10 December Nails Ideas Short Girls Will Love This Holiday Season
When December rolls around, I always find myself browsing endless Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds looking for December nails ideas short enough to be practical, but festive enough to carry me through all the holiday gatherings. As someone who writes about nail art regularly, I can honestly say that this month’s manicure inspiration is my absolute favorite. There’s something about sparkles, snowflakes, and candy cane stripes that instantly put me in the holiday spirit. In this post, I’m sharing the best short nail looks for December—whether you’re into simple minimalism or colorful festive manicures.
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1. Classic Red Holiday Nails for Short Nails
You simply can’t go wrong with red in December. It’s bold, timeless, and instantly screams “holiday.” For short nails, a deep cherry or ruby shade looks especially chic. If you’re into gel or acrylic, a high-gloss finish will make the red pop even more. I wore this shade last year to a family Christmas dinner, and my grandma even commented on how festive and “grown-up” they looked. Red is also versatile—you can keep it simple or layer on sparkle for a party vibe.
2. Sparkly Gold & Silver Glitter Nails
Glitter is the magic dust of December manicures. When you add gold or silver sparkle on short nails, you get a glamorous yet manageable look. Perfect for holiday parties or New Year’s Eve, glitter nails shine under twinkling lights and instantly add that festive manicure touch. Personally, I love doing one glitter accent nail on each hand to keep things balanced but still fun.
3. Cute Candy Cane Stripes
Red and white stripes make the cutest candy cane-inspired nails. On short square or almond nails, this design looks playful and fun without being overwhelming. You can alternate red and white nails or just paint one accent candy cane nail while keeping the rest a solid festive color. I tried this on my short gel nails last December and honestly couldn’t stop looking at them—they matched perfectly with my hot cocoa mugs!
4. Winter Snowflake Nail Art
Nothing says seasonal quite like a delicate snowflake design. Whether you go for a blue, white, or silver base, adding snowflake accents brings instant winter magic to your short nails. This design looks especially pretty when paired with a sparkle top coat. Last winter, I paired a soft blue background with white snowflakes, and they made my nails look like tiny winter wonderlands.
5. French Tips with a Holiday Twist
A French manicure is a timeless style, but December is the perfect excuse to add a festive twist. Instead of classic white tips, try red, green, or even gold. Short nails with holiday-colored tips look chic and elegant without being too over the top. If you want a simple but classy look, this is one of the best December nail ideas.
✨ My Top Amazon Picks for December Nail Essentials
Over the years, I’ve tried countless polishes and nail kits. Here are three that I personally recommend for achieving these festive looks at home:
1. Beetles Gel Polish Holiday Set
This set includes a gorgeous mix of red, green, gold, and glitter shades—perfect for all your December nail looks. The formula is long-lasting, and the colors are highly pigmented. I used their deep red shade for my holiday dinner last year, and it lasted two full weeks without chips. Grab this Beetles Gel Polish Holiday Set on Amazon and get salon-worthy nails at home!
2. Modelones Acrylic Nail Kit
For anyone who loves acrylic nails, this kit is a lifesaver. It comes with powders, liquid monomer, and even tools to create professional-looking acrylics right at home. Perfect for experimenting with almond or square shapes while keeping them short and wearable. Shop the Modelones Acrylic Nail Kit here and start creating your own festive acrylic designs!
3. Artdone Nail Art Brushes & Tools
If you want to try detailed designs like snowflakes, candy cane stripes, or French tips, these nail art brushes are a must-have. They’re easy to handle and allow precise strokes, making DIY nail art feel professional. Add the Artdone Nail Art Brushes to your cart and start creating salon-level designs today!
6. Pink Frosted Nails
Who says pink can’t be festive? A frosted pink manicure with a touch of shimmer feels soft, feminine, and wintery. Pair with a glossy gel top coat, and you’ll have a subtle but beautiful look that complements any outfit. I wore a pink frosted gel design to an office holiday party, and it was the perfect conversation starter.
7. Green Christmas Tree-Inspired Nails
A deep green manicure with tiny gold stars or ornaments painted on makes your short nails look like mini Christmas trees. It’s such a festive manicure idea that always gets compliments. If you’re not into nail art, a solid green polish with a glossy finish is just as chic.
8. White Winter Wonderland Nails
Pure white nails may seem simple, but in December, they’re elegant and seasonal. You can keep them matte for a snow-like texture or add silver sparkle for a frosty effect. These nails are perfect for cozy winter outfits and snowy Instagram pictures.
9. Colorful Holiday Mix & Match
Can’t decide on one color? Go colorful with a mix-and-match manicure. Paint each short nail a different festive shade—red, green, blue, pink—and watch how the playful combo makes your hands pop. This is one of my favorite DIY looks because it’s easy, fun, and totally cute.
10. Chic Almond & Acrylic Short Designs
Even though almond shapes are usually longer, they can look chic on short nails too. Pair with acrylic overlays in red, gold, or sparkle for a trendy seasonal vibe. These are especially perfect if you’re into modern nail fashion but still want a practical length.
Conclusion
December is the perfect month to experiment with nail art. From classic red to playful candy cane stripes and elegant snowflake designs, there are endless ways to dress up your short nails. I’ve personally tried almost all of these looks over the years, and they always make me feel more festive and put-together. Whether you prefer simple, cute, or colorful styles, these December nails ideas short will give you plenty of inspiration to shine this winter.