Ralph Lauren Christmas Is All Over TikTok—Here’s How to Nail the Look in 5 Steps

Let me set the scene: It’s December 2005, and my mom has declared we’re “taking a personal day.” School can wait. My grandparents are tucked away in the Berkshires, so we hijack their apartment on 89th and York, drop our bags and step out into the city. Outside, Manhattan feels like a snow globe that’s just been shaken: steam rising from subway grates, taxi lights smearing across wet pavement, the faint jingle of a Salvation Army bell echoing down Madison Avenue.

My mom, my sister and I lock arms in bundled coats and wool scarves. My dad trails a few paces behind with a folded Times, calling out, “Where to first, Jaim?” Mom doesn’t even look back. “Take a wild guess.” We all know what that means: Ralph Lauren.

From the street, the store looks like a Christmas card—limestone façade draped in garland, navy awnings taut as ribbons, brass lanterns flickering beside evergreen wreaths. Inside, it smells of pine, tobacco and polished mahogany. The staircase is wrapped in tartan ribbon, red velvet bows dangle from chandeliers and the mannequins wear tweed blazers like guests at a Scottish dinner party. Bing Crosby croons faintly through the speakers while crystal decanters catch the light like jewelry. My five-year-old sister’s making the sales associate sweat near the snow-globe display, Dad and I are sipping Ralph’s hot chocolate from the oversized leather club chairs and Mom’s somewhere upstairs, insisting she’s “just browsing”—though we all know she’ll leave with something plaid.

My family made a holiday-season pilgrimage to Ralph Lauren the way some families went to mass. It wasn’t about what the store was selling so much as the feeling—the warmth, the tradition, the storybook fantasy lit by candlelight and framed in plaid. And now, 20 years later, that same dream has found its way onto TikTok. The “Ralph Lauren Christmas” aesthetic—once reserved for Park Avenue windows and glossy catalog spreads—has gone viral with millions of views.

In honor of my tradition—and the trend—I’m breaking down the five-step decorating formula of Ralph Lauren Christmas (plus every tartan item to shop before they’re out of stock).

If it can be wrapped, draped or tied in tartan (Scottish plaid)—do it. On the tree and staircase, trade traditional red ribbon for Royal Stewart tartan cascading down the branches and along the banister. You also want to balance it with Black Watch or Hunting tartan on pillows and table linens—darker tones will keep the palette grounded. Drape a Dress Gordon throw across the arm of a club chair, layer in velvet pillows with contrast piping and hang a tartan lampshade or two for good measure. The goal isn’t to match—it’s to mismatch deliberately until the room feels curated.

Garland is the anchor of this look—it commands the room. Combine two or three nine-foot strands of faux Scotch pine or magnolia to create that double-thick fullness. Wrap it tightly along mantels, mirrors or doorframes, wiring in cedar sprigs for scent. Then, stud the greenery with red roses, berries, pinecones and a few glossy magnolia leaves for dimension. You want to keep the shape architectural—not whimsical—and light it with strands of *warm white bulbs only.* Done right, it should feel less “DIY” and more “Park Avenue florist on retainer.”

These are your workhorses for a timeless tablescape. Start with a few oversized brass hurricanes down the dining table, alternating heights and filling them with ivory pillars or floating roses. In between, nestle nickel or silver bowls brimming with berries, walnuts or magnolia leaves. Layer this on a Black Watch tablecloth and top each place setting with cut-crystal glassware and patterned china (think Herend, not HomeGoods). For sideboards or consoles, you can also group hurricanes in threes and flank them with crystal decanters—the light bouncing between metals and glass should make the whole vignette look candle-lit even when it’s not.

Every Ralph Lauren design has a nod to the stables—it’s what keeps the polish from feeling stuffy. Picture framed equestrian art hung above a mantel, a pair of riding boots by the door or a vintage polo mallet propped casually in the corner. On shelves, mix in leather-bound books, silver trophies or small horse figurines to break up greenery and candles. The key is to make it feel inherited, like these pieces have been part of the home long before the garland went up.

Hot tip:It’s not the tree that makes this look complete—it’s the windows. You can lightly mist the corners and edges with Crystal Frost or Santa Ice Crystal spray until they look like they’ve just been kissed by snow. Then, hang a single velvet bow and some pine dead center on each pane. (Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, frame the exterior in magnolia garland for that Madison Avenue window effect). Outside lanterns should get a mini swag of pinecones and berries; inside, hide a string of warm-white twinkle lights behind the curtains so the glow diffuses through the frost.