16 Pretty Holiday Braid Ideas to Try This Season

BySienna Blake

The holiday season calls for hairstyles that look special without taking all morning, and braids are the easiest way to get there. These holiday braid ideas work for everything from office parties to Christmas morning.

I pulled together sixteen looks that range from timeless classics to playful festive twists, so there is something here for every hair length and skill level.

Classic French Braid

Back view of long dark hair styled into a neat French braid down the center.
Image credit: @nculinaryexperiments

The French braid is the foundation every other braid builds on, and it never looks out of place at a holiday gathering. Start at the crown, add sections as you work down.

Festive Fishtail Braid

Rear view of a dark brown fishtail braid decorated with small white floral pins.
Image credit: @sanasbeautylounge

  • Divide your hair into two sections instead of three, then cross small pieces from each side to the other.
  • Tuck in a few floral pins or small clips along the braid for a party-ready finish.

Boho Fishtail Braid

Long boho fishtail braid photographed from behind in a salon.
Image credit: @bloheartsyou

  1. Braid a loose fishtail starting at the nape, keeping the weave relaxed and airy.
  2. Once it is tied off, gently tug the edges of the braid to widen and soften it.

Ribbon-Woven Braid

Braided ponytail with a gold ribbon woven down its length, viewed from behind.
Image credit: @hairbyakb

Weave a slim ribbon right into your braid as you go, treating it like an extra strand of hair.

Quick Tip: choose a ribbon about twice the length of your hair so you have enough to weave and tie a bow at the end.

Holly Bow Half-Up

Half-up hairstyle with a red velvet bow and holly sprig against a snowy Christmas scene.
Image credit: @milinnery

A big velvet bow is the quickest way to make a half-up braid look like a holiday style. Braid a small section back from each temple, join them at the back, and clip the bow over the join.

Double French Braids

Back view of dark hair parted in the middle and styled into two French braids.
Image credit: @sentammoses

DO: part your hair cleanly down the middle before you start. DON’T: braid on freshly washed, slippery hair.

Braided Low Bun

Dark brown hair in a fishtail braid gathered into a low twisted bun.
Image credit: @shinewithblushbyradhika_mishra

  • Braid your hair into a loose fishtail or three-strand braid first.
  • Coil the braid around itself at the nape and pin it into a low bun.

Golden Cuff Braid

Side view of a Dutch braid across the crown finished with gold hair cuffs.
Image credit: @_ekhair

Before: a plain Dutch braid across the crown, neat but simple. After: slide on two or three gold hair cuffs.

Braided High Ponytail

Long blonde chunky braid falling from a high ponytail, photographed from behind.
Image credit: @salonone_20

  1. Gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it firmly.
  2. Braid the length of the ponytail and tie it off with a clear elastic.

Lights-Woven Braid

Brown hair in a loose braid woven with colorful Christmas string lights.
Image credit: @all_the_christmas_love

Nothing says Christmas quite like a braid strung with tiny lights.

Quick Tip: use battery-operated fairy lights on thin wire, never plug-in strands.

Christmas Tree Braid

Child's hair styled into a Christmas tree shape with red, green and white pom-poms.
Image credit: @tropicalwaveshair

This one is mostly for the kids, and they absolutely love it. Loop sections of the braid outward to form a triangle shape, then dot it with tiny pom-poms.

Crystal-Adorned Braid

Dark braid adorned with crystal hairpieces and small red roses.
Image credit: @gmail_baba_world

  • Braid your hair as usual and secure the end.
  • Pin crystal hairpieces or small jeweled clips along the braid at even intervals.

Bubble Bow Ponytail

Blonde bubble ponytail decorated with four red velvet bows.
Image credit: @shrine

DO: space your elastics evenly down the ponytail. DON’T: skip the gentle teasing.

Side Swept Braid

Woman outdoors with a long side braid tied with a red ribbon.
Image credit: @the_braid_bar

Sweep all your hair over one shoulder and braid it loosely down the front. A red ribbon tied at the end adds a festive touch.

Half-Up Crown Braid

Half-up crown braid with a small floral clip, styled on a mannequin head.
Image credit: @jiya_makeupartist_01

  1. Take a section from each side of your head and braid them back toward the crown.
  2. Finish with a small floral clip or jeweled pin over the join.

Pearl Vine Crown

Crown braid on light brown hair decorated with a pearl and gold hair vine.
Image credit: @__glam_by_faiza_mua__

Before: a simple crown braid wrapped around the head. After: weave a pearl and gold hair vine through the braid.

Conclusion

These sixteen holiday braid ideas prove that a braid is never just a braid at this time of year.

For more inspiration, explore these related guides: christmas braid hairstyles and festive holiday hairstyles

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