail art featuring Santa Claus, a chimney, and a snowy scene against a blurry background of warm, glowing lights.

Let imagination do the work, using midnight blue and snowy white, with touches of dazzling silver, and for the coup de grace, a tiny, jolly Santa Claus coming down the chimney, painted with care. 

Include a little reindeer glitter on your thumb for extra sparkle!

These nail designs are amusing to wear while celebrating the Christmas season, but you can also talk to your friends about them at your next Christmas party. 

Jolly Santa Claus Nail Art

There’s nothing merrier than Jolly Santa Claus Nail Art. This latest trend will make you feel like it’s Christmas every day.

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art including pastel pink nails and three nails featuring designs of Santa Claus and a belt buckle.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. First, polish your nails with a festive red (the warm tones of holiday red will create a lovely background for your merry Santa).
  2. Once you’ve done this, paint Santa’s white beard and rosy cheeks on your nails. For precision, dip a dotting tool into the polish.
  3. Then finish it off with the sparkling eyes and shiny red nose of Santa, and add a glossy top coat to make your nail art last. 

Winter Wonderland Santa Nail Designs

Bring the snow to your nails with Winter Wonderland Santa Nail Designs, a calm yet cozy nail trend for the winter season.

Close-up of hands with shimmery pink nail polish and white snowflake designs on two nails, holding a bottle of the same polish.

With shades of icy blue, crisp white, and dazzling silver, not to mention adorable Santa ornaments, this will turn heads at your evening holiday party.

Imagine your fingertips encrusted with snowflakes, tiny Santas, and glittering icicles, every detail miniaturized in a twee yet tasteful recreation of that magical, wintry Christmas night. 

DIY Santa Claus Nail Tools

Before starting your DIY Winter Wonderland Santa Nail Design, you must gather your DIY Santa Claus Nail Tools first.

Your tools are standard nail art tools and your magic wand to make a Yuletide masterpiece.

Close-up of a hand with festive nail art. Three nails have white polish; one features a Christmas tree design, and another depicts Santa's suit. The person is also wearing two gold rings.
  1. Santa Hat Dotting Tools: These smaller tools highlight cute little Santa hat details. This is a great starter set!
  2. Stripers and Detail Brushes: For painting the detail work, like Santa’s beard or the fur on his hat – you need a precision brush to make your work tasteful and convincing.
  3. Festive Glitter and Studs: Christmas isn’t without a dash of glitter! Use the studs to give a 3D effect.

Festive Santa Claus Nail Designs

So, you’ve got some nail art ideas to add to your collection. You have a sleighful of Santa-inspired nail art to decorate your nails this holiday season: from traditional to minimalistic and jolly to glittery, there is a Santa Claus nail art for everyone. 

Don’t forget to design Santa’s chimney, sleigh, or winter wonderland on your nails. 

With these DIY tools, your holiday nails will be ready (and you’ll be the hit of the season). Merry polishing!

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