19 Things You Should Be Thrifting For Ralph Lauren Inspired Holiday Decor

If you've been on TikTok lately, you've likely heard the buzz of a Ralph Lauren Christmas. But, even if you've seen the TikToks with your own eyes, you still may be wondering, "What is a Ralph Lauren Christmas?" At its heart, it's all about a classic Christmas ... rich reds and greens with warm metallics, tartan plaids, loads of pine boughs ... but with an elevated, luxe touch. Vintage yet timeless and full of warmth with touches of crystal and brass. Cozy candles and warm light from ornate lamps highlight elegant table settings. Textures also play into the heritage feel — worn leathers, plush velvets, cozy wools — often layered for a warm yet polished look. 

Achieving a Ralph Lauren look to its fullest can add up quickly, especially if your current Christmas decor trends toward modern holidays. But you can do it on a budget, too. Start by combing through what you own to find what will work: Moody reds, greens, and blues fit the vibe. Maybe your parents or grandparents have vintage Christmas decor they no longer use. Then, head to the thrift store to fill in the gaps. Don't worry, we've pinned down several specific thrifted items to look for that channel the aesthetic. And if you want to continue the look throughout the year, watch for these items when thrifting to give a home a Ralph Lauren aesthetic year-round. With these tips, your home will look like Ralph Lauren himself decorated for you (but without the high price tag).

Sumptuous velvet is perfect for Ralph Lauren Christmas, but you're not limited to premade velvet items. Grab velvet accents at the thrift store, and turn them into custom Christmas decorations, like bows or pillow covers. Many thrift stories have fabric sections where you can find velvet scraps or ribbons. Use the homemade bows to decorate your tree, or use them to turn your framed wall art into moody holiday decor, fitting of the Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Velvet fabric even makes an eco-friendly wrapping paper option for a more sustainable option, whether you wrap presents for gift-giving or empty boxes as decorations.

Candlestick holders are common at thrift stores, but for this aesthetic, head toward brushed brass. Ornate, vintage-looking candlestick holders fit perfectly into your table settings, lending warmth and a grounded, aged look. Add red or green candles to use the brass holders on your table or mantel. Or, try some creative ways to repurpose candlestick holders around your home to infuse the warmth of brass into custom holiday decorations. Not sure if you found real brass? It should feel hefty in your hand, and a magnet won't stick to it. If you can't find real brass, use antique gold Rub n' Buff on any candlestick holder.

Head to the pillow section of the thrift store to give your living room a cozy Christmas update (or grab some scrap fabric and make your own no-sew pillow covers). This decorating style uses layered textiles to create the lush, cozy look, so throw pillows or pillow covers are perfect. Ralph Lauren Christmas leans heavily into tartan plaids, particularly in red and green, but navy is also a common addition to the patterning. Velvet fabric and traditional Christmas images also fit. Wash and fluff up your thrifted throw pillows, and put them on couches and beds throughout your home.

Your dining table is the perfect place to add opulent, classic Christmas detailing. Instead of spending $30 to $150 for each four-piece place setting, thrift vintage tableware in moody Christmas colors or plaid patterns that fit the Ralph Lauren feel. Elegant charger plates in antiqued gold set the stage for the upscale look of each table setting (you can often find seasonal and metallic chargers at Dollar Tree, to pair with thrifted ceramic white dishes for a chic vintage look, like this gold metallic charger with rippled edges).

Raise a glass when you discover cut glass or crystal stemware at the thrift store — they're common finds, so you should be able to piece together enough for your table, even if they don't match exactly. Cut glass pieces have sharper, intricate detailing, with crystal refracting light beautifully. Grab stemless glasses for various beverages, or thrift elegant champagne flutes and wine glasses to create a set of drinkware at each place setting. You can also grab cut glass trays and serveware for your holiday meals.

Your Ralph Lauren Christmas table isn't complete until you've layered it with fabrics, including at least some holiday plaid to tie together the thrifted table settings and crystal. Check the table linen section at the thrift for holiday plaid, whether it's placemats, cloth napkins, tablecloths, or table runners. Then, check for solid colors for the rest of the linens — this keeps your table from becoming too busy with patterns. A deep red runner breaks up a red and green plaid tablecloth, for example. Grab brass napkin rings to complete the look.

There are many ways to decorate your home with blankets, including draping them on sofas and beds. Wool is a timeless, natural choice for winter, long embraced by Ralph Lauren's brands. Green and red plaid is an easy choice if you can find it at the thrift store. If you find multiples, choose the most elegant option — tassels along the edge always add extra pizzazz. If you're lucky, you'll find coordinating throw pillows and blankets that someone donated together. To fix small moth holes, which are common in well-loved wool, you can darn the blankets just as you would a pair of wool socks.

Nutcrackers are one of many valuable vintage Christmas items to look for at thrift stores. Vintage nutcrackers can be valuable if they're in good condition, but even newer versions help you create the Ralph Lauren look. Classic soldier-style nutcrackers are the most fitting option. Look for a holiday section or general home decor as the holidays grow nearer, and don't be afraid to grab a time-worn nutcracker: The age adds charm, patina, and authenticity — key to the Ralph Lauren Christmas vibe.

Skip shiny silver in favor of burnished brass bells and horns. It evokes the warmth of the Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Finding the perfect vintage brass bell at the thrift store could be a challenge, but you can turn any thrifted bell (even those tacky plastic bells) into a vintage-looking showpiece. Start with a coat of matte black spray paint over the entire bell. Then, blot various shades of gold tones that mimic copper. A wet paper towel or sponge brush works well. Blot until you get a vintage brass look.

Vintage and heirloom are two words that aptly describe a Ralph Lauren Christmas, which is why now is the perfect time to check your parents' attic for vintage ornaments. If you strike out there, check local thrift shops for older ornaments. You'll be more likely to find new ornaments — look for options with vintage shapes, even if they're shiny. You can use a pigmented paste wax to give new ornaments an antiqued look. Fingernail polish remover with dull shiny finishes, and steel wool scuffs up new ornaments for an older look.

Have you seen the price of pine garland? It's expensive! Definitely grab imitation garland at the thrift store when you see it. Thick pine garland along stair railings or pine boughs arranged as centerpieces fit the traditional look. Red berries and accents also create the classic feeling. If all you find is thinner garland at the secondhand shop, get as much as you can, and double it up for a thicker look. Or, grab artificial greenery arrangements and disassemble them — then tuck the pieces into a garland to fill it out.

Can we hear it for brass one more time? The warmth of antiqued brass can't be denied when you're building a Ralph Lauren look. Keep your eyes open for Christmas-themed figurines at the thrift store — deer, trees, lanterns, or snowmen — anything wintry will do. You can use a method similar to the bells to age newer-looking metal Christmas figures. Coat them with matte black paint and dab with various shades of gold until you achieve a brass look. Then, tuck them on mantels and tables.

Bears are important in the Ralph Lauren aesthetic year-round. For your Christmas decor check thrift store ornaments for bears. Stuffed teddy bears are also a good option. If you can't find Christmas-themed bears, thrift plain teddy bears and dress them up with Santa hats or make scarves out of scraps of red fabric with cotton ball edges. Throw pillow, blankets, figurines, and wall art are other possible spots to find bear-themed decor that fits the Christmas feeling.

Don't ignore the book section at the thrift store just because you won't read them. With this simple DIY, you'll paint the cover in one of the moody Ralph Lauren shades, like navy, burgundy, or green. Use Dollar Tree letter stencils and gold acrylic paint to add festive titles to the books. While you're at the thrift store, grab some plaid or striped ribbon in festive colors, and tie it around the book. Or stack a few of the decorated books together in a pile with a bow around them all.  

Rocking horses are another nostalgic decoration that fits this classic Christmas theme. They bring to mind bygone times when kids received rocking horses as Christmas gifts. Check all home decor shelves for miniature rocking horses as they're not exclusively for Christmas and may not be with the holiday decor. You may want to clean up and wax the wood, or give it a fresh coat of stain, or leave it as-is for weathered authenticity. Smaller rocking horses can go on shelves, mantels, or tables, while larger versions look festive near a Christmas tree.

When you look for stockings at the thrift store, reach for the jewel tones and rich fabrics, like velvety material. Plaid stockings are also a good option that fit with the Ralph Lauren theme. Finding stockings at the thrift store is a cost-effective option, especially if you have a large family. If you can't find enough for your family in a matching design, mix and match your options — like a few plaid stockings with red velvet stockings. Check the shelves for brass stocking hangers while you're there.

Another thrift find that saves you money on the look is high-end ribbon. Wide, shimmery ribbon in classic Christmas colors or tartan plain ribbon allows you to make bows of any size for your tree, wreath, table decor, chairs, or anywhere else you want to add a traditional touch. Ribbon is also a way to add a fancy touch to all of your gifts this holiday season. You can often find full rolls of ribbon in the fabric and textiles section at secondhand shops, but even partial rolls get you started on your decorating.

The Ralph Lauren look relies on warm, cozy ambient lighting from fewer overhead lights and more small lamps. Place them throughout your home for this feeling, opting for more ornate lamps with metal bases and glass shades, over more modern, minimal designs. Lamps are common at many thrift stores, so you should have a good selection. Even if a lamp is no longer working, fill it with battery-powered pillar candles or strands of warm white string lights. Make sure the lamps are using cool-to-the-touch LED bulbs if you plan to add accessories like ribbon to the shades.

Vintage cookie tins integrate a touch of the English countryside, which is influential in Lauren's designs. Any vintage tin can be added to your decor or used as a container for gifts. Nestle the tin among other decorations, or open the lid to put greenery and red berries inside as a makeshift vase. To lean more toward the traditional Christmas motif, look for holiday colors, plaid designs — or, for a Ralph Lauren twist — bears!