I know, I know — it’s not even Halloween, but the people want what the people want! The holly jolly dreams of a Ralph Lauren Christmas are taking TikTok by storm, and the best part about this trend is that it’s actually timeless.
We wouldn’t normally condone swapping out your holiday decor every year to fit the current trend, but the Ralph Lauren aesthetic is what many people envision when they think of traditional Christmas decor. It’s especially nostalgic if you’ve always loved the holiday decor in ’90s Christmas movies like Home Alone, or if you’ve daydreamed of decking your halls like a cozy lodge nestled in the English countryside.
Even though the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic has a decidedly “old money” vibe, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get the look — and we’ll prove it with our budget-friendly decor picks below.
What is Ralph Lauren Christmas?
Ralph Lauren Christmas is a nostalgic and sophisticated aesthetic inspired by the iconic designer style seen in the brand’s in-store Christmas displays. Think rich reds and greens, tartan plaid and velvet bows, illuminated by the cozy glow of soft lighting. These are some of the most common elements you’ll see associated with a Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas:
- Deep red, forest green and navy blue hues
- Tartan and other plaid fabrics
- Wool, velvet and cable-knit textures
- Gold or brass accents
- Bows, tassels and bells
- Long ribbons and ceiling swags
- Thick garland with pinecones, magnolia leaves, red berries and red roses
- Warm white string lights, rather than multicolored strands
How to Recreate the Ralph Lauren Christmas Aesthetic
While it can be relatively easy to find the elements you need to nail the Ralph Lauren Christmas look, there are a few unofficial rules to get the vibe right.
- Don’t mix plaids (mostly). According to former Ralph Lauren designer Molly Moorkamp, you should pick one plaid fabric and stick to it throughout the room. That said, Ralph Lauren’s official TikTok regarding the trend does feature a little mix-and-match moment when it comes to tableware, so just tread lightly!
- Keep the greenery realistic. It’s time to ditch those skinny, bright green strands of garland. According to former Ralph Lauren visual merchandiser Preston Konrad, they’d often use artificial (but realistic-looking) garland when installing the brand’s iconic in-store Christmas displays. But the trick is to double- or even triple-up the garland for a lifelike look.
- No overhead lighting. All “big light” haters will love to hear this: Moorkamp says soft, warm lighting is a non-negotiable. Use candles and small tabletop lamps to get that inviting glow instead.
- Ditch the signage. Moorkamp believes in speaking your good tidings aloud, rather than plastering those words on decor — so take your “Live Laugh Love” elsewhere.
And as Konrad points out, you may already have a lot of these traditional, Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas decor pieces in your home — but it’s all about the way you style them.
7 Ralph Lauren Christmas Looks for Less
Plaid Christmas Table Runner
Set the table — literally — for your Ralph Lauren Christmas with this green-and-blue plaid table runner. There are several plaid styles to choose from (and a few different sizes), so you can match it perfectly with the rest of your tableware.
Price: $11.99 at Amazon
Holiday Time Dark Red Flocked Ball Christmas Ornaments
Velvet baubles are a chic addition to any tree, but they’re especially worthy of a Ralph Lauren Christmas in this deep, dark red. You get four of these 4.5-inch ornaments in a set, so you can easily fill a tree with a few packs.
Price: $8.18 per 4 count pack at Walmart
EverGrace Stewart Red Christmas Plaid Throw Blanket
Cozy up with this classic Christmas plaid blanket, available in several Ralph Lauren-worthy plaids to match your space. Whichever you choose, it’ll add a touch of warmth to your living room or guest bedroom, and invite friends and family to kick back, relax and enjoy the holiday.
Price: $26.99+ at Amazon
Artificial Norfolk Pine Garland
This six-foot stretch of artificial garland looks just like real pine, and serves as the perfect base for red berries, pinecones, string lights and whatever other decor you want to add. Plus, you get two for this price, so you can double them up for that lush, designer look for less.
Price: $29.99 for 2 at Amazon
Threshold Porcelain Plaid Dinner Bowls
Serving up cozy soups or salads, these dinner bowls add a touch of festive plaid to your Christmas table setting. Four of them are included in the set, and they’re dishwasher-safe for easy holiday cleanup. Plus, you can get 2% cash back from RetailMeNot for purchases sitewide.
Price: $20 for 4 at Target
MIULEE Christmas Set of 2 Scottish Tartan Plaid Throw Pillow Covers
The easiest way to add a little of that Ralph Lauren Christmas flair to your home is with new pillow covers. There are more than a dozen plaids to choose from, and several square- and lumbar-style sizes so you can drench your whole couch or bed in matching style, if you wanted to.
Price: $13.99 for 2 pack at Amazon
Wondershop Christmas Small Velvet Bow Dark Green
These dark green velvet bows can add a really luxe touch to your decor. They’re 12 inches long, so a few can go a long way on your tree, in your Christmas wreath or nestled atop your mantelpiece or bookshelf garland. Plus, you can get 2% cash back from RetailMeNot for purchases sitewide.
Price: $6 at Target
Looking for holiday gift ideas? We’ve researched 20 of the best beauty advent calendars, gift options even the pickiest teenagers will love as well as a guide for this years hot toy gifts.
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