I think we can all agree 2021 has been less than ideal, to put it mildly, which is probably why I’m legitimately so freakin’ jazzed that the holidays—hi, Thanksgiving!—are officially here. This means you better buckle the heck up and get on my festive level, because I am ready to go HAM on the nail looks this winter. Holiday nail polish? Hell yes. Christmas nail art? SURE, if that’s your holiday! Thanksgiving nails? I mean, yes, duh. That’s why we’re here. But I’m not talking about the cheese-filled nail art of your childhood—I’m talkin’ minimalist, graphic designs, gorgeous nail colors, and, yes, even the occasional pumpkin.
There are approximately one million ways to channel the pretty fall weather, the delish food you’re about to inhale, all the plaid in your seasonal wardrobe, and even the fab floral arrangement you’ll be bringing your host this year. (“Thank you so much for having me. Where are the mashed potatoes??”) To help you get inspired to pull out your polishes tonight, I handpicked the 45 cutest Thanksgiving nail art ideas to copy below. There’s a lil something for everyone, from super cute short nail styles to the longest coffin nails your eyes have ever seen. Whether you go for a subtle design that ever so gently pays nod to the season or whether you fully commit to “Welcome World, It’s Me, Thanksgiving Nails!” approximately everyone will be ogling these babies.
[1]
Brown, Gold, and Cream Thanksgiving Nails
If bright orange pumpkin nails just feel like too much, opt for an abstract graphic design like this one. The combo of mid-brown, cream, and light gold polishes in bold wavy lines says “fall” without screaming it, ya know?
[2]
Thanksgiving Gradient Dot Nails
Or even simpler! This style is even cooler than it looks: The nail gradient lightens as the dot gradient darkens. Get yourself a set of complementary colors to make it easy on yourself, and gently dab with the tip of the applicator (or use a thinner brush JIC you want it to be super-exact).
[3]
These Leaf-Inspired Fall Nails
Listen, fall leaves make gorgeous nail inspo, and this look is directly inspired by them. Line your tip and nail bed with two contrasting colors, then flip the color scheme on another nail. You’ll also coordinate with all the Thanksgiving food (pumpkin pie, anyone?).
[4]
Fall-Ready Tortoiseshell French Tips
Alternatively, these tortie tips are subtly thematic—but the coolest part is the green contrasting lining just underneath. This version is tortoise foil, but there are also press-on versions that do the job just as well.
[5]
Fall Leaf-Inspired Foil Nail Art
Foil nails are fabulous, but they’re a lot of look. This one, though, makes it looks like falling leaves are gently grazing the tops of your matte nails. You’ll need a nail kit with tiny gold flakes and tools to dot the foil in place, but the beauty is in the pattern’s randomness, TBH.
[6]
Plaid Nail Art for Thanksgiving
Um, as a major lover of Clueless, I would gladly wear these Cher Horowitz plaid-printed nails year-round, but thanks to the mustard-yellow, cream, and brown nail-polish combo—ahem, the best colors of fall—I’ll be wearing them for Thanksgiving first.
[7]
Bronze-Dipped Thanksgiving Nails
Welp, this nail look did it—it won Thanksgiving. Proof that really any brown-toned manicure can work for turkey day, this bronze-dipped nail polish feels simple yet statement-making, thanks to its half-nude, half-painted base.
[8]
Pumpkin Cuticles for Thanksgiving
Listen, if you’re going to freehand some pumpkins for Halloween, you might as well wear the look for as long as possible and double up for Thanksgiving. Pro tip: You’ll need a thin nail-striping brush for this one!
[9]
Thanksgiving Nails With Minimal Brown Lines
FWIW, fall inspo can be totally minimal. This brown-lined design also makes your nail look like it’s wearing a patent leather Mary Jane shoe. A brush set with varying thicknesses will help you make the top line thicker than the middle without (that much) effort.
[10]
Tortoise Shell Nail Inspo
Again, you don’t need to stick with cheesy or cutesy nail art just to partake in the Thanksgiving Day spirit. Just pick a brown-based nail look, like these tortoise shell nails, and wear them all month long. Wanna make your life even easier? Try some tortoise shell nail wraps.
[11]
Red and Gold Thanksgiving Nails
Gimme blood-red nails with a hint of gold nail polish, and I’ll make these nails work for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every holiday in between. Truly the best fall nail-polish combo, regardless of the month.
[12]
Fall Leaf Nail Art
These delicate yellow and orange leaves are exactly what my grubby summer nails need to usher in the holiday season. Unless you’ve got a super-steady hand, I’d leave this one to the pros.
[13]
Abstract Faces for Thanksgiving
Since this nail art is pure artwork IRL, it definitely shouldn’t be limited to the cold-weather months only. Still, if you’re looking for a cute nail look to DIY around Thanksgiving, pick up some light-pink nail polish, amber nail polish, gold nail polish, and a black nail-polish pen to experiment with this one at home.
[14]
Green Plaid Pumpkin Nails
Sure, these Thanksgiving nails have basically everything you want and more for a fall nail (pumpkins! Plaid! Shine! Vibes!), but the standout for me is the little matte accent nail, which takes the look from cutesy to ~cool~. Yes, this is your sign to get matte nail polish.
[15]
Two-Toned Thanksgiving Nails
These coffin nails are simple, clean, and shiny, which—if you’re already dreading your to-do list for November 25—is exactly what we can all use for Thanksgiving. If you want to amp up the vibes, opt for a two-toned mani, with beige nail polish and caramel nail polish on each hand.
[16]
Half-and-Half Thanksgiving Nails
If painting even half your nail in tortoise-shell prints doesn’t feel doable in your novice hands, try a monotone brown nail polish instead. Just tape off half of your nail with Scotch tape, paint, then peel off the tape while your nail is still wet (pro tip!).
[17]
Muted Polka Dot Nail Art
As long as you have some sage-green nail polish and a nail-dotting tool, you can easily create these muted polka-dot nails for Thanksgiving—or, honestly, any month of the year.
[18]
Flower Accent Nails
Understated floral nail art in shades of olive green and beige will automatically feel autumnal (especially when paired with a cozy sweater), but if free-handing flowers doesn’t feel doable, try working with some floral nail stickers instead.
[19]
Baby Pumpkin Nails
These tiny bb pumpkins are giving me major A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving vibes thanks to their cartoon-like colors and lines. If you can’t see yourself dragging your hands to a salon, try DIYing a similar vibe at home with pumpkin nail stickers.
[20]
Abstract Thanksgiving Nail Art
These gorgeous abstract nails are both precise and soft, all at the same time—something my shaky hands could never pull off. Screenshot this one, take it to the pros, and feel free to customize the layered nail polish colors based on whatever Thanksgiving, fall, New Year’s Eve, etc., vibe you’re going for.