These Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas decor ideas are all about traditional Christmas style with a twist. Here’s how to get the look.
What in the polo shirt is going on this Christmas?
Have you seen that Ralph Lauren style is everywhere this year?
Truth?
I was already dreaming of plaid and velvet and brass and oversized bows this summer. It just made sense. I live in a house built in 1908 and it deserves a classic Christmas look.
And then?
Everywhere I look, I think everyone else had the same idea.
Oh, good.
The more the merrier.
Literally.
It’s official. I’m in my Ralph Lauren Christmas era.
So today I wanted to share my plans and some super creative ideas (think ribbons coming out of the ceiling) if you were thinking Ralph Lauren, too.
Are you ready?
LET’S GO.
How To Choose a Christmas Theme For Your Home
I wanted to press pause before we get into Ralph Lauren and just discuss Christmas themes in general. You don’t have to have a theme—I just think it makes life a little easier when you are planning. There are so many options with Christmas decor (just walk the aisles of the store) and if you have a theme you can focus so much better.
If you haven’t planned your theme yet for this year, here are four categories of theme planning I usually use:
- I go with an overall color scheme (like blue and white) for the room and tree and mantel
- I go with an overall pattern (like plaid) for the room and tree and mantel
- I go with a certain type of Christmas floral (like evergreens or hydrangeas) for the room and tree and mantel
- I go with one of my favorite Christmas things (like snowflakes) for the room and tree and mantel
Does that make sense?
I pick one and go with that. When you think of it in categories, it makes it so much easier to choose.
And now?
Let’s start with a mock-up of my Ralph Lauren inspired tree.
(please note: this is a mock-up to help me plan—my real tree is going to be so much cuter).
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Tree
Here’s what I was thinking for the tree.
At least this is my current plan.
Let’s unpack a little of what the “Ralph Lauren Look” for a Christmas tree entails:
- Tartan Plaid: Classic Ralph Lauren red, green, navy, and blackwatch ribbon
- Velvet Bows: Deep red or emerald velvet is ideal
- Brass Accents: Shiny gold and antique brass ornaments
- Equestrian Details: Horses or horse pendants
- Oversized Ornaments: Big statement jingle bells (that’s what I’m using)
- Mixed Metals: Blend gold, silver, and brass
- Heritage Colors: Deep reds, greens, navy, and ivory
- Warm Lighting: Soft white twinkle lights
- Textured Layers: Combine mercury glass, velvet, leather, and wool
- Plaid Wrapped Gifts: Tartan boxes and velvet ribbons
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Tree
You can shop the entire look for the Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Tree here.
And here are my clever ideas for the tree:
- I’m using plaid wreath sashes like these to add large bows to the tree
- I’m using gold glue sticks to create monograms for my velvet ornaments
- I’m going to frame equestrian prints in these frames and hang them as ornaments
- I’m going to use these trophies as ornaments
- I’m shopping thrift stores for vintage leather belts to create a garland
- I’m using a plaid throw (like the one I linked above) as a tree skirt
- I already made these DIY ornaments
- I’m adding vintage keys and these clock faces as ornaments, too (they are 7″ wide so they’ll make perfect ornaments)
- You can see the set of vintage keys here (wouldn’t these make perfect ornaments)
I got SO MANY emails about these seals I made with a glue gun and stamp and gold glue sticks.
You just load the glue sticks into the glue gun and glop it onto a hard surface, and then press the monogram into the center.
Couple of quick tips:
- once you use gold glue in a glue gun, you are kind of committed, so make sure you have an extra glue gun that you are okay with it turning gold
- these make the cutest ornament toppers or present toppers and look so FANCY
- make sure to let the monogram press set up in the glue for about 30 seconds before you remove it
- let the “seal” dry thoroughly before you peel it off the plate
- you can see the gold glue sticks here
- you can see the monogram press here
Ralph Lauren Inspired Living Room
You can shop the entire look for the Ralph Lauren Inspired Living Room here.
And here are my clever ideas for the living room:
- I’m on the hunt for a vintage trophy to use as a vase with evergreens
- I’m looking for vintage English countryside scenes to switch out with some of my existing artwork
- I’m adding plaid pillows everywhere and switching out the rug for a smaller pattern that looks more vintage
- I’m going to wrap books in plaid wrapping paper and stack them on the shelves (think of how it will look against that navy bookcase)
- I’m wrapping boxes with the cutest plaid wrapping paper and velvet ribbon and adding them to the built-ins (which I’m painting back plain navy)
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Mantel
You can shop the entire look for the Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Mantel here.
And here are my clever ideas for the mantel:
- I’m making leather holders for the stockings (I’ll try and do a DIY on these)
- I’m layering those battery-operated Christmas lights—but I’m mixing warm white and an amber color to look like candlelight
- I’m adding brass lanterns next to the fireplace
- I’m using this realistic cedar garland and adding in pine and bayleaf to look old school
- I’m hanging tons of brass bells on the ends of the mantel
- I’m looking at a DIY garland (not sure if it will turn out) with vintage pennants
// red and green throw //
And speaking of Ralph Lauren chic and I saw this and FELL IN LOVE.
It’s got sherpa on one side and plaid on the other and it just looked like the perfect throw for the holidays.
// these blue and white ornaments //
I know this isn’t exactly Ralph Lauren, but for all my blue and white friends, here is the find of the century.
I was so worried they were going to sell out, so I bought a few boxes. 🙂
They come in a set of six and they are porcelain (just like those bowl fillers we ordered). They arrived at the house and they are BEAUTIFUL. I’m not crazy about the string, so I think I’m going to replace it with velvet ribbon.
You can see the ornaments here.
Whew.
That was a lot.
I hope it was a little helpful if you are thinking about Ralph Lauren this Christmas.
And if you are having trouble wondering how to choose a Christmas theme or if you don’t have a theme or having a theme seems a little overwhelming. No worries. Decorate from your heart.
It’s the best place to start. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post
Thanks for representing those whose heart bleeds blue and white! xoxoxoxo
Love all the RL except for the horses.... I will use reindeer. I already have a lot of things that can go under the RL theme.... Similar to you wrapping books, I'm going to wrap a framed pic in plaid paper to put on the mantel and decorate around that. And I'm not a blue and white person for Christmas but cheers to those who are....
Here's the plan for my theme ... Deep red and green for the colors Plaid for the overall pattern Evergreens for the Christmas floral Sleighs for the favorite Christmas thing Easier said than done ha ha
Is there a link to the antique key and clock face ornaments?
Of course! You can see the clock faces here: https://amzn.to/4oUf3dp and here's a link to the keys: https://amzn.to/47Z0RtX Happy day! KariAnne
Thank you for this great post. I love the 4 categories of theme planning. It finally makes sense to me in a way I can easily remember. Your ideas are helpful and beautiful. I would also like to thank you for recommending AmLactin. It has been a game changer for this eczema sufferer.
I’ve always been a Ralph Lauren fan! Bring on the plaid!
Wowwwwwww. A Ralph Lauren Christmas looks amazing. So cozy and yikes, a lot of work for you! I may not embrace it all, but I'm definitely incorporating some plaid. Thanks so much for the inspo.
Your plan looks beautiful but terribly ambitious! I’m getting too old to do all that, I’ll leave it to you younger, energetic people. My plan for this year is to try and use what I have, but rearrange (including furniture) to make it all feel fresh and new.
Wow your tree is going to be awesome! I got lots of ideas. Thank you for your post
I have been searching thrifted belts for a project….very hard to find! I may have to talk to staff to not throw out the ones they get that cannot be sold! I will buy a few in different styles! Not planning to wear them!!
Thanks for showing some blue and white, that's my passion.
My "Christmas" looks way different but I do have a red,green,and cream colored tablecloth I made years ago when my ex and I were poor as church mice. Maybe I'll dig it out. My usual colors are traditional fed and green but in the bathroom it's light blue and red
I love the RL look. Classic and plaid never go out of style. I’m old too and retired so I can’t change themes on a whim. I’ve bought many beautiful things over the years and try to incorporate them in different ways each Christmas. I did find a plaid Angel this past weekend in a local antique mall!
I love Ralph Lauren! In fact, my daughter is names Lauren because I loved his style so much when I was younger. I love this new look too!
I was Ralph Lauren before Ralph Lauren was cool!! Seriously though, I have loved both the traditional and dress Stewart plaids since visiting Scotland, so over the years I’ve been gathering things in this plaid and use it in my kitchen and sunroom. My living room has all the brown and copper plaids Ralph Lauren is also known for.
Loved your ideas especially blue and white. One year I wrapped everything in plaid paper with red velvet ribbon. Loved that. The ribbon you showed which looked like burlap with red trim and red checked “buttons “ - was that a DIY you made? Loved the look of that.
Love this theme! Just an idea I’ve used before for clock faces. Take a used cd and mod podge a vintage clock face that you print out onto it. There tons of them available out there. Put these on plates for new years one year. Looked awesome. Love everything you do Karianne. You’re a treasure!
RL was my style years ago - it is so truly "Christmas!" I just love there are so many styles and colors and choices that we all are doing what's best for us. I look forward to seeing all your Christmas decor. It's always inspirational!
I think you nailed the look! And remember, Ralph did several blue and white items, especially his chinoiserie bedding…..
My Christmas china is actually blue and white - Santa in his sleigh with his reindeer. I think the blue and white look so good with polished silver pieces, greens and red berries, and candles. I also have plates in red and white - polka dots and plaid - and little gingerbread house plates - for less formal table settings, where I change out the centerpiece greens for mini gingerbread houses, felted wool Christmas woodland animals, mini trees, etc. I am so impressed by your themes, but I don't think I could pull it off 😂 I do have those plaid pillows though (purchased last year), and I do love to use plaid ribbons. The closest I can come to a theme is probably whimsy, which is why I am so excited to be adding some of Westleigh's painted ornaments. I love the anticipation and excitement that children have for the holidays - so I tend to decorate with that in mind - I have lots of seasonal toys collected through the years, and our tree ornaments represent many different countries we have been fortunate to visit back in our traveling days - many are animals. And color, color, color - I decorate year round and more at the holidays like throwing a big box of crayons into each room. I would probably drive you crazy! I hope you find all the parts and pieces you want for your beautiful Ralph Lauren theme!
Another Ralph Lauren fan right here!. It works so well with my Western and Native American decor. The nice thing is whether you lean more to the horsey/dressage, preppy, or Western/Native styles, you can find something that works together. Mary Emmerling style decor blends in with the RL look beautifully as well. Happy Thanksgiving to all!