Keep your nails classic and traditional by choosing a glowing red polish. Red nails with a candy-like gloss have an air of sophistication and a Christmassy look in keeping with the festivities. Add a bit of sparkle to a few nails to increase the fun factor. Just make sure you plan for some downtime while they dry — a simple red polish will make scuffs or imperfetions obvious.

Channel your inner ice queen with a sleek and elegant theme of blue hues and purple shades. Embrace the dropping temperatures with this look reminiscent of a cold winter's day. Sparkling silver interspersed among the blue, really adds some glamour, and a single nail in pure white provides the perfect finish to this chill palette.

Achieve the ultimate relaxed and fun vibe with Christmas character nail decorations. On each nail, use paint or nail stickers to showcase a different festive element — candy cane stripes, wrapped presents, party streamers, sparkles, even Rudolph's face. With a bit of creativity, this set will be as much fun to create as it is to show off.

Sparkly nails really increase the glam factor when it's time to dress up for a formal festive event. Christmas balls and parties provide the perfect opportunity to showcase baby blue nails with sparkle tips. Longer nails will draw more attention to this eye-catching design, so start your nail preparation early

There is no one better placed to adorn your Christmas polish than the man himself: Father Christmas. Santa Claus-inspired nails will delight everyone you meet. This is a lovely, lighthearted way to bring festive cheer to your look. Finish off your tribute with a touch of gold glitter and a flash of red.

Draw attention to your fingers for all the right reasons with stick-on embellishments. Attaching tiny gems to your nails in a dramatic arrangement creates a showstopping look. Blingy nail designs pair perfectly with floor-length gowns, but you might want to save this look til you're on holiday, since tapping at a computer could damage your dazzle.

Low key sparkle is a great option if minimalist glamour is your style. Painting your nails in subtle base colors like pale pink and lilac creates a beautiful background canvas on which to build your look. Add some tasteful sparkles, a sprinkle of glitter, or some tiny silver snowflakes to introduce some festive touches without losing that elegance.

French polish is the ultimate in classic style. Your hands need to be well-manicured to carry off such a simple but effective look. File and buff your nail surfaces to a healthy pink and cover with a layer of clear varnish. The brightest white tips add the illusion of length. For a modern take on this traditional design, apply white varnish to the nail beds, too.

A dark and sultry navy blue polish reflects the somber chill of cold winter weather, for a classy, elegant look. Lighten up the darkness a bit with a little silver or white design feature, like a snowflake or repeating pattern. If you're a fan of the shortening days, decorate one or two nails with stars to celebrate the dark skies of the season.

If you are proficient at creating beautiful nail designs, you may wish to try this fade-out frosted effect. The subtle, classic color of the main body of your nail gradually blends into the frosted white tips. You can experiment with the color choices to create different effects. More neutral colors will complement any outfit choice, while darker shades make a bold statement. While not an easy feat to pull off, frosted tips are a lasting trend.