The holiday party season has a rhythm of its own: harried mornings, twinkly evenings and a calendar as overbooked as a slot machine. In 2025-2026, editors continue to rotate around soft structures: polished forms with a lived-in quality, glossy sheen with velvet patches. Imagine ribbons, decorations and braids that cost you nothing without spending the whole afternoon. Here are 27 ideas, all of them connected to a photo you posted, and my pro tips I rely on when it gets cold and I have to go to a winter party, be it a cocktail on the office floor or a christmas dinner. Bows and sleek minimalism (which Vogue and Allure both featured this year; Byrdie referred to it, rather, as the comeback of romance) are both trends that we will find reflected here.
Twisted Low Chignon with Soft Movement
A chignon is lightly folded with a modern, low, refined design that is ideal during Formal nights. The trick lies in direction: stroke everything downwards first, and then strokes sections over to the nape and bend them over each other so that the lines form like silk. It is a fancy updo that compliments necklines and long earrings.
Who it loves: of course, Wavy hair or blow-dried smooth on the medium hair and also long hair.
How to wear: Mist a flexible hairspray at the roots, apply a bit of shine cream through the ends, and pin or clip a twist as you work. Padding the bottom with a small bun shape is recommended in case your hair is fine. A fast day to evening change: Let face-framing tendrils fly out and brush them down – instant soft focus.
Alternation: You can make this a Half up half twist, by leaving the bottom lengths out, and twisting them loosely down.
Low Ribbon Pony with Easy Waves
That was least effort, most payoff: a low pony bound with a satin Ribbon and left with undone bends. This appearance reflects the stylish restraint with which celebrities tilt their hats- smooth lines with a feminine feel. (Kendall jenner has worn some variations of this on and off the runway, yes.)
Why it works: it is unbelievably simple, packs well under coats, and is appropriate at work events or in the end of a busy day when people are exchanging gifts.
Who it loves: medium hair or long hair – soft Wavy hair.
How to wear: create a center or soft side part, wrap the base with your Bow or ribbon and tong some areas to create a movement. Replace black ribbon with jewel colors to automatically become more Festive.
Ornamented Pull-Through Braid
A pull-through chain is made holiday-appropriate by baubles of all sizes bunched at the top. The geometry is fun, and the finish is smooth – great at school concerts, cookie swaps, and all the combinations in between.
Who it suits: long hair, heavy textures; also elastic on children hair (use lighter clips with children braids, so the weight does not rest on the head). Trade ornaments can be substituted by satin bows or beads, as it helps put fewer stresses on the Black kids and avoid cutting the edges.
How to wear: part in hair, pull through to create volume and then combine ornaments. Flyaways are kept in check by a drop of hair oil on fingertips. Call this last party proof.
Side-Braided Low Bun with Statement Clip
A diagonal braid curves into a bun that is tucked and topped with a jeweled clip. It looks bypassed without being maximalist, and fits the head, so scarves and high collars won’t squash it on the way to work on a winter day.
What it loves: all the textures, particularly Curly hair which desires organization. Braid a little on coily black hair, with a small edge and tuck curls into the bun to add lushness on top; it will last a long time with little heat. Medium hair and long hair works.
Styling instructions: Starting at the temple, braid back to the nape, twist a small bunch of hair into a bun and then pin your accessory a little to the side. I prefer a warm-colored video of candlelit rooms; it reads thick in pictures.
Romantic Pearl-Pinned Braid Cascade
This cascading braid is between boho and ballroom, somewhere in between, and it is pinned with floral pins. It is the Festive definition and it glamorizes at the December weddings, gallery party, or that once-a-year tasting menu.
Who it loves: long hair; fuller lengths; shorter, tease the crown and leave the braid looser. This fitting suits the Wavy hair very well.
How to wear: rough-dry to be grippy, curl big sections, then braid loosely and pancake the edges to get volume. Install decorative pins as the last step. Hint: when it is windy, spray a veil lightly to prevent the airy loops being crispy.
Variation: Tie off the top half and have the lower lengths loose to a romantic Half up Half moment.
Elastic-Sectioned Short Style (Playful and Practical)
Party hair is short, too. Elastics rows form neat volume and contain to then become mini tails. It is athletic-chic and with a party feel to it – and it will not lose its thread when you have moved all the way through two playlists.
Who it loves: short hair or collarbone-length medium hair who prefers lift without hot tools. It is incredibly simple to self-assemble and perfect on the skating rink, market or family brunch.
How to wear: spray on, cut parallel lines, hold in place with small elastics and pull each bubble to fluff it up. Replace black elastics altogether with metallics to turn it into Instantly Festive.
Pearl-Tinsel Half-Up Streamers
Wavy locks part with a small topknot, straggled over with pearl streamers that reflect the candlelight as snow-flakes do – so delicate and still so Undoubtedly Festive. The percentage is the key: a tight knot at the top keeps the figure contemporary but allows the adorned strands to be interpreted as hair earrings.
Best on: long hair that is pin-straight or softly brushed.
How to wear it: take a center part and make it a clean partition; take the crown part of it and twist in the form of a small bun (up half up half), fasten it with pins which are not quite obvious. Take beaded strands and clip them under the bun in a way that they project out. Complete with light glossing spray. Surprisingly simple to make again and right at winter cocktail or christmas brunch when you need some sparkle without trying.
Evergreen Textured Low Updo
Tussled plumes and strands are formed into a low, large bun, interspersed with a sprig of cedar and crimson berries – the hairpin of nature. This is soft-cinematic and the type of Formal appearance that doth move when thou laugh.
Best with: naturally Curly hair or wand-set waves on medium hair and on long hair.
How to wear: prep with heat protectant, curl in alternating directions and pin sections back into a loose chignon at the back of the head. Put the greenery in last as it will remain fresh. I studied on set how to tuck foliage a little off-center – it photographs so well, and it whispers christmas, not yells.
Satin Bow + Gold Clip French Twist
A smooth twist, fastened with a gold claw and a dark satin Bow: the simplest high impact accent of the season. Consider dinner date, consider gallery opening, the mood is sleek minimalist.
Best on: medium hair; smooth blowouts; fine hair on the bottom, but you need to backcomb there.
How to wear: part hair and brush it back, roll it into a French twist (up), clamp it with the metallic clip, and then add the Ribbon bow to give it volume. A smear of serum on the hairline makes flyaways stylish and not untidy. This is winter armour – light and decisively Formal.
Cascading Barley Waves with Twisted Crown
A gentle rope-twist at the head falls forward to lengths of ribbon – romance without big words. It has a movie-like quality when contrasted with knit and shine.
Best on: defined Wavy hair on long hair.
How to wear: tong 1-1.25″ away front of face, sweep hair forward to smooth, then twist two thin panels at top and pin out of sight (half up half). Mist, which has the ability to spray flexibly and ends with a lightweight oil. It is a Festive crowd-pleaser that has lasted the long dinner and still looks pretty on the ride home.
Braided Crown into Low Holiday Bun
Two fine side plaits lead to a large low pony-tail of evergreen and berries – editorial yet wearable. The braiding also provides texture, so the bun can be worn in an office party or in a midnight wedding.
Best with: medium to thick textures on medium hair and on long hair.
How to wear: part in the middle, French-braid two strands on either side towards the ear and then collect it all to the back of the head and roll into a slack bun. fold the greenery around the clip points. I carry a little bunch of wire-stems in my kit all through the winter – they don’t need more than a complete outfit of accessories to read out christmas.
Bubble Pony with Ribbon Ties
Fun and useful: a textured bubble pony with small Ribbon ties on each segment. It is flirtatious, easy to wear, warm-up-sweater, and is easy to make.
Best on: light to medium density on medium hair; add a wave if your hair is very straight otherwise add a touch of the Wavy hair texture.
How to wear: pull the hair to the middle of the head (up), and use elastics every few inches, pancaking each bubble. Take two elastics and replace them with thin bows to finish the festive look. When you are styling children, you should replace ribbons with soft scrunchies; it makes an adorable alternative to kids braids when you need to get out the door. Cookie swap work, caroling, or casual work on Christmas movies.
Sleek Low Pony with Velvet Bow
How to do party hair in five minutes the cleanest way: a low pony with a velvet Ribbon and petite Bow, then brushed out in wide, shiny bends. Minimalist and camera-ready the polish you find on Kendall jenner in the evening.
For: medium hair brushed-out Wavy and long hair.
Styling directions: part hair in the middle of the head, pull towards the ground (up, but not up), fasten with a transparent elastic, and tie the headband in the front. Take a 1-1.25 inch iron and only wrap it mid-lengths and not all the way through to the ends. A touch of shine spray keeps it Formal without stiffness—perfect for winter dinners and christmas cocktails.
Half-Up Knot with Cascading Waves
A topknot strands the crown and the rest is in cascading, easy, effortless ribbons – romantic without being over the top.
Best on: defined Wavy long hair.
How to do it: curl in different directions, brush out, and then twist a small section of the crown into a knot (half up half) and pin. Seal with spray paint that is flexible so that the waves can swing. This one reads with delightful ease Festive and is marvellously easy to refresh with a dab of serum on fingertips.
Twin Side Braids with Scarlet Ribbons
There are two loose Dutch plaits that lead into a small half pony, bound with slender red Ribbon – sweet, smooth, holiday-coded.
Recommended: medium density and long hair or medium length hair with a little wave.
How to wear: part each side and rear, tie down and leave the rest to swing in brushed Wavy hair texture. Glue two little ribbon ends on as lift at the bottom. Perfect in the corporate party when you want to be practical and festive at the same time.
Pajama-Party Top Bun with Face Framing
Plaid cozy, cocoa on the nightstand, soft, undress bun – this is the off-duty look that makes for great photographs on christmas morning.
Best on: shoulder-lengths on medium hair; also adorable on short hair when the back is pinned.
Styling directions: pile the hair on the head, loop and tie a loose knot (on top), and bend the front strands in a curl, to make it look like you have a bit of Wavy hair. It is deliberately casual – the idea is comfort without loss of style.
Ornamented Pull-Through Braid Cascade
A big pull-through using tiny star clips is dramatic without having to do a single tricky stitch- think weeknight-gala.
Best: Thick hair; extensions are also not hostile to it.
How to wear: make a mid pony, insert elastics at every few inches,
by pushing each portion apart to give volume. Braids detail on a loose side to provide added grip on the crown. Add bow-shaped clips last. The profile is Formal but sportive – Very festal at winter balls.
Ribbon-Tied Half Pony at the Tree Lot
Evidence that an accessory can create a mood: a cream Bow on top of a half pony over frosted evergreens. Minimal, elegant and timeless.
Best with: long sleek or lightly waved hair.
How to wear: pile the top third (Half up half) on top, fasten and tie a skinny Ribbon. Either have the lengths straight or introduce whisper waves. A simple day to night concept, it comes with tree shopping to evening lights in a neighbourhood – without making any noise, Festive.
Cozy Side Braid Tuck with Sheer Bow
A deep side part is swept over to a narrow French braid that lifts the hairline and vanishes into a pony that is low and tucked. The last ingredient is a fluttering black Ribbon wrapped in a small Bow – light but not daintily so. This would be a perfect match with a bulky Fair Isle knit and gold hoops to get you through a cabin-to-cocktails situation.
Why it works now.
- It is simple up that reads deliberate. The single braid adds structure; the organza bow keeps it Festive and christmas-ready.Great for medium hair and lobs for short hair; the side braid controls layers so nothing pops out.
- Adaptable for Short curly textures: rake through a curl cream, diffuse, then create the braid on the smoother side to frame coils.
Style directions.
- Prep with a lightweight smoothing cream and heat protectant.
- Blow-dry with a paddle brush for gloss, then French-braid from temple to nape.
- Tuck the ends into a low pony, wrap with a thin elastic, and top with the bow.
- Mist with flexible hairspray for hold that still moves.
Where to wear
Understated parties, cookie exchange, or the company holiday lunch – high end without being tacky.
Satin-Bow Half-Up on Loose Waves
Swept-back undress waves are brought into a minimal half-pony and tied in a glossy satin bow. Call it “grown-up coquette.” You need not follow the black-bow trend on runways, or on Kendall jenner, to know: bows are the accessory of the moment.
Texture & length notes
- Designed for Wavy hair but equally stunning on Curly hair if you stretch curls slightly with a wide-barrel iron.
It works better when the length is longer, but even long shoulder-grazing hair can mimic it by puffing the top of the head and then holding the half-pony. (Searches for Half up half prove this look is everywhere.)
Pro tips
- Create a soft bend with a 1.25″ iron, alternating directions for that editorial flow editors at Vogue keep spotlighting.
- Keep the top flat; let the ends look airy.
- Swap the satin Ribbon for velvet at night to make it more Formal.
- A black bow = instant Festive minimalist glam for christmas parties.
Woodland Holiday Braid with Holly Accents
It is a romantic, full braid worn with holly leaves in little jingle-bell details – like a garland caught through the hair. The form is loose and with pulled-out loops and a touch of snow-kisses. Denim plus this braid? Tree-farm-days, and small-town parades, Chef kiss.
Why it is a crowd-pleaser.
- A perfect example of braids for long hair—the more length and thickness, the more magical.
- Equally adorable as Kids braids, braids for kids, or simply for kids recitals (swap the pins for felt stars).
- Protective-style friendly: add festive clips along box braids or a feed-in cornrow base—gorgeous for black women and sweet on Black kids.
- Built for winter and ultra Festive moments, from markets to christmas photos.
Styling How to style
- Add grit with texturizing spray, then Dutch-braid and pancake (gently pull) the loops.
- Pin in felt holly or mini ornaments; finish with a dusting of shimmer spray.
Hair-Bow Chignon with Soft Sparkle
An actual bow of hair at the back of the head – glossy, dimensional, dusted with micro-glitter. It is light and high end, the sort of fashion every December that celebrity stylist Justine Marjan and beauty editors at Allure extol.
When to wear When to wear
Black-tie balls, charity nights, or NYE dinner when your knit wrap and your shoulder-bearing dress are entitled to something special.
Who it is appropriate.
- Medium density and shoulder-to-mid-back lengths (for medium hair).
- Straight to softly Wavy hair is easiest; curly folks can smooth the surface while keeping volume inside the loops.
There are steps involved in styling.
- Blow-dry smooth, then separate a central “ribbon” section for the knot.
- Split the pony into two loops, pin into a bow, wrap the center strand, and tuck ends.
- The bow itself checks the Bow trend box; add a thin hidden Ribbon or jeweled pin for extra Formal shine.
Frosted Berry Half-Up Fishtail
The center of a half-up style is occupied by a gentle fishtail, which is encircled by loose lengths of beach-soft and a crown of frosted berries. It resembles a winter wreath but the mood is contemporary boho.
Reasons why you will like it.
- Soft, face-lifting height without teasing overload.
- A go-to Half up half idea for outdoor services, candlelight concerts, or winery parties.
- Dreamy on Wavy hair and adaptable to Curly hair (leave the bottom natural; fishtail only the pulled-back section).
- Dress it up for Formal gatherings with a metallic headband; keep the berry crown for christmas brunch.
Fast how-to
- Curl with a 1″ iron, brush out, and spritz dry shampoo for grip.
- Take two side pieces, fishtail a few inches, secure with a clear elastic, and cover with greenery or a jeweled clip.
- Works beautifully for medium hair that needs movement but not too much volume.
Milkmaid Crown Braid with Holly Sprig
The head is surrounded with a traditional milkmaid braid, which runs around and ends at the back of the head with a fresh bunch of holly. It is royal but sensible – no flyby wipes on your lipstick as you carry through appetizers.
Best for
- Shorter and mid-length cuts (for short hair, for medium hair) that can’t handle complex updos.
- Day-to-night dressing: brunch to candlelit mass to a Formal dinner.
- Cold-weather events—secure and chic in true winter winds, instantly Festive for christmas services.
Stylist notes
- Part hair down the middle, braid two chunky Dutch plaits, cross and pin.
- Tuck ends under for a seamless halo.
- Take a page from The Cut and keep makeup minimal so the braid is the statement.
Bordeaux Bow French Twist
The traditional French twist is updated with a structured bordeaux Bow – the tails of the ribbon make the shape a bit more like lapels on a higher-quality jacket. The entire outfit, with a similar dress, speaks of holiday party.
Pro playbook
- Cover the seam with a rich satin Ribbon.Flawless on straight hair, but also beautiful for smoothed Curly hair that wants a sleek night off.
- A no-brainer Formal option for cocktail hours and galas; equally chic for New Year’s dinners.
- Works for medium hair and can be finessed for short hair that hits collarbone by adding a hair pad.
- Yes, it reads Festive—and it’s absolutely christmas-card ready.
Pull-Through Pancake Braid with Cozy Flannel
This pancaked wide pull-through braid is pancaked to create cloud-like volume, and then it is left in a low pony as a pile so that scarves and hoods can be worn comfortably. It is my go-to haircut pre-ice-skating with friends: it is safe, can be photographed, and is not cold.
Why it is a winning weekend.
- A brilliant pick for medium hair and especially braids for long hair.
- Looks intricate but is truly an easy up—no braiding skill required; it’s just stacked elastics.
- Great in true winter weather; the shape won’t collapse under a beanie.
- Kid-approved: it’s one of my go-to Kids braids for school concerts (add a bow for extra Festive spirit).
City-Chic Three-Strand Braid under a Trench
Low, thick braid and a clean part in the middle of the head are matched with a tailed leather trench and gold hoops – evidence of the fact that it takes only a plain plait to feel like Paris.
Wearing it now How to wear it now
- Create soft movement with a large-barrel iron first so the braid looks plush—great on Wavy hair.
- Perfect braids for long hair on travel days; the finish still reads dinner-ready with a red lip.
Start with a single feed-in cornrow down the center and transition to a plait; tie a slim black Ribbon at the elastic to make it subtly Formal.
Whatever you do to celebrate, the right hair story must feel like you, easy enough to wear between hugs, photos, and frozen sidewalks but polished enough to take out at a Formal moment. Whether you have Wavy hair or Curly hair, these concepts can be scaled down to short hair, to medium hair and to long hair with soft waves and playful braids. When styling black women, you can use protective braided crowns with a fancy Bow; when it comes to kids, keep it light with soft clips or kids braids so that everyone feels comfortable during winter outings and Christmas dinners.
