The authentic and timeless world of Ralph Lauren
Holiday 2026
RL/Culture

Deck Your Halls: A Holiday Style Guide

Creating your own look of a classic Ralph Lauren Christmas requires only a few rules. Here’s how to build the quintessential holiday scene, from the plaid-clad tabletop and bar to the spruced-up mantle, tree, entryway, and beyond.
By Shannon Adducci
You know it when you see it: The evening lighting dimmed just so; the fragrant garlands of fir, pine, and spruce, mixed with holly or pinecones, nestled atop the mantel and hanging along arched doorways; the tablescape layered with festive plates, etched crystal, and candlelight; plaid wool fabrics draped along surfaces for extra texture; cozy coordinating wardrobes in black tie, cable knits, or rustic ensembles in shearling, suede, and plaid flannel. There’s good reason that Ralph Lauren’s Christmas and holiday scenes resonate with us. They follow Ralph’s emphasis on timeless classics and traditions to revisit, year after year. And just like an outfit, the RL holidayscape is perfectly layered with all the essentials that attract and hold the eye but never feel overly stimulating or crowded. Everything is ... just right. This season, holiday scenes reflect Ralph Lauren’s Fall/Holiday 2026 focus on returning to the simplicity of nature. It could be a journey back to that beloved family lake house, or a getaway to a rustic cabin in the woods. The holidays present us with the time to fully unplug: to gather friends, play those vinyl records, make a meal, and trim the tree. That translates to holiday décor that matches the quiet revelry of the season. To help you create your own #RalphLaurenChristmas, we’ve broken down the key elements that define the classic holiday look. They just so happen to make great gifts, too.
The Tablescape
What would the holidays be without a party? Whether it’s a seated dinner or cocktail function, this is the season to break out the special dinnerware and serving accoutrements. Plaids can be deftly incorporated, in the form of coordinating plates and mugs. Paired with etched crystal Champagne coupes, wine, and water glasses, it’s a polished tabletop foundation that allows for personal accents to come in, whether that’s rustic garlands of greenery with pinecones and berries, glass hurricanes, or candlestick holders. Small tabletop accessories, such as stamped pewter napkin rings and trays from artists in residence Naoimi and Tyler Glasses or intricately carved dog place card holders, make a big impact on the table. Don’t forget to dim the lighting and use candlelight, or even a few strings of twinkling fairy lights, to set the mood.
Alexander Dinner Plate
MDL 1,660.00
The Bar
Everyone stops by the bar, which is all the more reason it deserves its own décor for the holidays. Consider how to accentuate all the crystal and hardware that make up a bar arrangement, incorporating smaller greenery, festive and on-theme objects, and plaid textiles alongside and under the decanters, glasses, and bar tools.
Hudson Plaid Decanter
MDL 6,730.00
Hudson Double Old Fashioned Gift Set
MDL 3,210.00
Thorpe Cocktail Shaker
MDL 3,630.00
Thorpe Coaster Gift Set
MDL 3,000.00
Durban Champagne Bucket
MDL 34,430.00
The Entryway
Festive greenery is the foundation of any Ralph entryway. That means lush, full garlands of fir, pine, or spruce (real and fragrant, or very good replicas) outlining an arched doorway, nestled into discreet flower boxes below windows, or as long boughs that fill elegant planters in your entryway. Mixing different types of greens offers a sense of texture. They can be lit with warm white lights, and accented with pinecones and holly, or mixed with native greenery such as magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, or various cedars and cypress varieties, depending on the location. This season, cedar, pine, juniper, pinecones, red berries, rose hips, laurel branches, and a few antlers here and there provide a rustic touch. Incorporating the color red is also important, as it adds drama and can instantly change a floral arrangement or entryway.
Medium Modern Hurricane
MDL 16,080.00
Brennan Leather Umbrella Stand
MDL 17,500.00
Hudson Plaid Vase
MDL 8,180.00
Hailey Basket
MDL 15,020.00
The Mantel
Another opportunity for greenery, the mantel is the place to mix seasonal elements with objects that reflect the overall theme of the room. That could be polished and English-inspired, with porcelain vases, antique clocks, polished silver candelabras and pictures frames, and equestrian-themed oil paintings sitting with fir garlands; or beachy and coastal with glass hurricanes with beeswax candles, a sleek mirror, and cypress accents. The most memorable of Ralph’s mantels are the rustic ones, framing rough-hewn stone fireplaces with antlers, sleighbells, vintage skis, and freshly chopped wood logs to create the cozy feeling of Christmas in the country.
Durban Candle Snuffer and Match Gift Set
MDL 10,830.00
Modern Hurricane
MDL 18,540.00
Small Pryce Décor Box
MDL 13,020.00
Montgomery Candlestick Holder Gift Set
MDL 19,310.00
The Tree
Ralph’s holiday trees reflect the various worlds that he’s built over the years. They could be as simple as strung popcorn and ribbons, or more elaborate with glass ornaments, collected over time to reflect a well-traveled life. What connects them all is thoughtfulness, artistry, and a commitment to a theme. Most trees incorporate warm white lights and often there is a classic color palette of red and gold bulbs. This season, plaid shapes, ice-skating Polo Bears, cable-knit textured glass bulbs, and stylized silver ranch ornaments approach tree trimming with a wink.
Sled Polo Bear Ornament
MDL 880.00
Skating Polo Bear Ornament
MDL 880.00
Ranch Ornament Gift Set
MDL 5,360.00
Cable-Knit Ornament Gift Set
MDL 2,080.00
Penthouse Ornament Gift Set
MDL 5,360.00
The Textiles
Plaids and tartans are the secret sauce of any Ralph Lauren Christmas scene. They are always in the picture, whether it’s on a few well-placed throw pillows, or blankets or bedding, in the pattern of festive plaid dinnerware and table runners and napkins, or as trunks that hold game sets. The key is restraint: Choose the right pieces and make sure they complement one another without being too matchy, or overwhelming. Then mix them with textured neutral solids, like a cable-knit cashmere throw blanket, or well-placed Polo Bear pillow.
Equestrian Stadium Throw Blanket
MDL 32,710.00
The Iconic Cable Cashmere Throw Blanket
MDL 14,400.00
The Ralph & Ricky Tuxedo Bear Pillow
MDL 9,850.00
Shannon Adducci is a writer and fashion editor based in New York. Her work has appeared in Elle, GQ, Departures, Robb Report, WWD and T: The New York Times Style Magazine.
More from
article image
Culture
Outside Time
What a landscape of history and meaning—natural beauty and silence—can inspire.
Read
article image
Culture
A Thread of American Heritage
In Gee’s Bend, Alabama, American ingenuity takes shape in quilts and the hands that make them.
Read
article image
Culture
A Thread of American Heritage
In Gee’s Bend, Alabama, American ingenuity takes shape in quilts and the hands that make them.
Read