20 Wacky Christmas Hairstyles to Try This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to play with color, style, and a little extra sparkle. Fun hairstyles can set the mood for parties, school events, and family gatherings. This list gives you simple, creative ideas you can try at home without spending much. Each style keeps things easy, light, and totally doable, even if you’re not used to styling hair.

- Candy Cane Twist Braids

Create red-and-white twist braids for a playful holiday look. Use temporary color sprays so you don’t commit to long-lasting dye. Twist two sections together, one lightly sprayed red and one kept natural or white-blonde. Keep the braids loose, not tight. This helps the colors show clearly. Add small clips shaped like snowflakes for extra charm. If you want a budget tip, grab ribbon from a gift-wrap roll and weave it through the braid. It adds color without effort. You can also clip the ends with mini bows from old decorations. The style pairs well with simple outfits, especially cozy sweaters. It also works with short or long hair. Kids love this one, but adults wear it easily too. Keep a little hairspray on hand to help the twists stay neat for a few hours. Nothing complicated. Just color, twist, clip, done.
- Ornament Bun Stack

This hairstyle looks festive without much work. Start with a high bun. Wrap a scrunchie around it to add height. Then attach small plastic ornaments using lightweight clips or bobby pins. Keep them small so the bun doesn’t feel heavy. Don’t buy anything fancy; cheap mini ornaments from discount shops work great. You can even recycle old craft decorations. Avoid glass ornaments since they’re heavy. Stick to plastic or foam. If your bun feels too tight, loosen the base a bit. Comfortable styles always last longer. Want extra shimmer? Lightly spray the bun with glitter hairspray. A little goes a long way. This style works well for holiday dinners and office events. It looks fun but still tidy. Most hair lengths can pull this off, especially medium or long hair. Keep a couple of pins in your bag if you’re staying out late. They fix loose spots fast.
- Tinsel Fringe Waves

Tinsel strands make any hairstyle shine. Clip a few pieces near the roots, especially around the fringe. They catch light beautifully. Use soft, loose waves so the tinsel moves with the hair. Curl just the ends if you prefer something simple. Tinsel costs very little and comes in many colors, so choose what matches your outfit. Gold, silver, or green all work well for holiday photos. If you don’t want to clip tinsel, weave ribbon through the front pieces instead. Use a heatless curler to shape the waves overnight and save time. Keep the rest of your hair simple to avoid tangles. This style is perfect for parties where you want something shiny without extra effort. It also shows well in selfies because the tinsel reflects light. Brush gently to avoid pulling out the strands.
- Reindeer Antler Pigtails

Turn basic pigtails into reindeer antlers. Part the hair down the middle, create two high pigtails, then twist each upward using bendable wire. The wire should be soft so it won’t hurt the scalp. Wrap the hair around it to shape antlers. Add a tiny red bow or pom-pom near the hairline for a Rudolph look. Use leftover craft wire or an old headband—cheap and easy. Keep the twists loose so they look natural. Kids enjoy this style, but it works for adults at themed parties too. Curl the ends lightly if you want movement. Add brown ribbon if your hair is lighter and you want the shape to stand out. Avoid heavy ornaments since they can pull the hair down. This style stays secure for hours if you use hair ties with good grip.
- Ribbon Waterfall Curls

Waterfall curls look fancy but are simple to create. Curl the hair loosely using a large barrel or heatless rollers. Then slide thin ribbons through a few sections. Stop after every few curls to avoid clutter. You can use leftover wrapping ribbon for a cheap option. Keep the curls soft, not tight. That makes the look airy and fun. If your hair is straight, curl only the mid-length for a quick alternative. Secure each ribbon with a tiny bobby pin hidden underneath. This style works well for family photos because it looks full without heavy styling products. If your hair tends to fall flat, tease the roots slightly with a comb. Add a touch of hairspray at the ends to prevent frizz. You can change ribbon colors to match different outfits.
- Glitter Frost Ponytail

A glitter ponytail adds sparkle that looks great under holiday lights. Start with a smooth ponytail at any height you prefer. Apply a light layer of hair gel to the top section. Then sprinkle fine cosmetic glitter over it. Use silver, blue, or iridescent glitter for a frosted effect. Don’t use craft glitter since it’s too harsh. Cosmetic glitter costs little and lasts long. Wrap a small piece of ribbon around the hair tie to hide it. Brush the ponytail lightly so the glitter stays in place. If you want to avoid cleanup, sprinkle glitter onto a makeup sponge first and dab it on. This style works for quick holiday outings or school events. Tie the ponytail tighter if you want it to stay neat for hours. Keep wipes nearby; glitter travels easily.
- Snowflake Clip Crown

Create a crown shape using snowflake clips. Line them across the head from ear to ear. Use clips of different sizes for a playful look. Cheap plastic snowflake clips from party stores work perfectly. You don’t need many—five or six make a full crown. Brush the hair back smoothly or leave it wavy. Both options work well. If you want height, tease the top slightly. Add a few silver strands for sparkle. This style looks elegant without being difficult. It’s great for holiday dinners or photos. You can even spray a little white glitter at the roots to create a snow-dusted effect. Keep a small pouch of extra clips when traveling—they’re light and easy to replace if lost. This crown style stays secure when clips have strong grips.
- Christmas Tree Braid

Shape a braid to look like a tree. Start with a French braid down the middle. Pull out small loops from each side so the braid widens as it goes down. This creates the tree silhouette. Add tiny clips or beads as “ornaments.” Use green temporary spray if you want stronger color. Keep the braid loose to show the shape clearly. This style works best on medium or long hair. Budget tip: use beads from broken jewelry for decoration. Tie the braid with a gold ribbon to act as the “tree topper.” It’s simple but catches attention instantly. Great for festive events or fun photos. If you want to save time, braid only the top half and leave the rest straight. It still resembles a tree but takes fewer minutes.
- Peppermint Swirl Top Knot

Turn a basic top knot into a peppermint swirl. Form a smooth bun at the crown of the head. Spray one side lightly with red temporary color. Use a toothbrush-sized brush to drag the red through the white or natural hair, creating soft stripes. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Imperfect stripes look even more fun. Wrap a small ribbon around the base for a cleaner finish. If your hair is dark, add white chalk first so the red shows better. This gives the bun a bold peppermint look. Keep it simple and light. No heavy accessories needed. Works great for parties or themed photos. It stays secure all day with a few hidden pins.
- Holiday Bow Half-Up

Make a hair bow using the top section of your hair. Divide, loop, and pin the hair so it forms bow-shaped loops. Leave the ends out for a relaxed look. Add a little sparkle with a glitter clip in the center. You can also thread ribbon through the loops if your hair is thin. This adds shape without extra effort. Use cheap satin ribbon from a gift-wrap pack. Curl the lower half of the hair for softness. Keep the top sleek so the bow stands out. This style looks cute for casual gatherings or holiday photos. If you’re rushing, create a faux bow by tying an actual ribbon into place. It still looks adorable and takes less than two minutes.
- Gift-Box Pigtail Wraps

Make your pigtails look like wrapped gifts. Create two low pigtails. Wrap thin ribbon around each section in crisscross patterns. Use bright colors like gold or red. Don’t wrap too tightly. Keep the hair comfortable. Tie a tiny bow at the base for a final touch. If you want a cheaper option, cut ribbon from old holiday packaging. It works just as well. Curl the ends slightly to add movement. This style looks cute for kids but works for adults at playful holiday events too. You can also clip tiny charms to the bow for added charm. It’s quick, simple, and fun.
- Jingle Bell Ends

Add small jingle bells to the ends of braids. Use lightweight bells so they don’t pull the hair. Tie them with thin ribbon or thread. Just make sure the knots are tight. A couple of bells are enough. They make a soft sound when you move, perfect for festive gatherings. This style works with two braids, one braid, or mini braids. It’s budget-friendly since bells cost very little. If you don’t like sound, choose foam or felt charms instead. Keep the braids loose to avoid tension. This hairstyle stands out without effort.
- Festive Mohawk Braid

A mohawk braid gives a bold look that’s still easy to manage. Create tight cornrows or small side braids leading to a bigger central braid. Thread red or green yarn through the bigger braid. Yarn is cheap and easy to remove. Add one or two snowflake clips near the top. Keep the sides sleek so the center braid shows well. This style stays secure for long events. It works for concerts, holiday parades, or themed photos. If your hair is short, create mini mohawk buns instead. Add color with temporary spray. It’s simple and fun.
- Holly Berry Headband Style

Use a holly-themed headband for a quick holiday touch. Smooth the hair back or keep it wavy. Both look nice. The headband does all the work. Choose a soft one so it sits comfortably. You can make your own by gluing berries and leaves onto a plain band. Artificial berries cost little and are easy to attach. Keep the rest of the hair simple. Add a little texture spray if your hair is flat. This look is great for rushed mornings or casual outings. It looks festive without taking much time.
- Frosted Braided Crown

Create a braided crown around the head. Keep the braid slightly loose so it sits softly. Add silver glitter to the outer edges for a frosted look. Use cosmetic glitter to keep things safe. Cheap glitter gels also work well. If your hair is short, create two small braids and pin them across the top. Add a snowflake clip near the back for a soft sparkle. This style works well for winter photos, school events, or holiday dinners. It stays comfortable since the weight sits evenly around the head.
- North Pole Mini Buns

Create small buns across the top of your head. Three to five buns look best. Tie each section tightly, then twist into a bun. Add tiny white pom-poms to mimic snow. Use glue dots or small clips to attach them. Pom-poms cost almost nothing and feel light. If you want extra fun, spray the buns with white or silver temporary color. Keep the back of the hair simple to balance the look. This style works for parties and themed gatherings. It’s playful and takes less than ten minutes.
- Garland Wrap Braid

Wrap a braid with soft green yarn to mimic garland. Choose yarn with a fuzzy texture. It’s cheap and easy to remove. Start at the top of the braid and wrap downward. Add tiny clips shaped like stars or bows. Keep the braid loose so the yarn stands out. If your hair is short, create a ponytail and wrap the yarn around that. This style looks fun for outdoor events or casual get-togethers. It’s light, comfortable, and adjustable.
- Starry Night Waves

Scatter star-shaped clips throughout loose waves. Brush your hair lightly first so it doesn’t tangle. Use small clips so the stars look sprinkled, not clustered. You can find packs of tiny star clips at budget stores. Curl the hair loosely for movement. Add a bit of shimmer spray near the ends. This style works for evening gatherings, especially under warm lighting. It’s simple but eye-catching. Keep extra clips in your bag in case one slips out.
- Mistletoe Pony Wrap

Wrap a ponytail with faux mistletoe. Use soft sprigs so nothing pokes the scalp. Start with a mid-level ponytail. Wrap the sprig around the base and secure with two or three pins. Don’t overdo it—just a small touch works best. You can buy mistletoe sprigs cheaply or reuse ones from decorations. Curl or straighten the ends depending on your style. This look works well for casual parties or holiday photos. It’s easy, fast, and full of charm.
- Cozy Santa Hat Braid

Wear a Santa hat and let a loose braid fall from underneath. It’s simple and warm for cold weather outings. Braid your hair loosely so the hat fits comfortably. Add a few red or green ribbons into the braid for color. If your hair is short, create a small side braid. The hat hides most of the work, so the style stays tidy. It’s perfect for quick photos, school events, or outdoor markets. Add a little shimmer at the ends for fun.
Conclusion
Fun hairstyles bring extra joy to the holiday season without much effort. Each idea here is simple, playful, and kind to your wallet. Try one or mix a few. Add color, sparkle, or ribbons—whatever feels right for your celebrations. The key is to keep things light, easy, and enjoyable. Let your hair reflect the festive mood and enjoy every moment.