Tag Red

The magic of the holidays exists in the details. Oftentimes, the smallest design choices make the biggest impact. And usually, little acts of kindness can shift someone’s mood for the better. But it’s during the festive season that this truth shines the most. From selecting your holiday decor to planning your gatherings—putting everything together is harder than it looks. (And from all the Pinterest boards we’ve been scoping, it looks pretty hard.) Of course, there’s the holiday attire as well. But luckily, your manicure can speak a thousand words. And like ornaments on a tree, fun holiday nails make all the difference.

You can choose to show them off at the dinner table or opt for something that will last through your festive food prep. Holiday nails come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re always a delight. Keep reading—the best holiday nail trends are right at your fingertips.

Featured image from our interview with Cyndi Ramirez by Belathée Photography.

25 Festive Holiday Nails Ideas

Ring in the new year with the trendiest holiday nail ideas. A pop of red or a delicate design might be just what you need to add that extra bit of magic to your holiday season. From the viral trends that are taking over TikTok to timeless classics that even your mom will compliment, ahead you’ll find all the inspo you need for festive holiday nails.

@momentswithbella brown is the perfect transitional colour for the fall to winter season ????????? #winteraesthetic #holidaytok #cozylittlechristmas #winternails2023 #winternailinspo #chocolatebrownnails #fallnailinspo ? R o c k i n A r o u n d C h r i s t m a s T r e e – phoebe • 89k

1. Cocoa

Still holding onto autumn? This cocoa shade is the perfect transitional color to take you from fall into the festive season. They’re made for cradling mugs of hot chocolate—spiked or otherwise.

@nailsbycalliemarie its giving cool (?) girl winter #holidaynails #holidaynails2023 #holidaynailinspo2023 #almondnails #almondnailinspo #christmasnails #christmasnailinspo #christmasnails2023 #christmasnailinspo2023 #sparkle #sparklynails #cooltonesaesthetic #winternails #winternailinspo #winternails2023 #winternailinspo2023 ? Sleigh Bells (PhatCap! Trap Remix) – Ronettes

2. Ice Queen

Romanticize the sleet and snow with a slate grey manicure. Add some rhinestones for an icy, iridescent touch.

@sunnevaeinars fav szn ????? #holidaynails2023 #christmasnails2023 #winternails2023 ? winter things – audios for you

3. Party Szn

Sometimes, more is more. These glamorous, glittery nails pair well with a sequined dress and holiday party plans. All you need a disco ball.

@hayleylombard_ Not over the chrome trend. #chromenails #neutralnails #cleangirlnails #neutralchromenails #nailtrends2023 #nailideas #naildesignideas #trendynails2023 ? if u use this sound ur automatically hot – ?

4. Clean Girl Chrome

The chrome trend is still going strong. This semi-neutral shade is a versatile but eye-catching option for a lowkey look that still brings the glamour.

@racheletonkin Your sign to get red chrome nails for the Holidays????? #christmas #holidaynails #holidaynailsinspo #holidaynails2023 #redchromenails #redchrome #christmastime #holidays #holiday #holidayseason #christmasnails #christmasnailinspo ? Holly Jolly Christmas (Sped Up) – Michael Bublé & Sped Up Songs + Nightcore

5. Red Chrome

For a more festive take on the trend, go for a red chrome look. Your nails will look like laminated, freshly wrapped presents.

@aminaoui Who’s excited for holiday content ? using @GELCARE® Coconut Milk Morello ** use code AMINA to save 15% off #holidaynails #christmasnails #nailarttutorial #holidaynails2023 #candycanenails ? winter things – audios for you

6. Candy Cane Cutie

Is it weird to say that I want to take a bite out of these nails? (But actually… ) Add a candy cane swirl to your classic French and thank us later.

@maddybockett Nailed it ? #nailinspo #christmasnails2022 #nailart #chrimenails ? Snowman – Sia

7. Snow Dust

For another neutral option, try this subtle, snowy shade. The barely-there dusting makes these a new Christmas classic.

@overglowedit Easy ombré glitter tips using a makeup sponge ? #nailartvideos #summerstyle #nailarttrick ? luxurious – milo

8. Golden Glitter

For an easy DIY, this golden tip is a less messy way to indulge in glitter this holiday season.

@overglowedit A golden french mani inspired by my new jewelry collection with @Local Eclectic (link in my bio ?) #nailinspo #frenchmanicure #nailartideas #fallnails ? More Than A Woman – SG’s Paradise Edit – Bee Gees & SG Lewis

9. Starry Night

Whatever you celebrate, nothing feels more festive than adding a celestial touch. Stars make this golden French manicure stand out without being gaudy.

@connie.wi I never wanna take these off ?? #holidaynails2022 #rhinestonenails #rhinestonenailart #diynailset #diygelx #athomenails #gelxtutorial ? original sound – marianne

10. Holiday Rhinestones

These nails look like they were dusted with the sprinkles from your holiday sugar cookies. Personalize them with your own color combinations.

11. White Christmas

Whether it snows or not, guarantee yourself a white Christmas with this milky mani.

12. Mistletoe Mani

Like the cherry designs that were so trendy this summer, these mistletoe decals are a great step up to the classic French.

13. Tuxedo

Black tie events? Black nails. This tuxedo coat is a classic shade for any event you have on your holiday lineup.

14. Emerald City

Green might feel cliche for the holidays, but this deep emerald will never go out of style.

15. Plaid PJs

Matching pajamas are one of the more divisive holiday traditions. But I say embrace the season’s parade of plaid—especially since it makes for a cute nail pattern.

16. Midnight Chocolate

This neutral take on the starry pattern is like a box of chocolates with allll the options. It’s like a true Christmas treat.

17. Bows and Ribbons

I’m not the best at wrapping presents. But this manicure might make up for it.

18. Dulce de Leche

Indulge in another sweet treat with this delicious dulce de leche shade.

19. Mulled Wine

This cozy winter drink is also the inspiration for your next holiday red. It’s warm and classic for a reason.

20. Icy Blue

This light blue isn’t just a trendy shade—it also doubles as a subtle nod to the Hanukkah season.

21. Arctic Aura

A blue aura translates to a deep, pensive thinker. If you have an existential crisis on your holiday agenda, this is the mani for you.

22. Snowflakes

Snowflakes look good with any shade, but I’m partial to this cool blue French.

23. Ornaments

Like little baubles or Christmas confetti, this colorful polka dot pattern is a fun pop of holiday spirit.

24. Christmas Lights

Christmas lights might be a hassle, but you can’t deny how good they look. The same goes for your nails. Plus, if you use a glow-in-the-dark polish, they can really light up the room

25. Wreath It Up

Once you’re done decking the halls, it’s time to take the festive fervor to your nails. This delicate wreath design is a holiday fave.

PSA: Summer is still going strong. While my social feeds say otherwise (it’s PSL *everything* around these parts), there’s still end-of-summer produce to be devoured. Though I understand the cozy season frenzy and love a Gilmore Girls aesthetic, I’m far from ready to throw summer’s bounty to the sidelines just yet. Juicy tomatoes are still a perfect snack, sweet watermelon is my favorite salad staple, and I’m embracing an all-things-corn mentality this month. Thankfully, I have Laura Wright’s vegan red pepper pasta to fill my kitchen with the flavors of summer.

Laura Wright on Making Delicious Vegan Recipes

Laura, creator behind the celebrated food blog, The First Mess, was one of the first recipe creators I followed back in the day. Years later, she’s continued to be my go-to resource for flavor-forward, produce packed, and wildly delicious recipes.

I’ve made her tahini chocolate chunk cookies more times than I can count and her butternut minestrone is a fall staple. And while I myself am not vegan, Laura’s recipes have opened my kitchen in new and inspiring ways.

To help wrap up summer, Laura is sharing her vegan red pepper pasta recipe with us. Keep reading for her fool-proof tip to making food taste good, her less is more vegan cooking philosophy, and this stellar recipe that’ll make you want to hang onto summer for just a little longer.

How would you describe your cooking and food philosophy? How has it influenced recipes like this one?

My cooking and food philosophy is rooted in the natural goodness of seasonal, plant-based ingredients. I like to make dishes that are comforting, a bit familiar, but also nourishing with a little surprising twist here and there. I’m always trying to make veggies the star of the show whenever possible.

Lately, my cooking and recipes are also considered with the economies of time and effort. I used to love taking all the extra steps and adding all the things, but I’ve realized that you can still make dinner special with fewer dishes, fewer ingredients, and in less time. More with less!

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How did you develop this recipe?

Roasted red peppers make a super creamy sauce base without having to use a ton of cashews, which is nice sometimes! I use them as a vegan “mac and cheese” style sauce base often. Knowing their potential, and also being in the thick of summer produce season, I wanted to create a veggie-loaded pasta with some other summer crops. I decided on charred corn, sautéed summer squash, and lots of fresh basil as my additional summery add-ins. I really just wanted a creamy-dreamy pasta that used up my farmer’s market goodies.

What makes this recipe your go-to?

It really is a crowd pleaser! Nobody has any clue that this pasta is dairy-free. It’s also a pretty chill recipe to cook for guests that allows you to make some elements ahead of time. When I have people over for dinner, I want to spend time with them AND spoil them with good food. This one accomplishes both. I also find it easy enough to make for me and my partner on a weeknight with leftovers for lunch the next day.

Can you make this recipe with minimal tools?

This one comes together with one pot to sauté the sauce base and corn and to bring the whole dish together. You’ll need a separate pot for your pasta and your blender for the sauce.

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What kitchen tool do you recommend for making this pasta?

I use my 10+ year old Vitamix to blend the sauce up to a silky smooth consistency. No other appliance gets as much play in my kitchen—totally worth the investment in my opinion! I use mine every day for smoothies, salad dressings, dips, soups, sauces, homemade nut milk, and more. In addition to the blender, I also swear by a Benriner Mandoline, Microplane, and good quality knives that feel nice in your hand.

What ingredients make this recipe special?

Fresh basil and seasonal summer corn are really key here. I don’t recommend making this one outside of the peak summer months when both items are in abundance. Miso and tamari are also important ingredients that add umami depth to the sauce—something I’m always looking to add to my vegan recipes.

Can we make any ingredient swaps in this recipe?

You can swap the cashews for soaked raw sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, or pine nuts. Any gluten-free pasta will work great in this recipe. If you’re allergic to soy, you can swap in chickpea miso and coconut aminos one-for-one.

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What tricks have you learned in the kitchen that we should all know about?

Add acidic ingredients to your food always! With this recipe, we use lemon juice in the sauce to brighten it up. Adding citrus juice, vinegar, wine, or pickling liquid to your cooking wakes up and sparkles the existing flavors. Most of the time when you taste something and it seems flat (or it’s just missing something), you truly just need a bit of acid to get it to the finish line.

What advice would you share with someone who feels intimidated by vegan cooking?

I always recommend starting slow! Maybe try one vegan meal a day for a week to see how that feels. And then add more from there if it’s working for you! I also like to view vegan cooking as the addition of MORE foods, rather than a subtraction of certain foods. More vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds to explore!

If there’s a certain meal that you love and don’t want to go without, try searching for a vegan version online and playing around with it. It helps to have a solid five-meal rotation that can be remixed with seasonal ingredients or just based on your mood. If you really want to make the switch to eating vegan full-time, I recommend going slow and taking small steps. It’s not a race and you don’t have to aspire to some “perfect” conception of the lifestyle.

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What is the best part of creating recipes to share for people to bring into their own homes?

I really am grateful that I get to do this as my work. When folks report back with success on a recipe that they made for non-vegan family and friends, it feels like my mission is accomplished. I hope that people can arrive at the idea that vegan cooking is beautiful, abundant, energizing, and enjoyable for everyone regardless of dietary proclivity. 

Which of your recipes should readers cook first?

My Ginger Sweet Potato Coconut Milk Stew is super popular, so I definitely recommend that. I’m also personally partial to my 30-Minute Lentil Bolognese and this Kale Power Salad.

You can find more of Laura’s recipes in her book, The First Mess Cookbook.

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