Warm holiday greetings! As the festive season rolls in with its cozy vibes and joyful cheer, it’s the perfect time to get creative with your look—and Christmas Braids Hairstyles are a magical way to do just that. Whether you’re heading to a holiday party, a cozy family gathering, or just sipping cocoa by the fireplace, braided styles bring charm, elegance, and that extra touch of holiday spirit to your festive wardrobe.
Christmas Braids Hairstyles
Christmas Braids Hairstyles are a festive way to add charm and elegance to your holiday look. From classic styles to glittery twists, these braids bring joyful spirit to every celebration.
French Braid with Holiday Ribbons
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I’ve always loved how a classic French braid can be turned into something magical with just a little twist—literally. Around Christmas, I like to weave thin satin ribbons into the braid, especially in festive colors like red, emerald green, or even metallic silver. The way the ribbons peek through each strand? So cute. One of my regular models, Ella, had a holiday shoot last year and I used a deep red velvet ribbon in her braid—it looked like something straight out of a holiday movie. She couldn’t stop playing with it.
Honestly, the trick is to anchor the ribbon at the top with a tiny elastic before starting the braid. That way, it doesn’t shift as you go down. And don’t worry if the ribbon bunches a bit—it just adds character. I always say Christmas hair shouldn’t be too perfect. Let it be festive and fun. A little movement makes it more real, more you.
Dutch Crown Braid
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Now this one—this is the ultimate “I’m the holiday queen” braid. A Dutch crown braid wraps around the head like a festive halo, and it always gets compliments, especially when I add a few sparkly pins or even those tiny faux snowflake clips I picked up at a winter market years ago. The texture from the Dutch braid gives that lovely pop-out look, which photographs beautifully in soft holiday lighting.
I remember doing this style for a winter wedding shoot. The model was wearing a high-necked lace gown and the crown braid just pulled the whole look together. She looked ethereal—like snow royalty. To be fair, it’s not the easiest braid if you’re new, but once you get the hang of flipping the braid under instead of over, it becomes second nature. And trust me, it stays put through dancing, toasting, and all kinds of merrymaking.
Fishtail Braid with Twinkle Lights
Okay, hear me out—fishtail braids are already stunning, but adding mini battery-operated twinkle lights? Total showstopper. I tried this for a quirky holiday editorial last year, and it became the talk of the shoot. We tucked the tiny wire lights between the weaves of the fishtail, and it glowed like magic. The model said she felt like a walking Christmas tree—in the best way.
The key is using those super-thin fairy lights that run on a tiny battery pack. I usually hide the battery under a section of hair at the nape with a couple of bobby pins. Sounds a little wild, but it works. Just make sure the braid is slightly loose so you have room to tuck in the lights. And please—don’t do this on wet hair. One spark and…well, you get it. Always dry, always safe. But the final look? Worth every bit of effort.
Braided Ponytail with Velvet Bow
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There’s something about a velvet bow that screams Christmas. I love pairing it with a sleek braided ponytail—so clean, so classic, but with a festive twist. Last December, I styled one of my teen models with a tight braid leading into a high ponytail and finished it off with a deep green velvet bow. Her mom nearly teared up—it was giving serious ballerina holiday recital vibes.
In my opinion, the bow should always be oversized. Go big or go home, right? I also like wrapping a little section of hair around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic before tying on the bow. Adds a polished finish. This style is perfect for when you don’t have time for something super intricate but still want to look like you made an effort. Quick, chic, and oh-so-merry.
Pull-Through Braid with Baubles
This one’s a little playful—and honestly, so underrated. A pull-through braid looks like a bunch of bubbles stacked on top of each other, and around Christmas, I pop in mini ornaments or baubles in between the sections. I even have these tiny red-and-gold ones that look like something off a mini tree. The look? Festive AF.
The first time I tried this was for a holiday kids’ catalog, and it was such a hit the moms started asking me to do the same style for them. Just secure each section with clear elastics, tug the hair a bit for volume, and clip in the ornaments. I use lightweight plastic ones so they don’t weigh the hair down. The vibe is fun, flirty, and just a touch over-the-top—because if you can’t be a little extra at Christmas, when can you?
Side Braid with Holly and Berries
I’m not saying I have a favorite, but… okay, maybe I do. The side braid with faux holly and berries is the look I wait all year to do. It’s romantic, slightly rustic, and gives that “just came in from caroling” feel. I like to keep the braid loose, letting pieces frame the face, and then gently weave in sprigs of artificial holly and berries for that nature-inspired touch.
One of my models actually brought me real holly once, straight from her garden. It looked gorgeous, but oh boy, those leaves are sharp! So I stick with the faux stuff now—safer and just as pretty. I tuck them in with bobby pins and sometimes add a spritz of gold glitter spray for that snowy sparkle. If you’re into cozy, cottagecore holiday vibes, this one’s for you.
Waterfall Braid with Curls
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I feel like the waterfall braid never gets the love it deserves, especially during the holidays. It’s dreamy, romantic, and when paired with loose curls, it looks straight out of a Christmas fairytale. I did this look for a holiday party shoot, and the model looked like she stepped off a Hallmark movie set. It’s soft, elegant, and surprisingly versatile.
What I’ve found is that it works best on medium to long hair, and you want a bit of wave before starting. I curl the hair first, then create the braid so the “falling” strands blend into those soft waves. Add a little mistletoe clip on one side and boom—holiday hair magic. And don’t stress if it’s not perfect. The whole charm of this look is its softness and movement.
Braided Bun with Gold Accessories
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Braided buns are my go-to when I want something elegant and secure. And let me tell you, with the right accessories, this look goes full holiday glam. I love wrapping the bun in a thick braid and then sliding in gold hairpins, stars, or even delicate chains. It’s classy but still fun—kind of like holiday party meets royal ball.
I did this look on my model Mia last Christmas Eve for a charity gala event. She wore a black velvet dress and the gold hair accessories made the whole outfit pop. The best part? It stayed put all night, even through dancing and snowy wind. In my opinion, this is one of those styles that looks like it took forever but is secretly super quick to do if you’re used to braiding. Just don’t forget hairspray. Seriously.
Twisted Rope Braids with Tinsel
Twisted rope braids have this cool, modern vibe—and when you throw in some silver or iridescent tinsel, it becomes straight-up festive fun. I once used this style for a backstage look at a Christmas fashion show, and the hair caught every bit of light. It sparkled with every step. The model said she felt like a disco ornament—in the best way possible.
All I do is divide the hair into two, twist both sections in the same direction, then twist them around each other in the opposite direction. Easy peasy. I weave in strands of tinsel as I go, anchoring them with bobby pins if needed. I don’t recommend using heavy tinsel—get the soft, flexible kind that moves with the hair. This one’s a conversation starter. Expect compliments from everyone—friends, strangers, random aunts.
Accent Braids with Christmas Headband
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Sometimes, less is more—and that’s where accent braids come in. I love adding a couple of tiny braids on either side of the head, then topping it off with a cute Christmas-themed headband. Reindeer ears, sparkly antlers, a Santa hat headband—you name it, I’ve probably styled around it. It’s playful and perfect for casual holiday hangs.
I did this style on a group of girls for a Christmas-themed birthday party, and they were obsessed. We had candy cane headbands, glittery stars, even one that lit up. The braids add a little texture so it’s not just “pop on a headband and go.” Plus, it keeps the hair out of the face for cookie decorating and party games. In my opinion, it’s the easiest way to feel festive without going full glam. Cute, quick, and totally merry.
Haircare Tips for Braided Styles
Before you show off your festive Christmas braids, it’s important to give your hair the care it needs. Braided styles may look stunning, but they can cause dryness or breakage if not done and maintained properly. These simple tips will help you keep your hair healthy, shiny, and strong throughout the holiday season.
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Prep hair with smoothing serum
Apply a lightweight serum or leave-in conditioner before braiding to reduce frizz and add shine. -
Use a good-hold spray to keep the braid neat
A flexible-hold hairspray helps maintain your braid’s shape all day without making your hair stiff or crunchy. -
Don’t braid wet hair tightly (to prevent breakage)
Braiding damp hair too tightly can lead to hair damage or even breakage, especially during cold winter months. -
Remove accessories gently to avoid tangles
Be careful when taking out ribbons, clips, or pins so you don’t pull or snag the braid, which can cause hair fall. -
Deep condition after wearing tight braids
After rocking a tight or detailed braid, give your hair some love with a deep conditioning mask to restore moisture and elasticity.
FAQ
Can I do Christmas Braids Hairstyles on short hair?
Yes! Even short hair can be styled with mini braids, crown braids, or accent braids. Add festive clips or headbands to enhance the look.
How long can I keep my Christmas Braids Hairstyles in?
You can keep them in for 1–3 days depending on the style and how well it’s secured. Loose styles are best taken out the same day, while tighter ones may last longer with care.
What accessories work best with Christmas Braids Hairstyles?
Holiday ribbons, velvet bows, glittery hairpins, mini ornaments, and snowflake clips all work beautifully to add festive flair to your braid.
Will braiding damage my hair?
Not if done properly. Avoid braiding wet hair too tightly, and always detangle and deep condition afterward to maintain healthy strands.
Hi, I’m Anna Spencer, A professional hairstylist based in North Carolina and the creator of Hairstyles for Life. With over a decade of hands-on salon experience, I’ve styled everything from everyday looks to runway-ready transformations. I started this website to share my passion for hair, offer expert tips, and help you feel confident in your personal style no matter your hair type or length. Whether you’re looking for quick tutorials, timeless trends, or honest product advice, you’ll find it all here.