<p>[left] Lee Howell creates a beautifully detailed Frosty the Snowman. [right] Lee Howell gives Santa a moment of rest in this peaceful painting.</p>

[left] Lee Howell creates a beautifully detailed Frosty the Snowman. [right] Lee Howell gives Santa a moment of rest in this peaceful painting.

<p>[left] <strong>Debbie Alford </strong>of Jackson, Mich., uses bright contrasting colors and black outlines to make an iconic Santa. [right] <strong>Yoko Dykes </strong>of Marysville, Wash., opts for an unusual color combination in her holiday floral design.</p>

[left] Debbie Alford of Jackson, Mich., uses bright contrasting colors and black outlines to make an iconic Santa. [right] Yoko Dykes of Marysville, Wash., opts for an unusual color combination in her holiday floral design.

<p>[left to right] Best Gift Ever: <strong>Elsbeth Schuetz </strong>for Orly International ecreates the beautiful blue box and logo that sends every woman’s heart skipping. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - <strong>Dykes</strong> lets the snow fall in this simple blue and white design. Notice the detail in each snowflake. Bright Star - <strong>Angi Wingle</strong>, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Etters, Pa., uses polish to create this partial star design. All Dressed Up - <strong>Alford’s</strong> penguin wards off the cold with a holiday hat.</p>

[left to right] Best Gift Ever: Elsbeth Schuetz for Orly International ecreates the beautiful blue box and logo that sends every woman’s heart skipping. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Dykes lets the snow fall in this simple blue and white design. Notice the detail in each snowflake. Bright Star - Angi Wingle, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Etters, Pa., uses polish to create this partial star design. All Dressed Up - Alford’s penguin wards off the cold with a holiday hat.

<p>[clockwise from top left] This design by <strong>Sayako Sako</strong> of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, features crisp plaid and gold details. <strong>Lee Howell </strong>creates this detailed and painterly penguin using paint and a steady hand. Clients can carry the party with them wherever they go with this built-in streamer design by <strong>Sako</strong>. <strong>Dykes</strong> uses a lot of sparkle to make this simple design mesmerizing.  <strong>Sako</strong> creates teensy acrylic candy canes for this 3-D sparkly design. <strong>Sheryl Macauley</strong>, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Bakersfield, Calif., creates this shard mosaic design using broken bits of plastic.</p>

[clockwise from top left] This design by Sayako Sako of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, features crisp plaid and gold details. Lee Howell creates this detailed and painterly penguin using paint and a steady hand. Clients can carry the party with them wherever they go with this built-in streamer design by Sako. Dykes uses a lot of sparkle to make this simple design mesmerizing.  Sako creates teensy acrylic candy canes for this 3-D sparkly design. Sheryl Macauley, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Bakersfield, Calif., creates this shard mosaic design using broken bits of plastic.

<p>[from top left, clockwise] <strong>Macauley</strong> creates this rhinestone mosaic design using irregular shapes of clear rhinestones. <strong>Wingle</strong> uses super-fine mesh and a clear tip to create this design. <strong>Wingle</strong> turns a purple nail into a crystal-coated confection using purple polish and crystals. Wingle uses polish to create a peacock feather set in stark relief with a bright silver nail.  <strong>Julie Goveia</strong>, an educator in Mesa, Ariz., offers a bubbly silver nail with matching beads as a subtle option.  <strong>Wingle</strong> gives a plain clear tip some bite with a coating of clear crystal bits. </p>

[from top left, clockwise] Macauley creates this rhinestone mosaic design using irregular shapes of clear rhinestones. Wingle uses super-fine mesh and a clear tip to create this design. Wingle turns a purple nail into a crystal-coated confection using purple polish and crystals. Wingle uses polish to create a peacock feather set in stark relief with a bright silver nail.  Julie Goveia, an educator in Mesa, Ariz., offers a bubbly silver nail with matching beads as a subtle option.  Wingle gives a plain clear tip some bite with a coating of clear crystal bits.

<p>[left] French Cardinal. <strong>Lee Howell </strong>paints a minute cardinal and wreath on this traditional French nail.  [right] Candy Canes Lane. A traditional pink-and-white French gets the holiday treatment with a couple of candy canes in this design by <strong>Wood</strong>.</p>

[left] French Cardinal. Lee Howell paints a minute cardinal and wreath on this traditional French nail.  [right] Candy Canes Lane. A traditional pink-and-white French gets the holiday treatment with a couple of candy canes in this design by Wood.

<p>[top] Not a traditional holiday color, teal green works well in this holiday light design by <strong>Wood</strong>. [middle] <strong>Wood</strong> sprinkles snow on this lovely bough to complement the frosted base coat. [bottom] Red and green stripes and gold glitter liven up this black nail by <strong>Wood</strong>. </p>

[top] Not a traditional holiday color, teal green works well in this holiday light design by Wood. [middle] Wood sprinkles snow on this lovely bough to complement the frosted base coat. [bottom] Red and green stripes and gold glitter liven up this black nail by Wood.

<p>[top] Wood adds depth to her holly with white highlights and a mint-green background. [bottom] <strong>Alford</strong> uses acrylic paint to create this bold cardinal design.</p>

[top] Wood adds depth to her holly with white highlights and a mint-green background. [bottom] Alford uses acrylic paint to create this bold cardinal design.

<p>[clockwise from top left] A champagne hue makes the holly pop on these <strong>Sako</strong> designs. <strong>Wood’s</strong> holiday light design is simple and sweet on a gold nail. <strong>Goveia </strong>creates a subtle gold-on-gold leaf design highlighted by gold beads and rhinestones.</p>

[clockwise from top left] A champagne hue makes the holly pop on these Sako designs. Wood’s holiday light design is simple and sweet on a gold nail. Goveia creates a subtle gold-on-gold leaf design highlighted by gold beads and rhinestones.

<p>[top] <strong>Alford</strong> takes the cookies out of the oven with this copper gingerbread man design.  [bottom] <strong>Bernadette Petrone</strong>, a Creative Nail Design educator in Cranston, R.I., uses polish to create this red and gold holiday design.</p>

[top] Alford takes the cookies out of the oven with this copper gingerbread man design.  [bottom] Bernadette Petrone, a Creative Nail Design educator in Cranston, R.I., uses polish to create this red and gold holiday design.

<p><strong>Howell </strong>illustrates a holiday beyond a child's wildest wishes in this mural design. </p>

Howell illustrates a holiday beyond a child's wildest wishes in this mural design.

Kathleen M.M. Wood of Poughkeepsie, NY, strung holiday lights across this set of black nails.
Kathleen M.M. Wood of Poughkeepsie, NY, strung holiday lights across this set of black nails.
1/12
 
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<p>[left] Lee Howell creates a beautifully detailed Frosty the Snowman. [right] Lee Howell gives Santa a moment of rest in this peaceful painting.</p>
1/12
 
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[left] Lee Howell creates a beautifully detailed Frosty the Snowman. [right] Lee Howell gives Santa a moment of rest in this peaceful painting.

<p>[left] <strong>Debbie Alford </strong>of Jackson, Mich., uses bright contrasting colors and black outlines to make an iconic Santa. [right] <strong>Yoko Dykes </strong>of Marysville, Wash., opts for an unusual color combination in her holiday floral design.</p>
2/12
 
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[left] Debbie Alford of Jackson, Mich., uses bright contrasting colors and black outlines to make an iconic Santa. [right] Yoko Dykes of Marysville, Wash., opts for an unusual color combination in her holiday floral design.

<p>[left to right] Best Gift Ever: <strong>Elsbeth Schuetz </strong>for Orly International ecreates the beautiful blue box and logo that sends every woman’s heart skipping. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - <strong>Dykes</strong> lets the snow fall in this simple blue and white design. Notice the detail in each snowflake. Bright Star - <strong>Angi Wingle</strong>, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Etters, Pa., uses polish to create this partial star design. All Dressed Up - <strong>Alford’s</strong> penguin wards off the cold with a holiday hat.</p>
3/12
 
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[left to right] Best Gift Ever: Elsbeth Schuetz for Orly International ecreates the beautiful blue box and logo that sends every woman’s heart skipping. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Dykes lets the snow fall in this simple blue and white design. Notice the detail in each snowflake. Bright Star - Angi Wingle, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Etters, Pa., uses polish to create this partial star design. All Dressed Up - Alford’s penguin wards off the cold with a holiday hat.

<p>[clockwise from top left] This design by <strong>Sayako Sako</strong> of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, features crisp plaid and gold details. <strong>Lee Howell </strong>creates this detailed and painterly penguin using paint and a steady hand. Clients can carry the party with them wherever they go with this built-in streamer design by <strong>Sako</strong>. <strong>Dykes</strong> uses a lot of sparkle to make this simple design mesmerizing.  <strong>Sako</strong> creates teensy acrylic candy canes for this 3-D sparkly design. <strong>Sheryl Macauley</strong>, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Bakersfield, Calif., creates this shard mosaic design using broken bits of plastic.</p>
4/12
 
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[clockwise from top left] This design by Sayako Sako of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, features crisp plaid and gold details. Lee Howell creates this detailed and painterly penguin using paint and a steady hand. Clients can carry the party with them wherever they go with this built-in streamer design by Sako. Dykes uses a lot of sparkle to make this simple design mesmerizing.  Sako creates teensy acrylic candy canes for this 3-D sparkly design. Sheryl Macauley, an educator for Creative Nail Design in Bakersfield, Calif., creates this shard mosaic design using broken bits of plastic.

<p>[from top left, clockwise] <strong>Macauley</strong> creates this rhinestone mosaic design using irregular shapes of clear rhinestones. <strong>Wingle</strong> uses super-fine mesh and a clear tip to create this design. <strong>Wingle</strong> turns a purple nail into a crystal-coated confection using purple polish and crystals. Wingle uses polish to create a peacock feather set in stark relief with a bright silver nail.  <strong>Julie Goveia</strong>, an educator in Mesa, Ariz., offers a bubbly silver nail with matching beads as a subtle option.  <strong>Wingle</strong> gives a plain clear tip some bite with a coating of clear crystal bits. </p>
5/12
 
Slider

[from top left, clockwise] Macauley creates this rhinestone mosaic design using irregular shapes of clear rhinestones. Wingle uses super-fine mesh and a clear tip to create this design. Wingle turns a purple nail into a crystal-coated confection using purple polish and crystals. Wingle uses polish to create a peacock feather set in stark relief with a bright silver nail.  Julie Goveia, an educator in Mesa, Ariz., offers a bubbly silver nail with matching beads as a subtle option.  Wingle gives a plain clear tip some bite with a coating of clear crystal bits.

<p>[left] French Cardinal. <strong>Lee Howell </strong>paints a minute cardinal and wreath on this traditional French nail.  [right] Candy Canes Lane. A traditional pink-and-white French gets the holiday treatment with a couple of candy canes in this design by <strong>Wood</strong>.</p>
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[left] French Cardinal. Lee Howell paints a minute cardinal and wreath on this traditional French nail.  [right] Candy Canes Lane. A traditional pink-and-white French gets the holiday treatment with a couple of candy canes in this design by Wood.

<p>[top] Not a traditional holiday color, teal green works well in this holiday light design by <strong>Wood</strong>. [middle] <strong>Wood</strong> sprinkles snow on this lovely bough to complement the frosted base coat. [bottom] Red and green stripes and gold glitter liven up this black nail by <strong>Wood</strong>. </p>
7/12
 
Slider

[top] Not a traditional holiday color, teal green works well in this holiday light design by Wood. [middle] Wood sprinkles snow on this lovely bough to complement the frosted base coat. [bottom] Red and green stripes and gold glitter liven up this black nail by Wood.

<p>[top] Wood adds depth to her holly with white highlights and a mint-green background. [bottom] <strong>Alford</strong> uses acrylic paint to create this bold cardinal design.</p>
8/12
 
Slider

[top] Wood adds depth to her holly with white highlights and a mint-green background. [bottom] Alford uses acrylic paint to create this bold cardinal design.

<p>[clockwise from top left] A champagne hue makes the holly pop on these <strong>Sako</strong> designs. <strong>Wood’s</strong> holiday light design is simple and sweet on a gold nail. <strong>Goveia </strong>creates a subtle gold-on-gold leaf design highlighted by gold beads and rhinestones.</p>
9/12
 
Slider

[clockwise from top left] A champagne hue makes the holly pop on these Sako designs. Wood’s holiday light design is simple and sweet on a gold nail. Goveia creates a subtle gold-on-gold leaf design highlighted by gold beads and rhinestones.

<p>[top] <strong>Alford</strong> takes the cookies out of the oven with this copper gingerbread man design.  [bottom] <strong>Bernadette Petrone</strong>, a Creative Nail Design educator in Cranston, R.I., uses polish to create this red and gold holiday design.</p>
10/12
 
Slider

[top] Alford takes the cookies out of the oven with this copper gingerbread man design.  [bottom] Bernadette Petrone, a Creative Nail Design educator in Cranston, R.I., uses polish to create this red and gold holiday design.

<p><strong>Howell </strong>illustrates a holiday beyond a child's wildest wishes in this mural design. </p>
11/12
 
Slider

Howell illustrates a holiday beyond a child's wildest wishes in this mural design.

Kathleen M.M. Wood of Poughkeepsie, NY, strung holiday lights across this set of black nails.
12/12
 
Slider
Kathleen M.M. Wood of Poughkeepsie, NY, strung holiday lights across this set of black nails.

A funny thing happens during the holidays. Stress levels and spirits soar simultaneously. Lines are longer, but smiles are broader. And everyone hopes to feel young again and experience the holidays like they did when they were kids. Help clients capture a little holiday magic with a touch of flair on their fingertips. Holiday nail art can be silly or sophisticated, bold or demure. Your clients are sure to find something right for them in these designs.  

To view more holiday themed nail art, visit these other nail art galleries:

Our Favorite Reader Nail Art for the Winter Holidays

Multi[Nail] Denominational

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