Short nails may look small, but they can still hold many cute designs. December is the best month to try fun colors, shiny looks, and winter styles. You can enjoy holiday art, soft winter shades, and party nails without long nails.

There are many simple but beautiful ideas that look great on short nails. These styles are easy to wear and match well with your busy December plans. Here are 20 short nail ideas for December that look bold, cute, and festive.
Gilded Fuchsia

You do not need to stay with red and green. A bright fuchsia shade with a little gold on the tips looks bold and fun. It brings a strong holiday feel even on short nails.
Butterscotch Velvet

A soft gold shimmer looks warm and cozy for winter days. This butterscotch velvet style gives a rich glow that works for daytime and night events. It feels simple but still fancy.
Festive French Tips

If you want a red and gold look but in a soft way, try this French design. You start with a nude base and add red tips. Then you add a thin gold glitter line from the cuticle to the tip for a sweet finish.
Shimmery Mistletoe Nails

Shimmer polish can make any nail look festive. Use a fine champagne glitter as your base. Then add small mistletoe designs with a dotting tool to give it a holiday touch.
Minimalist Mistletoe

If you like simple art, this one is for you. Use a sheer nude base and draw tiny mistletoe on each nail. Add small white dots to look like soft snow.
Solstice Skies

This short nail design feels like the winter night sky. The dark purple base and red shimmer give a magical look. It is a nice way to welcome the winter solstice.
Christmas Polka Dots

This is a great beginner design. Start with a nude base, then add small dots in red, green, white, or silver. Place the dots mostly near the tips for a fun holiday look.
Cranberry Cutouts

Half-moon nails look very nice on short nails. Add a half-moon sticker at the base, paint the top part cranberry red, and remove the sticker. Add a thin metallic line for a clean finish.
Cat Eye Plaid

Plaid nails feel warm and winter-ready. This style uses silver, gold, and white with a cat-eye shine. It looks good with holiday outfits and cozy winter wear.
Navy and Gold Swirls

If you want something not too Christmas-like, try navy blue with gold. These two colors look modern and classy for December. It feels festive but still simple.
Gold Glitter Double French

If you love minimal nails with a bit of shine, this one is perfect. Paint a sheer base and add a thin gold line near the cuticle and at the tip. It gives a soft, pretty sparkle.
Frosted Berry Nails

Frosted berry nails are trending this winter. Use a berry or wine shade, then add a white chrome coat on top. It gives a shiny frost look that works well on short nails.
Black Bow French Tips

Black tips look bold and modern. Add small pink and red bow stickers on top to make it feel festive. Seal with a clear coat so the stickers stay in place.
Minimalist Milky Holly Nails

A milky base with tiny holly leaves looks calm and cute. The art is detailed, so stickers or a nail artist may help. It brings a quiet holiday feel.
Jelly Cranberry Confetti

A cranberry jelly polish with confetti gives a shiny, rich look. Use a dark base and add a matching jelly glitter coat. Clean the edges well for a neat finish.
Simple Grinch Skittle

Skittle nails let you paint each nail a different shade. This set mixes red, white, and green tones. It looks fun, easy, and very festive.
Rhinestone Holiday Nails

Rhinestones look sparkly and easy to add. Use a nude base and stick rhinestones in any pattern you like. Once dry, they shine like tiny lights.
Wrapping Paper Accent Nails

This design looks like classic holiday wrapping paper. Mix red, green, white, and gold striped nails for a fun mismatch set. It feels festive without using common holiday shapes.
Rich Red Plaid

Plaid nails give a warm winter feel. Start with a dark red base and add navy lines. Then add thin white lines to finish the plaid pattern.
Winter Moodstone Nails

This set gives a cool, wintry vibe. Use baby blue with a shimmery velvet finish. You can add snowflakes or keep it simple for a soft icy look.
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