Holiday Nails in Columbus: What to Book Before Wildlights, Office Parties and Family Photos

The holidays in Central Ohio pack a lot into six weeks. Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo opens November 20 and runs through January 3. Then come office parties, family photos, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Your nails show up in all of it.

Here's a simple plan so your nails look good at every stop without living at the salon.

The two visit plan

Most guests don't need weekly appointments in December. Two well timed visits cover the whole season.

Visit 1: the week before Thanksgiving

Get a gel manicure or dip in a warm neutral, deep red or soft shimmer. It carries you through Thanksgiving, The Game, the first Wildlights trip and early December parties.

Visit 2: about December 18 to 22

This is your big holiday look. Christmas photos, family dinners and New Year's Eve all land in the next two weeks. Go bolder here with glitter, chrome or a little art.

Book visit 2 early. The week before Christmas is the busiest week of the year at nail salons around Columbus, and the best times go first.

Colors that work for a Central Ohio winter

• Deep red and wine. Classic. Looks great with coats, gloves and candlelight.
• Forest and emerald green. Rich and a little unexpected. Gorgeous with gold jewelry.
• Champagne chrome. Soft shine that photographs beautifully under holiday lights.
• Milky white with gold flecks. Clean, wintry and easy to wear to work.
• Navy with a silver accent. Great for New Year's Eve without going full glitter.

Wildlights is a night walk with millions of lights, so anything with shimmer or chrome really shows up in photos there. Chrome or cat eye at Aventus starts at $15 as an add on.

Family photo tips

Hands end up in more holiday photos than you'd think. Holding a mug, a baby, a gift, a sparkler.

1. Keep it simple if the photo is formal. A clean nude, soft pink or classic red never looks dated in five years.
2. Match the outfit, not the theme. If everyone wears plaid, a solid red or green looks better than busy art.
3. Get it done two to four days before. Gel looks freshest in the first week. Any closer and you risk a rushed appointment.
4. Don't forget cuticles. Cold air and indoor heat dry them out. A hydration gel manicure ($55) adds a rose petal soak, sugar scrub and hydrating mask, which helps a lot in winter.

Gift ideas, quickly

Aventus gift cards are sold at the front desk of both salons. Stop in at Polaris or Lewis Center. A gel manicure ($45) or one of our premium spa pedicures ($69 to $99) makes an easy gift for moms, teachers, coworkers and anyone who's hard to shop for.

Group bookings for the holidays

Planning a girls' day or a little holiday party with friends? Call either salon to book a group, and please book at least 24 hours ahead so we can line up enough technicians to start you together.

Quick answers

What lasts through the whole holiday season?

Builder gel and acrylic last longest with a balance or fill around the three week mark. Gel and dip usually look great for two to three weeks.

Can I get glitter that comes off easily in January?

Yes. Gel with glitter soaks off with a regular gel removal, which is $15 with a new service.

Is Polaris less busy than Lewis Center?

Polaris is our newer salon and often has more open times, especially on weekdays. During our soft opening, Polaris guests also get 50% off their second main service.

Happy holidays from all of us at Aventus.