Christmas Hairstyles for Women often come down to two choices: a simple style that stays put all evening, or a decorated one that works as an accessory in its own right. This collection of 30 Christmas Hairstyles for Women Elegant Looks for Every Holiday Gathering covers both, with braids, buns and updos styled with pine, berries, ribbons and gold details.
Each section explains what makes the look different from the others and how to recreate it, including which decorations are easiest to attach and which are best kept light.
A quick tip before you start: faux greenery and berries on wire stems are easier to pin than fresh ones, they do not shed, and they can be reused next year.
Table of Contents
1. Long Braid With Velvet Ribbons
This is the only look on the list that leaves the hair down in one long braid. Weave a velvet ribbon through the plaits as if it were an extra strand, then tuck small pine sprigs between the loops.
Choose plastic or foam ornaments rather than glass, and attach only a few. Heavy pieces drag on a braid and pull on the scalp.
2. Braided Crown With Brown Ribbon
A crown braid wraps around the head and pins at the back, which keeps hair off the face for hours. A brown ribbon is a quiet choice next to red hair, since it blends in rather than competing.
Pin the pine and berries into the braid at the front, where they are most visible, and leave the back plain.
3. Fairy Lights Woven Into Braids
Use a battery-powered string of small LED lights on thin wire. Wind it along the braid and secure it with bobby pins in the same shade as your hair.
Hide the battery pack inside the bun or in a pocket, and switch the lights on before pinning so you can adjust the spacing. Remove them before sleeping.
4. Pinecones, Bells, and Red Ribbon
This look adds sound and texture. Glue mini pinecones onto bobby pins, then tie small gold bells to the ends of the red ribbons so they jingle when you move.
Bells are best used sparingly. Two or three are enough, unless you want a costume effect.
5. Crown Braid With Small Bows
Here the ribbon is replaced by several small bows, so the crown reads as a row of tiny gifts. Pre-tie the bows and attach each to a bobby pin, then space them evenly around the braid.
If you enjoy detailed braiding, 34 Rumi Hairstyle Stunning Looks for Your Next Character Transformation has more intricate crown and spiral braids to try.
6. Dried Flowers and Brown Bows
Dried flowers give a softer, more rustic result than greenery. They are fragile, so add them last and handle them by the stem.
Brown bows keep the palette muted, which suits a daytime gathering or a family brunch better than bright red.
7. Gold Stars in a Braided Updo
Star-shaped hair pins are the easiest metallic detail to add, because they slide in like ordinary bobby pins. Scatter them across the top of the updo rather than in a line.
Burgundy works well against copper hair because it sits in the same warm range, so the gold stars become the focal point.
8. Braided Low Bun With Pine
A low bun sits at the nape, so it does not interfere with hats, scarves or the back of a chair. Braid the ponytail first, then coil it and pin it flat.
Place the pine and berries on one side of the bun rather than all around it. A single cluster looks tidier and uses fewer pieces.
9. Green Velvet Ribbon Updo
Green is the less common ribbon choice on red hair, and it gives a classic red and green contrast that burgundy cannot. Velvet has a slight grip, so it stays in place better than satin.
Tie it around the base of the updo and let the tails hang behind the head.
10. Crown With Gold Flowers
Gold flowers change the mood from woodland to dressy. Metal flower pins are sturdier than fabric ones and keep their shape through a long evening.
Wind the burgundy ribbon through the braid first, then add the flowers where the ribbon crosses over, so the pins sit securely.
11. Side Braid Into Low Bun
Start a braid at one side of the hairline and carry it back toward the nape, then coil the remaining length into a bun. The braid acts as a frame for the face and a built-in headband.
Pin the decorations where the braid meets the bun, since that join is the most visible point.
12. Burgundy Accents for Brunettes
On darker hair, red-toned accessories show up clearly, and gold stars add contrast without needing many pieces. Burgundy is deep enough to look rich on dark brown rather than bright.
If your hair is very dark, choose slightly larger stars so they are visible from a distance.
13. Rosemary Sprigs and Red Berries
Rosemary has needle-like leaves that resemble miniature pine, and it is easy to find in a kitchen. Fresh sprigs will wilt over several hours, so add them shortly before you leave.
For an event that runs long, use faux rosemary instead, which keeps its shape.
14. Holly and White Flowers
White flowers brighten a palette that is otherwise red, green and gold, and they add a winter feel. Real holly leaves have sharp edges and the berries should not be eaten, so faux holly is the safer option for hair.
Place white flowers near the face, where the light tone is most flattering.
15. Holly, Pine, and White Blooms
This version drops the ribbon and relies on greenery for the color. Layering two textures, smooth holly leaves and feathery pine, gives depth without extra pieces.
Group the greenery in one cluster on the side of the updo, then add stars around its edge.
16. Full Traditional Christmas Palette
This is the most loaded design here: pine, holly, berries, stars and ribbon at once. It works if you choose one focal point, such as the ribbon, and keep the other items small.
If it starts to look crowded, remove one element rather than adding more.
17. Low Bun With Green Ribbon
This bun has no braiding, so it suits anyone who wants a quicker base. Twist the ponytail, wrap it around itself and secure it, then tie the ribbon around the base to hide the hair tie.
For more bun-based ideas, including playful ear-shaped versions, see 33 Cat Hairstyle Cute Ideas for a Playful Look With Feline Charm.
18. Simple Pine, Berry, and Star Mix
With only three types of decoration, this is the easiest braided updo to copy. There is no ribbon to tie, so the work is all in placing the pieces.
Pin the pine first, add berries to the gaps, and finish with stars on top.
19. Holly Low Bun With Burgundy Ribbon
This design leaves out stars and berries, so the holly leaves carry the color. The burgundy ribbon wraps the bun and gives a clean line against the green.
It is a restrained option for office parties or dinners where a heavily decorated head might feel too much.
20. Braided Low Bun With Stars
A braided bun holds decorations more firmly than a smooth one, because pins can anchor between the plaits. This makes it a good choice if you worry about accessories slipping out.
Slide star pins in at an angle, pointing toward the center of the bun.
21. Two Burgundy Ribbons in Braids
Using two ribbons instead of one lets you weave a separate ribbon through each braid before they are pinned up. The result looks like a woven band running through the whole style.
Cut the ribbons longer than you think you need, since weaving takes up length.
22. Holly and Green Ribbon Low Bun
A green ribbon matched to the holly leaves creates a tone-on-tone effect, and the red berries become the accent. This is a good approach if you want the greenery to look intentional.
Tie the ribbon first, then tuck the stems under it so the loop holds them.
23. Soft Messy Updo With Stars
This is the fastest style so far: gather the hair loosely, pin it up and pull out a few strands around the face. There is no braiding involved.
Because the shape is loose, use the decorations to cover pins and hold the structure, placing pine and berries where the hair is gathered.
24. Side Braid Over the Shoulder
A side braid keeps the length of your hair visible, which suits anyone who does not want an updo. The decorations run down the braid instead of clustering on top.
Space the white flowers and stars out along the length and secure each with a small pin.
25. Ribbon Around the Updo Base
Here the ribbon is wrapped around the base of the updo like a headband rather than woven in. It defines the shape and gives the loose pieces a visual edge.
Pin the ribbon at the back so the knot is hidden, then place the decorations just above it.
26. Pinecones and Cedar Sprigs
Cedar has flat, feathery foliage that looks different from the spiky look of pine. Together with small pinecones, it gives a natural look with no metallic details.
Pick lightweight pinecones, or glue small ones to pins so they do not pull on the braids.
27. Holly Leaves With Red Berries
This is a greenery-only design with no ribbon, stars or flowers. It suits people who prefer a natural look and do not want anything shiny.
Limit yourself to a handful of leaves, since a large amount can quickly look like a wreath rather than a hairstyle.
28. Burgundy Ribbons on a Low Bun
Several ribbons are tied at the bun and left to trail down the back, which adds movement to a style that is otherwise compact. Vary the lengths so the tails do not hang in a single straight line.
Seal the cut ends with a small amount of clear glue if the ribbon frays.
29. Messy Bun for Casual Gatherings
A messy bun suits relaxed events like a cookie swap, a movie night or a themed sweater party. It tolerates a loose finish, so mistakes in the shape do not show.
If you like a bolder, more playful bun for costume-style events, take a look at 35 Harley Quinn Hair Hot Looks for a Mischievous Costume Makeover.
30. Pearls and Two-Tone Ribbons
Pearl pins add a soft, formal touch that fits dinners and church services. Burgundy and green ribbons together bring in the two main Christmas colors without using red and green at full brightness.
Weave each ribbon through a separate braid, then place pearls near the face and stars on top.
Start With One Detail, Then Build
The simplest looks here use a single ribbon or a small cluster of greenery, while the fuller ones combine several textures. If you are new to decorated hair, begin with a low bun or soft updo and add one accessory type before layering more.
Save this article to your Pinterest board and bring the closest photo to your hairdresser or a friend who braids. Test the style once before the event so you can adjust the pins and decide what to keep.
