Christmas Hairstyles for Curly Hair: 12 Braided Ideas

Christmas week asks a lot of your hair. There are photos at every gathering, a long family dinner, and a party that runs past midnight, and curly hair needs a style that holds through all of it. If you have been searching for christmas hairstyles curly hair that actually work on real curls, this list is for you. Every style below is braided, finished with one simple Christmas accessory, and timed so you know exactly how long it takes. This list gathers the christmas hairstyles curly hair that work best when the day is long and the photos never stop, with a braid for Christmas Eve, a braid for Christmas Day, and a braid for the party after.

The 12 styles below are grouped by occasion, so you can pick in seconds. Christmas Eve looks are soft and relaxed, for family time and photos by the tree. Christmas Day looks are neat and secure, made to last from morning presents to evening dinner. Party looks are dressier, with shine for dancing past midnight. Every style uses one generic accessory you can find anywhere: ribbon, gold thread, gold cuffs, pearl pins, tiny baubles, red thread, a velvet bow, or a pine sprig. If you only have 5 minutes on a normal morning, start with our 7 easy curly braids for busy moms instead. These 12 are for the holiday, when you have a few extra minutes.

Before You Start: 2 Minutes of Prep

Braids hold best on curls that are lightly damp and detangled. Work a little leave in conditioner and curl cream through the lengths, detangle gently from the ends up, and keep a spray bottle nearby for any dry spots. That is the whole prep routine. For the full version, including the tools that make braiding faster, see our guide to 10 curly braided hairstyles for busy moms.

Christmas braids have one extra step: lay out your accessories the night before. A ribbon tangles if you hunt for it with braided hair, and a gold cuff is hard to open with one hand. Put your ribbon, thread, cuffs, pins, and baubles in a small dish by the mirror, and the morning goes smoothly. If your hair is freshly washed, add a little extra curl cream first. Second day curls are ideal for braiding, since the hair has more grip than freshly washed hair.

How to Pick the Right Braid for Your Christmas

Think about where the day is taking you. Christmas Eve is family time, so pick a soft braid that looks good in photos and feels comfortable on the sofa. Christmas Day is a long day, so pick a secure braid that survives cooking, presents, dinner, and a walk after. The party needs something dressier, with shine that catches the light when you dance. The three groups below follow that order. Match the accessory to the day as well: a velvet bow for Christmas Eve, gold for Christmas Day, and pearl pins or baubles for the party. If you are braiding a child’s hair for the school Christmas concert, keep it simple. Our 12 easy hairstyles for long curly hair for school has simpler options that work for younger curls too.

Christmas Hairstyles for Curly Hair

These three are soft, relaxed, and quick enough to do before the family arrives. They look lovely in photos by the tree and feel comfortable all evening.

1. Candy Cane Ribbon Braid

The candy cane ribbon braid is the most Christmassy braid on this list, and it is also one of the easiest. Weave a red and white striped ribbon into a simple three strand braid down the back, and the ribbon does all the festive work for you. Tie the ribbon to a small section at the crown, then braid as usual, keeping the ribbon flat so the stripes show. The ribbon adds colour and grip, which helps the braid hold on soft curls. Tie the end with the ribbon itself, and let a short tail hang for a pretty finish. It takes about 10 minutes, and it looks far more festive than the effort suggests.

2. Lace Braid into Loose Curls

The lace braid is the gentle option for Christmas Eve. Braid along one side of the hairline, adding hair from the top edge only, and let the rest of your curls fall loose below it. A lace braid adds hair from one side, so it sits flat against the head like a delicate trim, while a waterfall braid drops strands as it goes. This one keeps every strand in the braid, which is why it holds so well. Start at the temple, braid back along the hairline, and pin the end behind the ear under the curls. The curls below stay free and soft, which suits an evening at home. It takes about 8 minutes, and it is the fastest dressy look in this list.

3. Bauble Curls with a Braided Anchor

Bauble curls are Christmas Eve in a hairstyle. Make a small braid at the crown as an anchor, then clip tiny baubles into the curls around it. The braid is small, just three or four crosses, and its job is to hold the front neat while the baubles catch the light. Start with a small section at the crown, braid it back, and pin it flat. Then clip two or three tiny baubles into the curls on each side, keeping them light so they do not pull. It takes about 9 minutes, and it is the most playful style on this list.

For Christmas Day

These four are neat and secure, made to last from morning presents to evening dinner. Christmas Day is the longest day of the holiday, so each style here is pinned to hold. If you are hosting Christmas dinner, a few Christmas planters on the table set the mood before anyone sits down.

4. Gold Thread Four Strand Braid

The gold thread four strand braid is the showpiece of Christmas Day. A four strand braid is wider and flatter than a three strand braid, so it shows off the gold thread beautifully. Tie gold thread to the top section, then braid with four strands, crossing the outer strands over and under in turn. The gold thread weaves through the braid like a ribbon of light. It takes about 12 minutes once your hands know the pattern, and it is worth every minute. Keep the thread taut as you braid, or it will sag between the crosses.

5. Braided Faux Hawk with Curls Out

The braided faux hawk gives you height and drama without pinning your curls flat. Braid along both sides of the head, from the temples toward the crown, then pin the two braids together at the back and let the curls fall free below them. The braids pull the sides neat, while the curls on top keep their volume. It takes about 11 minutes, and it looks bold in photos. Keep the side braids close to the head so the shape holds.

6. Side Braids into a Low Puff

Two braids from the sides, gathered into a low puff at the nape, make a neat and comfortable Christmas Day style. Part the hair down the middle, braid each side toward the nape, then join both braids into a low puff and pin it in place. This is not the same as the single side braid in our everyday list, which is one braid worn down the back. Two braids gathered into a puff are neater from every angle. It takes about 10 minutes, and it is one of the most reliable styles on this list. Take time with the centre part, since it is the first thing people notice. A small velvet bow at the base of the puff adds a Christmas touch.

7. Low Double Braided Buns

Low double braided buns are the tidy answer to a long Christmas Day. Part the hair down the middle, braid each side down to the nape, then coil each braid into a small bun and pin it low on the head. These are low buns, worn at the nape, which is what sets them apart from the braided space buns in our busy moms list. Those sit high on top of the head, while these sit low and neat, so they feel comfortable against a chair back or a car seat all day. It takes about 12 minutes, and the result is polished and secure. A gold cuff slid onto the end of each braid before you coil it adds a festive detail that shows at the edge of the bun.

For the Party and New Year’s Eve

These five are dressier, with shine and sparkle for dancing past midnight. They take a few minutes longer, and they are worth it when the photos matter most.

8. Braided Gibson Roll with Pearl Pins

The braided Gibson roll is the most elegant style on this list. Braid the hair loosely down the back, then roll the braid up and tuck it into a pocket at the nape, pinning it flat. A Gibson roll is a tucked roll, not a bun, so it sits smooth and flat against the head and looks neat from every angle. Pearl pins pushed into the roll catch the light. It takes about 13 minutes, and it is the style to pick for the fanciest night of the holiday. Use strong pins, since the roll carries the weight of the whole braid.

9. Pinned Braid Updo with Face Framing Curls

The pinned braid updo is the relaxed dressy option for the party. Braid the hair loosely, then pin the braid up in soft loops at the back of the head, leaving curls free around the face. The pins do the work, so the style looks effortless even though it is secure. It takes about 12 minutes, and it holds through dancing. This is not the same as a low bun with face framing curls, which is a bun first and a braid second. Here the braid is the whole style, pinned up in loops, so the shape is softer and more interesting. A pine sprig tucked behind one ear adds a Christmas touch.

10. Zipper Braid with a Gold Cuff

The zipper braid looks far harder than it is, which makes it perfect for a party. Start with two sections at the crown, then keep adding small sections from each side and crossing them over the middle, like closing a zipper. The result is a neat, narrow braid with a woven texture that catches the light. It takes about 12 minutes once you have tried it twice, so practice it once before the party. Slide a gold cuff onto the end of the braid to finish it.

11. Five Strand Braid with a Red Thread

The five strand braid with a red thread is the boldest braid on this list, and the red thread is what makes it Christmas. A five strand braid is wider than a four strand braid, so it shows off the red thread beautifully. Tie red thread to the top section, then braid with five strands, crossing the outer strands over and under in turn. The red thread weaves through the braid like a ribbon, and the wide braid holds its shape all evening. It takes about 13 minutes, and it is worth practising once before the party. Keep the thread taut as you braid, or it will sag between the crosses.

12. Goddess Braids with Gold Cuffs

Goddess braids are the grand finale of this list. They are large, raised braids worked close to the head, finished with gold cuffs that catch the light. Part the hair into a few large sections, braid each one close to the scalp, then gather the ends and pin them at the back. These are not the fine front cornrows from our busy moms list. Goddess braids are larger and fewer, and they are the whole style, not a detail at the front. It takes about 15 minutes, the longest on this list. Keep the braids loose at the hairline. Tight braids pull and hurt, and they can damage the hair over time. Slide a gold cuff onto each braid as you finish it.

How to Make It Last Through a Long Christmas Day

Christmas Day is long, and your braid needs to last from morning presents to midnight. Start with a style that is pinned, not just tied. Bobby pins crossed over each other hold better than one pin on its own, and a pin at the nape stops the braid from slipping as the day goes on. The day itself is the test: cooking steam, cold air, and dancing at the party. A light mist of water and a little curl cream refresh the curls without taking the braid down. Smooth frizz with your palms, and add a pin where the braid feels loose. Keep your accessories secure. Tuck ribbon ends under the braid and pin them flat, or they loosen. Pinch a gold cuff gently closed after you slide it on, or it slides. Clip baubles on firmly, and push pearl pins all the way in. Going from dinner to a party? Mist the curls, smooth the braid, check the pins, and add one fresh accessory. The braid will look as good at midnight as it did at noon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest Christmas braid for curly hair?

The candy cane ribbon braid in this list, at about 10 minutes, or the lace braid, at about 8 minutes. Both use a simple three strand braid as the base, so if you can braid at all, you can do them. See our 7 easy curly braids for busy moms for the fastest options.

How do I keep a braid from frizzing in winter air?

Start with damp curls and a little leave in conditioner, which seals the curl before you braid. Braid gently, without pulling the sections tight. A little curl cream smoothed over the finished braid with your palms tames any flyaways. If the air is very dry, a satin scarf over the braid on the way to the party keeps the frizz down.

Can I wear these styles on short curly hair?

Yes, most of them. The lace braid, the bauble curls, and the candy cane ribbon braid all work on short curls, since they need only a short length to braid. The five strand braid and the goddess braids need more length, so save those for longer curls. If your hair is short, stop the braid early and pin the tail under.

What accessories should I use for Christmas braids?

Keep it simple and generic. A red and white ribbon, gold thread, gold cuffs, pearl pins, tiny baubles, red thread, a velvet bow, or a pine sprig are all you need. One accessory per style is enough. Match the accessory to the day: a velvet bow for Christmas Eve, gold for Christmas Day, and pearl pins or baubles for the party.

How far ahead can I braid my hair for Christmas Day?

Braid it the morning of Christmas Day, since a fresh braid holds its shape best. If you must braid the night before, sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet, and refresh the curls in the morning with a little water and leave in conditioner. Take the braid down gently when you are done, and detangle from the ends up.

Final Thoughts

Start with the style that matches your day, and keep the rest for next year. Give your hands a few tries before you judge the result. Every braid on this list gets easier the second time you do it. And when Christmas is over and the mornings go back to normal, our 7 easy curly braids for busy moms are waiting for you.