22 Christmas Hair Ideas for a Festive, Stunning Look
The best christmas hair makes you feel festive from the moment you finish getting ready, whether your plans are a big party, a family dinner, or a quiet service. This list gathers 22 christmas hair ideas, from velvet bows and glam waves to braided halos, sparkling updos, and a classic chignon. Every idea uses simple methods and kind hold, so you can celebrate for hours without thinking about your hair.
December styling often means more heat than usual, so the hair care advice from WebMD is worth a quick read before party season begins. Choose two or three christmas hair favorites now, practice the new one once on a calm day, and the whole season of photos, dinners, and parties will feel much easier and prettier.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our hairstyles for women, try these chic hairstyles, or explore more haircut ideas for your next look.
Velvet Bow Half Up
A velvet bow half up style is the sweetest way to start the christmas hair season, because it looks festive in seconds. Curl the lengths softly, gather the top half at the back, and clip a deep red, green, or black velvet bow over the join. The loose lengths keep the look romantic.
This style photographs beautifully beside a tree or at a family table, and nothing pulls at the scalp during long parties. Choose a bow with a strong clip, match it to your dress, and tease the crown a little first if your hair is fine.
Glam Christmas Waves
- Wide, brushed out waves for a soft glam finish
- Shine spray at the end, never at the roots
- Deep side part adds instant party polish
Glam waves are the classic christmas hair choice for dinners and parties, because they look rich and polished. Make wide waves with a large iron, brush them through once for a smooth finish, and set with a light shine mist. A deep side part makes the style feel dressier.
Christmas Braided Halo
Quick Tip:
Braid loosely and pull each section gently outward as you go, so the halo looks full and soft rather than thin and tight.
A braided halo gives christmas hair a storybook feel that suits carol evenings, family photos, and winter weddings. One braid runs around the head like a crown, keeping hair off the face while the pattern does the decorating. Add two tiny gold pins where the braid ends meet. It works best on medium to long hair and stays comfortable for hours of celebrating.
Sparkling Christmas Updo
BEFORE: Hair worn plain and loose, with no festive detail for a special Christmas party.
AFTER: Hair is swept into a soft updo with sparkling pins that catch the light at every angle.
A sparkling updo turns christmas hair into the main accessory of your outfit. Sweep the hair into a low or mid updo with soft twists, then add jeweled pins in a small cluster on one side. Keep the front smooth with one loose strand for softness. This style suits evening parties best and pairs well with simple dresses and bold lipstick.
Christmas Loose Curls
- Apply heat protection and part the hair where you like it best.
- Curl wide sections away from the face with a medium iron.
- Let every curl cool fully before touching it.
- Shake the curls out gently with your fingers and mist lightly.
Loose curls are the most loved christmas hair look for a reason: they are pretty, soft, and easy to refresh. Wide sections and a full cool down give curls that last through a long party without stiff spray. Brush them once for a smooth finish or leave them separated for a fuller look. Either way, curls suit every age and outfit.
Ribbon Wrapped Ponytail
| Feature | Loose Version | Tighter Version |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | Soft and relaxed all day | Firm with extra pins |
| Best For | Long hair and quick festive styling | Long days and events |
| Finish | Natural and airy | Neat with soft edges |
A ponytail wrapped with ribbon is christmas hair at its simplest and prettiest. Make a smooth mid or low ponytail, then wind a slim red or gold ribbon around the base and tie a small bow. The ribbon hides the elastic and adds color near the face. It takes three minutes, holds all day, and works for school events, office parties, and family lunches alike.
Christmas Sleek Ponytail
DO:
- Start with dry, brushed hair for a smooth base.
- Use pins that match your hair color for a clean look.
- Leave a few soft strands loose around the face.
DO NOT:
- Pull the hair too tight at the scalp.
- Use heavy gel that makes the bun look stiff.
- Skip a final check in natural light.
A sleek ponytail gives christmas hair a modern, confident edge among all the curls and waves of the season. Smooth the hair back with a brush and a little gel on the edges, secure it high or mid, and wrap one strand around the elastic. The clean lines suit bold earrings and strong makeup, and the style stays neat from the first toast to the last photo.
Golden Star Hair Pins
Best For: Short, medium and long hair party looks | Time: 3 minutes | Skill Level: Easy | Holds: Pins hold best in styled, textured hair
Golden star pins are a tiny detail that makes christmas hair feel magical in photos. Style the hair as you like it, in waves, a bun, or a half up shape, then place three star pins in a gentle curve above one ear. The gold tone suits the season perfectly, and the pins can be reused for New Year parties and birthdays all year round.
Christmas Vintage Waves
Vintage waves bring old Hollywood charm to christmas hair, with smooth, sculpted curves that suit red lipstick and classic dresses. Set the hair in uniform waves with a medium iron and clips, let everything cool, then brush through in one direction until the waves join into soft, shining ridges.
This style asks for patience, but the result lasts for hours and looks rich in every photo. It suits medium and long hair best, and a light serum keeps the ridges glossy. Practice it once before the party, and you will feel calm on the night.
Festive French Braid Style
- One neat french braid keeps hair tidy all day
- Add a red ribbon at the end for a festive touch
- Great under winter hats when worn low
A french braid is practical christmas hair for busy days of cooking, shopping, and hosting, because once it is done, it stays done. Keep the braid smooth and firm, finish it with a small red ribbon, and no strand will fall into the food or the wrapping paper.
Christmas Pearl Hair Look
Quick Tip:
Place pearl clips and pins after the style is fully set, so the pearls sit on top and stay bright and visible.
Pearls give christmas hair a soft, elegant glow that suits white, cream, and pastel outfits especially well. Use a pearl clip on one side of loose waves, or scatter small pearl pins through an updo. Keep the groupings uneven and gentle rather than lined up. Pearls photograph softly in warm light, which makes this a lovely choice for evening dinners and church services.
Elegant Christmas Chignon
BEFORE: Loose hair that keeps catching on coats, scarves, and high collars all evening.
AFTER: Hair rests in a smooth low chignon that looks graceful and stays clear of winter clothes.
A low chignon is the most graceful christmas hair option for formal dinners and services. The smooth bun at the nape sits clear of coat collars and scarves, and it never fights with statement earrings. Add one small jeweled pin at the side for a festive note. It suits straight and smoothed wavy hair, and it stays elegant from arrival to the final goodbye.
Christmas Mermaid Waves
- Braid damp hair in two braids the night before for heat free waves.
- Undo the braids gently in the morning without brushing.
- Smooth a drop of oil over the ends for shine.
- Add a festive clip on one side to finish the look.
Mermaid waves give long christmas hair a full, flowing shape with a soft, even pattern from roots to ends. The overnight braid method keeps the style heat free, which is kind during a busy season of styling. Shake the waves out well so they look natural, and keep the front sections smooth. This is a favorite for younger women and long hair lovers alike.
Holly Inspired Hair Style
| Feature | Loose Version | Tighter Version |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | Soft and relaxed all day | Firm with extra pins |
| Best For | Family photos and festive day events | Long days and events |
| Finish | Natural and airy | Neat with soft edges |
A holly inspired style brings the colors of the season right into your christmas hair. Use a clip or comb with green leaves and red berries, placed at the side of a bun, braid, or half up style. Keep the rest of the hair simple so the accessory stays the star. It is playful, clearly festive, and a sweet pick for family photos and school events.
Christmas Ballerina Bun
DO:
- Start with dry, brushed hair for a smooth base.
- Use pins that match your hair color for a clean look.
- Leave a few soft strands loose around the face.
DO NOT:
- Pull the hair too tight at the scalp.
- Use heavy gel that makes the bun look stiff.
- Skip a final check in natural light.
A ballerina bun gives christmas hair a neat, lifted shape that feels formal and fresh. Gather the hair high, twist it into a smooth, round bun, and pin it flat and firm. A slim satin ribbon around the base adds the festive note. This bun suits dancers, performers, and anyone who wants a clean style that will not move during a long, busy evening of celebrating.
Glossy Christmas Blowout
Best For: Medium and long layered hair | Time: 25 minutes | Skill Level: Medium | Holds: Best on the day, refreshed with dry shampoo
A glossy blowout is christmas hair for women who love wearing their hair down and bouncy. Blow dry in sections with a round brush, lifting at the roots and curling the ends under, then finish with a cool shot and a drop of shine serum. The result moves when you walk and shines in every light. It is a salon feeling style you can do at home.
Christmas Twisted Half Up
A twisted half up style is a gentle, pretty christmas hair idea that keeps the front tidy while the lengths stay loose. Take a section from each side, twist them toward the back, and pin them together at the center with a festive clip. The twists create a soft crown effect at the back.
This style suits straight, wavy, and curly hair, and takes under ten minutes even for beginners. It is kind for long services and family dinners, because nothing pulls and nothing needs fixing. Add soft curls to the loose lengths if you have time.
Festive Waterfall Braid Look
- Waterfall strands look detailed but feel light
- Best on wavy or lightly curled hair
- Finish with one small gold clip at the end
A waterfall braid gives christmas hair a delicate, woven detail across the back while the lengths fall loose. It looks intricate, yet the rhythm is simple: braid, drop one strand, pick up a new one. Practice once on a calm morning, and it will feel easy on party day.
Christmas Side Swept Curls
Quick Tip:
Pin the hidden side flat behind the ear with two crossed pins, so the swept shape holds all evening without slipping.
Side swept curls are red carpet christmas hair that anyone can copy at home. Curl all the hair, sweep it over one shoulder, and pin the other side flat and hidden. The full sweep on one side looks glamorous with strapless and one shoulder dresses. Keep the curls brushed together for a smooth wave pattern, and add one sparkly clip on the pinned side if you like.
Christmas Soft Glam Waves
BEFORE: Everyday waves that look flat at the roots and uneven at the ends.
AFTER: Smooth, even glam waves with lifted roots and a soft shine from root to tip.
Soft glam waves sit between natural and formal, which makes them the most wearable christmas hair for many women. The waves are even, brushed, and glossy, but never stiff or crunchy. Use a large iron, brush well, and keep products light. This style suits every outfit from a knit dress to a sequin top, and it refreshes the next day with just a brush and dry shampoo.
Jeweled Christmas Headband Style
- Style the hair in loose waves, a low bun, or a simple blowout.
- Place the jeweled headband just behind the hairline.
- Tuck two small strands forward in front of the band for softness.
- Check the band sits level and feels comfortable before you leave.
A jeweled headband is the fastest festive upgrade in this whole christmas hair list. It needs no skill, no heat, and no pins, yet it makes loose hair, buns, and braids all look party ready. Choose slim bands for a gentle sparkle or wider bands for a bolder look. Keep one in your bag during December and any plain hair day can become a party look in seconds.
Classic Christmas Updo
| Feature | Loose Version | Tighter Version |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | Soft and relaxed all day | Firm with extra pins |
| Best For | Formal dinners and evening parties | Long days and events |
| Finish | Natural and airy | Neat with soft edges |
A classic updo never leaves the christmas hair list, because it flatters every age and outfit. Soft twists gathered at the back, a smooth front with one or two loose strands, and a firm but kind pin base are all it takes. Add small sparkle only if your dress is plain. This is the style to choose when you want to feel fully dressed up and stop thinking about your hair all night.
Styling Tips for These Christmas Hair Ideas
Plan your christmas hair around your outfit and your day, not the other way around. Updos suit long parties and high necklines, while waves and blowouts suit simpler dresses and shorter events. Always let curls cool fully before brushing, keep one small repair kit of pins and a mini spray in your bag, and take one photo in warm light before you leave. A calm five minute check makes any christmas hair look twice as polished.
Conclusion
Christmas hair should add joy to the season, not stress, and every idea in this list was chosen with that in mind. Bows, braids, waves, and updos can all be done at home with simple tools, a little practice, and kind hold that lasts through long, happy evenings. Pick the styles that match your outfit and your plans, try the new one once before the big day, and keep your repair kit small and ready. With your christmas hair sorted early, you can spend the season enjoying the people in the photos, not fixing the hair in them.
