There’s something timeless about Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas decor. Rich tartan plaids, deep burgundy and forest green, warm wood tones, antique brass, velvet ribbon, traditional greenery, and plenty of cozy layers come together to create a Christmas home that feels elegant without feeling too formal.
And you don’t need a designer budget to recreate the look. I’ve rounded up affordable Christmas decor finds that capture that classic, collected style. From plaid ornaments and velvet pillows to vintage-inspired Christmas artwork and brass accents. Here’s how to bring the look into your own home this Christmas.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This post is inspired by the classic Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ralph Lauren.
What Makes Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Decor So Timeless?
The secret to this style is really in the layering. Start with a traditional Christmas color palette of deep red, burgundy, forest green, and warm neutrals, then bring in tartan plaid, velvet, aged brass, warm woods, and plenty of natural-looking greenery. Instead of filling the room with trendy Christmas decorations, choose pieces that feel as though they could have been collected over time. The result is cozy, traditional, and just a little bit nostalgic.
Shop the Classic Christmas Look
Below, I’m breaking down the look piece by piece, with ideas for decorating your Christmas tree, mantel, living room, and smaller holiday vignettes. But if you’re ready to start shopping, I’ve gathered all of my favorite affordable Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas decor finds in one place so you can easily recreate this classic, cozy look at home.
Create a Classic Christmas Tree
For a classic Christmas tree, skip a perfectly matched ornament set and layer different shapes, textures, and patterns instead. Tartan plaid ornaments, rich red and green baubles, pinecones, and vintage-inspired ornaments give the tree that collected-over-time look. Warm white lights and clip-on Christmas tree candles add an old-fashioned glow, while a plaid tree skirt carries the traditional pattern all the way to the floor.
You can also tuck velvet ribbon or bows between the branches for another layer of rich color and texture. The goal isn’t perfection, but a slightly eclectic mix. This collected look is part of what makes this style feel so warm and timeless.
Decorate a Traditional Christmas Mantel
A beautiful traditional Christmas mantel doesn’t need dozens of decorations. Start with a full, realistic-looking evergreen garland and layer in berries, pinecones, or warm white lights. Burgundy velvet bows instantly add richness, while brass candlesticks and taper candles bring in that warm, old-world feeling.
Plaid stockings are another easy way to repeat the tartan from the Christmas tree and tie the entire room together. Finish the mantel with a few collected-looking pieces such as vintage-inspired Christmas artwork, wooden nutcrackers, or small framed prints.
Layer Plaid, Velvet and Cozy Christmas Textiles
One of the easiest – and most affordable – ways to completely change a living room for Christmas is with textiles like blankets and throw pillows. A few plaid Christmas pillows, deep red velvet pillow covers, and a cozy tartan throw can bring the entire color palette into the room without replacing any of your everyday furniture.
Don’t be afraid to mix plaids, either. Keeping the colors in the same deep red, green, and neutral family helps different patterns work together rather than compete. Add a whimsical embroidered Christmas pillow or a chunky knit throw to keep the room feeling cozy and approachable rather than overly formal.
Create Small Christmas Vignettes Around the Room
You don’t have to decorate every surface from top to bottom. Instead, repeat a few of the same materials and colors throughout the room.
A console table can be styled with several decorative Christmas pieces like brass Christmas trees, candlesticks, greenery, vintage books, and framed artwork. A side table might only need a small arrangement of greenery and berries beside a candle. Even something as simple as swapping a neutral lampshade for plaid can carry the Christmas palette into another corner of the room.
Repeating tartan, greenery, brass, and burgundy in small doses is what makes the entire space feel connected.
Add Vintage-Inspired Christmas Artwork
Christmas-themed artwork is one of my favorite ways to make classic Christmas decor feel more collected and less store-bought. Snow-covered Christmas trees, winter landscapes, old-fashioned Santa scenes, and small botanical holiday prints all work beautifully with this style.
Look for artwork with muted colors and vintage-inspired finishes, then pair it with antique-style gold or brass frames. Smaller Christmas prints are perfect for layering on mantels, bookshelves, and console tables, while one larger piece can become the focal point of an entire room.
And don’t feel like every piece of artwork has to scream Christmas. Winter landscapes, equestrian-inspired artwork, and moody vintage scenes can contribute to the same traditional look while staying up well beyond December 25.
How to Get the Classic Christmas Look on a Budget
You don’t need to replace everything you already own to get this look. In fact, Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas decor works especially well when it’s layered with everyday furniture and accessories.
Start with the pieces that will make the biggest visual impact. A plaid throw, a few velvet pillow covers, beautiful ribbon, traditional ornaments, and realistic greenery can transform a room for far less than buying entirely new Christmas decor. Everyday items like baskets, books, brass candlesticks, and wood furniture fit in seamlessly. They actually help create the warm, collected feeling that makes this style work.
Choose a few statement pieces you really love, then fill in around them with affordable finds. Shopping second-hand from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales is always a great way to add to your collection.
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Decor Never Really Goes Out of Style
Trends come and go, but there’s a reason traditional Christmas decor comes back year after year. Tartan plaid, velvet ribbon, glowing candles, evergreen branches, and rich shades of red and green instantly make a home feel warm and nostalgic.
And that’s what I love most about this look. It can feel elevated and beautiful without being untouchable. Mix a few affordable finds with pieces you already own, layer in plenty of cozy texture, and let the room feel collected rather than perfectly coordinated.
Shop All My Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Decor Finds
I gathered all of my favorite affordable finds in one place, from tartan plaid ornaments and cozy textiles to brass accents, traditional greenery, vintage-inspired artwork, and more. Shop the full collection to find everything you need to recreate the look at home.
Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Decor FAQs
Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas decor combines traditional holiday colors and patterns with a warm, collected feel. Think tartan plaid, deep red and forest green, rich velvet, warm wood, antique brass, classic greenery, vintage-inspired artwork, and cozy layered textiles.
Start with deep red, burgundy, forest green, and warm neutrals. Tartan plaid naturally brings several of these colors together, while touches of antique brass, dark wood, and cream add warmth and keep the room from feeling overly red and green.
Focus on a few high-impact changes instead of replacing all of your Christmas decor. Plaid pillow covers, velvet ribbon, traditional ornaments, realistic greenery, brass candlesticks, and vintage-inspired Christmas artwork can completely change the feel of a room. Mixing affordable new finds with pieces you already own also helps create that collected-over-time look.
Mix nostalgic Christmas elements with simple, timeless pieces. Natural-looking greenery, warm brass, solid velvet, classic wood furniture, and neutral textiles balance more traditional elements like plaid, nutcrackers, vintage Christmas artwork, and old-fashioned ornaments. The result feels nostalgic without looking like a time capsule.
You can recreate the aesthetic without buying designer Christmas decor. I’ve collected my favorite affordable Amazon finds for getting the look, including tartan ornaments, plaid textiles, brass accents, greenery, Christmas artwork, and other traditional holiday pieces.
→ SHOP MY CLASSIC CHRISTMAS DECOR FINDS ON AMAZON
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