A Ralph Lauren Christmas tree is a full, natural-looking evergreen decorated in deep red, hunter green, and gold, with tartan or velvet ribbon, glass ornaments mixed with a few plaid, brass, and wooden pieces, and warm white lights only. It looks collected over years, not bought as a matching set. To get the look, decorate in this order: lights, ribbon, large anchor ornaments, character ornaments, natural picks, topper, and finally a tartan skirt or a wool blanket around the base.
The tree is the biggest single piece of Ralph Lauren Christmas decor, so it’s worth getting right. Below is the order I’d decorate it in, the ornaments that make it read as this style, and six variations to choose from.
What Makes a Christmas Tree Look “Ralph Lauren”?
Five things separate this tree from an ordinary red and green one:
- Deep, not bright, colors. Cranberry, burgundy, hunter green, and gold. No candy red, silver, or icy blue.
- Tartan. Usually as ribbon, bows, or the tree skirt, not on every ornament.
- Warm metals. Gold glass, brass bells, antique-finish stars.
- A few natural and handmade pieces. Pine cones, wooden ornaments, dried orange slices, a teddy bear or two (a nod to the brand’s well-known Polo Bear).
- Warm white light. This one detail makes the colors glow instead of looking flat.
The overall feeling is a country house or a lodge library in December. Nothing looks brand new or perfectly matched.
Choosing Your Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree
Real or artificial. Both work. A real tree brings the smell and a natural, slightly uneven shape that suits this style. The National Christmas Tree Association has helpful tips for choosing a fresh tree, linked at the end of this post. Fraser fir is a popular choice for decorating because its branches are sturdy enough for heavier glass ornaments. If you choose artificial, look for a full shape and realistic, molded tips. Flat, papery needles look cheap up close, and this style is all about texture.
Shape and fullness. Choose a full tree rather than a slim one, unless space is tight. A Ralph Lauren tree looks generous and abundant.
Height. Leave room for the topper. A large bow or star adds several inches, so measure your ceiling and leave at least 6 inches of space above it.
Placement. Keep the tree out of the main walkway and away from heat vents and the fireplace. My living room layout guide explains the walking clearances worth keeping.
Decorating Your Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree in 7 Steps
Step 1: Lights
Use warm white lights only. Many decorators use a rule of thumb of about 100 mini lights per foot of tree height, so a 7-foot tree would take around 700. Use more if you like a brighter tree.
Wrap the lights deep inside the branches, near the trunk, as well as along the outer tips. Lights only on the outside make the tree look flat. Lights inside give it depth and a glow from within. Miniature lights also give off less heat, which helps a real tree dry out more slowly.
Suggested read: Easy and Budget-Friendly Christmas Decor Ideas for Your Home
Step 2: Ribbon
Ribbon is what makes the tree read as Ralph Lauren from across the room. Use a wired tartan ribbon at least 2.5 inches wide, or a deep red velvet.
Two ways to apply it:
- Cascading: Cut lengths of ribbon and tuck them in from top to bottom in loose vertical lines. This looks relaxed and current.
- Loops: Tuck the ribbon in and pull out soft loops every 8 to 12 inches as you work around the tree.
Choose ribbon or bead garland, not both. Two kinds of garland compete with each other.
Step 3: Anchor ornaments
Start with your largest, simplest ornaments: red and gold glass balls in two or three sizes. Hang some deep inside the tree, close to the lights, and the rest near the tips. The inner ones add depth and reflect light outward.
Group them loosely in threes rather than spacing them evenly. An evenly dotted tree looks like a store display.
Step 4: Character ornaments
Now add the pieces that give the tree its personality: plaid balls, small brass bells, wooden or felt ornaments, teddy bears, horses, toy soldiers, or vintage glass. These belong near the tips at eye level, where people will see them up close.
Step 5: Natural picks
Finish the fullness with natural touches: pine cones, red berry picks, dried orange slices, or sprigs of eucalyptus or cedar tucked into gaps. They soften the glass and make the tree feel less shiny.
Step 6: Topper
A large tartan or velvet bow with long tails is the classic choice. An antique-finish gold star also suits the style. Keep the topper in scale: on a 7-foot tree, a small topper looks lost.
You might want to read: How to Decorate a Table for Christmas: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 7: The base
Finish with a tartan tree skirt, a wool plaid blanket wrapped around the base, or a woven basket collar. Wrap gifts in brown kraft paper or deep red paper with plaid ribbon, so the presents become part of the look.
Cozy Haven Tales Pro Tip: Step back to the doorway after each step and squint. Dark holes and crowded spots are much easier to see from across the room than up close.
Ornaments for a Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree
You don’t need branded ornaments. Ralph Lauren Christmas ornaments are a recognizable style, and pieces from any store can give the same effect. Look for:
- Red and gold glass balls, in mixed sizes and finishes (shiny, matte, glitter-free)
- Tartan or plaid fabric balls
- Brass or gold bells
- Teddy bears, especially in sweaters or scarves
- Equestrian pieces: horses, riding boots, horseshoes
- Toy soldiers and nutcrackers in red and green
- Wooden ornaments in natural or painted finishes
- Vintage glass from thrift stores or family boxes
A good mix is mostly simple glass (about two-thirds), with character pieces making up the rest. Too many character ornaments and the tree starts to look busy. Too few and it looks plain.
If you’re decorating on a budget, my Ralph Lauren Christmas decorating ideas on a budget post has tips on thrifting ornaments and DIY pieces like dried orange slices.
6 Ralph Lauren Inspired Christmas Tree Ideas
1. The classic Royal Stewart tree
Red Royal Stewart tartan bows tied directly onto the branches, red and gold glass, and a large plaid bow on top. This is the most recognizable version and works in almost any traditional living room.
2. The Black Watch tree
Navy and green Black Watch tartan ribbon with gold and deep green ornaments. It’s quieter and more tailored than the red version, and it suits a room with dark wood, navy, or green walls.
Helpful read: Santa Claus Figurines You’ll Love: Top Amazon Picks
3. The equestrian lodge tree
Brass bells, horse and riding-boot ornaments, leather or suede ribbon, and a touch of plaid. It works best near a fireplace or with leather furniture nearby.
Related read: How to Mix Rustic and Elegant Decor, the same balance this tree is built on.
4. The woodland tree
Pine cones, brass bells, wooden stars, and natural touches like dried orange slices or red berries, with just a few glass balls. A woven basket collar suits it well. It’s the most natural version and the easiest to make on a budget.
5. The library tree
Red and gold ornaments, small framed miniature portraits or vintage ornaments, and a tree set in front of a bookcase. The books behind it do half the styling. If your shelves need attention first, my tips on creating a focal point help you decide what to show off.
6. The study or home office tree
Not every tree has to live in the living room. A second tree in a study or home office, beside a leather sofa, a desk lamp, and a tartan throw, makes the whole house feel dressed for the season. Keep it simpler than the main tree: red and gold glass, warm white lights, and one ribbon. If space is tight, a 3- to 4-foot tree in a woven basket on a console gives you the same look. For more space-saving holiday ideas, see my small apartment Christmas decor post.
You might also like: 13 Modern Vintage Living Room Ideas, for the collected, layered feeling this tree shares.
Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree Mistakes to Avoid
- Cool white or multicolored lights. They make deep reds look flat and pull the tree away from this style.
- Silver ornaments. One or two vintage silver pieces are fine, but silver as a main color turns the tree wintry instead of warm.
- Plaid on everything. Use tartan for the ribbon or the skirt, plus a few ornaments, not every element.
- A perfectly matched set. A tree with 100 identical red balls looks like a store display. Mix sizes, finishes, and a few personal pieces.
- A tiny topper. It looks like an afterthought on a full tree.
Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree FAQs
Deep red or cranberry, hunter green, and gold, with navy as an option if you use Black Watch tartan. Cream and natural wood work as accents.
Warm white lights, wrapped both deep inside the branches and along the tips. Avoid cool white and multicolored lights.
Wired tartan ribbon, usually red Royal Stewart or Black Watch, at least 2.5 inches wide. Deep red velvet ribbon is a good alternative.
Yes. Choose a full shape with realistic tips, and add a few real cuttings of fir or cedar for scent and texture.
A large tartan or velvet bow with long tails, or an antique-finish gold star.
Cut about half an inch off the base of the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds about 1 quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, and check the water every day. The National Christmas Tree Association’s care tips (linked below) cover the rest, including keeping the tree away from fireplaces and heat vents.
A good Ralph Lauren tree looks like it has a history. Start with simple red and gold, add a few pieces with character, and let it grow a little each year.
Helpful Resources
- Tips for choosing a fresh tree from the National Christmas Tree Association.
- How to care for a real Christmas tree, also from the National Christmas Tree Association.
- Christmas decorating ideas for the Ralph Lauren aesthetic from designer Beth Bryan, for more ways to style the look.
