23 Christmas Hairstyles That Take 10 Minutes

December is busy. Between parties, family visits, and last-minute shopping, most of us do not have an hour to spend on hair.

The good news is that festive hair does not need to be complicated. A ribbon, a few pins, or a good clip can make a simple style look ready for a party.

Here are 23 Christmas hairstyles you can do in 10 minutes or less. They cover long, short, straight, and curly hair, and none of them need special skills.

What to keep on hand

• Velvet and satin ribbon in red, green, and gold
• Bobby pins and a few decorative pins (pearl, gold, or star-shaped)
• Small clear elastics and one or two scrunchies
• A large claw clip
• Light-hold hairspray and a smoothing cream or gel

23 Christmas hairstyles that take 10 minutes

1. Low ponytail with a velvet bow

Brush your hair back, tie it low at the nape, and clip a velvet bow over the elastic. Red, green, or black velvet all look festive. It takes about three minutes and works on straight, wavy, or curly hair.

2. Half-up with a red ribbon

Gather the top half of your hair, secure it with a small elastic, and tie a thin red ribbon over it. Leave the ends of the ribbon long so they hang with your hair. This is the fastest way to make day-two hair look planned.

3. Sleek low bun with gold pins

Smooth your hair into a low bun and push three or four gold bobby pins into one side. A little gel or hair oil on the top keeps flyaways down. It suits office parties and family dinners equally well.

4. Twisted crown with pearl pins

Take a section from each side of your part, twist each one back, and pin them together at the back of your head. Slide a few pearl pins along the twists. No braiding skill needed.

5. Bubble ponytail

Start with a high or mid ponytail, then add an elastic every two inches down the length. Gently pull each section outward to make the bubbles round. Wrap ribbon or tinsel around the elastics if you want it to look more festive.

6. Soft waves with a sparkly side clip

If you already have waves from the day before, you are nearly done. Tuck one side behind your ear and hold it with a rhinestone or glitter clip. Finish with a light mist of hairspray.

7. Side braid with a ribbon woven in

Tie a long ribbon to the top of a side ponytail and treat it as one of your three braid strands. The ribbon shows all the way down the braid. Loosen the braid a little at the end so it looks fuller.

8. Messy top knot with a scrunchie

Twist your hair into a loose bun on top of your head and secure it with a velvet or satin scrunchie in a holiday color. Pull out a few face-framing pieces. This one is ideal for Christmas morning.

9. Low chignon with a sprig accent

Roll your hair into a low chignon and pin it in place. Tuck a small faux holly or eucalyptus sprig into one side. It looks elegant in photos and takes less time than curling your hair.

10. Half-up top knot

Take the top third of your hair, twist it into a small bun at the crown, and leave the rest down. It keeps hair off your face while you cook or wrap presents and still looks put together.

11. Slicked-back ponytail

Use gel or a smoothing cream to slick everything back into a tight mid-height ponytail. Wrap a small strand of hair around the elastic to hide it. Simple, sharp, and good with a high-neck sweater or statement earrings.

12. Double braids with ribbon ends

Part your hair down the middle and make two simple braids. Tie a red or plaid ribbon at the end of each one. It is playful, quick, and stays in place all day.

13. Headband and loose curls

A padded velvet or embellished headband does most of the work here. Put it on over loose curls or brushed-out waves and you are finished. Keep one in your bag for last-minute plans.

14. Flipped ponytail

Tie a low ponytail a little loose, make a gap above the elastic, and flip the tail up and through it. The result is a twisted detail that looks harder than it is. Add a small clip above the flip if you like.

15. Braided crown for short hair

On a bob or lob, braid a small section along the hairline from the part toward one ear and pin it behind the ear. It gives short hair a festive detail without needing length.

16. Low ponytail wrapped in ribbon

Tie a low ponytail, then wrap a long ribbon down the first few inches of it, crossing it like a lace-up. Knot it at the bottom. Satin ribbon in deep red or emerald looks best.

17. Space buns with tinsel

Split your hair into two high sections, twist each into a small bun, and pin. Tuck a strand of hair tinsel into each bun for sparkle. Fun for casual parties and for kids too.

18. Side-swept waves with a pinned side

Push all your waves over one shoulder and pin the opposite side flat behind your ear with two or three decorative pins. It has an old Hollywood feel and takes only as long as it takes to place the pins.

19. Rope twist ponytail

Split a ponytail into two sections, twist each one in the same direction, then wrap them around each other the opposite way. Secure the end with an elastic. It holds better than a braid on slippery hair.

20. Claw clip French twist

Gather your hair at the nape, twist it upward, and secure it with a large claw clip. Choose a tortoiseshell, pearl, or velvet-covered clip. Two minutes, and it looks neat from every angle.

21. Curly high puff with a satin scarf

For natural curls and coils, gather your hair into a high puff and tie a satin scarf or ribbon around the base. Red, gold, or deep green keeps it seasonal. Fluff the puff with your fingers for shape.

22. Tucked low roll

Tie a loose low ponytail, flip it through itself, then roll the ends up and tuck them into the gap. Pin to hold. It looks like a formal updo and needs only one elastic and two pins.

23. Star clips along a deep side part

Make a deep side part and place three to five small star or snowflake clips in a row along the heavier side. Leave the rest of your hair down. It is the easiest look on this list and one of the prettiest.

Tips to make quick styles last

• Start with day-two hair. Hair that is not freshly washed holds pins and braids better.
• Add grip first. A little texture spray or dry shampoo at the roots stops clips from sliding.
• Cross your bobby pins. Two pins placed in an X hold far better than one.
• Finish with hairspray. A light mist keeps flyaways down without making hair stiff.
• Carry a spare. Keep an extra elastic and a few pins in your bag for quick fixes.

Final thoughts

You do not need a salon appointment to have nice hair at Christmas. Pick two or three of these styles, practise them once before the day, and keep a ribbon and a few pins nearby. Ten minutes is enough.