A beautifully decorated Christmas tree can transform your home for the holidays. And if you love traditional decorations, luxurious fabrics, and rich colors, a Ralph Lauren Christmas tree is the perfect inspiration for creating an elegant festive atmosphere.
This timeless style combines deep burgundy, hunter green, navy blue, antique gold, beautiful tartan patterns, and oversized velvet bows. The result is a warm, sophisticated Christmas display inspired by traditional country homes.
Here are 17 Ralph Lauren Christmas tree decoration ideas to inspire your holiday decorating.
Table of Contents
1. Decorate With Classic Red and Green Tartan Ribbon
Tartan ribbon is one of the most recognizable elements of a Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas tree. Its combination of red, green, navy, and subtle gold instantly creates a traditional holiday appearance.
Choose wide wired ribbon measuring around 2-4 inches. It holds its shape beautifully and makes it easy to create oversized bows and cascading ribbon sections.
Instead of wrapping it tightly around the tree, tuck loose sections between the branches, allowing the fabric to flow naturally.
Styling tip: Choose tartan ribbon with burgundy and dark green tones for a beautiful combination with gold ornaments.
2. Add Luxurious Burgundy and Navy Velvet Bows
Velvet adds softness and richness to Christmas decorations. Burgundy bows create a beautiful contrast against green branches, while navy velvet offers a sophisticated alternative.
Choose wide velvet ribbon and create large bows with long, flowing tails. Distribute them throughout the tree rather than placing them all together.
You can combine burgundy velvet, navy ribbon with gold edging, and smaller tartan bows.
Styling tip: Use a few statement bows instead of filling every available space. This allows each decoration to stand out.
3. Decorate With Burgundy Velvet Ornaments
Burgundy velvet baubles bring a warm, traditional feeling to your Christmas tree.
Their soft matte finish contrasts beautifully with shiny gold ornaments and sparkling lights. Choose different sizes to create depth, placing larger baubles deeper into the branches and smaller ones toward the outside.
You can also select velvet ornaments with gold embroidery or decorative details.
Styling tip: Mix velvet baubles with glossy burgundy glass ornaments for an interesting combination of textures.
4. Use Deep Green Ornaments for an Elegant Look
Hunter-green and emerald ornaments blend beautifully with evergreen branches while adding subtle color and texture.
Choose glossy glass, matte baubles, or velvet decorations in different shades of green. Combine them with burgundy and antique gold for a balanced appearance.
This approach creates a rich Christmas palette without making the tree look overly colorful.
Styling tip: Place glossy green ornaments near warm white lights so their surfaces reflect the glow.
5. Introduce Traditional Gold Christmas Ornaments
Gold decorations bring warmth and brightness to a traditional Christmas tree.
Rather than using only shiny baubles, mix several finishes:
- Antique gold ornaments.
- Brushed metallic baubles.
- Ribbed gold glass decorations.
- Embossed ornaments.
- Small decorative stars.
- Vintage-inspired gold figures.
Distribute these decorations throughout the tree to complement the darker burgundy and green elements.
Styling tip: Choose antique brass or champagne gold for a softer, more timeless appearance.
6. Add Red Berry Picks for Natural Texture
Red berry picks add a beautiful seasonal touch and make your Christmas tree look fuller.
Choose realistic berry sprays and tuck them between larger ornaments. Allow a few branches to extend slightly beyond the tree for a natural arrangement.
They work particularly well with tartan ribbon, pinecones, and burgundy velvet bows.
Styling tip: Use berry picks in several areas rather than concentrating them in one section.
7. Bring an Equestrian Touch With Gold Horse Ornaments
Traditional equestrian decorations add a distinctive country-inspired character to Christmas trees.
Gold horse ornaments, miniature horseshoes, carousel horses, and vintage riding-inspired details all work beautifully with this style.
Choose a few special pieces and position them between navy ribbon and gold baubles.
You can also use one larger gold horse ornament as a focal point.
Styling tip: Antique gold finishes create a more traditional appearance than bright metallic decorations.
8. Include Teddy Bear Christmas Ornaments
Teddy bear ornaments add a charming, nostalgic touch to your Christmas tree.
Choose little bears wearing tartan jackets, burgundy outfits, green sweaters, or navy accessories. They look particularly beautiful among the branches of a full Christmas tree.
You can also place larger teddy bears underneath the tree alongside wrapped gifts.
Styling tip: Choose teddy bears with coordinated clothing colors to keep the overall display elegant.
9. Bring in Navy Blue Glass Ornaments
Navy blue is an important color in this traditional decorating palette.
Glossy navy glass baubles create beautiful contrast against green foliage and complement burgundy velvet ribbon.
Combine different sizes and finishes, including matte and reflective ornaments.
You can also introduce navy velvet ribbon with subtle gold edging.
Styling tip: Repeat navy throughout the tree so it connects the different ribbon patterns and decorations.
10. Hang Antique Gold Bells Throughout the Tree
Gold and brass bells are beautiful traditional Christmas decorations.
Choose different sizes, from tiny decorative bells to larger vintage-inspired pieces. Hang them between the tartan ribbons and velvet bows.
Small clusters of bells can also be attached to decorative ribbon.
Their metallic finish catches the warm lights and creates beautiful highlights against the darker colors.
Styling tip: Combine gold bells with antique gold baubles for a coordinated look.
11. Layer Different Ribbons for a Designer-Inspired Finish
Combining different ribbon textures is an easy way to create a professionally styled Christmas tree.
Try layering:
For example, pair wide red and green tartan with deep burgundy velvet and narrow navy ribbon.
You can use each material differently:
- Wide tartan ribbon creates the main decorative pattern.
- Burgundy velvet creates oversized bows.
- Navy ribbon adds contrast.
- Gold-edged ribbon introduces a subtle metallic detail.
Use the tartan as your main pattern, velvet for oversized bows, and navy as an additional accent.
Create loose vertical cascades and diagonal sections rather than following one direction throughout the tree.
Styling tip: Stick to two or three main ribbon styles to avoid making the tree look too busy.
12. Complete the Look With a Plaid Christmas Tree Skirt
A beautiful tree skirt completes the arrangement and conceals the tree stand.
Choose red, green, and navy tartan fabric that matches your ribbon. A ruffled edge adds a decorative touch, while simple plaid fabric creates a more understated finish.
Alternatively, a burgundy or forest-green velvet skirt can complement the ornaments beautifully.
Styling tip: Choose a generous size so your skirt extends beyond the bottom branches and provides space for presents.
13. Choose an Elegant Traditional Tree Topper
The tree topper is the finishing detail that draws the eye upward.
For a classic Christmas display, choose a traditional gold star, an oversized burgundy velvet bow, or a decorative antique-style ornament.
Other beautiful options include:
- Gold starburst decorations.
- Tartan bows.
- Gold decorative branches.
- Large velvet bows with long tails.
Styling tip: Choose a topper that complements your main decorations without overwhelming the tree.
14. Use Warm White Lights for a Cozy Glow
Warm white lights create the perfect atmosphere for a traditional Christmas tree.
They highlight the rich colors of burgundy, navy, green, and gold while making velvet and glass ornaments look even more beautiful.
Add your lights before the ribbons and ornaments. Work from the inside branches toward the outside to create depth.
Choose warm white rather than cool white or multicolored lighting.
Styling tip: Add enough lights toward the center of the tree so it glows from within.
15. Incorporate Pinecones and Natural Greenery
Pinecones and evergreen branches introduce natural texture and balance the more decorative ornaments.
Choose small and medium pinecones, cedar sprigs, or realistic greenery. Place them between the larger baubles to fill empty spaces.
You can use natural brown pinecones or lightly gold-painted versions for a more festive appearance.
Styling tip: Combine pinecones with a few red berry picks for a beautiful traditional arrangement.
16. Coordinate Your Christmas Presents With the Tree
Beautifully wrapped presents complete the overall Christmas display.
Choose wrapping paper in colors that complement your decorations, including:
- Red and green plaid.
- Burgundy paper.
- Forest-green gift boxes.
- Cream paper with gold details.
- Navy wrapping paper.
Finish each present with velvet bows, thin gold ribbon, or decorative gift tags.
You can also add a small evergreen sprig to a few packages for extra detail.
Styling tip: Repeat the tartan or velvet ribbon used on your tree to create a coordinated display.
17. Create a Grand Country-Style Christmas Tree
For the ultimate Ralph Lauren-inspired holiday display, combine all your favorite elements.
Start with a full evergreen tree and warm white lights. Add wide tartan ribbon, burgundy velvet bows, deep green baubles, navy glass ornaments, and antique gold decorations.
Finish with red berry picks, pinecones, traditional bells, and a few special equestrian ornaments.
Complete the arrangement with a matching plaid tree skirt and beautifully wrapped gifts.
Your surrounding room can also enhance the look. Dark wooden furniture, traditional rugs, plaid cushions, cozy lighting, and a fireplace all complement this decorating style.
Even a smaller apartment can capture the same atmosphere with a carefully selected palette and a few statement decorations.
Styling tip: Step back occasionally to check the overall arrangement. A balanced tree often looks more luxurious than one filled with too many decorations.
How to Recreate the Look on a Budget
You don’t need expensive designer decorations to create a beautiful traditional Christmas tree.
Reuse ornaments you already own and invest in a few statement pieces, such as wide tartan ribbon or velvet bows.
| Decoration | Affordable Alternative |
|---|---|
| Tartan ribbon | Craft-store wired plaid ribbon |
| Velvet bows | Handmade velvet bows |
| Burgundy ornaments | Repurposed glass baubles |
| Gold decorations | Gold-painted ornaments |
| Pinecone picks | Natural pinecones |
| Teddy bear ornaments | Small bears with ribbon accessories |
| Plaid tree skirt | Repurposed tartan fabric |
| Luxury gift wrapping | Kraft paper and velvet ribbon |
Focus on the overall color combination rather than the brand name. Thoughtful styling makes the biggest difference.
FAQs
What Colors Are Used in a Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree?
The traditional palette includes burgundy, hunter green, navy blue, antique gold, and cream. These colors look beautiful together with tartan ribbon and velvet decorations.
What Ribbon Should I Use?
Wide wired tartan ribbon is an excellent starting point. Combine it with burgundy or navy velvet ribbon for a rich, layered appearance.
How Do You Make a Christmas Tree Look Expensive?
Use warm white lights, a coordinated color palette, and different textures. Add statement bows, beautiful ornaments, natural greenery, and a matching tree skirt.
What Ornaments Look Best With Tartan Ribbon?
Burgundy velvet baubles, navy glass ornaments, gold bells, dark green decorations, and horse ornaments complement tartan beautifully.
A Ralph Lauren Christmas tree is all about timeless elegance, rich colors, beautiful textures, and traditional holiday charm.
Whether you prefer a grand traditional tree or a smaller cozy arrangement, these 17 Ralph Lauren Christmas tree decoration ideas offer plenty of inspiration for creating a memorable holiday display that you’ll love bringing back year after year.
And for more Christmas Tree ideas explore our Amazing DIY Dollar Tree Christmas Decorations To Try This Year!
