How to DIY Ralph Lauren Christmas Decor on a Budget

There’s something about the trendy Ralph Lauren Christmas style that feels effortless to me. This year, I wanted my Christmas decor to capture that same feeling — a mix of cozy textures, rich colors, and classic holiday charm.

Think deep navy, hunter green, and burgundy, with touches of gold and brass. Every detail feels warm, layered, and lived-in — the kind of space that invites you to sink into a chair with a plaid throw and a cup of hot cocoa.

Come take a peek at my Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas decor ideas, where cozy comfort meets old-world sophistication.

RALPH LAUREN PIN

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Think moody colors, layered textures, soft candlelight, timeless tartans, and those beautifully curated, traditional holiday vignettes Ralph Lauren is known for. The kind of Christmas style that feels rich, warm, and collected over time.

And the best part? These ideas are incredibly budget-friendly.

YouTube Video Tutorial

Let’s take a little classic Christmas tour through everything I created for you.

DIY Vintage-Inspired Ornament Dough Bowl

One of my favorite ways to bring in that luxury Christmas home styling is through texture and patina, and nothing does that better than vintage ornaments. Instead of hunting down pricey originals, I made my own using thrifted Christmas balls and paint from my Southern Crush at Home Collection over at A Frayed Knot.

Melanie Ferguson holding a bag of thrifted vintage ornaments

For that Ralph Lauren depth and warmth, I used layers of Holly Berry, Fudgesicle, Tortoise, and Spruce—dabbed on with a spouncer and dried between each coat. A touch of baking soda in the paint adds a subtle chalky texture that makes them look aged, well loved, and collected over the years.

AFK RL Collection

Once the ornaments were ready, I gathered them into a beautiful dough bowl lined with a tartan plaid throw.

rl inspired christmas ornaments

Adding in three thrifted wooden Christmas trees, a strand of wood beads, leftover greenery, and even a few sweet gum balls gave the entire arrangement that cozy lodge Christmas look Ralph Lauren does so well.

rl inspired christmas ornaments

A simple candle tucked in at the end made it feel warm and welcoming on my entry table.

rl inspired christmas ornaments

This whole scene feels like walking into a mountain lodge decorated for Christmas—a little rustic, a little refined, and totally timeless.

Plaid Gift Wrapped Book Stack & Styling

Next up is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to bring in plaid Christmas style—a Dollar Tree book stack wrapped in the prettiest navy tartan paper. Yes… wrapping paper! Dollar Tree had the most Ralph Lauren-inspired plaid this year, and you better believe I grabbed it.

RL christmas tartan plaid dollar tree wrapping paper book stack

I wrapped a couple of Dollar Tree books (just eyeballing and trimming as I went), then added them to my dining hutch to create a layered heritage holiday home vignette. On top, I placed a faux antler—another signature Ralph Lauren detail—and beside it, I styled a tarnished silver champagne bucket filled with fresh greenery. I love leaving the silver unpolished for that charming, old-world patina.

RL christmas bow on silver champagne bucket

A small burlap-wrapped Christmas tree and a velvet ribbon bow clipped to the front gave this whole spot a soft, traditional, and very “RL lodge” feel.

RL christmas tartan plaid dollar tree wrapping paper book stack on hutch

Add a brown candle tucked into a small wreath, and suddenly the hutch felt like part of a classic Christmas home tour.

Blue Willow Christmas Place Setting with Velvet Bow

If you know me, you know I love a table setting that mixes the unexpected, and this one makes me ridiculously happy. For a beautifully layered traditional holiday table, I paired a red Dollar Tree red charger with a classic Blue Willow plate—bringing in that “something old, something new, something handmade, and something blue” mantra I’ve been loving this year.

RL christmas blue willow table setting

To finish the look, I added a dark green velvet clip-on bow right on top. It ties in perfectly with Ralph Lauren’s love for tartan Christmas decorating and rich, moody textures. This place setting is simple enough for everyday use but elegant enough for holiday guests.

RL christmas blue willow table setting

The whole look feels like it belongs in a cozy countryside home dressed for the holidays—elevated but easy.

Front Door Magnolia Wreath with Classic Plaid Bow

And because bows are basically the finishing touch of every good Ralph Lauren inspired diy, I added a navy and green tartan bow to a simple magnolia wreath using my EZ Bow Maker. A little bit of bling in the center and a satin ribbon tail made it feel polished without overdoing it.

close up of navy tartan plaid ralph lauren inspired bow

Hung on the front door, this wreath sets the tone for the entire luxury Christmas home styling vibe—classic, warm, welcoming, and undeniably Ralph Lauren inspired.

navy tartan plaid ralph lauren inspired bow

Bringing It All Together

Every one of these ideas pulls from the colors, textures, and iconic elements of Ralph Lauren Christmas decor—but made simple and accessible for any budget. You don’t need expensive antiques or designer decor to create a warm, layered, luxurious holiday home. You just need a little creativity… and maybe a roll of Dollar Tree plaid wrapping paper.

If you recreate any of these ideas or bring a little Ralph Lauren inspiration into your home this year, I’d love to see it. Stay tuned, my friend—more Christmas inspiration is coming your way!

Styling Tips to Steal

If you want to recreate this Ralph Lauren look in your own home, here are a few easy ideas:

  • Stick to a deep, classic palette: navy, burgundy, forest green, gold, and cream.
  • Layer masculine textures (leather, wood, brass) with soft textiles (velvet, cable-knit, and fur).
  • Mix patterns confidently — stripes, plaids, and checks all work together beautifully when you stay in the same color family.
  • Keep lighting soft and warm — amber bulbs, candles, and low twinkle lights are your best friends.

This year, my home feels less about “decorating for Christmas” and more about curating a feeling — timeless, cozy, and inviting. Ralph Lauren’s signature style reminds me that great design doesn’t follow trends; it simply feels right year after year.

Whether it’s a plaid pillow, a vintage ornament, or a simple velvet ribbon, those small touches can make your home feel like a story waiting to be told.

“Classic never goes out of style — it just gets cozier with time.”

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