November will soon be here, and my head’s already filled with pies and Pinterest boards. Every Thanksgiving I need cute, fresh nails for family brunches, Friendsgiving selfies, picking apart pumpkin pie, and scrolling gift guides by the fire.
But let’s be honest: the same old yellow or burgundy polish just doesn’t cut it anymore. I need something a little more artful, a little more me, yet totally fall.
If you’re eyeing that pile of plaid and dreaming of treats and coffee dates, the right Thanksgiving nails really hit different. Whether you like soft botanicals, bold plaid, quirky turkeys, or rich glittery tips, I rounded up the best designs on Instagram and TikTok. Expect earthy oranges, cozy browns, pumpkins everywhere, and just a dash of sparkle.
Scroll for all my favorite Thanksgiving nail ideas. Screenshot your faves, or save the inspo for every fall moment coming your way. Here’s what’s trending for Thanksgiving nails this season.
Autumn Botanical Tips
Flip the script by bringing all the leafy action right to your nail tips. With a neutral base, those rich colored branches and fall blooms just sing. This look is subtle but still gives serious Thanksgiving energy.
White and Gold Pumpkins
These nails mix soft caramel or coffee brown shades with little white pumpkins that almost pop right off your hand. The abstract style feels casual but still totally polished. They go with literally everything in your fall wardrobe, from oversized sweaters to cozy boots.
Red Nails With Leaves And Gold Foil
A hot cherry red base gets dressed up with micro florals and little slices of gold foil. The look is both fiery and classy. It’s one of those manicures you won’t want to take off, ever.
Burnt Orange Pumpkin Nails
Oval-shaped nails always feel a bit more elegant, right? Try burnt orange polish, then lay pumpkins across two accent nails. Nail shape plus color – just chef’s kiss.
Short Brown And Beige Plaid Nails
Shorter nails mean less fuss and more snacking. Keep things simple with a warm plaid: brown and beige together feel autumn-cosy, crisp, and low drama.
Rust Color Nails With Glitter And Maple Leaf
Short, rust brown nails with a hint of glitter and a single maple leaf on each hand. A little shimmer, a little nature, all the fall flavor you want in one mani.
Matte Plaid Nails With Pumpkins
Matte finishes are totally in, and this combo of sharp black, bright orange, and tiny pumpkin art makes plaid look edgy. It’s bold, quirky, and will get every compliment at your family’s table.
Earthy Acorn Nails
Teeny tiny acorns dot a beige or sandy base, and they’re way cuter than you’d expect. Pair them with a solid brown nails and some green leaf accents. These nails scream autumn and will totally match any woodland walk. Nature-inspired nails are totally a vibe!
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Nails With Gold
Pumpkin shapes, some simple, some a bit sparkly, all outlined and with a gold twist. The gold details gives these pumpkin nails a little extra pop. If you like a bit of bling but not too much, you’ll wear these all season.
Colorful Botanical Details
Leaves (or petals?) stand out against a neutral base. Make it colorful – autumn is full of colors, after all. The effect is a peaceful, cozy, elegant, but not stuffy design. These subtle, almost abstract-looking autumn botanicals feel timeless, and you’ll want to keep them on right through December.
Brown And Orange Checkered Nails
Classic checkers done up in delicious-looking brown and lively orange. Each square has cozy vibes and feels a little retro. If you love 70’s style, or plaid inspired nails, these Thanksgiving nails will fit right into your Instagram grid.
Brown And Plaid Mix
The simple combo of solid brown and minimalistic check-patterned nails is so wearable. Go for warm fudge and tan, or add a pop of black and light brown in the plaid for a twist. The look works all November, and it’ll handle chip duty if you’re prepping big family meals.
Brown French Tips With Orange Flowers
Swapping classic white French tips for dark espresso brown instantly makes your nails feel more autumn. Add playful orange blooms over top for the perfect seasonal touch. Minimal effort, maximum cuteness!!
Bronze Glitter Tips
It’s all about sparkle and shine, but still keeping that deep, rich color that just screams Thanksgiving. Brown glitter tips are THE thing if you like something basic yet with an unexpected glam twist. Easy, fast, and totally not boring. Perfect to shine at Thanksgiving gatherings.
Checkered Nails With Pumpkins
Red checkerboard print mixed with hand-painted pumpkins? Yes please! It’s kind of an unexpected color combo, yet it works so well. This pattern balances bold and adorable for those who love to show off some personality.
Cute Orange Pumpkin Nails
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a bouncing orange pumpkins and other fall season accents on each finger. They’re playful, not too cartoonish, and super Instagrammable. Add some abstract blobs and swirls as a base, and you have something truly unique!
Turkey And Tiny Fall Leaves
Brave enough for a turkey? Go for a cartoon turkey on one nail and mix in a storm of tiny fall leaves and maybe some gold dots. Pair with neutrals or a milky white base. We’re obsessed! Sometimes, you just have to make your inner child happy.
Matte Olive Nails With Acorn And Leaf Accents
Matte olive looks unexpectedly fresh and sophisticated this time of year. Paint large acorns and leaves over the base for an outdoorsy/ Thanksgiving effect. It’s nature chic, and a bit more mature than pumpkin overload. Love!
Glittery Turkey Face Nails
Take the cartoon turkey trend up a notch with fine glitter polish. Use dark brown, red, and gold glitter, alternate each nail, and then paint your turkey’s face on one accent nail. Flashy, adorable, and basically, why not??
Orange French Tips With Pumpkin And Plaid
Imagine a super-bright orange French tip, with an accent nail covered in pumpkins or a cute plaid. This twist on French nails pops in every turkey day selfie. Simple but veryyy autumn.
Thanksgiving Nails With Glitter And Pumpkins
Go all out with full-on orange nails, cover in sparkly polish, and add cutesy pumpkin art. These are fairly low-effort but definitely high-impact, perfect for the Thanksgiving gathering.
White Nails with Turkey
The star of the holiday, a turkey, painted right onto your favorite nail shape. Whether you go cute or a bit realistic, turkey nail art always draws smiles and gets your hands noticed in every group pic.
Orange, Burgundy And Gold Glitter
The big three for Thanksgiving nails come together and make literal fire. Paint each nail a different color, then add some fall leaves or branches, and finally finish with some gold glitter for festive vibes.
Pastel Pink And Brown Frenchies
For those not sold on orange and brown, this pastel mix changes things up. Pink and brown French tips, topped with super simple flower art, give a girly but still fall-inspired effect. If you want something girly this Thanksgiving.
Red Nails With Maple Leaves
Go bold with a true red polish, then add bright orange or gold maple leaves on top. These Thanksgiving nails are loud and proud and seriously Thanksgiving-y.
Orange To Gold Ombre
Ombre effects make short nails look fancy, fast. Fading from sparkly orange down to a bright gold gives a sunrise effect and looks good with literally anything.
Chic Short Plaid Nails
Plaid always wins for Thanksgiving nails, but tiny versions on cropped shapes feel especially cute. Mix colors or keep it classic, people will notice your attention to little details.
Thanksgiving French Nails With Gold Lining
Flip the traditional French tip look: use soft pink or nude as your base, then use the ‘skittles’ design by choosing a different color for each French tip. Finally, outline the tips with shimmering gold – keep the line thin. These Thanksgiving French nails bring some color and energy, but still look classy and works with any outfit.
Turkey And Orange Glitter
Glossy orange glitter base with little turkey faces on accent nails. This combo is high drama, super fun (even though a little cartoonish), and just right for anyone who’s not afraid of being bold and showing off their whimsical side.
Cottagecore Plaid With Maple Leaf Accent
Muted green or cream plaid nails with a single maple leaf design on one or two nails. Pure cottagecore heartthrob vibes. Cozy layers, hot cocoa, a walk in the crunchy leaves, these nails are made for all of it.
Abstract Nails With Earthy Tones
Brushstrokes of muted orange, olive, and soft beige come together for a playful, artsy vibe. Think grown-up finger painting. If you’re looking for something a bit low-key but still Thanksgiving-themed, these earthy tones work for office days and long family dinners.
Orange Plaid With Pumpkin Accent
Work orange plaid pattern into your brown nails, then highlight one or two fingers with a single pumpkin drawing (use plaid pattern for the pumpkin too!). This pattern feels classic and fun at the same time. Wear these all through late fall.
Milk Chocolate Brown With Floral Patterns
This shade of brown looks almost good enough to eat. Add some detailed brown florals and you’ll have a soft and feminine autumn nails design. Perfect for sweater weather styles.