50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (2024)

The holidays are always a fun time to dress up your nails. You can adorn your manicure with tiny ornaments for Christmas or go sparkle-crazy for New Year's Eve. Thanksgiving nail designs, however, are a bit less obvious. The option is there to get literal with your designs (think: pumpkins and turkeys) or go for a less on-the-nose design that still captures the essence of the holiday.

"The best way to emulate Thanksgiving is to find inspiration from the season, the activities, or even the food you consume during this holiday," says celebrity nail artist San Sung Kim. "You can simply use earthy and warm tones of the season and add some Thanksgiving magic with simple designs such as pumpkins or leaves."

Meet the expert

  • San Sung Kim is a celebrity nail artist who specializes in avant-garde, hand-painted designs.
  • Amy Oung is a nail artist and educator for Orly.

If you don't want something so literal, expert Amy Oung says you can stick to warm colors. "You can get into a festive mood by wearing rich neutral colors on the nails, says Oung. "Once you have the colors, you can matte, marbelize, add glitter, do abstract lines—the ideas are limitless." See for yourself, below.

01of 50

Fall Foliage

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (1)

This stunning mix and match combines warm fall hues in a mix of French tips, croc, tortoiseshell, and floral prints atop a milky beige base.

02of 50

Fallen Leaves

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (2)

“The chocolate brown tips and leafy cuffs are a subtle way to celebrate the season of Thanksgiving,” says Kim.

03of 50

Olive Swirls

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (3)

Olive green mixes with warm shades of cream and tan to make this gorgeous yet simple abstract design on a completely sheer base. The design is reserved for just two nails per hand, allowing space for opaque olive green nails to lead the manicure.

04of 50

Coffee Bean

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (4)

This cool-toned brown is a perfect minimalist choice for Thanksgiving.

05of 50

Espresso Brown

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (5)

Go dramatic with this dark, nearly black espresso brown. It’s incredibly chic and draws in the eye.

06of 50

Neutral Aura

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (6)

This low-contrast mani features a sheer beige base with a warm brown center topped with white stars, creating a soft and dreamy look.

07of 50

Sweater Weather

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (7)

This coffin-shapped nail design features a 3D cable knit effect. It’s painted in Skittle fashion—starting with a deep brown and ending in a warm greige.

08of 50

Muted Cranberry

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (8)

Consider this dusty hue cranberry lite. It’s got the depth of the traditional fall color without being super dark, yielding a soft look.

09of 50

Glazed Chocolate

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (9)

Brown chrome nails are trending—and it’s pretty obvious why. The combination of the warm polish with a shimmery metallic top is to-die for.

10of 50

Gratitude

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (10)

This sweet design features a stack of burgundy, tan, and orange hearts that screams Thanksgiving. To get the look, use a dotting tool to paint on the hearts, and while the polish is still wet, take a fine-line brush and drag it from the top heart through and beyond the middle of the lower hearts.

11of 50

Cat Eye Orange

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (11)

Mesmerizing and festive, this cat eye (aka velvet) nail look is incredibly stunning. The warm orange topped with gold metallic gel and gold stars will have everyone you see saying “Oooo lemme see your nails!”

12of 50

Shimmer Set

This warm, brownish-red shade—Stiletto on the Run by Orly—is perfect for this time of year. And the touches of gold foil and glitter up the festive factor.

13of 50

Autumn Swirls

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (13)

“For this Thanksgiving look, I added in fun details such as autumn swirls and forest details to capture the playful and warm mood of the season,” says Kim.

14of 50

Autumnal Nudes

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (14)

Lights Lacquer polishes were used to create this neutral look that leaves the half-moon at the base of the nail visible. In addition to looking gorgeous, the negative space also allows the nail to grow out beautifully.

15of 50

Warm Neutrals

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (15)

Painted with a mix of fall hues from OPI, this manicure keeps it warm and simple.

16of 50

Fall Tips

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (16)

Aprés Sculpted Square Long was used to create this set of Thanksgiving nails. This design features shades Autumn Apricot, Spiced Apple Cider, Kana Believe It, and Vampire Drunk. Each nail has a glossy tip to contrast a matte base, creating a subtle design.

17of 50

Mauvey Browns

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (17)

If you lean toward pink hues, this look is perfect for you. It features a blend of chocolate brown and mauve to create a sweet, yet moody look.

18of 50

Bordeaux Red

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (18)

It doesn't get more quintessentially spooky season than a deep Bordeaux red. This shade, Luxio Vamp from Polished Pinkies, is worthy of heavy rotation.

19of 50

Pumpkin Aura

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (19)

These aura nails use orange at the center and fade out to yellow, creating a gorgeous pumpkin-y glow.

20of 50

Dark Chocolate

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (20)

These stunning nails feature a glossy tip over a matte chocolatey base.

21of 50

Pop Art French

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (21)

Cozy autumnal hues were used to create these playful pop art-inspired French tips. They're perfect if you want something that fits the season without being too Thanksgiving-y.

22of 50

Cranberry Brie

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (22)

These nails evoke the cranberry-baked brie that I can't wait to eat this Thanksgiving.

23of 50

‘70s Florals

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (23)

Pumpkin pie is the perfect retro orange for fall. It's paired with a warm brown shade and a floral design to create this groovy look.

24of 50

Milk Chocolate

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (24)

Carbon Coffee from Gel Baby LA is the perfect shade of brown to emulate milk chocolate. This look features a blank triangle at the base of the tip, which echoes the shape of the pointy almond tip.

25of 50

Fall Tangerine

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (25)

Simple lines in yellow, orange, red, and dark brown were used to create this striking graphic look.

26of 50

Neutral French Tips

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (26)

These French tips are taken up a notch with the addition of wavy blobs in neutral shades using Lights Lacquer polishes in the colors Clueless, Paper Snow, Espresso, Cappuccino, Cookie, and The Butler.

27of 50

Funky Fall

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (27)

Go bold with this mix-and-match look, which uses tortoiseshell, flowers, and checker print to make a statement.

28of 50

Fall Florals

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (28)

A buttery yellow, cranberry red, and pumpkin orange come together to make this fall floral design. Having the flowers on just one nail keeps the look feeling delicate.

29of 50

Autumn Skittles

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (29)

Although teal isn't usually viewed as a fall shade, it's the perfect bright addition to this fall manicure.

30of 50

Pumpkin Spice

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (30)

If pumpkins are your jam, go literal with your Thanksgiving nail art. This look features pumpkin accent nails aside orange and beige solid nails.

31of 50

Fall Foliage

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (31)

This manicure uses polishes from Madam Gel and looks like a scene out of a field in autumn.

32of 50

Thanksgiving Gnome

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (32)

Gnomes may be big for Christmas designs, but they've been slowly popping into other holidays, like Thanksgiving. This look features one gnome per hand, along with pumpkins and a solid green shade.

33of 50

Bronze

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (33)

The shade Lyra from Cirque Colors was used to create this stunning bronze look. It's the perfect polish to grab when you want an interesting look that requires minimal effort.

34of 50

Checkered for Autumn

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (34)

This checkered pattern uses light shades of orange, mauve, and brown to create this super pretty geometric look. Each nail is also sprinkled with a little bit of gold leaf to add some oomph.

35of 50

Shimmer Harvest

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (35)

Shimmering shades of autumnal red, green, orange, purple, and brown were used to create this vibrant look.

36of 50

Pumpkin Patch

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (36)

Go pumpkin crazy with this look featuring kitschy fall etchings and glittery shades of orange, green, and gold.

37of 50

Candy Brown Shades

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (37)

This neutral French tip design features three polish shades from gel Gel Care Official, including Girl Scout, Archive Beige, and Terracotta. It's pretty any time of year, but works especially well for a minimalist Thanksgiving design.

38of 50

Clean Lines

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (38)

Clean lines are used to create this geometric look. While some nails feature a checkered pattern, others feature color in monochrome blocks.

39of 50

Pumpkin French

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (39)

Get the pumpkin vibes without going too literal. This design features a shimmery pumpkin orange micro tip and a simple dot at the base of each nail.

40of 50

Matte Orange

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (40)

An orange nail is a super simple way to approach your Thanksgiving manicure. The addition of the matte top coat adds an unexpected finish.

41of 50

Fall Sunflower

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (41)

Sunflowers scream autumn, so sporting a few on your nails is perfect for Thanksgiving. This look also features orange and gold glitter polishes.

42of 50

Dark Chocolate

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (42)

The polish Kafkaesque from Mooncat was used to create this deep dark brown nail. It's simply gorgeous.

43of 50

Simply Fall

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (43)

Polka dots are a year-round favorite. Consider incorporating them into an autumnal manicure like this one featuring brown, orange, and cream hues.

44of 50

Matte Pumpkin

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (44)

Black isn't just for Halloween — carry the moody vibes to Thanksgiving with this pumpkin design that was created using polishes from Magpie Beauty and Polished Pinkies Pro.

45of 50

Pomegranate Plaid

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (45)

Plaid is a fun way to enjoy design in a more minimalist spirit. This look is centered on a gorgeous pomegranate shade that's perfect for Thanksgiving.

46of 50

Cable Knit Glitter

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (46)

The Diamond Gel polish from Aprés was used to create these beige and gold cable-knit sweater nails. The design was painted on the Alex Stiletto Medium gel-x tips.

47of 50

Brown Ombré Tips

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (47)

Instead of going for a traditional French tip with a clean arch, this look features a gradient of brown to sheer.

48of 50

Neutral Abstract Florals

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (48)

Polishes from Magpie Beauty were used to create this abstract neutral look that features abstract splotches of brown polish and tiny white daisies.

49of 50

Glitter Pumpkin

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (49)

Jazz up a pumpkin-orange look by reaching for this glittery number from Mooncat.

50of 50

Autumn Abstract

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (50)

Tiny overlapping dots were used to create this abstract look. It uses a mix of red, green, yellow, black, and white polishes.

50 Thanksgiving Nail Designs, From Minimal to Over-the-Top (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6143

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.