18 Beautiful Christmas Braid Hairstyles Full of Festive Charm

BySienna Blake

Braids and the holidays were made for each other. If you are hunting for a hairstyle that looks festive in photos, holds up through long dinners and parties, and works on almost every hair length, these christmas braid hairstyles deliver all three.

Below you will find 18 ideas ranging from elegant updos to playful kids styles. Each one is simple to recreate at home with basic braiding skills, a few elastics, and some holiday accessories.

Velvet Bow Braid

Long blonde braid with pearl beads and a large red velvet bow at the crown
Image credit: @omibynaomi

A thick textured braid running down the back gets an instant holiday upgrade with a large red velvet bow pinned at the crown. Small pearl beads woven through the braid catch the light.

Rhinestone Crown Braid

Blonde wavy ponytail with a twisted crown braid decorated with rhinestones
Image credit: @the_braid_bar

  • Start with a low, loose wavy ponytail as your base.
  • Braid a twisted section across the crown, pulling it gently apart for softness.
  • Press small clear rhinestones along the twist with hair glue or bobby pins.

Golden Clip Braid

Intricate blonde braid ornamented with delicate gold hair clips
Image credit: @accessorize

Two neat braids become party ready with the right accessories. Weave delicate gold clips, tiny bows, and star pins along each braid.

Quick Tip: match your clips to your jewelry so the whole look feels intentional.

Garden Braid

Thick symmetrical brown braid photographed in a floral studio
Image credit: @endorphinhair

  1. Brush hair smooth and create a clean center part.
  2. Dutch braid each side from the crown down to the nape.
  3. Tie the ends with a small red and green bow for a festive finish.

Christmas Tree Braid

Braid shaped like a Christmas tree with red, green and white pom-poms
Image credit: @tropicalwaveshair

DO: build the tree shape with looped braid sections, widening as you go down. DON’T: skip the pom-poms, since red, green and white ones are what sell the Christmas tree effect.

Glitter Side Braid

Long brown side braid dusted with glitter and finished with a green bow
Image credit: @inthelifeoftayt

A loose side braid dusted with hair glitter is one of the most playful christmas braid hairstyles for kids and teens. Sweep all the hair over one shoulder, braid loosely, and finish with a small green bow.

Christmas Wrap Braids

Classic braids wrapped with red and green Christmas ribbon
Image credit: @tilehurst_braids

  • Braid two low pigtails and secure with clear elastics.
  • Wrap red and green ribbon around each braid from top to bottom.
  • Add a tiny bell or bow at each end for extra holiday charm.

Charm Adorned Braids

Child with long multicolored braids decorated with small Christmas charms
Image credit: @404braids_ny

Before: two simple long braids with colorful woven sections. After: the same braids dressed up with tiny Christmas charms, like Santas, bows and stars, clipped along the length.

Holiday Pigtail Braids

Two symmetrical braided pigtails with red and green hair extensions
Image credit: @princesscheer_family

  1. Part hair down the middle into two even sections.
  2. Braid each side, weaving in red and green hair extensions as you go.
  3. Tie the ends with gold cord or ribbon for a polished finish.

Yarn Wrapped Braids

Thick braids interwoven with red, green and white yarn
Image credit: @oh_my__braids

Thick braids wrapped in red, green and white yarn look cozy and festive, like a favorite holiday sweater.

Quick Tip: choose soft acrylic yarn so it feels comfortable and does not slip off during the day.

Festive Cornrow Braids

Cornrows flowing into long braids with red, green and white hair
Image credit: @lydias.braiding

Cornrows that flow into long braided lengths are a stunning protective style for the holiday season. Weaving in red, green and white braiding hair gives the look a festive twist.

Double Dutch Braids

Two thick long Dutch braids worn down the back
Image credit: @gemmabrownsbraids

  • Create a sharp center part from forehead to nape.
  • Dutch braid each half, keeping the sections neat and even.
  • Weave in thin red and green ribbon for a subtle holiday nod.

Fishtail Ribbon Braid

Half-up fishtail braid tied with a bright red ribbon bow
Image credit: @the_braid_bar

DO: keep the fishtail loose and textured for a soft, romantic feel. DON’T: pull the sections too tight, or the braid will lose its pretty, woven texture.

Braided Highlight Updo

Intricate braided updo in brown hair with blonde highlights
Image credit: @hairbyemilyfaulkner

  1. Curl the hair lightly to add grip and texture.
  2. Create two or three braids along the sides and back.
  3. Pin the braids into a soft updo, tucking the ends underneath.

Braided Side Bun

Thick side braid gathered into a voluminous curled bun
Image credit: @luxx_by_roz

A thick braid swept to one side and coiled into a low bun looks elegant from every angle. Loose curled ends keep it soft and romantic.

Braided Low Bun

Braided low bun updo in dark brown hair with soft face-framing strands
Image credit: @hair.by.kaileyrae

A braided low bun is the quiet luxury pick of the season. It sits neatly at the nape, keeps hair completely out of the way, and looks polished in every photo.

Flower Fishtail Braid

Long thick fishtail braid decorated with small flowers
Image credit: @rana.das12

  • Smooth hair back and divide into two sections for a fishtail.
  • Weave small sections from each side until you reach the ends.
  • Tuck tiny faux flowers along the braid and pin them in place.

Pearl Side Fishtail

Dark side fishtail braid secured with pearl hairpins and a floral accessory
Image credit: @mona_makeover14

Before: a sleek dark fishtail braid worn over one shoulder. After: the same braid elevated with pearl hairpins and a delicate white floral accessory near the top.

Conclusion

From tree shaped braids for little ones to pearl studded fishtails for evening parties, these christmas braid hairstyles prove that braids are the ultimate holiday hairstyle.

For more inspiration, explore these related guides: christmas bun hairstyles and christmas half up hairstyles.

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